57 hours and two attempts later, my full-length documentary Long Hair Revolution (71 minutes long) is up on Google video. This documentary was my first film. It is about the rebel Hong Kong Legislative Council member and activist Long Hair (Leung Kwok-hung). I am proud of my first attempt as it got me into the 2005 Calgary International Film Festival (big thanks to CIFF) and with some post-production funding from the wonderful Academy Awards winning National Film Board (I’m proud of their support).
I hope you will enjoy it and please feel free to comment. Good or bad. Praise or constructive criticisms are both welcomed.
The Puzzle (8 minutes long) was my 2nd film and short drama for a change. It is also on Google Video. I wanted to see how it feels like to write my own screenplay, direct actors, have costumes and work with another cinematographer. And in drama where I could have another take if I wanted. I ended up wanting over 20 takes on a few shots. (So I got what I wished for. Takes, lots of takes. Oh, man!)
I enjoyed the learning process of making The Puzzle but if I am allowed to pick a favourite child or student, I think I still leans toward making documentaries. And that is why I am working hard on my new documentary series Egging Chairman Mao alongside with the other work and interests that I have.
P.S. Some days I would ask myself what the heck am I doing with all these works and interests? I think may be I simply aspire to work like Charles Handy’s portfolio workers. It sure keeps my mind sharp in many areas for sure.
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Thursday, 26 April, 2007 at 9:30 pm
I saw him on campus yesterday. If wasn’t for the video, I would not know who he was. Thank u!
BTW, I LOVE Gilmore Girls, too!
*******
Hi Angie,
Which campus are you referring to ? On that note, which country are you in?
By the way, if you enjoy the Long Hair documentary, please let your friends and classmates know about it.
Yeah, Gilmore Girls is one of my most beloved TV show. Great stuff. I will miss them so very much if and when the series ends. I love all of the main characters and most of the other characters as well.
Cheers,
Kempton
Tuesday, 8 May, 2007 at 8:30 am
[...] and calm up close and in person. Just like my experience with Long Hair (Leung Kwok-hung, see my documentary about Long Hair), I strongly feel both have the ability to think and reason clearly and logically far away from the [...]
Wednesday, 23 May, 2007 at 9:28 am
[...] I met Joe in the 2005 Calgary International Film Festival when my film Long Hair Revolution was screened. And he has been very helpful and kind to me since. Honestly, I think Joe’s [...]
Saturday, 16 June, 2007 at 11:48 am
[...] I haven’t changed this sequence since I created it for my first documentary “Long Hair Revolution” which was aired in 2005 in Calgary International Film [...]
Sunday, 1 July, 2007 at 6:41 am
[...] 1st Update: My old documentary subject Long Hair (Leung Kwok-hung) in AP news “Feisty Hong Kong Lawmaker Provokes China” via [...]
Wednesday, 5 September, 2007 at 1:56 pm
[...] Snake Tail - Daisann’s blog is always a great read to know more about Hong Kong politics, Long Hair, and learn a little bit of Chinese every [...]
Sunday, 2 March, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I m from Malaysia. I love my country, but there are a lot of unfairness there. I hope someone or even you Kempton, would do a documentary about Malaysia’s government. The biggest problem in Malaysia is race is always the issue but, IT IS NOT. All we want is a fair law and bring equality to everyone.
I will no go to detail but kudos to “Long Hair”…
AND Kempton..
Sunday, 2 March, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Hi Terence,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I don’t know the people, culture, and politics of Malaysia well enough at the moment to do a documentary.
Now, why don’t you give it a shot and make a documentary (or a short documentary) about the Malaysia that you love and know (the goods and the bads).
The cameras are cheap and software are very reasonably priced (I recommend Final Cut Pro). Now, if you can’t afford FCP, simply go with iMovie, never let anything (including the tools) stop you from making films.
Good luck,
Kempton
Tuesday, 4 March, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Nice to hear from u Kempton. I love this documentrary very much and i admire Long Hair a lot too. Long hair’s revolution has really give me hope about freedom in my country. I m chinese by the way. Malaysia is very different from Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, Chinese is the majority but in Malaysia Malay is majority, there are also Indians. If the chinese or indian oppose the governmet (which are mostly Malay) they will say we are racist. Nothing is worst than a race between war. But on the other hand, the minorities are marginalised. It doesn’t matter who the becomes the leader, all we are hoping is more equality. But to bad i m now on America pursuing my degree. Even if i m in Malaysia, i do not have the experience of doing a documentary.
Then again, thank you Kempton.
PS: If u see see Long Hair again, send my regards. Malaysia say hi to Long Hair.
Tuesday, 4 March, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Hi Terence,
Long Hair is a very special man. It is with his dogged devotion and determination that he managed to do things that many others had considered impossible.
There are many minorities being marginalized in the world and it is not an easy task to convince the majority to treat the less powerful group with equal respect but try you should. Try you should.
Watch the RTHK program Defending Justice in China - part 1 and 2 if you can find sometime. These Chinese lawyers were doing the impossible and, at times, risking their personal safety to do so. I admire them very much.
In a sense, do what you can, and within the law and try to change the system from within, one small step at a time.
Will pass along your hello next time I go to Hong Kong and see him.
Best of luck to your studies and the situation in Malaysia.
Kempton
Thursday, 6 March, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Thank You very much Kempton…
I will take your advice…
Hope you can make more documentary about Long Hair…
Friday, 29 August, 2008 at 12:16 am
[...] felt like yesterday (when in fact it was 2004-2005) that I made my documentary - Long Hair Revolution in the beginning of Long Hair’s LEGCO term. The doc is 71 minutes long. [...]
Wednesday, 10 September, 2008 at 4:25 pm
[...] made a documentary about Long Hair in 2005 and I’ve posted it on Google Video. [...]