An Ordinary Needle 2011

Mizi - “D – apa kata kita join ni” ( he passes me a form )

Its a documentary entry form.

I replied, “ I tak nak la…..buat apa?” “Buang masa la…….”

Mizi -  “ ni Southeast asia bro…...besar ni”

I said “ so what………….” “Takder duit pun if menang.” “art-art ni malas gua nak layan, macam u tak tau....”

Seriously I was pondering if I should enter this or not. I was frustrated coz we did tried our level best observing and participating in producing documentaries right to the extend meeting the Vice President of Discovery Channel Vikram Channa - we got no results. 

And now, in my hand is the form.A chance to do something.

Before dealing with film and documentary, i was trained as a fine artist and in graphic design.

So i read the form further after Mizi went back to Ampang.

So....i scan thru the details....participants need to submit photographs or a short documentary. It need to do with southeast asia values.

So I decided to go with this. What the hell……we never know. 

But what I know is I need to craft a story, something that is believable and most important is honest. Fast forward, I managed to rope in all those who able to help ( trust me until today, I really appreciate your involvement is this project ), finally i able to use a track i kept for years by the Doves, inspiring interviews by Aizat, Boy, Min Tu, Farhan and yes being in LOVE does help too, edited it in Mizi's office, wrap it up and send it to Vietnam.

I didn’t knew how big it was until I was invited to attend the award winning ceremony. There I managed to meet a fellow humble Malaysian, Fasya ( who won second place for the photo category ) and other competitors. 

me with fasya who now pursuing her degree in photography in ITM - Shah Alam

One thing I love being there, there are no airs, cockiness among them. I made friends with the directors and photographers.They’ve been the film and documentaries for years and me - a greenhorn who digs film and art. All of us can’t communicate to each other due to language barrier but thanks to Hoi beer and Vietnam coffee,cigarettes and few minimal English word kept us going.

 

Hoi Beer is a damn good beer

 

Even the juries also is humble. I didn't know one of the jury is the nation's social artist. I was intrigued why alot of people was talking to this one particular old guy. Lo and behold, i managed to strike a conversation with him and realized that he is the chief jury of the competition.

Vietnam's People's Artist -Chief Jury of the Festival, Mr Bui Dinh Hac...google him and see why all the Vietnamese artists and filmmakers is awed by his presence. A really humble young man.

So we continue to borak and supplemented with more good food and beers. So I was informed that later tonight is going to be the awards night. Seriously and honestly i don't give much hope about my film - seriously i love the trip, fully sponsored by the organizer and im recovering from a fall out anyway.

And i found out that i won.Being the first out of 160 short films is not bad......

Holy Fuck....we won. 

 

When i was in KL and informed the rest about this trip, my sis joked about this and told me that no-one submitted their films, that is why the organizers invited me. ( all of my family really have wicked sense of humor ). 160 short films were submitted and I was dazed when the beautiful hot chick host announced my name. 

Hish......and we won. 

Unbelievable.

One jury joked with me and told me that something we do need scissors than needle, one of them told me that it's too chatty and another one told me i got the most numbers of vote. 

But the real winners are the ones who helped me.

Mizi celebrating

after the event, i gave away the flowers to another girl and followed a cameraman to a cool hut made from bamboo and told me that this is the best place to get fresh HOI BEER.

Damn. 

Hoi Beer then.... 

HOI Beer is good

After hours of booze and discussion of films, they send me back and i texted to Mizi - we won and as usual that prick didnt believe me. I dont blame him coz i thought i was dreaming too or maybe im having a bad headache.

Not bad for a 3 months job eh.

photo taken by Fasya

a hot filmmaker

me and with the Cambodian media crews,crazy ass DOP who write, directs and cuts their docus in the Cambodia TV station.

the awesome Hai Long Bay

 

meet the two hardworking angels from Hanoi

An Ordinary Needle is not uploaded to youtube and can only be assessed via private viewing.

Other notable links and press release

http://en.nhandan.org.vn/culture/lifestyle/item/1343002-.html