Summer Course in Sweden
July 8, 2009
Upon our arrival in Stockholm, we were privileged to sit in for a lecture by Professor Alison Griffiths on Early Cinema and Cross-Cultural Representation at the Swedish film institute.
She explored the relationship between ethnography and early film making. 3 films were screened, Torres Straits Islanders, Hopi Snake Dance and Borneo Head-Hunters.
It was interesting to see and discuss how scientists / anthropologists use films to study different societies or even used it for commercial profit and how they choose to portray native people as inferior human beings.
It is sad though that after almost 100 years, filmmakers still choose to create that gap of superior and inferior between the “advance” and native people (advance in inverted coma’s because if it can definitely be redefined, for example we can measure a community as advance in terms of happiness or satisfaction or contentment or stress levels etc).
Ok, don’t wanna do an essay blog! Just thinking out loud. -r
Pic is of the Swedish Film Institute.
Stansted Airport
July 7, 2009
The new scene at Stansted airport.. Was shocked to see so many people sleeping on the floor EVERYWHERE!!
In the plane now and trying to blog via iPhone. Picture also taken with phone…
Oh.. Gonna take off!!! -r
docos
July 4, 2009
It’s a new trend that non-fiction filmmakers make documentaries that can change the world and I’m constantly inspired by these daring yet creative storytellers. Here are some recently made films that we would not see on mainstream media.
I’d love to hear some feedback if you’ve seen any of these films.
The nearby pool
July 1, 2009
Just as I thought that a pool to cool down will be a fantastic idea for the amazingly fantastic (and not so popular) summer heat, did I come across this not far from where we live.
Of course there were kids playing in the pool while I was passing, and taking pictures of the pool (for me) / the kids (for “them”) would arouse suspicion, so I had to resort to the trusted google maps street view. Boy has life changed with street view..
The other day I need to print something but didn’t want to go all the way to the printers. Got Google Maps up, went to street view and zoom in on the window of the store and got their phone number! So I rang them and good thing I did cause they quoted a ridiculous price. Thank you google for saving me time 
“Denial” going to Paris
June 22, 2009
“Denial” will be screened in Paris on the 9th July by the Human Rights Film Network who organises a monthly screening. If you speak and understand French, and will be Paris then, please do go and check it out at Cinéma Action Christine Odéon, 4 rue Christine, 75006 Paris at 8.30pm.
Denial
de Amy Lim
The Moving Pictures
3′30 / 2009
Depuis 1979, des dizaines de milliers de baha’is iraniens se sont vus refuser l’accès aux études supérieures du seul fait de leur croyance religieuse. Cette croyance implique l’égalité entre hommes et femmes, la justice sociale et, ironie du sort, l’accès à l’éducation pour tous. Dans ce court documentaire, la réalisatrice s’adresse à Geoffrey Cameron, assistant chercheur au sein du Foreign Policy Centre de Londres et co-auteur d’un ouvrage intitulé “A Revolution without Rights? Women, Kurds and Baha’is Searching for Equality in Iran”.
music that makes me happy.
June 22, 2009
Andy Grammer Live Pt.1 from Tiny Planet on Vimeo.
Statistics on fastest growing religion (2000-2005)
June 7, 2009
2nd fastest growing religion
Who will win the fight???
May 30, 2009
London vs New York ; Bush vs Obama; Microsoft vs Mac; Scrabble vs Catan.. who will win??
Got a ‘lil addicted last night doing aimless fights on googlefights. It pits anything/anyone whatever you can think off and calculates which term returns with more sites on google. Good group game??
as we remember the month of May…
May 30, 2009
Recently, Baha’is worldwide have been busy celebrating and commemorating two Holy Day events in the month of May. Declaration of the Bab on the 23rd of May, and Ascension of Baha’u'llah on the 29th of May. Both days are very significant in the history of the Baha’i Faith, each punctuating the beginning of an Era and the closure of one. Our lovely home in London had the pleasure to host both the events, and in a group we shared stories, slideshow of photographs, prayers, and most importantly, the spirit of unity and love.
In the other side of the world, Petaling Jaya is also celebrating. This ex-community of mine had never cease to amaze me with its creativity in organizing the Holy Day events. Boundless efforts are put in to get the children together to perform, to decorate the venue, jaw-dropping spread of food and refreshments, well-thought devotional and talk programs… you name it. And it is growing up in that community that carries in me the spirit to continue to make these special days special to me and the community I live in.
(Photos courtesy of : Manesh Nesaratnam:blog)
Declaration of the Bab
A puppet show with Uncle Crawford
the masterminds behind the show
Kids having the time of their lives
Some writeup about the Bab and books were displayed at the entrance
Children and families having fun too
Ascension of Baha’u'llah
Beautiful roses and candles with photo of the Shrine of Baha'u'llah in the background
Persepolis
May 21, 2009
During my teens I was a heavy comic-reader. I would lock myself up in the room for hours and hours finishing volumes of manga (Japanese comic books) which I would rent from a little comic store a block down my street. Many years later as I’ve moved out from home, access to comic books becomes rarer – and I only like the ones specifically translated into Mandarin; not English, not Malay, and too bad I can’t read Japanese.
My friend Yammie recently graciously gave away some of her book collections and I picked this one out – and boy it was a mind-boggling experience, especially when you read it continuously non-stop. I saw flashes of my childhood and moments of intricate relationships built with my parents and grandparents whom I dearly missed.
I wish I could write an intellectual piece of review on this eye-opening graphic novel but my best advice is to just read it.
Marjane Satrapi’s childhood accounts remind me of the charged-up teenagehood I too once had, not so much for politics, but life in general – and her illustrations on the sense of guilt and responsibility adolescents go through rang a bell too. Can’t wait to watch the film.
Being a Baha’i where the origin of the Faith is in Persia, reading this book also gave an insight into the day-to-day lives of the Iranians back in the 80s and 90s and exposes the sentiments of those from that generation. Growing up in Malaysia where majority of the population also leads a life constantly challenged by the authority, questioning one’s faith and obedience, I find myself relating to the author in more ways than I should.
