yy-47332 Reviews

Havana Divas (2018)

Film reflexes its self influence

[9/10 · 3 February 2024]

Havana Divas

I watched the film on early 2024, the film last part included film itself ( film events and its influences) which is a avant-gard approach in documentary and showed how the film pushed the willing of a group of senior Chinese immigrants who were in Cuba to further maintain and develop Chinese culture after the Cuba's opening up. And we saw certain achievements have accomplished. It could be easily infer that the film has several different editions and the film itself really takes part into the Chinese culture propagation. And the story surely is happening, and could not cease 'until the end' Soundscapes reflects the certain place of a certain period of time. And the image really shows the time shifts from 30s to 50s to 2019, and sound follows. Director takes advantage of the co-work between sound and image, put a huge amount of information in both tracks, and the pace is fast, if you really consider the knowledge the film presents, watch it once is not enough.

This film is a great cutting point to investigate that period time and the certain history. The film's filming timing is perfect. 2015 was the year Obama pushed to remedy the relationship between Cuba and the US. Later then, Trump's cabinet had another consideration. And later to the pandemic. So this film is a great historical thesis to help audiences understand the cantonese opera, as well as the Chinese culture in Cuba.

Elegies (2023)

Elegies- improvisational journey

[9/10 · 22 January 2024]

Elegies- improvisational journey

Ann, living fossil of Hong Kong new wave, she's pushing the new wave even further towards the direction where she regards as "future." At first stages of watching Elegies, I even regard her as Agnès Varda, but as the film plays, more philosophical thinkings unfolds. It seems the content of each parts of the documentary drift in different directions and torn the theme apart. Conventional elements of documentary like POVs even drift, not to mention director's self-present, off-axis, crews invasion, shifts of accents, etc. Ann holds the vibe and brings the auditor ascend to her spiritual level.

Few elements I want to point out that, the film was mostly rely on dialogue, most of the director's thinkings, philosophical ideas and metaphors were conveyed & delivered by dialogue. In the post-screening discussion, I asked her about that and she replied not at all ( with laughter) humorous woman indeed. Break the so called law, no doctrine exists, there just free thought with vibe.

Hukkle (2002)

Groundbreaking Storytelling Method

[6/10 · 6 January 2024]

The first question came to me is that's a documentary or a narrative? When I watch the film the second time, some details shown me that's a narrative.

Sound (I believe mostly effects, rather that set-recording) connected each phase of the storytelling, without the using of narration, to gave the critics brand new world. I told to others that's a universally understandable craftsmanship regardless it's origination from Hungary. I think it's another type of minimalist & it's like a poem, with utilise the least information to convey gigantic "meanings" , or to say, information, behind.

But consider it if had exceeded the general moviegoers' appreciation. At least jump off from Hollywoodish film pile, may it need a little adjustment of appreciation, for me, at least.

A Life in Six Chapters (2022)

Meticulous & Detailed portray of not merely a person, but a period of turmoil

[7/10 · 6 January 2024]

The five-chapter-division seems cliche, but best depicted Jun's life.

A few spots called my tears when narrates Jun's cry in Hong's residence, that recalls me the last part from Breakback Mt, from Ann Lee. A touch of men's deepest hidden nature to love. Another spot when Jun's son took "us" to where father had been spoiled, it was a great empathetic spot also brought me tears.

The film's last part of Jun's illness company with a ticking sound design of medical apparatus. Very detailized. Each chapter with time-referental songs marked and presented each periof of time & its social forms.

Good story meticulously organised.