Many filmmakers have been trying to get this film made for the longest time. Were you intimidated by the prospect of working on such a coveted project?
I think it is a responsibility if you pick up a film like that. It’s not just a bestseller, but also something that people have taken to heart. At points I was nervous, but I felt that if we kept this responsibility in mind, we would always know when we were losing the path.
Who were your influences as a director?
I guess my earliest references would’ve been King Kong, the old one. Not very original, I know, because many filmmakers claim it as their influence. I remember I was 10 or something and thinking, “There’s a craft that leads to this kind of results.” I admired that. I was hooked by that genre: Suspense and thriller. Not so much the fantasy, but the emotional involvement. I was completely amazed that you could be emotional involved with a giant ape!
How do you feel that your style has progressed since Run, Lola, Run?
I don’t know. You tell me! I guess it has, but I know it must be recognizable. That’s what we love in cinema; we visit voices we have relations with. To have a history with a filmmaker is something that lots of people admire. It’s like meeting a good old friend and listening to his new story. You always feel at home. Maybe, sometimes, you’re sent into an unknown room, but it’s always home.
Did you have any problems while filming the outrageous orgy scene towards the end of the movie?
No! It was easy! It is, of course, a challenging thing to do as a director. It took us weeks to prepare. I looked at it as an emotional choreography. We got assistance from a dance company in Spain. We went through thousands of castings because, strangely enough, a lot of bodies and faces looked too modern. We wanted all kinds of shapes of bodies and not trained health club bodies. These body types just didn’t exist back then. I think we had 5,000 people to choose from, and we ended up with 800. We all went together to a sports hall and worked with the choreographers. We made it clear (to the actors) that they were carrying the motion; that it was really about acting. That took several weekends and, slowly, they got more relaxed. Normally, for extras, you tell them to go left or right, and they won’t know what the f*** is going on! But these actors were really prepared because we treated them like actors.
Advertisement
There are more than 6.6 billion people (and counting) on our blue planet, and the majority of them don’t have it as good as you do. Is this your fault? Of course not. Is this your problem? No, we’re not saying that, either. But can you make a difference? Absolutely.
And if you look deep into our hearts, 99% of us would like to lend a hand, whether that be helping the poor, the handicapped, orphans, victims of natural disasters or even little wild critters. Few of us actually do, however.
Sure, we have our own lives to lead. But our inaction stems not so much from selfishness as it is due to the fact we simply don’t know where to start. Well, here’s your starting point, would-be angels. Everyone have something to give, and there are millions of ways you can make a difference—it’s not necessary to be Bill Gates. And who knows? By giving, you might receive something back in unexpected ways. Here’s a list of opportunities for you to volunteer, share, donate and support.
We know you’re busy, but come on, you still veg in front of the TV and go to the mall.
The Goodwill Group (2/F, Ruam Rudee Bldg. 3, 51/2 Soi Ruam Rudee, Ploenchit Rd., 02-253-8493/02-255-4176. Open Sat-Thu 9:30am-8pm. www.goodwillbangkok.com) is a private Thai foundation set up to help disadvantaged women through education. The Goodwill Group is seeking people who are willing to commit at least three months to teach basic computer skills, including how to use email, the internet and Microsoft applications in Thai. It is also seeking Thais and foreigners who are willing to give two-three hours a week for at least six months teaching English. Interested? Email [email protected] for more details.
Pakkred Home for Boys (2 Moo1 Tambon Bangtalad, Pakkred, Nontaburi, 02-583-8343. www.pakkredhome.org) was founded to prevent at-risk children from being drawn to criminal lives. There are over 200 boys there who are orphans, children of dysfunctional parents and/or who face extreme poverty. The Pakkred Home provides a nourishing environment in which they can learn handicrafts, electrical and agricultural skills, and it finds families to adopt them. Call if you want to visit them or donate a free lunch.
Holidays that help improve the lives of those you visit are on the rise. Consider Kon Asa project (Room 907, 9/F, 41 Lertpanya Bldg., Soi Sri Ayutthaya, 02-642-7991/2 ext 16. www.siamvolunteer.com), one of the Mirror Foundation projects. The group occasionally seeks out volunteers for activities such as building homes for victims of disasters and teaching kids in remote areas.
Or, you can choose your favorite location in our beautiful country and help build and repair homes for the poor with Habitat for Humanity Thailand (15/F, SSP Tower, 555 Sukhumvit 63, 02-711-6934. www.habitatthailand.org). They differ from other volunteer groups in that they don’t believe charity without responsibility. Benefactors work side-by-side with volunteers to build their own homes, and they have to pay for the actual cost of materials (with the help of zero interest payment plans organized by the group).
The Foundation for Karen Hilltribes in Thailand (16/4 Soi Intamara 15, Suthisarn Rd., 02-271-1787. www.karenhilltribes.org.uk) is looking for the kind of volunteer who wants to be immersed in a real hilltribe community and spend 4-5 hours a week for three months (or more) teaching English to rural children. No TOEFL qualification required but you’ll need some training first.
Money can’t buy happiness, but it can help improve the lives of the less fortunate. Check out these places and see what your money can do.
The Foundation for Children (95/24 Moo 6, Soi Kiat Ruammitra, 02-814-1481. www.fcc.or.th) is dedicated to improving children’s reading skills. You can help by ordering sets of books from its website which will be sent to 200 school libraries in Thailand and across our borders. For only B700-1,000 you can give one community a chance to explore a whole world of knowledge and imagination.
Not too far from Bangkok lies a peaceful place for HIV patients: Wat Phra Baht Nam Phu, Lopburi (www.aidstemple.org.th). There, those suffering from AIDS can receive good care and a proper education about the disease. to make a donation: account number 579-233730-7, Siam Commercial Bank, Lopburi branch (or visit http://www.aidstemple.th.org/howtodonation.html for other banks).
Amnesty International Thailand (641/8 Ladprao Rd., 02-938-7746. www.amnesty.or.th) has long been raising awareness of human rights issues. Its recent campaigns include eradicating violence against women, stopping the death penalty and claiming rights for refugees. You can make a donation online.
Founded in 1974, World Vision Thailand (582/18-22 Sukhumvit Soi 63, 02-381-8863/-5. www.worldvision.or.th) is an affiliate of the worldwide Christian network World Vision. They strive to improve overall living standards, particularly for children. You can sponsor its children adoption project by donating at least B450 monthly to one child.
To reduce a newborn’s chances of contracting HIV from its mother, Thai Red Cross AIDS Project (The Thai Red Cross Society, 1871 Rama 4 Rd., 02-256-4107/-9) gives free AZT medicine to HIV-positive pregnant women. To support them, contribute your money to its saving account: 045-2-31605-7, Siam Commercial Bank, Thai Red Cross branch. Then fax ATM slip to Khun Ladda, 02-254-7577 (write “Save a child’s life from Aids projects” on the top), so they can send you a receipt.
Baan Tantawan is a shelter for malnourished and abused children run by the Foundation for Children (666 Charoen Nakorn Rd., 02-438-9331/2 or 02-814-1481/-7). Savings account name: Foundation for Children. Account number: 236-0-30989-8, Bangkok Bank, Nhongkham branch. Not only money, but food, toys, sport equipment and stationeries are needed; visit www.fcc.or.th/info/lack.php for details on how to donate such items.
Sueb Nakhasathien devoted his life to preserving Thai forests and wildlife. Help aid his dream to keep our open spaces safe by donating to the Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation (693 Bldg. 4, Department of Medical Sciences, Bumrungmuang Rd., 02-224-7838/9. www.seub.or.th). Account number: 053-2-38652-4, Siam Commercial Bank, Bangbua branch.
With your money, rape victims can be helped to regain their self-esteem. Donate to the Kanitnaree Center (Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women, 501/1 Dechatungkha Rd., Sikan, 02-929-2222. www.apsw-thailand.org) at account number 135-2-00041-6, Thai Military Bank, Songprapa branch.
To promote the idea that the blind can contribute to society, the Music Association for the Blind (Khun Komkrij 08-9201-2020, K.Boy 08-9179-1911. www.mabthai.com) has formed a professional band called “Memory.” You can support them by hiring the band for events at B150/hour. Or donate to the association at account number 374-1-34258-7, Bank of Ayudha, Kasetsart branch.
The one and only counseling center for transsexuals, Sisters Counseling Center (29/44 Moo 10, Soi Yen Sbai, Phratumnak Rd., Pattaya), provides essential sex education to transsexuals to decrease HIV infection rates among them. To help them build a well-educated community, you can donate to account number 205-0-47385-5, Bangkok Bank, Ploenchit branch.
The Friends of the Asian Elephant organization (687/2 Ramindra Rd., 02-509-1200. www.elephant.or.th) needs financial assistance to help domestic elephants that are sick and injured as well as to give old elephants a last refuge. Make a donation at the organization’s account number 088-2-20983-0, Kasikorn Bank, Ramindra. 111-2-27207-8, Siam Commercial Bank, Rachayothin.
Our homes are full of unused stuff. Toys we haven’t touched in ages, spare blankets that always stay in a brown-paper box or clothes that never leave the closet. Here’s where to give these things a new life.
Founded in 1993 and supported by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirinthorn, the Wankaew Project has been helping many people to see the world more clearly. Drop off your old eyeglasses in boxes across town at any Better Vision (Hor Waen) store, Major Cineplex or UBC counter.
Mettapracharak Hospital’s Eyeglasses Bank in Nakhon Prathom helps underprivileged children with poor eyesight. Donate your old eyeglasses to Mettapracharak (Wat Raikhing) Hospital (52 Moo 2, Raiking, Sam Phran, Nakhon Pathom, 034-321-983/-5 ext 2101/02.) Cash donations are also appreciated.
Your old bicycles can be a rural children’s way to get to school, not to mention the source of a lot of fun moments. The Thailand Cycling Club (Chula Soi 6, Pathumwan Rd., 02-612-4747. www.thaicycling.com) operates a “Recycled Bicycle Project” to get shabby bikes back in good condition and hand them over to kids in rural areas.
Old and unwanted children’s toys can bring smiles to the faces of less privileged kids through the BMA’s Toy Bank program. They welcome any toys, new or old—especially educational toys. Please clean and repair toys before donating them. Drop them off at Suan Aoy Youth Center (Sukhothai Rd., Dusit, 02-243-2706).
Nuannoi “Khru Noi” Timkul uses her home as a free day-care center for poor slum children. At Baan Kru Noi (No. 319, Moo 1, Soi Rat Burana 26, 02-871-3083), kids are in reliable hands. The home is in constant need of food, books and learning tools. You can also donate money: account number 117-2-15788-2, Bangkok Bank of Commerce, Rat Burana branch.
Baan Unrak (36 Moo 3 Tambon Nhonglu, Kanchanaburi, 034-595-428) is home to 106 orphans and kids with disabled moms. Since 1991, the place has been a home, a school, a skilled-training center and much more. They need food, stationery, toys and just about anything that can be useful to kids. Call in advance before visiting them or mail your stuff directly to Sanklaburi.
Issarachon organization (95/617 Pansak Villa, Boromratchonnanee Rd., 02-884-5711/2. http://gotoknow.org/planet/vacanet) works with homeless children, people with disabilities and prostitutes. Currently, the organization needs help for children with HIV-infected parents. You can help them by sending clothes, food and stationery. Or donate your money to Samakom Sangsan Kijjagam Issarachon’s saving account 031-0-03432-9, Krungthai Bank, Pinklao.
Animals need help, too. The Home for Handicapped Animals Foundation (15/1 Moo 1, Soi Phramahagarun, Tiwanon Rd., Nontaburi, 02-584-4896, 02-961-5625) picks up dogs, cats, birds, monkeys or even turtles up that are wounded, starving, or disabled and gives them food and medical attention. Things like food, garbage bags, shampoo, syringes, towels, Betadine and old newspapers are always needed.
The National Association of the Deaf in Thailand (144/9 Moo Baan Thitiporn, Soi Pattanakarn 29, 02-717-1902/3) fights for the rights of the deaf and develops their skills. They need your old computers to enhance educational opportunities for deaf people. You can give your old machine or make a cash donation to The National Association of the Deaf in Thailand’s saving account: 028-2-60253-9, Siam Commercial Bank, Klong Tan branch.
The Kevorkian Foundation (59/33 Soi Than Ying Phuangrathana Prapoi, Sukhumvit 26, 02-258-5252. Open Mon-Sat 9am-4pm. www.bangkokbabyhome.com) is a home for children infected with HIV. They are in need of volunteers with medical backgrounds or experience who can lend their skills and their affection to young children. For more info, contact Linda Der Kevorkian at 08-1841-4838.
Soi Dog Rescue (www.soidogrescue.com, [email protected]) works to improve the lives of Bangkok’s street dogs by administering birth control—spraying and neutering through field clinics. Street dogs under their care are vaccinated, treated, tattooed for monitoring and collared before being released again. They need many types of volunteers (see their site for a “wish list” of volunteers they need as well as much needed supplies).
Action Aid Thailand (717 Soi Boromratchonnani 4, 02-886-5276, 02-886-6369. www.actionaid.org/thailand) as a part of Action Aid international has one main objective: fighting poverty. It has many projects, one of which is to use the power of writing. If you have good English writing skills, use it for society’s sake. The organization needs people to pen articles, case studies, reports or anything that can improve general ignorance of poverty. Just contact them at the address above or email [email protected].
In Laos, good books are rare, especially quality books for children. To broaden the horizon of Lao children, Big Brother Mouse (Xiangmouan Village, Sothikuman Rd., House No. 19/02, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, 856-20-583-780. www.bigbrothermouse.com) decided to publish bilingual Lao-English books and donate them to schools around the country. If you love to write and would like to help our neighbor, send your English non-fiction writing to [email protected]. They will have children read your stories, then simplify and translate them before handing them out to school libraries.
Little time, strapped for cash, already gave out everything in your home except the mat you sleep on? Give blood! It’ll make the difference between life and death for someone, so you could even see it as the ultimate gift (except maybe for the one below). Drop by the National Blood Center (Thai Red Cross Society, 1871 Henri Dunant Rd., 02-252-4106/-9) and you should be in and out in 15 minutes. Plus, you get a free snack, tea and coffee.
You won’t be around to enjoy the benefits of this one, but this is really the gift of life. If you are under 60 and have no chronic disease, make sure that you fill out an organ donor card at the Organ Donation Center (Thai Red Cross Society 1871 Henri Dunant Rd., 02-252-4106/-9, www.organdonate.in.th) or visit the website. You’ll receive a donor card which will testify to your wish to have your organs donated after your death.
Can’t get away from your screen long enough to do anything but pick up BK? Fear not, in the 21st century, helping others is just a click away.
Child abuse is nothing new, but the internet gave it a new life. Simply lighting a candle online can save innocent children from online child pornography by raising global awareness on this issue.
This is a network of charity organizations that you can help simply by clicking on their front page ever day. You’ll find the www.thebreastcancersite.com, www.theliteracysite.com and www.theanimalrescuesite.com there and more. You can also link to these sites by choosing one of the many logos listed on CharityUSA.com and put them on your blog or home page. Every time you click on a logo, the money from the ads on that page will be sent to them.
This Donation Exchange Center website is the give-and-take hub of Thailand. Originally an e-charity project, Internet Thailand expanded into a place where people in need can post their requests online and donators can choose from them.
Website with searchable charity news, events and updates for Thai non-governmental organizations.
This is the ultimate hub for the environmentally conscious. Take a tour around Greenpeace’s site to see their current projects and sign online petitions for those topics that matter to you. No need to photocopy your ID or passport, just fill in an online form and it will go straight to government officials (then pray that they’ll listen).
Take child beggars off the streets today! First, don’t give to them. Most people don’t realize that while they are doing kusol, hoping their money will help these children get their next meal, they are actually supporting a huge human abuse network. Help the foundation by reporting child beggars in your neighborhood and by giving these children food instead of money.
If you are a huge bookworm and regularly order books from Amazon.com, you can do the Neilson Hays Library (195 Suriwongse Rd., 02-233-1731) a big favor. Every Amazon book purchased through the Neilson Hays’ site will result in a discount on the books ordered by the library.
Advertisement
We had 300,000 visitors for the first year. The Resource Center’s membership is nearly 10,000. That’s a lot considering that people like to say Thais don’t like to read.
Actually I don’t think it’s true that we don’t like to read. It’s just that we don’t like formal learning spaces.
We are very intuitive and we like to learn in a relaxed and intuitive way. The Design Center was designed with that objective, to be relaxed.
We have to compete with shopping malls. At the end of the day, that’s the reality of it.
Just because it’s in a Sukhumvit mall doesn’t mean that only a certain group of people can visit.
I think Thais have a kind of concept of sakdina or hierarchy. We need to help the public to get rid of that. TCDC is a public space funded by taxes.
We have a very close understanding of people who come here. We do specific audience surveys and monitor all the activities here. Running a non-profit organization nowadays means you must use all the techniques that would apply to running a business.
Design objects are often victims of style more than anything else, especially in Thailand. They’re not really seen as a way to solve problems or improve your life. This is wrong. Design is about improving people’s lives by making the things around them better, friendlier and easier to use.
When you have a society that thinks design is just about style, then it becomes equated with middle class consuming.
In fact, design is everywhere. Even at a street market, there are lots of great designs and creativity.
TCDC was founded because we realize that since Thais have started to produce and export to the world, we’ve been trying to be cheaper or more efficient. But we cannot compete on price anymore; we have to compete on creativity and design.
The only way we can compete with Westerners is by reconstructing Western design icons and showing that they are based on certain processes that we already have in our country—but they’ve taken it to a deeper level or maybe simply applied higher technology to it, or to its production. We’re all about bringing audiences back into the Thai context.
With the “Isaan Retrospective” exhibition, we explored these ideas. It’s lifestyle that’s very Thai, with very simple things that we tend to overlook. We tried to show that you can use these as design ideas.
The Vivienne Westwood exhibition was about how she’s a working class girl. Her works were done in pretty much this perspective. She didn’t go to art school or come from a hiso family. Thais have this notion that design is for people with money.
All our exhibitions have some message that we want to convey. They represent different aspects of the design culture. There’s nothing cool about them. We hate anything cool.
If you asked Vivienne Westwood, she would tell you, “Go read books, but don’t follow them.”
If you look at trends and follow them, then you end up like everybody else. What’s important is the need to understand trends.
Advertisement
What is the concept of your band and this album?
Champ: We are uniting different but similar types of music. I am R&B; Two is R&B; Stamp is electronic pop; and Cutto is pop-funk. We also have a special song, “Naow,” that was produced by P’Boyd Kosiyabong.
Cutto: The Strangers is like a club for youngbloods. We’re the first generation, but there will be more to follow. We’ll move on to other stuff, but the Strangers will stay, like a school.
What are your best memories from the studio?
Cutto: We’re truly friends and understand each other very well, so working together was very easy. We get each other’s jokes.
How about obstacles?
Two: For me this was the first time I produced a song, so it was sort of difficult and I had many things to learn.
Champ: Me, too. I think working with P Boyd was a real challenge because his name is synonymous with great projects.
Stamp: My main obstacle is fear. I fear that I will never have such a good time again.
How long did it take to record this album?
Cutto: Well, it didn’t take that long time because we already had the songs written and P’Boyd just added “Naow,” which he already had ready for us.
Anything else?
Stamp: I want to ask people to visit LOVEis’s website (www.loveisloveis.com) to tell us where would you like us to perform. If we can go, we will. And please support us for our hard work.
Two: I’m with Stamp: we want to perform as much as we can. Please visit our website and cheer us on. If we have good feedback, it will make our next album even better.
Champ: I just want to tell everyone that LOVEis is all about love and emotional songs. We tell our story through our songs. We make everything with love and we hope we will get love back.
Stamp: And even if we don’t get love back from you, we still love you.
Advertisement
The only thing that we Singaporeans love more than spending money on stuff is getting our money’s worth of stuff. After all, how many times have you been part of a conversation where someone’s reply to your latest purchase is, “But I can get it cheaper than that!”?
We decided to hit the streets and get a rough idea what people are prepared to pay for some of our most basic wants.
To give you idea of whether our interviewees are big spenders or bugdet conscious, we list what you can expect to pay for these items in Singapore.
Mobile Phone: $600-1,500
Jeans: $100-400
Full-body Massage: $60-300
A Jug of Beer: $15-30
Sports Shoes: $50-500
A Filling Meal: $5-nearly 100
A Plane Ticket to Phuket: $200-500
A Watch: $50-5,000
Cologne/Perfume: $30-500
Plasma TV: $3,000-4,000
A Car: $35,000-well over a million
A Handbag: $50-1,000
Who: Jeremy Chua, 25, DesignerMobile phone: “I paid $8 with a plan.”
Jeans: $60
Full-body massage: $30
A jug of beer: $12
Sports shoes: $70
A filling meal: $30
A plane ticket to Phuket: “I’d rather ride [my motorcycle] up.”
A watch: $130
Cologne: $80
Plasma TV: $800
A car: “$0!”
A handbag for a lady: $400
Who: Rachel Chua, 26, TeacherMobile phone: $200
Jeans: $150
Full-body massage: “$80. I’d pay the same for my boyfriend too, but the masseuse had better be a guy!”
A jug of beer: $20
Sports shoes: $150
A filling meal: $30
A flight to Phuket: $150
A watch: $200
DOUBLE STANDARD?? - If you were buying a watch for a guy, how much would you pay for it? $250-300, since guys prefer their watches more durable and long-lasting. Plus, I prefer to get reliable brands, so that’ll come at a price.
Perfume: $150
Plasma TV: $3,000
A Car: $70,000
A Handbag: “$200. But I’d never ask a guy to pay more than that for me too. I’d never even ask a guy to buy me one! I mean, if he wants to buy one and pay more than that, he’ll pay more.”
Who: Angie Liyuen, 25, Marine BiologistMobile phone: $200-400
Jeans: $100-150
Full-body massage: $80
A jug of beer: $40
Sports shoes: $50-130
A filling meal: $5-50
A flight to Phuket: $200
A watch: $50-150
Perfume: $50-80
Plasma TV: “I don’t watch TV very much.”
A car: “I usually take dad’s car, so just for gas money!”
A handbag: $20-60
Who: Trevor Rosario, 25, SalesMobile phone: $300
Jeans: $100
Full-body massage: $40
A jug of beer: $15
Sports shoes: $150
A filling meal: $20
DOUBLE STANDARD?? - If you were buying a filling meal for a woman, how much would you spend on her?
“$30. Plus dessert!”
A flight to Phuket: $100-200
A watch: “I don’t wear watches.”
Cologne: $100
Plasma TV: $1,500
A car: $100,000
A handbag for a lady: “$500. If she wants me to pay anything more, she’ll have to marry me!”
Who: Joey Setiawan, 27, “Full-time student; lifelong bum.”Mobile phone: $200
Jeans: $100
Full-body massage: $80
A jug of beer: $16
Sports shoes: “If I’m going to put down any amount, it’d be $130 and I’ll bloody well use the shoes as much as I can.”
A filling meal: $13
A flight to Phuket: $100-200
A watch: $300
Cologne: $70
Plasma TV: “No idea.”
A Car: $60,000
A handbag for a lady: “$500. But she’d have to be someone very close, like a long-time friend—or my mother. If she wants me to pay more, well, the product had better be of pretty damn good quality.”
Who: Charlene Yap, 26, Marketing ExecutiveMobile phone: $800
Jeans: $50
Full-body massage: $80
A jug of beer: $20
Sports shoes: “I don’t buy sports shoes.”
A filling meal: $30
A plane ticket to Phuket: $100
A watch: $200
Perfume: $100
Plasma TV: $3,000
A car: $50,000
A handbag: $2,000
Who: Lindsey Chew, 28, MarketerMobile Phone: “Well over a grand. I’m a geek.”
Jeans: $80-100
Full-body massage: $50
A jug of beer: “$20 at a kopitiam.”
DOUBLE STANDARD?? - If you were buying a jug of beer for a woman, how much would you spend? “Well, in that case—$50.”
Sports Shoes: “$120—but I’m using SAF shoes.”
A filling meal: “$5. I’m a simple coffee shop guy.”
A flight to Phuket: “$300-500. I don’t fly budget airlines.”
A watch: $300-600
Cologne: $50-80
Plasma TV: $2,500
A car: “What’s the starting rate for an EZ-Link card? Alright, alright—$120,000.”
A handbag for a lady: “$120 and nothing a woman does can make me pay more. I’m a stingy bastard.”
Who: Cheryl Miles, 31, Fly Entertainment ArtisteMobile phones: $150
Jeans: $300-400
Full-body massage (no special!): $200-280
A jug of beer:“If I had to pay, I wouldn’t go out!”
Sports shoes: $280
A filling meal: $5-100
A flight to Phucket: $200
A watch: “Never bought one.”
Perfume: $180-200
Plasma TV: “I wouldn’t pay for it.”
A car: “$5... for a Matchbox!”
A handbag: $25-250
Who: Bjorn Fernandes, 28, TechnicianMobile phone: $300
Jeans: $80
Full-body massage: $90
A jug of beer: $16
Sports shoes: $95
A filling meal: $25
A flight to Phuket: $200
A watch: $5,000
Cologne: $30
Plasma TV: $4,000
A car: $80,000
A handbag for a lady: “$300, but the real question is whether it’s how much I would pay—or how much she’d ask me to pay!”
Advertisement
“Check the tags for ‘made in [country]’ and make sure collars are stain free. Fake stuff usually comes from different countries of origin.”
J.son Tang from Filthy
“When washing jeans, turn them inside out and scrub only the inside of the jeans. Never scrub the exterior. Use a mild detergent to wash—shampoo works great. Finally, dry under the hot sun inside out to kill any germs or bacteria that might reside.”
Chang from The Attic
“Look for something that has been looked after and holds its shape. If it looks fake, don’t buy it. Don’t forget the tags—if it looks old then it should be real.”
Phil Gallagher from www.istealmemories.com
Advertisement
How would you personally categorize yourselves?
It’s kind of hard to categorize. We play music. Whether it’s rock stuff or funky stuff; I don’t want to call it grunge or post-grunge or whatever. We play music and we write songs.
What did you guys do differently for this record?
We didn’t prepare for this record as much. This time, we knew what we wanted to do, but, normally, as far as production goes, we’re usually really prepared. It wasn’t too different—the songs just came together more in the studio, but some songs were already written.
The new album is heavier than some of your other stuff. Was this a conscious decision to distance yourselves from just being known as “the band that did ‘The Reason’”?
We never set out to be the band that was known for “The Reason.” If people want to know us for that, then there’s nothing we can do about it, but we didn’t say, “We want to make a heavy album.” We just wanted to do what we wanted to do.
What’s the weirdest thing that a fan’s done for you guys?
Fans get us gifts all the time. A fan, just the other day, made me a cereal box—a Hoobastank cereal box! Our fans also know I’m a fan of Mr. T, from The A-Team. Fans have given me Mr. T underwear.
Did they fit?
Yeah! Dude…
We had to ask! Anyway, you guys rocked Siloso Beach the last time—tell us more about that. How is this concert going to top the last one?
We’re on a little break right now, so we haven’t been talking about it. We’re really excited though. I have a video, which I shot with my own digital camera. Everyone there was so kind and so appreciative of us being there. Whether it was the fans, or the people at the hotel, everyone was just really cool. We’re just really psyched.
After your last concert, what’s your impression of Singapore?
The first time that we heard we were going there I was kind of scared. In the US, you hear stupid s***. “You better not bring gum! If you drop s***, you’ll get caned!” But, it was beautiful. I’ve never had any problems.
Advertisement
Contemporary Chinese art is fast gaining popularity these days, to the point that major pieces have passed the million dollar mark. Prominent artist Hung Liu arrives in town to put up a retrospective show which features fascinating Chinese contemporary artworks created between 1990 and 2006. We grabbed her for a quick chat about her art, which often touches on China’s tumultuous political scene.
Old Road, West Wind is a retrospective look at your art pieces created between 1990 and 2006. Looking back, what do you think are the milestones in your career?
There are two kinds of milestones—personal and professional ones. Many times they are intertwined. When I was only a few months old, China was at the beginning of the end of the Civil War. I was in my mother’s arms fleeing with thousands of refugees. That’s not only a personal milestone, but also a milestone in national and familial history. Maybe that’s why a lot of my paintings are referenced in historical photographs, especially those of refugees in wars and victims of chaos and turmoil. Another milestone was the Cultural Revolution. Working in the fields with the peasants, I understand what they go through and identify with them somewhat. So my paintings of working people reflect my memory and respect for this anonymous force that moves history. It’s important to give history human faces. Most of them are just ordinary people on the bottom of the social pyramid. Immigrating to the US also gave me a different perspective to look at my homeland and the US. Some of my works reflect the physical, emotional and psychological displacement of these “immigrants.”
The subject matter of your art is often women. Is there any reason behind that?
One important reason is that I am a woman. I am from a family where the matriarchs, my grandmother and my mother, are strong women in a patriarchal society, where their potential was never fully realized and appreciated. Metaphorically, female images symbolize the vulnerability, pride, integrity and beauty of the people and nation.
For the uninitiated, what are the issues that you touch on in this show?
Not only do I want to give history a human face, especially the history of the Chinese, I also want to return the dignity and respect they are supposed to be given. I want to bring forth forgotten events or images or people, in order to review our recent past. And in this sense, my works, mostly paintings and picture planes, become the memorial sites to commemorate the forgotten history and loss of memory.
How do you select which pieces to be included in this exhibition?
Since this is my first solo show in Singapore, I would like to show works from a wider time span. There are different subject matters, painting styles, pallets and scales. Maybe this is a good way to have an introductory show for Singaporeans.
Advertisement
If magic is illusion, are magicians deceivers?
I like to call us entertainers rather then deceivers!
And what’s one illusion you wish you could do?
I would love to turn a landmark building in Singapore invisible for a moment and then bring it back. That would be something no one in Singapore has done before.
Why must illusionists have a beautiful assistant? Is it to distract the audience?
I guess one of the reasons is that we don’t want to have ugly assistants! Kidding. Magic as a form of performing art involves factors such as acting, dance and music as well. If there is sex appeal, the show will sell better. And yes, magicians use a lot of misdirection in their acts; the female assistant can be one.
What’s hot in the world of magic right now?
The latest craze is street magic, made popular by David Blaine. We have also seen newer and more modern presentations performed by Criss Angel and Cyril Takayama. However, stage magic is still hot. There is an Olympics of magic held every three years whereby magicians compete with their manipulative stage acts and illusions.
Wow. And are magicians tied by any oath not to reveal the secrets behind magic tricks?
In Singapore, we have two societies called the Singapore Association of Magicians (SAM) and the International Brotherhood of Magicians ring 115 (IBM Rings 115). Members are committed to the rule of non-exposure for our magic. However, I do teach simple magic tricks to friends. I don’t teach them stuff that I use to make money. I also share deeper secrets with local magicians through special workshops.
Advertisement
This effervescent and big-hearted celebrity chef has done it all. Try saying in one breath: He is the Food ambassador of Malaysia, Resident chef at Asian Food Channel, author of eight cookbooks which have won three international awards, and Best Supporting Actor nominee at the 13th Asian Film Festival for Valley of Vengeance.
What is your current state of mind?
I’m going crazy. I’m saturated with so many things, all happening at once.
What were you like as a child?
I was hyperactive. I loved fashion, gardening, cooking, acting and even marketing, as I learned when selling my mother’s nonya kuehs (sweet Peranakan delicacies) at the market.
What inspires you?
I need very little to be inspired. For me, inspiration is everywhere.
What personal trait do you appreciate the most in others?
I always admire people who project the truth—good or bad. I hate hypocrisy. Sometimes people try too hard to be someone they are not. I always believe we must come to terms with ourselves. You are what you are.
What book are you reading at the moment?
The Quran. I’m learning and understanding its content. I find the teachings fascinating because they help you a lot spiritually.
How do you spend your Sunday mornings?
I don’t have a lot of Sundays to myself. But when I do, I normally just stay at home, read the papers and do some gardening.
What is your idea of hell?
To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever felt like I’ve been in hell. I have a very high tolerance level, I can put up with a lot of nonsense.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Chocolate and cheese.
Is there something about you that scares others?
My mouth, because I am very straightforward.
How do you recharge?
Getaways. I go away and do absolutely nothing.
Where in the world would you most like to live in?
The Mediterranean.
What’s playing on your iPod/MP3 player at the moment?
I don’t have an Ipod. I know nothing about all these computers. But I love jazz and classical music. I guess it’s just the romantic in me.
How would you describe your fashion style?
Fashion to me is whatever you feel comfortable in. I get attracted to colors—red is my favorite. Basically, I’m a very flamboyant person.
Which accessories set you apart?
My Chopard necklaces.
What role would you most like to play in a movie and why?
A porn star. Just kidding. But seriously, I would like to play a drag queen, because it’s such a challenging role. And there are a lot of stories to tell about their world, stories that people don’t usually want to talk about.
Do you have a cause or support one?
I do a lot of charity work like helping disabled children and supporting the Islamic Outreach Fund. I always believe that the hand that gives is better than the hand that receives. If you can put a smile on someone’s face, why not?
Which person do you admire the most?
My mother. She is such a patient and giving person. All that I am comes from her.
What belief have you carried with you since you were 18?
When I was 18 I believed in sharing; whatever I had I shared. And I still do. I am still the same person. What you see is what you get. I can’t change.
Advertisement
