Kan Lume Questions

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!