Yahoo Fast Flicks winner, Terence Lee, inspired by Wong Kar Wai and frequent smoke breaks
“Everytime I light a cigarette, time slows down.”
Time did indeed seem to stand still for Terence Lee, 30, the amateur film-maker behind Forbidden Love, which took home the prize money of $15,000 cash, Nikon products worth $5,000 and the title of Yahoo Fast Flicks' Grand Prize winner.
The poignant two-minute tale of two lovers separated by the norms of society captured the hearts of the jury and audience in attendance at the grand finale of Yahoo's inaugural film competition held at the Golden Village Great World City theatres.
Lee said he was inspired to shoot a film about a same-sex relationship after seeing how many of his real-life friends had to give up their loved ones to conform to societal norms.
“I’ve seen friends with their husbands now, some even with children, but although unspoken, it seemed they were far happier when they were with their lovers."
One of the judges Eric Khoo said it took guts and courage to tell the story.
The Cultural Medallion winner said he too had to stick his neck out before, for his 2005 movie about a same-sex relationship, Be With Me.
He further commended Lee’s effort, saying the actors didn't even have to kiss to send the message across to the audience.
Lee roped in his work colleague to portray the protagonist, Teng Szele, who pines for her lost love played by another colleague, He Jia Yin, in the two-minute tale.
“Teng smokes a lot, and although I myself don't smoke, I would often accompany her and we would share stories about our lives and the cities we're from,” said Lee of his colleague who hails from Guangzhou, China, adding that the idea for "Forbidden Love" was born during one of her smoke breaks.
Each story would be complete in the time it took to complete one cigarette.
Shot along one of the deserted back corridors of MediaCorp’s TV studios, Lee said he shot the video in Cantonese because of Teng’s background, and tried to mimic his film idol Wong Kar Wai's feel and "noir" mood lighting, complete with swirling cigarette smoke.
"I've shot and submitted many films for competitions before, but nothing like this has ever happened to me. To be selected the winner and for Eric Khoo to praise my film is beyond my wildest dreams", said a visibly delighted Lee.
For the filming of the video, Teng finished two full packs of cigarette, all in one day.
"I will buy her a pack of cigarettes for sure," added Lee to laughter.
While ‘Forbidden Love’ was the favourite among the jury, the second and third prize winners also won praise and plaudits from both the jury and audience members comprised of sponsors, film contestants and industry folk.
The first runner-up was presented to Tiffany Zhang, who presented a well-crafted animation of a girl dancing elegantly in the rain, in her aptly titled video 'Rain'.
The second runner-up was awarded to Vicki Yang, 26, and her teammate Chris Yeo, 29, for their hilarious piece titled ‘Your Order is Nearly Complete’ about the choices one makes when ordering pizza from home, which sent giggles around the auditorium.
The inaugural Yahoo! Fast Flicks awards received 127 entries.
11 entries were shortlisted for presentation at the awards ceremony at Golden Village Great World City, before a further five were selected to be finalists and took to the stage in a Question-and-Answer format before the final three winners were announced.
