October 2023

Review (2023)

To See Without Sight

Close your eyes and face the bright of the sun. Let it burn into your eyelids a hot, vivid, red; let it sear its temporary mark onto your retinas until everything goes white-hot, just a few seconds will do, then turn away, and open your eyes.

Opinion (2023)

The Deep Impact of Sound: From Silent Film to the Acousmatic Sound

The 2023 science fiction thriller, No One Will Save You, seems to harken back to the days of silent film. There is barely any dialogue in the entire film, which instead, keeps audiences in a state of constant alertness by heightening the mundane sound effects of floors creaking and dial tones, mixed with uncanny noises that indicate a threatening alien presence, against an eerie soundtrack by Joseph Trapanese. Watching the film recently, I couldn’t help but think that perhaps silent film had gotten something right when it comes to sound. Perhaps dialogue muddies the power of sound in a film and, by not bringing the explicit messaging and plot development of speech to a film, the deep impact of everyday and unearthly sound and music could have a greater hold on audiences.

Review (2023)

An Ode to Sound Recordists

What do sound recordists do? True to their title, they record sounds, but that is just one of the many things they must juggle on set, both in terms of their equipment and their various responsibilities. They are typically the most conspicuous crew members, carrying around the iconic boom microphone while fully equipped with gear, including heavy sound mixers, headphones, radio microphones, and skin tapes tucked away in their bag pockets.

Review (2023)

Songs of Marriage

Generally, we expect documentaries to be non-fictional narratives that present real-life events, people, and stories through a lens of objectivity and factual accuracy. They should be informative and educational, while still being entertaining without veering into fiction. But John Grierson, who coined the term “documentary,” defined it as “a creative treatment of actuality” in his review of Robert Flaherty’s 1926 feature, Moana.

Podcast (2023)

Film Composer — Twenty Years in Sound Design | Perspectives Podcast EP3

Welcome to Episode 3 of our Perspectives Film Club Admissions series. In this episode, we delve into the intriguing narrative of Alex Oh, a skilled composer. You’ll hear about Alex’s musical journey, the vibrant composing scene in Singapore, and the delicate balance between a director’s vision and Alex’s creative input. We also take a closer look at his diverse range of projects, giving you a comprehensive view of the world of film composition. Join us for an engaging and inspiring journey through the life and work of composer Alex Oh!

Opinion (2023)

Music, Mixtapes, and Memories

Between main character Hirayama’s (Kōji Yakusho) less-than-talkative demeanour, and his obsession with cassette classics, music is clearly foregrounded in Wim Wenders’ latest film, Perfect Days (2023). It serves a crucial element in Hirayama’s characterisation, both as his mouthpiece and as a conduit for his memories and emotions. As something of a hardcore music-lover myself, who cherishes her Spotify playlists just as much as Hirayama does his cassette tapes, both the film and its main character resonated deeply with me.

Opinion (2023)

A Love Letter to Sisterhood

Close your eyes and face the bright of the sun. Let it burn into your eyelids a hot, vivid, red; let it sear its temporary mark onto your retinas until everything goes white-hot, just a few seconds will do, then turn away, and open your eyes.

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