DETOUR review

1. The plot was interesting, the ending was abrupt. It left me dissatisfied and I wanted more.
2. I like the mood. Is that what they call cinematography work well-done?
3. A few charming moments which made me smile.

Overall, the film’s imperfection was perfect for me. It makes me imagine how else I could improve it and that’s better than not knowing what to do with it at all.

Moving on, I find the critique session even more amusing than the screening itself.
I learnt something productive that I’m compelled to share for the benefit of my budding filmmies out there.

BE PREPARED WITH 4 TYPES OF QUESTIONS IN YOUR NEXT SCREENING!

1. Questions that makes anal-tical sense
Audience: I noticed Zarul (the thief) runs with a limp yet he is consistently 100m ahead of Isaac. In a chase, how can a limping man run faster at a consistent 100m gap than a regular person?

(Me: Wow! That’s Carl-zeiss x 100. An acute observation that makes total sense but how is this comment be conducive to the director’s next film, I wonder?)

2. Questions that provokes the crew’s defense mechanism
Audience: Hello, I’m A, it’s my first time to this kinda thing. I find the film didn’t flow well? (This is a short-version of a long-winding question)
Moderator: Don’t expect a Hollywood production.
Director: Like I said, this is an experiment.

(Me: This guy is the only courteous one who bothered to stand up, introduced himself, being apologetic for his non-fluency in indie films before starting a long-winding question of just 1 point – the flow just ain’t right. His innocence was shot down by the moderator. Sigh.)

3. Questions that should never exist. (Answers too!)
Audience: Can you apply this film to another city? (Referring to the film’s reliance on Chinatown and backlanes of Changkat Bukit Bintang and “Malay” actors)
Director: We didn’t intend to paint the city as KL. If you notice, we didn’t use any identifiable Malaysian landmarks like KL Tower or KLCC. (But in fact, the film opens to 50th Malaysia Cermelang ad on the LRT body)

(Me: When has location becomes the central discussion of a film? Human stories are universal and characters can live in Paris as well as in KL. You could have answer it this way, Jass. Or not answer it at all.)

4. Question the meaning of everything, including the existence of a prop.
Audience: Is the yellow cap symbolic?
I couldn’t remember what the answer was but this question bugs me. For a 20-min film with a measly budget, my answer would be NO. The cap is not symbolic. We just don’t have enough money for wardrobe change.

(Ok, my bad. It was an imaginary question. According to source, it wasn’t about a yellow cap but of another insignificant prop)

Here you go, a little amusement written from my vantage point that night. Jass, Gavin, I already imagine you vetting yes-no-yes-no as you read each line, but take a break, will ya? I’m only a backseat audience so I’m expecting you to forgive me for any ‘inaccuracy’ and ‘injustice’ here.

Cheers, all the best in the year of Pork Chops.