Go to the site and see all the rest Janapar - a true story
Thursday 6 December 2012
Videos that are a Gas #10
Have a look at this most epic of life adventures
Go to the site and see all the rest Janapar - a true story
Go to the site and see all the rest Janapar - a true story
Friday 30 November 2012
Tuesday 27 November 2012
Tokyo FILMEX 2012
Okay, so now I wanna go to Japan!
A wee bit late, may have missed the boat but still could fly there.
What a program, What a festival. Tokyo FILMEX 2012
The creme de la creme of Asian Cinema but only nine films in competition?
Ahha but 14 films in special screenings!
Here's a little run down on some of the South Korean & Japanese gems
Hong
Sang soo's In Another Country is the opening film and he was a there
for a Q&A. This is an extraordinarily witty film with the addition
of English dialogue from Isabelle Huppert presence making for some
fantastic cross conversations and quite awkward situations. For me it
was evidence of evolution of filmmaker and thus I see it totally as
fitting to be an opening film for a good look'n festival.
 |
| Moon Sori, Hong Sangsoo, French actress Isabelle Huppert, Yu Jun Sang and Youn Yuh-jung arrive for the screening of "In Another Country." at Canne 2012 |
Hong Sang soo has four films touring the country, described as a 'roadshow'. Sounds like the surf movie exhibition route of traveling the coast of Australia during summer? Hahaha, Like You Know It All, Oki‘s Movie and The Day He Arrives. The roadshow started at Cinemart Shinjuku, Tokyo on November 18th. After 6 weeks in Tokyo, the roadshow will move to Osaka and continue for 3 weeks. Then it will progress to other cities including Nagoya, Kyoto and Fukuoka.
But back to Filmex, here's a bit of a coup, Sion Sono's Bad Film is getting it's premier.
Shot in 1995 on Hi8 it was never finished! That is until this year, 17 years later and apparently sourced from 150hrs of footage, this is one that I would love to see.
Stunning, awe-inspiring, masterwork are some of the adjectives used to describe this film.
161min of pure experimental Sion SonoI'm excited. It's political, it's activism, it's about China and Japan. It stars Tokyo GAGAGA
It's a good year when they release Bad Film.
Ok and now back to Korea, the one that roared at Venice this year, with some controversy but hell I still wanna see it that's for sure.
Kim Ki Duk's - Pieta
The first South Korean film to win the ol' Golden Lion. It's a film about mum and son but that's really under selling it.
Two of his other films are on my to see list. The auto biographical doco Arirang and one I almost saw at KOFFIA this year Spring Summer Autumn Winter...and Spring
No doubt I've missed some beauties in this years line up but hey if you just saw these three in a week it'd be a pretty darn good one. eh? just another good reason to visit Japan. but hurry!
Monday 26 November 2012
Feel the Need for Tweed?
Lordy do da, it was on again this weekend.
Tweeds Rule!
Yes, the first Tweed ride post winter. And wow Nice Day, Nice Turn Out
The Melbourne Tweed Ride November 2012.
The first time I encountered this crew was last Feb, that was a gentle cruise along the bay from St Kilda to Port Melbourne.
This time it was a bit more central and a little less hot.
There were frocks aplenty, looking radiant in the sunshine. The grass was green and the hampers were lavish, what a fine day for a picnic with lashings of ginger beer
And after a bite to eat the only formalities was a celebration of the finery. A passing parade to select best couple, best dressed male and female and best Mo? Well that's because of an affiliation with this years Movember fund raiser for Prostate Cancer research
The Gentlemen also cut a fine look, oh so dashing and most verily dapper indeed!
Suits, Jackets, Vests, Caps, Slacks, Bow Ties, Knickerbokers, Gloves and Braces.
It certainly was a testament to days of old and such a celebration of the sauve.
Oh hang on, the bikes, The Bikes, THE BIKES.
All this would be nothing without the bikes. And what a selection there was too.
Penny Farthings x two, taking the high ride. There was a tandem but you sat side by side. A number of very odd designs that I had never seen before and then there were the classics.
Such beautiful workmanship, such delightful engineering, such an amazing sight to behold.
So many good look'n oldies all in a row.
Stay tuned for Movember Tweed - the video
Tweeds Rule!
Yes, the first Tweed ride post winter. And wow Nice Day, Nice Turn Out
The Melbourne Tweed Ride November 2012.
The first time I encountered this crew was last Feb, that was a gentle cruise along the bay from St Kilda to Port Melbourne.
This time it was a bit more central and a little less hot.
Starting at the State Library, it was a gentle trundle down Swanston
Walk then onto the Yarra and along before crossing the river and winding back past
the Botanical Gardens and ending at the Kings Domain, just near Govt
House and the Shrine.
And after a bite to eat the only formalities was a celebration of the finery. A passing parade to select best couple, best dressed male and female and best Mo? Well that's because of an affiliation with this years Movember fund raiser for Prostate Cancer research
Suits, Jackets, Vests, Caps, Slacks, Bow Ties, Knickerbokers, Gloves and Braces.
It certainly was a testament to days of old and such a celebration of the sauve.
Oh hang on, the bikes, The Bikes, THE BIKES.
All this would be nothing without the bikes. And what a selection there was too.
Penny Farthings x two, taking the high ride. There was a tandem but you sat side by side. A number of very odd designs that I had never seen before and then there were the classics.
Such beautiful workmanship, such delightful engineering, such an amazing sight to behold.
So many good look'n oldies all in a row.
Friday 23 November 2012
Suit Up and Ride
Well having arrived to shoot this event a week early last Friday ("if you don't arrive early then you have to be late"...Max Gaffney) I was certainly in good stead to shoot it today. I knew the lay of the land and I knew where to park and I even knew where the toilets were located and where I could get a good coffee!
This is the 2nd year running for this whacky event held at the Docklands (used to be my home away from home)
Suit Up and Ride is a bike race to raise money for charity!
It's a team time trial race. 6 riders per team 1 lap per team and your time stops when the last rider is over the finish line.
What's the big deal I hear you ask?
The twist is that your riders are in their work attire, mainly but not exclusively suits and the bikes you are racing on are fom the Melbourne Bike Share scheme. Ah Ha!
Over $156,000 was raised for Orygen Youth Health last year.
for research projects in the area of suicide prevention, vocational and social recovery, trauma, e-youth mental health initiatives and programs such as the Family Peer Support Program, a program that helps families with a newly diagnosed son or daughter with a mental illness by offering advice and mentoring to help them through these difficult times. www.suitupandride.com.au
There are prizes for the fastest team and the best dressed team and Cadel Evans was there....again!
And he goes for a spin too! Not quite the Tour de Dockland but hey nice to have your support and company Cadel. He was racing against Dutch rider Koen de Kort from Team Argos Shimano.
Some of the teams were fair dinkum and serious whilst others were in it for a Fri arvo after work, social activity.
For the Docklands it was quite a perfect afternoon, sun was out and breeze weren't too bad and as they kept banging on over the PA, Mark Seymour is going to play at the end of the race.
So teams were allocated into groups and the fastest team of the group moved on to the next round. So there were quaters and semis and then the biggie, you know the score.
A very very fun way to raise money for a cause that could certainly do with it
So the big winner on the day was Orygen Youth Health and really all the rest was here nor there. A few riders crashed but there were no injuries bar bruised egos. And I think that maybe one or two people went on their maiden bike ride too! Nice way to start out.
Ohh and did I mention Mark Seymour played at the end of the race. Yes he was in the Hunters and Collectors back in the eighties and yes they were good.
Suit Up and Ride is a bike race to raise money for charity!
It's a team time trial race. 6 riders per team 1 lap per team and your time stops when the last rider is over the finish line.
What's the big deal I hear you ask?
The twist is that your riders are in their work attire, mainly but not exclusively suits and the bikes you are racing on are fom the Melbourne Bike Share scheme. Ah Ha!
for research projects in the area of suicide prevention, vocational and social recovery, trauma, e-youth mental health initiatives and programs such as the Family Peer Support Program, a program that helps families with a newly diagnosed son or daughter with a mental illness by offering advice and mentoring to help them through these difficult times. www.suitupandride.com.au
There are prizes for the fastest team and the best dressed team and Cadel Evans was there....again!
And he goes for a spin too! Not quite the Tour de Dockland but hey nice to have your support and company Cadel. He was racing against Dutch rider Koen de Kort from Team Argos Shimano.
 |
| Cadel Evans, 2011 Tour de France winner and 2nd time supporter of Suit Up & Ride |
Some of the teams were fair dinkum and serious whilst others were in it for a Fri arvo after work, social activity.
For the Docklands it was quite a perfect afternoon, sun was out and breeze weren't too bad and as they kept banging on over the PA, Mark Seymour is going to play at the end of the race.
So teams were allocated into groups and the fastest team of the group moved on to the next round. So there were quaters and semis and then the biggie, you know the score.
A very very fun way to raise money for a cause that could certainly do with it
So the big winner on the day was Orygen Youth Health and really all the rest was here nor there. A few riders crashed but there were no injuries bar bruised egos. And I think that maybe one or two people went on their maiden bike ride too! Nice way to start out.
Ohh and did I mention Mark Seymour played at the end of the race. Yes he was in the Hunters and Collectors back in the eighties and yes they were good.
 |
| The Hunter & Collector himself, Mark Seymour playd at the end of the race! |
Tuesday 20 November 2012
Velodrome Results Are Coming In
I wrote the other week of filming inside the Northcote Velodrome, well I'm happy to say the results are starting to come in.
1st cab of the rank is the final year film that I was helping out on.
It's called White Wheels and the trailer is now complete, which was the aim of the exercise for Brendan and Prasad.
A neat little effort that teases out a story of loss and determination.
It's about a lad who lost his champion cyclist brother in a road accident and how the family's post trauma, fear and grief prevent him from living his dream of hitting the pedals and fly like the wind.
All he wants to do is ride in honour of his best buddy bro and make his parents proud!
They have made good use of the footage and this is the result
1st cab of the rank is the final year film that I was helping out on.
It's called White Wheels and the trailer is now complete, which was the aim of the exercise for Brendan and Prasad.
A neat little effort that teases out a story of loss and determination.
It's about a lad who lost his champion cyclist brother in a road accident and how the family's post trauma, fear and grief prevent him from living his dream of hitting the pedals and fly like the wind.
All he wants to do is ride in honour of his best buddy bro and make his parents proud!
They have made good use of the footage and this is the result
 |
| Up Close and Personal! |
 |
| Prasad & Brendan collecting sight & sound |
Thursday 15 November 2012
See Sea Gypsys or Bajau's on Film
Coincidence or something greater?
They say things happen in threes, well then I'm waiting for the third because these are the two so far that I know of
Thy Womb by Brillante Mendoza (Filipino) and The Mirror Never Lies by Kamila Andini (Indonesian)
The common factor?
Both these films are stories involving the Bajo (Bajau), an ethnic minority that live on the ocean. Their houses are built on stilts and their transport is by boat and they live off the sea.
after which is where the two films probably depart.
Thy Womb premiered at Venice this year where although it didn't take out the biggies did collect three awards and it has also been to Toronto & Busan. Not a bad year!
I am yet to see this one and wish I could be in Brisbane for BIFF 2012 because they are showing it on the Mon 19th and Sun 25th November. Its headlining actress is Nora Aunor (Pinoy superstar) who plays an infertile midwife. Her husband wants a child of his own and thus she seeks out a fertile woman for him played by Lovi Poe.
And of course Mercedes Cabral is in it too.
The Mirror Never Lies I have seen and it is a beautiful tale of a young girl coming to terms with her fathers disappearance at sea. She swears that he will return but he never does. It features a lovely ensemble of children as the main cast and the amazing part is that they all are native Bajo and have never acted before. This achievement is totally reflective of the director Kamila who has made documentaries up until this film and has fostered relationships with these people over a number of years. I caught this film at MIFF this year and was lucky enough to meet Kamila and hear her speak after the film. Fascinating Stuff!
It, like Thy Womb has traveled and been to Busan and Edinburgh and a swag of other festivals and also scooped its fair share of awards. It was part of BIFF's Cine Sparks (The International Film Festival For Young People) in October of this year. So I hope you saw it then Brissy?
What I am now waiting for is the third Bajo film to make its appearance...
...and this anticipation is quite exciting!
You can catch Brillante Mendoza at BIFF in a free industry talk on Mon 19th Nov at 4.30pm
Thy Womb is also up for Best Director and Best Actress, I think Nora may win.
They say things happen in threes, well then I'm waiting for the third because these are the two so far that I know of
Thy Womb by Brillante Mendoza (Filipino) and The Mirror Never Lies by Kamila Andini (Indonesian)
The common factor?
 |
| A Bajo Village |
after which is where the two films probably depart.
Thy Womb premiered at Venice this year where although it didn't take out the biggies did collect three awards and it has also been to Toronto & Busan. Not a bad year!
I am yet to see this one and wish I could be in Brisbane for BIFF 2012 because they are showing it on the Mon 19th and Sun 25th November. Its headlining actress is Nora Aunor (Pinoy superstar) who plays an infertile midwife. Her husband wants a child of his own and thus she seeks out a fertile woman for him played by Lovi Poe.
And of course Mercedes Cabral is in it too.
The Mirror Never Lies I have seen and it is a beautiful tale of a young girl coming to terms with her fathers disappearance at sea. She swears that he will return but he never does. It features a lovely ensemble of children as the main cast and the amazing part is that they all are native Bajo and have never acted before. This achievement is totally reflective of the director Kamila who has made documentaries up until this film and has fostered relationships with these people over a number of years. I caught this film at MIFF this year and was lucky enough to meet Kamila and hear her speak after the film. Fascinating Stuff!
 |
| Pakis is hoping to catch the shadow of her father through using the mirror |
What I am now waiting for is the third Bajo film to make its appearance...
...and this anticipation is quite exciting!
You can catch Brillante Mendoza at BIFF in a free industry talk on Mon 19th Nov at 4.30pm
Thy Womb is also up for Best Director and Best Actress, I think Nora may win.
Wednesday 14 November 2012
Park My Bike, Pimp My Ride!
There's a lot of videos around showcasing some amazing cycling skills but personally I look forward to the future if this is an indication of the new generation rider
over and over and over again. Confidence and Handling, Precision and Pride.
Monday 12 November 2012
Hit Girls: Kung Fu Sydney Way
This is the final push for HIT GIRLS - a girl on girl action kung fu film staring Hong Kong celebrity JuJu Chan and Sydney mover and shaker Maria Tran. Less than 48hrs to jump onboard and support.
After a glitch in the system (Indigogo & PayPal) the campaign has been granted an extension.
4 days to go as of the 13th Nov. Go Go Go!
Check out some more of her vids on the youtube and especially
Enter the Dojo - test shoot (below)
This is just scratching the surface but the point being
TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO HELP HIT GIRLS
If you like the fight then get on over to Indigogo and support this project
After a glitch in the system (Indigogo & PayPal) the campaign has been granted an extension.
4 days to go as of the 13th Nov. Go Go Go!
"This fast turnover project (written in late Sept, production in Oct-Nov, editing in Nov and launch in Dec) is solely supported via community donations from as little as $10 is still in need of further support to reach it’s $4,000 target mark." http://www.indiegogo.com/hitgirls?c=homeAnd that kinda sums up Maria Tran, she is a fast turn around, go getter, doer, with a slight tongue in check sense of humour? She first came to my attention with her Quest for Jacki Chan but that's a whole other story. There's also a mocumentary Hot Bread Shop and some fun with Super Vlogger Natalie Tran from the community channel.
Check out some more of her vids on the youtube and especially
Enter the Dojo - test shoot (below)
This is just scratching the surface but the point being
TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO HELP HIT GIRLS
If you like the fight then get on over to Indigogo and support this project
Saturday 10 November 2012
Videos that are a Gas #10
This is such a feel good song in the vein of Edward Sharp & the Magnetic Zeros Home but check the animation too! Simplicity cuts so deep sometimes, is it the epic trek of the Journeymen? or is it the archetypal mythical beasts they encounter? or is the benevolence of an all loving guardian angel?
Oh well the combination does it for me....enjoy!
Oh well the combination does it for me....enjoy!
Thursday 8 November 2012
Filipino Forte or the day I want to go to Newyork
The International Film Festival Manhattan IFFM 2012.
Here's a festival that's kicking off in the Big Apple mid November and amongst its line up is a good selection of Pinoy Indie Films. I'm starting to get a bit jealous of these fests that have a bundle of films that I have read about, watched trailers for, sometimes chatted to their makers but as yet have not seen them.
Anyway for you all in New York you have the chance and this is what you can see.
Ganap Na Babae/Garden of Eve - Fri. Nov. 9, 2012 at 5:10 PM
Directed by: Rica Arevalo, Ellen Ramos, Sarah Roxas (HUBO)
A film shot in three parts and directed by three women, certainly one that would pass the The Bechdel Test for Women in Movies with flying colours! and Yes that's Mercedes Cabral and no this is not the first post of mine she has appeared in (Pinoy Pride & I Wanna Go to Busan) but look who else is on the bill. Sue Prado is also in it and she is also very prolific
(Bahay Bata/Baby Factory by Eduardo W Roy Jr. and Cuchera by Joseph Isreal Laban are two fairly recent ones)
I think you could safely say she was all over Cinemalaya in 2011.
She also appears in Aswang/Vampire by Jerold Tarog - Sat. Nov. 10, 2012 at 9:30 PM
Jerold is a very interesting filmmaker who has made some great shorts but caught my attention with Senior Year released in 2010. Aswang is a horror and looks great.
HUBO has another in the line up, this one directed by Will Fredo or from 'the psyche of Will Fredo' (also known for his Butoh 舞踏 performances)
The Caregiver - Sat. Nov. 10, 2012 at 7:20PM
Looks like another great production from a very solid and consistent team.
But back to the Butoh, check this wild performance out
Some of the other films from the Philippines include:
Haruo (Springtime Man) by Adolfo Alix Jr - Sat. Nov. 10, 2012 at 5:00 PM
staring Jacky Woo & Cherry Pie Picache from the man who bought you ISDA/Fable of the Fish
Thelma by Paul Soriano - Sat. Nov. 10, 2012 at 3 PM
this also has Sue Prado in it
Busong by Auraeus Solito - Sat. Nov. 10, 2012 at 1:00 PM
Oh and I want to mention a short film being shown called
Alibi by Perry Escano - Mon. Nov. 12, 2012 at 1PM
A cautionary tale centered on two actor friends who perpetually search for urban adventure and cosmopolitan excitement. A look into what happens between scenes during production.
And there are others too, check out the program, even a few Aussie ones.
I reckon I'd be a pig in shit at this festival
Here's a festival that's kicking off in the Big Apple mid November and amongst its line up is a good selection of Pinoy Indie Films. I'm starting to get a bit jealous of these fests that have a bundle of films that I have read about, watched trailers for, sometimes chatted to their makers but as yet have not seen them.
Anyway for you all in New York you have the chance and this is what you can see.
Ganap Na Babae/Garden of Eve - Fri. Nov. 9, 2012 at 5:10 PM
Directed by: Rica Arevalo, Ellen Ramos, Sarah Roxas (HUBO)
 |
| Movie Poster for the MHP Award Winner |
A film shot in three parts and directed by three women, certainly one that would pass the The Bechdel Test for Women in Movies with flying colours! and Yes that's Mercedes Cabral and no this is not the first post of mine she has appeared in (Pinoy Pride & I Wanna Go to Busan) but look who else is on the bill. Sue Prado is also in it and she is also very prolific
(Bahay Bata/Baby Factory by Eduardo W Roy Jr. and Cuchera by Joseph Isreal Laban are two fairly recent ones)
I think you could safely say she was all over Cinemalaya in 2011.
She also appears in Aswang/Vampire by Jerold Tarog - Sat. Nov. 10, 2012 at 9:30 PM
Jerold is a very interesting filmmaker who has made some great shorts but caught my attention with Senior Year released in 2010. Aswang is a horror and looks great.
 |
| Sue Prado, champion of independent cinema |
The Caregiver - Sat. Nov. 10, 2012 at 7:20PM
Looks like another great production from a very solid and consistent team.
But back to the Butoh, check this wild performance out
KARNE: The Birth and Killing of the Flesh from blindwill
Some of the other films from the Philippines include:
Haruo (Springtime Man) by Adolfo Alix Jr - Sat. Nov. 10, 2012 at 5:00 PM
staring Jacky Woo & Cherry Pie Picache from the man who bought you ISDA/Fable of the Fish
Thelma by Paul Soriano - Sat. Nov. 10, 2012 at 3 PM
this also has Sue Prado in it
Busong by Auraeus Solito - Sat. Nov. 10, 2012 at 1:00 PM
Oh and I want to mention a short film being shown called
Alibi by Perry Escano - Mon. Nov. 12, 2012 at 1PM
A cautionary tale centered on two actor friends who perpetually search for urban adventure and cosmopolitan excitement. A look into what happens between scenes during production.
And there are others too, check out the program, even a few Aussie ones.
I reckon I'd be a pig in shit at this festival
 |
| Pinoy Showcase at the IFFM 2012 |
Sunday 4 November 2012
DISC - Inside the Velodrome
So I was lucky enough to have the Brunswick Cycling Club let me in to film their Tuesday Track Evening at the Northcote Velodrome. For me it was killing two birds with one stone. Adding to the cycle culture doco and also helping out some students who needed velodrome racing for their final year project.
We took down the AF100, the 7D, a 60D and two GoPro onboards.
We filmed the racing for a couple of hours and then got some onboard footage and camera buzzes.
Great footage, great night!
We took down the AF100, the 7D, a 60D and two GoPro onboards.
We filmed the racing for a couple of hours and then got some onboard footage and camera buzzes.
Great footage, great night!
 |
| I think you get rather tired pumping the Velodrome. Dave post Disc! |
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