X Japan is probably one of the biggest bands you’ve never heard of. And no wonder, as you’d probably only know of them if you happen to be into the J-rock scene. We Are X is here to change that, and shines a light on the quirky, weird and wonderful people that make up X Japan. We Are X opens on X Japan’s Madison Square Garden gig in … Continue reading London Film Festival 2016:We Are X dir. Stephen Kijak (+Interview)
Rent has been a staple Broadway classic for years, featuring some of the most iconic songs in musical theatre history and making waves when it premiered in 1997, striking a chord with the disenfranchised artists of New York and the high cost of living. Last performed here in 2001 by the Singapore Repertory Theatre, Pangdemonium! has brought finally brought Rent back, 15 years later to a brand … Continue reading Review: RENT by Pangdemonium! [9/10/16]
Too often, we define the disabled by their limitations. But the truth is, each person is capable in their own way, with everyone deserving of a chance to shine. Directed and conceived by French choreographer Jérôme Bel, GALA features a massive 20 cast members onstage, with both amateur performers and professionals, including Timothy Nga, Fiona Lim and drag extraordinaire Becca d’Bus. GALA rifts on the theme of individualism and self-expression, using … Continue reading Review: GALA by Theatreworks [8/10/16]
David Lynch is probably one of the most intriguing directors of the time, with a career of spectacular films that defy interpretation and continue to fascinate even today. His last film (Inland Empire) was last made in 2008, and the one before that in 2001 (Mulholland Drive). To feed Lynch fever then, one can only turn to documentaries and interviews such as this one. As … Continue reading London Film Festival 2016: David Lynch: The Art Life dir. Jon Nguyen (+Interview!)
In a decidedly non-traditional documentary, we’re introduced to 20th century heroine Gertrude Bell, sometimes known as the female Lawrence of Arabia. Born in 1868, Bell was a woman of many talents, dabbling in archaeology, travels to the Middle East, cartologist and explorer, who was integral to policy-making and could be said to be key to the creation of the modern Middle East. This isn’t the … Continue reading London Film Festival 2016: Letters From Baghdad dir. Sabine Krayenbühl and Zeva Oelbaum
Wicked has enchanted Singaporeans once when it premiered in 2011, now experience the magic of Oz onstage once again as it sweeps back into Mastercard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands. This time around, the award-winning production features the West End cast, bringing in talents such as Jacqueline Hughes and Carly Anderson as Wicked leads Elphaba and Glinda respectively. Both of them are highly acclaimed stars … Continue reading Review: Wicked Returns To Singapore To Standing Ovation [6/10/16]
King Cobra was a strangely enjoyable film. I went in not knowing exactly what to expect, except bloody murder and gay pornography, which if you ask me, is as sensational as a film can possibly get. There’s a hint of Harmony Korrine’s Spring Breakers here, in that it features a Disney star violently shredding his Disney roots, and James Franco is involved. But that’s about all the similarities … Continue reading London Film Festival 2016: King Cobra dir. Justin Kelly (+Interview)
Moonlight has to be one of the biggest highlights of this year’s London Film Festival. The film follows the life of the shy, young Chiron as he grows into a man still figuring out his identity in 1980s Miami. The film is split into three parts, titled after the various names and nicknames people give to Chiron over the course of his life, following him as … Continue reading London Film Festival 2016: Moonlight dir. Barry Jenkins
First things first, absurdist plays are often lost on me. They’re often headscratchers, and leave you absolutely puzzled after the show. So what’s the big draw of No Man’s Land then? To catch acting legends Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen onstage, at the same time of course. No Man’s Land was written by absurdist playwright Harold Pinter in the 70s, and is set in a North … Continue reading Review: No Man’s Land (17/9/16)
Child actors can be either one of two things: exasperating, or unbelievably good. The ones in Pepa San Martín’s Rara thankfully, happen to tend towards the latter, and make Rara an extremely likable film.Rara is oddly reminiscent of American film The Kids Are All Right, but only insofar as that they both feature a lesbian couple bringing up two kids at the forefront. Rara takes the perspective of adolescent Sara (Julia Lübbert), opening the film … Continue reading London Film Festival 2016: Rara dir. Pepa San Martín
