I only just read your Blog entry on National Disservice. Excellent! Quite apart from the the passion and the logic, your succinct writing put the professional hacks like Ms Golden Age to shame!
Poh Hwa
wengyang says:
Feb 15, 2013
I’ve just read your account of what happened after you made the film on the former SMRT drivers’ allegations.
Thank you for making the film & for being brave. You’ve inspired me.
This is what is being used against you (incorrectly of course). You don’t have ‘rights’ in Singapore.
It was introduced in 1955 during the colonial era and intended to be a temporary measure, but has been renewed continuously. The validity of the Act was most recently extended in February 2009, and it will remain in force till 20 October 2014. According to the Government, the Act is only used as a last resort when a serious crime has been committed and a court prosecution is not possible because witnesses are unwilling or afraid to testify in court. The Act is used largely in cases relating to secret societies, drug trafficking and loansharking.
Part V of the Act provides that whenever the Minister for Home Affairs is satisfied that a person, whether at large or in custody, has been associated with activities of a criminal nature, the Minister may, with the consent of the Public Prosecutor, order that the person be detained for any period not exceeding 12 months if he is satisfied that the detention is necessary in the interests of public safety, peace and good order; or order that the person be subject to police supervision for any period not exceeding three years if he is satisfied that this is necessary.
it is my first time to read about you , ‘ a salute to you ‘ . god bless .
Shane says:
Mar 27, 2013
Hi there,
I was unable to attend the debut screening of The Great North Korean Picture Show at the SEAFF. I would like to find out if there is another screening in the works and when we can expect it?
I would also like to add that I am very proud that such an important work is presented by independent Singaporean filmmakers. What an incredible feat. Bravo!
Cheers,
Shane
Richard Worthington says:
Apr 21, 2013
Hello,
With regard to your blog about North Korean citizens and how you believe they are so different than mainstream reporting…
Unfortunately, To anyone who has extensive knowledge about North Korea, has visited the country on numerous occasions and has seen citizens quite the opposite of what you describe, I must say that your descriptions and reporting are extremely naive. Who you met were a group of the privileged class handpicked to meet you. Everything that you think you know about their real personality has been taught to them. These are family to have a long-standing loyalty to the regime. You truly are kidding yourself if you think you saw anything different.
However, what is most frustrating about your reporting is your innuendo about how North Korea cannot be so bad because you think you saw something much more different. It completely neglects the actuality of what is going on right now in North Korea. The reality is that there are kids in the countryside who are routinely, each and every day, like today, who constantly roam the countryside near their village looking for cow feces to eat, grass to eat and dirt to eat. This is not something that you can so easily gloss over because we have actually seen this occur with our own eyes. It will rip your heart apart when you see a bunch of North Korean kids fighting over a piece of cow feces because they are so hungry and want to eat.
My advice to you, which I doubt you will take, is to look at the real picture the next time you visit somewhere and want to cast a gloss over all of the bad problems and only show what you perceive to be the good.
Lynn says:
Apr 21, 2013
Richard, thank you for your comment. I know there is hunger in North Korea and that life is grim for many. I believe I make clear in my post that the people with whom I interacted live privileged lives. I’m not saying things are wonderful in North Korea. Rather, the point I’m trying to make is that living, breathing human beings live there too and that the media dehumanises them by constantly characterising everyone in the country as brainwashed robots.
Varun says:
May 22, 2013
Hi there,
I came across your work and I really like what you guys do. I’d love the chance to work with you, and I’m wondering if you’re looking to hire at the moment?
I heard about “The Great North Korean Picture Show” on National Public Radio’s Diane Rehm show. It sounds intriguing and I hope to view it, someday. I can not view video on-line, but does anyone know if we can purchase the DVD? If so, is there a web site available? Thank you.
This is Satveer from NUS CARE (care-cca.com). I was unable to find your email address hence, apologies for dropping you a message on your blog.
My colleague Daniel was previously in touch with you regarding a film screening and discussion in collaboration with NUS Care. We are organising our second film festival and we are very interested in screening your film and more importantly for you to be on our panel to share with students and academic faculty. We certainly believe students would love to hear from independent filmmakers like yourself. We are planning this for sometime in August (1st, 2nd or 3rd week). Please let us know what works for you and we can try to plan it around your schedule.
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Warm Regards,
Satveer
Lynn says:
Jun 23, 2013
Hi Satveer,
Thanks for getting in touch. Please send us an email at [email protected].
Cheers,
Lynn
Lynn says:
Jun 23, 2013
Hi Sheryl,
We don’t have DVDs right now, but if you send me your email, I’ll let you know when we do. Thanks for getting in touch.
Best,
Lynn
Lynn says:
Jun 23, 2013
Hi Lainie,
Thanks for arranging the interview. Please let me know when you post it.
Best,
Lynn
Lynn says:
Jun 23, 2013
Hi Varun,
We’re not looking to hire at the moment, but if you send us your CV, we’ll be in touch if a position becomes available. Our email is [email protected].
Best,
Lynn
Bronco says:
Mar 24, 2015
Hi Lynn,
I recently saw your Denim Blues on You Tube. It was very interesting. But I would like to know when you actually shot and produced the documentary because a few buildings in the video are old and no longer standing – I mean they are torn down and new buildings already built. I found it a bit strange. I live in Dongguan for a long time and could spot this immediately. When did you shoot and produce the show? Please comment. Keep up the cool stuff.
Bronco
Lianain Films says:
Mar 25, 2015
Hi Bronco,
Thanks for posting. Filming for Denim Blues took place throughout 2014. We shot primarily in Xintang and Machong and didn’t go to Dongguan city. – Lynn
17 comments
Poh Hwa says:
Oct 23, 2012
I only just read your Blog entry on National Disservice. Excellent! Quite apart from the the passion and the logic, your succinct writing put the professional hacks like Ms Golden Age to shame!
Poh Hwa
wengyang says:
Feb 15, 2013
I’ve just read your account of what happened after you made the film on the former SMRT drivers’ allegations.
Thank you for making the film & for being brave. You’ve inspired me.
Offshoreoildude says:
Feb 24, 2013
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminal_Law_%28Temporary_Provisions%29_Act_%28Singapore%29
This is what is being used against you (incorrectly of course). You don’t have ‘rights’ in Singapore.
It was introduced in 1955 during the colonial era and intended to be a temporary measure, but has been renewed continuously. The validity of the Act was most recently extended in February 2009, and it will remain in force till 20 October 2014. According to the Government, the Act is only used as a last resort when a serious crime has been committed and a court prosecution is not possible because witnesses are unwilling or afraid to testify in court. The Act is used largely in cases relating to secret societies, drug trafficking and loansharking.
Part V of the Act provides that whenever the Minister for Home Affairs is satisfied that a person, whether at large or in custody, has been associated with activities of a criminal nature, the Minister may, with the consent of the Public Prosecutor, order that the person be detained for any period not exceeding 12 months if he is satisfied that the detention is necessary in the interests of public safety, peace and good order; or order that the person be subject to police supervision for any period not exceeding three years if he is satisfied that this is necessary.
john lee says:
Mar 10, 2013
it is my first time to read about you , ‘ a salute to you ‘ . god bless .
Shane says:
Mar 27, 2013
Hi there,
I was unable to attend the debut screening of The Great North Korean Picture Show at the SEAFF. I would like to find out if there is another screening in the works and when we can expect it?
I would also like to add that I am very proud that such an important work is presented by independent Singaporean filmmakers. What an incredible feat. Bravo!
Cheers,
Shane
Richard Worthington says:
Apr 21, 2013
Hello,
With regard to your blog about North Korean citizens and how you believe they are so different than mainstream reporting…
Unfortunately, To anyone who has extensive knowledge about North Korea, has visited the country on numerous occasions and has seen citizens quite the opposite of what you describe, I must say that your descriptions and reporting are extremely naive. Who you met were a group of the privileged class handpicked to meet you. Everything that you think you know about their real personality has been taught to them. These are family to have a long-standing loyalty to the regime. You truly are kidding yourself if you think you saw anything different.
However, what is most frustrating about your reporting is your innuendo about how North Korea cannot be so bad because you think you saw something much more different. It completely neglects the actuality of what is going on right now in North Korea. The reality is that there are kids in the countryside who are routinely, each and every day, like today, who constantly roam the countryside near their village looking for cow feces to eat, grass to eat and dirt to eat. This is not something that you can so easily gloss over because we have actually seen this occur with our own eyes. It will rip your heart apart when you see a bunch of North Korean kids fighting over a piece of cow feces because they are so hungry and want to eat.
My advice to you, which I doubt you will take, is to look at the real picture the next time you visit somewhere and want to cast a gloss over all of the bad problems and only show what you perceive to be the good.
Lynn says:
Apr 21, 2013
Richard, thank you for your comment. I know there is hunger in North Korea and that life is grim for many. I believe I make clear in my post that the people with whom I interacted live privileged lives. I’m not saying things are wonderful in North Korea. Rather, the point I’m trying to make is that living, breathing human beings live there too and that the media dehumanises them by constantly characterising everyone in the country as brainwashed robots.
Varun says:
May 22, 2013
Hi there,
I came across your work and I really like what you guys do. I’d love the chance to work with you, and I’m wondering if you’re looking to hire at the moment?
Lainie says:
Jun 10, 2013
Hello,
I’m a producer with NowThis News and we’d love to speak with Pyo Hang, James Leong or Lynn Lee about their film “The Great North Korean Picture Show.”
Might they be available via Skype to interview or might they be in NYC or D.C. in the near future?
Thank you,
Lainie
[email protected]
Sheryl says:
Jun 20, 2013
I heard about “The Great North Korean Picture Show” on National Public Radio’s Diane Rehm show. It sounds intriguing and I hope to view it, someday. I can not view video on-line, but does anyone know if we can purchase the DVD? If so, is there a web site available? Thank you.
Satveer Kaur says:
Jun 23, 2013
Dear Lynn,
This is Satveer from NUS CARE (care-cca.com). I was unable to find your email address hence, apologies for dropping you a message on your blog.
My colleague Daniel was previously in touch with you regarding a film screening and discussion in collaboration with NUS Care. We are organising our second film festival and we are very interested in screening your film and more importantly for you to be on our panel to share with students and academic faculty. We certainly believe students would love to hear from independent filmmakers like yourself. We are planning this for sometime in August (1st, 2nd or 3rd week). Please let us know what works for you and we can try to plan it around your schedule.
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Warm Regards,
Satveer
Lynn says:
Jun 23, 2013
Hi Satveer,
Thanks for getting in touch. Please send us an email at [email protected].
Cheers,
Lynn
Lynn says:
Jun 23, 2013
Hi Sheryl,
We don’t have DVDs right now, but if you send me your email, I’ll let you know when we do. Thanks for getting in touch.
Best,
Lynn
Lynn says:
Jun 23, 2013
Hi Lainie,
Thanks for arranging the interview. Please let me know when you post it.
Best,
Lynn
Lynn says:
Jun 23, 2013
Hi Varun,
We’re not looking to hire at the moment, but if you send us your CV, we’ll be in touch if a position becomes available. Our email is [email protected].
Best,
Lynn
Bronco says:
Mar 24, 2015
Hi Lynn,
I recently saw your Denim Blues on You Tube. It was very interesting. But I would like to know when you actually shot and produced the documentary because a few buildings in the video are old and no longer standing – I mean they are torn down and new buildings already built. I found it a bit strange. I live in Dongguan for a long time and could spot this immediately. When did you shoot and produce the show? Please comment. Keep up the cool stuff.
Bronco
Lianain Films says:
Mar 25, 2015
Hi Bronco,
Thanks for posting. Filming for Denim Blues took place throughout 2014. We shot primarily in Xintang and Machong and didn’t go to Dongguan city. – Lynn