We met in 2004 at the Southeast Asian Cinema Conference. With Alexis et al. We met almost every year since. We should have met again in Ho Chi Minh this month. We did not. I was bogged down with work. You too. And now, we will meet again, at a better place.
There are many things I will remember you by:
You, thanking Gaik for organising the first conference that brings scholars and practitioners of Southeast Asian Cinema together.
You, delivering your paper on the complexity of archiving when I invited you to Singapore in 2005 for the Forum on Asian Cinema, AFA’s first public event that launched the organisation.
You, taking the lead to bring everyone to Kuala Lumpur in 2006. As usual, not everything went as planned but it was fabulous already. You delivered the best closing address, thanking everyone, the guests who came, every student who helped. Everyone. Except yourself.
You, coming to Singapore again for the Symposium on Southeast Asian Digital Cinema in 2007, joining Khavn, Mui, Mirabelle on the panel about film communities. You also helped to judge the student competition and again, helped to give the closing address to the symposium.
You, remembering Yasmin in your love letter for her.
You, sharing the same birthday as me but of course you live a much more charming life than I do, first as an actor, and later an inspiring teacher and writer.
Thank you for always thanking us and making us feel appreciated.
Hi Bee Thiam,
I attended your short little talk about Singapore cinema at NUS yesterday. I must say that your involvement in 13 Pictures must be a crucial step for Singapore cinema to rise up. Self sustainable, self funded, self driven – I think that is truly an inspiration. Thank you for having hope in Singapore cinema while the rest of Singapore is wondering whether this industry will pick up or slowly die off in a nameless grave. I think that is what the rest of us lack, a little hope and motivation to drive our brand of cinema and stamp it with pride.
Best regards with your future project.
Yiqin