Yong’s Story
At first it was just a name. Yong Vui Kong. We first heard it in 2009, at a forum on the death penalty in Singapore. Yong Vui Kong. We were told he was a convicted drug mule from East Malaysia. He had been caught with more than 15 grams of heroin. He would most likely...
Happy Birthday, Yong Vui Kong
Happy Birthday in advance, Vui Kong. When we first heard your name, we never thought you’d live to see 23. Never, at one stage, thought you’d even see 22. But here we are, three weeks into 2011 and you’re still alive. Hope is still alive. Today, a bunch of us got together to sing you...
Salvation House
For devout Hindus, dying in the holy city of Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges River is a way to gain direct entry to Heaven. Families travel for hundreds of miles with their fading relatives. Many check into Mukti Bhawan, or Salvation House, a hotel that caters to those waiting for death. Commissioned by...
Second Chances
I remember the first time I heard Frankie’s story. We were sitting in his tiny flat, his little dog staring out at us from the kitchen. Frankie’s voice was calm, his tone, almost self-deprecating. But the tale was a brutal one. Armed robbery, drug peddling, illegal moneylending, a jailbreak, gang fights… the man’s done it...
The Great North Korean Picture Show: The Film School
The Pyongyang University of Cinematic and Dramatic Arts. This was where we hung out last week. The university doesn’t look like much from the outside. But gaining admission into this institution is apparently a big deal in North Korea, a stepping stone to one of the most coveted jobs in the country. Every young North...
Where There’s Smoke
The phone rang just after 11pm. It was James. “Come to Fei Fei,” he said. “Something’s happening here.” “What?” “Just come.” And so, because documentary filmmakers are inherent busybodies, I headed down to the noodle shop near where we live. I wasn’t prepared for what I saw. Two fire engines blocked the road outside the...
Guess Who’s At The Commonwealth Games?
We’re watching the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. But really, we’re only looking out for a few people. Zakayo Nderi. Hillary Kiprotich. Sammy Ekiru. Members of the Kenyan cycling team. Yup, Zak’s there. Hard to believe, but our former shoeshiner – the man we’ve been rooting for these past three years – is there,...
Second Chances
Lovely video by our young friends from the Second Chance campaign. Yay to hope! Yong Vui Kong will never get to dance barefoot in the park, or jam with his friends, or even play tourist at the Merlion. We made sure of that when we condemned him to death for a non-violent first offence. Never....
Seeking A Kickass Production Assistant
We’re looking for a smart, energetic, Cantonese-speaking young person to assist James in his feature film, as well as work on a slate of new documentary projects. Some production experience would be helpful but not absolutely necessary. This is a full-time position lasting six months to a year. Applicants must be prepared to travel and...
A Family’s Plea
Yun Leong had bags under his eyes. He told us he’d been up all night, writing a personal letter to President SR Nathan, pleading for his brother’s life. He was sleep deprived. Had lot his voice. But despite the fatigue, he’d gone and gotten a smart new haircut. He wanted to look his best. It...
100,000 Rays Of Hope
At first it all seemed a little ambitious. 100,000 signatures in support of a second chance for Yong Vui Kong. 100,000. That felt like an awful lot. How on earth was it achievable? I’ve since realised that my skepticism was misplaced. And that Malaysia has some truly amazing activists. Over the past few weeks, they’ve...
The Bomber
We’re a little late with this, but the story went online the day we left for a week in a place with no internet connection. “The Bomber” is our film about Dani Dwi Permana, the 18-year old kid who walked into Jakarta JW Marriott Hotel last year, and blew himself up. And about the family...
