While I was in the UK, I met so many film-loving friends, got to watch so many movies that I never knew existed, and even became an extra in a friend's directorial debut (I'm keeping bragging rights Pedro for the day you make it big!). But one thing I never got to do in the UK was to watch a film alone. Why not? I was a broke student lol. Anyway so when I got the chance to in Singapore, I've been watching loads of films, many of them alone. Partially because my taste in movies have evolved, often to more niche, arthouse films that many of my Singaporean friends haven't acquired the taste for. But there is still a great selection of films on show in Singaporean cinemas, especially The Projector (love it). So, what's the best thing to do? Just watch films alone.
A movie is in itself already a highly personal experience. You won't be yapping away to your friends (if you do, please shut up the next time you are in a cinema, thanks). The auditory and visual experiences created in a cinema is something I enjoy alone. Amidst the endless honks, 6-foot tall manequinns dressed in the latest shiny diamond dresses, sparkling christmas lights wrapped around the poor angsana trees along Orchard Road, entering the movie theatre (in this case Cineleisure) strangely becomes an escapade from it all. It provides the respite, the space, and the solitude needed for introspection. In such an environment, the heart of films find a way to reach out of the screen into my own soul.
The last film I watched was All we imagine as light, this year's Grand Prix winner in the Cannes film festival. Beautiful, carefully chosen shots, soulful acting - these naturally serve to drive the character development, aligned closely with the simple plot, forming a fantastic arthouse film. Observing the intimacies between the characters is something that become so much clearer when in solitude. The loneliness so delicately portrayed seemed to extend its tentacles, grasping at my physical isolation in the movie theatre. It was certainly a slow boil. Tears only started forming in my eyes right at the ending scene (a truly beautiful shot). I'm not sure if the movie would have hit in the same way if I was watching it with someone else.
Of course, I do miss discussing the intricacies of a film, especially the filming techniques, after watching a film with friends. It's always great to hear about others' perspectives of the very same film. Interpretations often vary greatly based on what catches our eyes and every individual's lived experiences. I don't think that the movie-going experience should be strictly for solo watchers or groups. But there should be a greater acceptance of cinema-going as a solo experience. Good films deserve to be watched by as many people as possible. Singapore has been moving towards a greater selection of classic, niche, or even borderline weird films. I take this as a good sign. We should encourage greater film diversity beyond money-churning Marvel, DC or Pixar films. Only in such a way can we cultivate a healthier culture of local film-makers!
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