It's funny how life works sometimes. In 2006, me and the best friend, Carmen, set a goal. That goal? To stalk her favourite celebrity Simone Lahbib in the UK. When? Five years later, making the year 2011. We all make those little goals that we one day hope to achieve but then realize, there's no chance in hell that's gonna happen....
The year now, 2012. I still can't believe i'm saying this, but we're going to the UK. Yep, the loser and the cool kid from high school are heading to the UK. It may be a year late, but it's actually happening. It's still unbelievable at this point. Our flight tickets are just staring me in the face. It's really happening. 4 - 16th of June. Not only that, we're heading to another part of Europe, but can't say too much about that *cough cough*
It's little things like this that make life all the more worth living. I mean, never in a million years did I expect to head there, let alone with the best friend. It just goes to prove that nothing out there is impossible really. As long as you set yourself a goal, even if you forget it along the way, sometimes that goal will achieve itself without you even knowing....
Over the last few days, i've been thinking a lot about my future. To be more specific, the future I may have with my wife and kids. It's strange. I never used to think about starting a family. I mean, I used to joke about naming my son Hamlet or Leonidas, but it never went further than that. Over the last few days, i've been talking about it more than I usually should....
As I was having lunch with a friend the other day, I got to talking about how different my kids upbringing would be compared to the one I had. Being in the theatre industry has indeed made me more open as a person, thus probably making me more open as a parent. When I was a kid, my mother and her side of the family always frowned upon me for acting and doing what I loved to do. The only one who really supported me was my father. I was always pushed to get good grades and if not, it was a night of caning for me. There was so much pressure which I knew I could never live up to....
I never really had much of a childhood as a majority of it was spent in front of the camera or on stage. Instead of studying books, I was studying scripts. Needless to say, my grades were shit. But that didn't matter to me. I was enjoying what I was doing and I knew I never wanted to stop. My mother never quite understood that. It was a hellish childhood. That explains why I still act like a kid now. Because I never did when I actually was a kid....
But coming back to the point. My kids. A lot of parents want their kids to be successful when they grow up. Don't get me wrong, I would love my kid to be successful in all he does, but what's more important is I want him/her to be happy. That's the key to life. Why be successful in something you can't have fun with? Slog through life only to reach the age of 70 and regret that you never had any fun. As I always say, I would rather do something and suffer the consequences than live life not knowing what would happen if I never did it in the first place, forever regretting my decision....
If my kids wants to drink, smoke up or even take drugs, I wouldn't stop them. I won't tell them "oh, it's bad for you" or "I'll disown you". I would simply tell them, "go ahead, but don't hurt yourself". Of course I would explain to them the pros and cons, but I would never restrict them. I would let them do what the want to do but will always let them know that if they get into trouble, I will be there to save them. If my kids wanted to love someone of their own sex, I'd be more than accepting to the idea because I know this person would make my son or daughter happy, regardless of the sex. Bottom line, I will be a father who will be extremely open to whatever my kids want to do. Theatre has indeed made me this open, and I thank it for that....
I want my kids to be happy. I want my family to be happy. More importantly, I want my kids to have the family and childhood that I never got.....
Ever since I watched his first flick, Ciplak, I have always been a big fan of Khairil M. Bahar. His movie single handedly changed my views on Malaysian films and gave me faith in our industry again. Ever since then, I have had the honour to call him my friend and had the chance to work with him a couple of times in his independent films. Well, last night was another major night for him due to the fact that it was the premiere of his second big feature film, Relationship Status....
For those who are clueless about this film, their website states Relationship Status is based on the numerous options available on sites such asFacebook and tells the story of a number of KL-ites from all walks of life whose relationships are created, changed and sometimes even ruined by social networking and the way we communicate in this day and age. Some of the stories in Relationship Statusmay make you laugh whilst some may make you cry. What is for certain, though, is that all the stories will ring true. In fact, most if not all stories are based on actual events that have happened and could have only happened in the 21st century with the popularity of social networking sites....
Just like Malaysia, the country in which the stories in Relationship Status are situated, the film is multi-ethnic and multi-lingual. Some of the characters speak English, some speak Malay, some speak Hokkien. The stories in Relationship Status feature people from all walks of life and of all ages - from students in puppy love and young professionals in blossoming relationships to those that are married and even widowed. But regardless of how different all these characters are, by the end of the movie all their relationships will be directly affected due to social networks. Some for the better, and some for the worse.....
The premiere took place last night at TGV in Sunway Pyramid. It had been a long time since I stepped foot there and things certainly had changed. As being instructed to by the man himself, I suited up. Heading towards the cinema was an experience in itself considering I was walking around the mall in a full blown suit, bow tie in tow (I wear bow ties now. Bow ties are cool). Upon arriving, I noticed Khai, in true fashion, had suited up as well, with The Doctor's red converse in tow. Bastard....
photo courtesy of Ariff Aris
The film stars an extremely strong cast from both the film and theatre industry. That list includes Gavin Yap, Davina Goh, Tony Eusoff, Daphne Iking, Baki Zainal, Ruzana Ibrahim,Alfred Loh,Shuba Jay, Benji Lim,Amanda Ang, Adeline Ong, Pete Teo, Susan Lankester & Will Quah. There are also two cameos by two theatre actors who will remain a secret until you watch it.Khaiundoubtedly chose the right people to put this piece together.....
The story is fantastic and is easily relate-able to anyone, old and young, those on Facebook or not, there is definitely something for everyone. Even though the stories were intertwined with each other, it was incredibly straight forward to understand and never left me questioning who was dating who, unlike other ensemble pieces I have watched. You could easily connect with the characters and leave you sometimes wanting to take sides in their situations. There was never a dull moment and left me wanting to see more. As I had mentioned to him yesterday, Relationship Statusis Khai's very own Chasing Amy.....
The film opens today at selected TGV cinemas and I highly recommend that you watch it. To find out more information, you can always head to the Relationship Statuswebsite here or the TGV websitehere. Lastly, you can always check out Khai's websitehere....
This is again another movie that has inspired me to start writing and directing my own short films. Khai, you have done it again. I have been and will always be a humongous fan of yours and am always eagerly awaiting your next film, be it independent or feature. Anything you do is just awesome. Thanks so much for everything you've done for me and doing the honour of letting me work with you in your flicks. Oh and also for changing my life completely by introducing me to The Doctor. You rock!!!!
So as quickly as I publicized the two shows, here's a little bit more to whet your appetite and give you a little sneak peek as to what to expect from Food, Sex & Death....
With opening night looming in just under 12 hours time, it's time to do some last minute publicity to get you guys pumped up and hopefully come for the show. Now, not only is thereFood, Sex & Death, but running alongside it is an interactive theatre festival calledTwo On One. Here's the details on both the events....
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Food, Sex & Death
5 stories by 5 actors about the 3 things that we all can’t do without! Whether you come from a HDB flat or a PJ terrace house, these stories will undoubtedly be familiar to us even after 46 years of separation. Playwrights Desmond Sim (Singapore) and Nandang Abdul Rahman (Malaysia) explore the appetites, pleasures and miseries that are still common on both sides of the Causeway.
Written by: Desmond Sim (Singapore) & Nandang Abdul Rahman (Malaysia) Directed by: Christopher Ling Featuring: Belinda Hon, Devyani Gupta, Kamini Senthilathiban, Nabil Zakaria & Nick Dorian Executive Producer: Dato Faridah Merican Artistic Director: Joe Hasham OAM
[DETAILS]:
Venue: Pentas 2 @ KLPAC Date & Time: 4–6 August 2011 @ 8.30pm | 6 – 7 August 2010 @ 3.00pm Tickets: RM23; RM13 [Concession for students, senior citizens, the disabled & TAS card members]
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Two-On-One: A Interactive Theatre Festival
Experience theatre as you have never experienced it before – one actor to two audience members. Meet the Angel of Death. Hide from a scorned lover. Prepare food with the limbs of another. Join us for an intimately interactive theatre experience as T4YP explores the theme of Food, Sex & Death a step further.
Directed and Devised by Tung Jit Yang & Yusuf Amin Featuring: Amir Yunos, Ashley Tan, Banun Atina, Sharon Lam, Vincent Lai & Yusuf Amin Executive Producer: Dato Faridah Merican Artistic Director: Joe Hasham OAM
[DETAILS]:
Venue: Meeting Point, Foyer @ KLPAC Date & Time: 4–7 August 2011 @ 7.00pm – 11.00pm Tickets: Minimum donation of RM20
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So yes. Two shows running at the same time and here's an idea of how to catch them both in one night. From 8:30 - 9:30pm, you can sit back and watch Food, Sex & Death. Then at 10pm, you can head to the Two On One booth an experience a night of saving the world, pleading your case to go to heaven or hell, convince someone to have sex and so much more. So what are you waiting for??? Go buy your tickets now!!!
For more details, head to the facebook event page here, the Causeway EXchange website here, the T4YP website here, or the KLPAC website here....
