For this week, we had the pleasure of interviewing Kan Lume, a lecturer at Singapore Polytechnic. He used to be a full time lecturer, but switched to part time in order to have more time to focus on his films. If that doesn't give you an idea of how dedicated he is to his work, this might: he inked the words "Film Maker" on his hand.
He is passionate about what he does, and has done a few films involving Singapore Polytechnic students as actors as well. Kan Lume is not just a film director, he also often writes the script and produces his own films. We at the Spotlight Project cannot wait to see what kind of film he will come up with next! Now, on to the interview with Kan Lume:
Q: Who are your influences in the
industry; who inspired you to start filmmaking in the first place?
KL: Umm.. most of the filmmakers that
inspired me.. I think you’ve not heard of, like, obscure, but the main thing I
guess is that they’re from all over the world. So, some of them inspire me
because they have similar circumstances as me. You know, limited resources,
lack of opportunity, same economic situation. Some of them inspired me because
they found a unique way of doing things, umm, some of them are a little bit
more famous like _____. They found innovative ways
to deal with the problems that I myself face. So it’s kinda like people who go
before you, they shine the light… you know… how to do things in a certain way,
and then you follow in their footsteps and you try to innovate and try to do
things differently from them.
Q: Okay so as a filmmaker and director,
what to you are the five things that you can’t live without?
KL: It can be technology…
KL: Okay, so actual physical things?
Not values or... I think you need to have a good
sense of humour, one. You need a camera, you need very good sound recording –
sound is actually more important than the video. You need the support and love
from family and friends. And lastly, you would need the support and backing of
your country.
Q: So what do you think can be done to promote
or raise the awareness about local talents like yourself?
KL: Well film festivals,
traditionally, have been instrumental in exposing filmmakers to the audience;
to the world. In Singapore, our most famous film festival closed down for
several years. It’s starting again this year. So that’s a good thing. Hopefully
they do not just have a festival that tries to bring in money. Because a lot of
the independent festivals have become money-generating kinda businesses. Umm
hopefully it’s a festival that’s geared towards promotion of culture. Cos I
think films and these kinda art forms are really capturing the essence of the
culture of the people and it’s not something you can measure in dollars and
cents. Culture is one of the pillars of civilisation.
Q: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing, producing or
shooting a film?
KL: I like to watch films and I like
to spend time with my family.
Q: So if you could, would you want to collaborate with
any local artistes in the future? And if so, who?
KL: Sure, I draw a lot of inspiration
from actors. I often write stories based on a particular actor. But collaborating
with other filmmakers, producers, also, I think… I’m a strong believer in
collaboration. I mean one of my… my second film I actually collaborated with a
visual artist, a television actor, and that in fact has been my most successful
film. But it is difficult to find collaborations. A lot of people in Singapore
from a young age are very competitive in their education system, so I find that
a lot of filmmakers are very secretive, very competitive, the kind of attitude
that: If I win then you lose. So I think it’s important to collaborate.
Q: Still speaking about filmmaking, do
you actually consider filmmaking something you can turn into a full-fledged
career or do you consider it like a side-hobby – something you do in your free
time only, or do you take it very very seriously, as in, like what you said.
Bringing the arts in Singapore to life.
KL: It’s a good question. I take it as
a hobby. Because I’ve been doing this for 11 years. It’s not long, it’s not
short, but it’s enough for me to know that there isn’t much of an industry here
in Singapore to sustain. And there’s a very simple reason. It’s because we only
have about 5 million people. Our market is too small. Even in Malaysia, with a
population of about 26 million, only then they’re able to sustain a small
industry. It’s not big at all. So if you want to make it a career then you
probably have to go to America. But for me, I’m happy for it just to be kind of
giving meaning to what I do. Rather than just to take home a paycheck at the
end of the month. To be able to make film and to communicate with an audience, it’s enough for
me.
Q: So you’ve actually not had an easy
time to make filmmaking known out there. What would you say was the most
difficult part about you getting to this stage right now where you know
filmmaking can’t be turned into a full-fledged career?. What were the problems
that you actually faced?
KL: Mostly it’s disappointment.
Because you know, when you go into something you have ambition, you have
expectations, and then systematically, over time, you have disappointing
experiences. And then you come to realise that some of these ambitions are not
possible. So having to adjust to these disappointments has been the greatest
challenge. And yet, having to still believe that what you’re doing is
meaningful because, I mean, from the dawn of time, humans, we need to hear
stories. So stories whether in the form of poems, or music, or films, the art
form will keep changing but the inherent need to hear stories will never
change. So sticking to that belief that what we’re doing is important and not
letting circumstances get us down, that’s the greatest challenge for me.
Q: You said that we still have a pool
of people that are interested in the art of filmmaking, producing, acting even.
These young people, what do you have to say to them tp get their dreams going?
KL: Well it’s not fair for me to tell
you to go ahead and throw aside economic considerations. I’ve never walked in
your shoes. But I have to say that I myself have had financial issues. I
couldn’t buy lunch, you know I had a family. But I still didn’t let those
limitations hold me back. I’m one of those that really lived a radical life and
I really took great risk. And I cannot expect people to do that but I can tell
you from personal experience that those times where I took those risks, they
all paid off. So I would say, really, the old saying: Live with no fear. It has
worked for me.
That was great advice. Thank you very much Mr Kan! We really admire Mr Kan's dedication and passion. Do continue to support his works, and if you wish to see what else he has done you can follow him on Twitter at @KanLume.
You can also follow us on our Twitter account, as well as our Facebook account for more exclusive interviews of other local artistes that are to come!
Thanks for tuning in everyone, this was the Spotlight Project!
