

Ab Lib Night (Aju Teukbyeolhan Sonnim) (2006) (Korea)

I will write something if time permits ...

Surprisingly, the director was present. 

In the introduction, he said ... He was happy to be at lovely Singapore again ... He was here two years ago with his first film "This Charming Girl" ... This film (Ad Lib Night) is about a journey/trip made by a girl, a turning point which changes her life, not a major turning point, but still a turning point nonetheless ... I hope you people will also enjoy the journey/trip ... 

Conclusion:
Recommended. Actually, I thought it was not as "minimalistic" as I have anticipated (cf. Kim Ki Duk or Tsai Ming Liang's films). It is peppered with dialogues throughout, but it has little happenings/events ... ... If you like Hou Hsiao Hsien's style, you will like this film ...

Q & A 
(Not with the entire audience, but with a few individuals at the foyer after the film. Again, the following is loosely translated and recorded for its gist rather than in verbatim)

Q: What inspired the film?
A: It is based on a Japanese short story. I used about 40% of the story, and improvised the rest. I have to add more stuff/stories to the other characters to evoke more melancholy ...

Q: What do you hope people take away from this film?
A: Relationship with others, not just the family, but also friends and others ...

Q: Is there a reason why all the protagonist in your film is a female?
A: Ha ... that is just a coincidence. I simply like to film stories about lonely people and relationship ...

Q: In the show, the girl was waiting for a guy whom she might even sleep with for money ... this is the theme in another film Samaria (aka Samaritan Girl) ... is this a prevalent problem in Korea?
A: Hmmm ... I dont think so ...

Q: Who are the directors that inspire you?
A: Hou Hsiao Hsien. In fact, I even had a dinner with him two years ago (in Singapore International Film Festival) when SIFF had a retrospective on Hou's films, and I was invited for featuring "This Charming Girl".

Q: Are there Korean directors that you like?
A: Lee Chang Dong

That's abt it ...

rgds
hengcs

PS: Given that there are 25 min to the next screening, I am still not sure why the Q&A is done at the foyer (or should i say the walking isle?! sigh). Is it by the request of the director? If he is shy, I think I am okay with it. However, if it is due to "cleaning" for the next screening, I think it could have been better. Although it is less formal, less than 3 to 5 people stayed and talked to the director (some are not even aware of his presence because they came into the theater after the intro) ... what a wasted opportunity ... Hopefully, it will be better next time ...