Christine Tjia

One of the best local films I have ever seen!

Though The Blue Mansion was released in Singapore back on 22 October 2009 and world premiere at the 14th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) but it was only now that I had the chance to watch it. It was the first Singaporean film shown in Alliance Francaise and it is such an honor to watch with the director Glen Goei himself, which followed with a session of Q & A from the floor. It is always "behind the scenes" that intrigues me most!

The movie is filmed mainly in the 19th century majestic blue mansion (During the times when it was built, the indigo blue paint was considered as a luxury for only the wealthy can afford), Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (Penang, Malaysia), a UNESCO Architectural Heritage Award recipient, which is rumored to be haunted. The house did have the spooky feel but with elaborate settings and extravagant props, why wouldn't it? But then again, on second thought, it is said that some scenes are deliberately dim to show the claustrophobic way we live in (Interesting, eh?). 

Glen lived in UK for 20 years and came back to a very different Singapore. He took his time (11 years from his first movie) to listen to the voices of the society. The movie is drawn by his own experiences and family as well as those from the local cab drivers too (believe it or not!). Glen brutally and honestly picked the most common matter in Asia - Patriarchy: the typical one that is being trapped by family rules and obligations. It is thought provoking: Freedom in living, respect for authority, reluctance to criticize comes under the light.

The script took 3 years to write and 35 days to produce. This classy, not to mention quirky movie staged solid acting performances, well developed characters with cleverly crafted noir humor. Angles are shot elegantly and makes you applaud the director himself. This top notch production is a real credit to the local film industry!














What hit me most was the last scene: full frontal nudity shot (pixelated) of Emma Yong covered in blood. Rather than portraying the RA kinda feel, it was artistically shot. It reminds me very much of Alexander Mcqueen's Fall/Winter 1998 collection (last day of London Fashion Week), where the model stood in a red hooded cat suit (below), emerging as a creature of flame from within a giant ring of fire. Emma Yong is the dark horse in this show! I have always known her as the Dim Sum Dollies - chirpy, funny and spontaneous. But with such deceptively tough role, she flaunts her acting talents effortlessly. I love her in such dark and twisted roles. She is definitely a pleasant surprise!

I love this movie particularly because it shows another side of Singapore. A few Asian films are about contemporary society. Very few films are about dysfunctional family due to the shame of airing dirty laundry to the public. I love the fact that it is very down to earth.

As this movie is allegorical, it engages a wider audience and many can relate on different levels: Rivalry and politics within families, issues between father and daughters, mothers and sons. We can't be blaming our parents about our circumstances because we are responsible adults and we bear the consequences and circumstances that came along from the decisions we take.

The Blue Mansion reminds me of choices we made and we don't make - the unfulfilled hopes, dreams and desires within us. At certain extent, there is a Blue Mansion in every one of us and there is a hope that these buried feelings will find its release.

Somehow.













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