It was a brilliant event, absolutely awe-inspiring. This is another first for me, seeing so many VIPs and well-known personnels from all over the world, coming together to share a common passion. Honestly it was quite intimidating at first, but once everybody loosened up, conversations can be better made, and we'll soon realise that we're not that different after all despite our varied social backgrounds. Photographers were snapping away at people whom I still have not realised the magnitude of their importance in this field; only when I noticed the photographers clinging onto them and snapping away did it dawn on me; whoa, this person must be some key personnel in this thing.
All of a sudden, I felt small and underdressed, like an insignificant shrimp in a huge sea of much larger fish. So this is the high life.
When we were all finally seated in the theatre, Mr Sanjoy invited the Jury of the Festival and gave an impressive introduction of them. I can sense the awe in every person seated, the thrill in realising that there are extremely talented, enterprising and undoubtedly very important people in their midst, seated with them in the very same movie theatre. It was all very surreal, to me at least.
Dombivli Fast was aired. It was a brilliantly-crafted masterpiece. It was powerful, moving and engaging. It speaks of an ordinary man, his life pulled by repetition and trudged on with routine and monotony. Wake up, wash up, kiss the children goodbye, grab his tiffin, wait for the train, work, drink tea by the road, go home, and it repeats. As the tiresome repetition carries on, one can sense the hidden, dire need to break out of this monotony in the protaganist. The film has many layers of symbolism and touches on the issues of idealism and existencialism, about the purpose driven life, on how one sometimes ponder on the reasons to exist, who to serve and who to believe and put their trust in. This reminds me of a quote from one of my favourite movies: "There is no fate but what we make of ourselves".
Interesting film; makes one ponder on the prevelant issues in one's life and society. I love movies that makes you think after watching it. Makes your money worth, gives you something to think about, so that the movie lingers with you for some time even after watching it.
Mmm.
NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF! YEAH!!!!
The reception area was packed with important people; all of them shaking hands with each other, speaking to each other about work, and speaking of work, I've managed to capture a few snippets of their conversation. HAHA.
"...so where are you now? Finance? ah..." "...last I saw you was in that business seminar!..." "...Did you manage to get that proposal ready?..." "...I tell you, never get their shares; it's like digging your own grave!" "...oh my company does financial consultation, here's my namecard..."
It was all adult-talk, I tell you. Not that I'm ALMOST one, of course... ~twiddles fingers~
ANYWAY... here are some exclusive pictures of the star-studded event!
The Asian Festival of First Films poster! So cool!! =DD
The Swarovski Trophy for the would-be winner of the Festival, very proudly brought to you by our official partner, Swarovski Crystals. I wanna get my hands on that... my precious...
Well whaddya know!!! Haha! Alright, I didn't get it, but at least I took a picture with it! I wonder how much it costs... any quotations?
I rubbed shoulders with Cassandra See!! She's a very nice person; bubbly, friendly and charismatic, hence her success in the industry! Weee!
Kartik shared an extremely funny moment with me. Eh, well not him. Just me and Erman, the graphic designer for the festival, thought that the moment was hilarious. Not sure if Kartik noticed though... anyway here is the conversation.
Erman: "Hello Karthik, this is Shawn, your official blogger." Me : "Great pleasure to meet you sir! ~shakes hands~" Kartik: "Ah! The euphorian, right? Haha, very good to meet you too!" ~some chatter about the festival blah blah blah~ Kartik: "Hmmm now see here Erman, we have a big problem." Erman: "Err... what big problem?" Kartik: "We may not be able to give you the complimentary tickets, because there is a jumble-up and all..." Erman: "Ahh..." Kartik: "But don't worry, we'll sort that out ya?" ~smiles broadly~ Me: ~looks at the closest movie poster and decides to crack a dumb joke~ "Happy Feet!" Kartik: ~smile disappeared~ "No. No, Shawn. The movie has to be related to the festival. That movie is completely not related.
And Erman just stood there, not knowing whether to laugh at me, or to laugh at Kartik. I mean, I was just KIDDING, right... He took it very seriously though, thought that I really wanted to watch Happy Feet instead of the festival films. I think he'll never see me the same way again. Hahaha.
Toodles for now! More official pictures of the Opening Night coming your way!
1 comments
1 Comments:
RARR. I HATE IT WHEN YOU PUFF YOUR CHEST OUT LIKE THAT! It's like you're stuffing it in my face, and it just makes me want to go like, "UGH get it away! get it away UGH GET IT AWAY!!"
