Now in its fifth edition, Salaya International Documentary Film Festival brings you real-world immediacy and reflection that covers a wide gamut of subjects — from the aftermath of the communist purge in 1960s Indonesia to the housing woes in Singapore, from the ferry tragedy in Korea to a grand tour of the National Gallery in London. The festival (better known as Salaya Doc) begins tomorrow and runs until Mar 28 at the Film Archive in Salaya and the auditorium of Bangkok Art and Culture Centre in Pathumwan (BACC). Admission is free.
The selection has grown from strength to strength, and Salaya Doc has nicely fashioned its speciality loosely around social topics and Southeast Asian stories, highlighting the role of non-fiction films both as a form of journalism and as intellectual pondering.
Altogether the festival will screen 18 titles, with seven in the Southeast Asian Competition. In an ideal world, we'd like to see them all, but here are some of our picks.
(All films are screened with Thai and English subtitles. Visit www.facebook.com/SalayaDoc for complete schedule.)
The Look Of Silence Opening film. Tomorrow 1pm at Film Archive and Mar 25, 7pm at BACC
In 2012, Joshua Oppenheimer made The Act Of Killing, which is a confession box in an asylum as it recounts the horror of mass murders by state-backed death squads against "communists" in 1960s Indonesia. The new film is a follow-up on that topic, and this time it brings a family of one of the victims to confront the men who killed their son. The nightmare continues.
Y/Our Music Closing film. Mar 28, 7pm at Film Archive (with live music)
This Thai documentary paints a lively soundscape of non-mainstream music and draws a political allegory between the raw, rural melody and urban, hipsterish tunes. The film visits nine music-makers of diverse temperaments, from an Isan folk maestro to a cool indie band, and tries to find harmony in the resurgence of globalised molam. Directed by Waraluck Hiransrettawat Every and David Reeve.
The Storm Makers Tomorrow, 3pm at Film Archive and Mar 27, 1pm at BACC
The story of three Cambodians — two human traffickers and a victim — highlights consequences of the trafficking business and damage at the individual level. Directed by Guillaume Suon.
The Wages Of Resistance: Narita Stories Mar 28, 1pm, at Film Archive
The story of the farmers who rose in resistance against the construction of Narita International Airport, which was built in 1966. Nearly half a century later, some of the protesters still work on their farms under the roar of jet planes. Now with the 2020 Olympics on the horizon and a plan to expand the airport in place, the farmers and their families find that the struggle may not be over. Directed by Otsu Koshiro and Daishima Haruhiko.
Madam Phung's Last Journey Tomorrow, 7pm at Film Archive and Mar 26, 1pm at BACC
A look at Madame Phung and her transvestite singers who travel around Vietnam to entertain villagers. Their attractions range from a lottery, miniature train ride, an inflatable house, darts and shotguns — but where does theatre end and real life begin?
03-Flats Sunday, 3pm at Film Archive and Mar 26, 3pm at BACC
The film looks at Singapore's public housing programme through the life of three single women at different stages of their lives. From the perspective within each flat, it observers the intersection between private and public space and how one can turn housing into a home.
National Gallery Mar 23, 5:30pm at BACC
Fans of long-attention-span documentary films won't want to miss this new work by non-fiction maestro Frederick Wiseman. Running at 180 minutes, the film takes us on a grand tour of The National Gallery in London — from staff meetings to silent wanderings among tourists and backstage revelations of the gallery's inner workings.
Flowers Of Taipei Tomorrow 5pm, at Film Archive (Q&A with the directors)
A thoughtful and poetic survey of a movement known as Taiwan New Cinema — led by the legendary Edward Yang and Hou Hsiao-Hsien — which emerged in the 1980s under the spectre of martial law to become a great cultural force. Director Chinlin Hsieh mixes clips from some of the influential films of that period with interviews featuring various filmmakers around the world who grew up in the cinematic aura of the movement.
Southeast Asian Cinema: When The Rooster Crows Mar 25, 5pm at BACC
A film that surveys the state of filmmaking in Southeast Asia. Director Leonardo Cinieri Lombroso features the life and work of four iconic directors — Brillante Mendoza from the Philippines, Eric Khoo from Singapore, Garin Nugroho from Indonesia and Pen-Ek Ratanaruang from Thailand.
Die Before Blossom Sunday, 6:30pm at Film Archive and Mar 25, 3pm at BACC
Examining girlhood in an Islamic country, this documentary observes two families in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, during a decisive period in their daughters' life. To complicate the matter, the school system is shifting from a secular system towards a more religious one. Directed by Ariani Djalal.
The Truth Shall Not Sink With Sewol Mar 27, 3pm at BACC (Q&A with the directors)
A documentary that looks at the rescue efforts and politicking after the tragic ferry disaster in South Korea last year. Directed by Ahn Hae-Ryong and Lee Sang-Ho.
The Look Of Silence.
Southeast Asian Cinema: When The Rooster Crows.
