On set Ebi Shankara and Eswari Gunasagar were gushing over this new show called ‘Karuvanam’ on Vasantham in early Dec, and I took a peek and was blown away. I had to meet one of the guys behind this. We chatted, and it’s not often that I get back so much from listening to this younger, serious filmmaker. He was so bent on not having his photo for this podcast that all he gave me was this blurry photo. I could have stolen one from the ether, but I’ll honour his direction.

Kumaran Sundaram is an award-winning Writer/Director with over a decade’s experience. After studying film, he directed and wrote acclaimed works like Oh Butterfly, which won a Global Tamil Series Excellence Award at Edison Awards 2024. His MMA-themed drama Achamillai Manamae (Fearless Heart) won Best Direction at the New York Film and TV Awards 2023 and was nominated at the UK’s Content Innovation Awards. Jillendru Oru Kalavaram (Happy Chaos), streaming on Netflix, garnered recognition. With credits on platforms like Viu and Discovery, he has produced programs internationally and aims to deliver life-changing stories, touching hearts one decisive moment at a time.

Recorded in late 2023, I had the privilege to talk to Djinn in a noisy cafe in Sim Lim Square, before she rushed off flying back to LA- hence the aggressive background noise cancelling-sorry. We owe Djinn and all those involved with the Movie, Perth- for pioneering Singapore indie films in 2004, when it was a lot more difficult to write, produce, direct and distribute a feature film. A great person to chat with. Lots to share.

In this episode, we're diving deep into the world of Singaporean filmmaker Djinn Ong, best known for her film Perth. Djinn takes us on a journey through her unconventional path into filmmaking, starting with her work at the Economic Development Board (EDB) to her experiences in the Hong Kong film industry and eventually into directing. From casting actors off the street to balancing the constraints of low-budget filmmaking, Djinn shares candid stories about working with actors like Sunny Pang, working with producer Juan Foo, her passion for telling authentic Singaporean stories, and the challenges of bringing independent films to life. Join us as Djinn reflects on her creative process, the evolving landscape of local cinema, and her thoughts on the future of filmmaking in Singapore and beyond. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring filmmakers and anyone interested in the intricacies of storytelling through film.

[00:00:17] How Djinn found the female lead for Perth

[00:01:56] Casting Sunny Pang

[00:04:28] Creating the Film 'Perth'

[00:05:51] Journey into Film Directing

[00:06:55] Djinn began in early EDB promoting Creative Industries i.e Film

[00:10:34] Writing a paper for the establishment of a Singapore Film Commission

[00:11:31] Djinn tries an Indiana Jones type job

[00:11:47] How Djinn got involved with Yonfan’s Bugis Street

[00:13:20] Transition to the US and Short Films

[00:17:29] Working in HongKong Film Industry

what's the last thing you did, like

[00:18:52] Not directing for a while

[00:19:33] Reflections on Directing and Storytelling

[00:20:53] Balancing Local and Global Storytelling

[00:22:57] Returning Home: Reconnecting with Local Cinema

[00:23:32] Character Development and Inspiration

[00:24:35] The Joys and Struggles of Low-Budget Filmmaking

[00:27:07] What Djinn looks for from a DP

[00:31:02] Casting Authentic Characters

[00:37:27] The Importance of a Good Production Team

[00:41:33] Impactful Small Sequences

[00:42:42] Exploring Global Cinema

[00:43:41] Asian American Productions

[00:48:16] Challenges in Production

[00:54:46] Directing and Actor Performance

[01:05:22] Encouragement for Independent Filmmakers

I had the pleasure of talking to James Lee late last year, and this long podcast episode is the result. I can't tell you how much I learned in these 1.6 hours. James Lee is such a filmmaking dynamo. He's precise, generous in sharing and loaded with filmmaking stories and anecdotes. I don't want to swing the overused word 'masterclass" here but I can’t tell you how much I learned in these 1.6 hours.

James Lee, an esteemed filmmaker originating from Malaysia, made his mark in the world of theater before transitioning seamlessly into the forefront of indie digital video filmmaking.

Proficient in directing, producing, and acting, he has garnered international acclaim with awards at prominent film festivals in Bangkok, Hong Kong, Philippines, and Singapore. James became a focal point at the 9th Deauville Asian Film Festival in France, solidifying his status as a pioneer in digital filmmaking.

Noteworthy accolades include the prestigious Cannes Silver Lion Award in 2016 for his compelling work on "Last Day of School."

James Lee's influence extends beyond the screen, evident in his role as a speaker at TEDxKL in 2015, where he shared valuable insights into the evolving narrative landscape.