I’ve loved National Geographic for many years. Even before I got hooked on the channel I was already hooked on the magazine that printed the most informative and interesting articles about places and things I could only dream about. I loved reading about searching for lost treasures below the sea, or trekking the globe for Shangri-La, or volcanoes that were suddenly spewing out lava after being dormant for hundreds of years. I was never without that magazine, and soon after that, I began watching the channel regularly as well. I love their amazing shows about animals like Deep Jungle Week and their numerous programs on world-wide martial arts. To be sure, as long as it’s an interesting and exciting part of our natural world, National Geographic is there to cover it. Their logo says it all, National Geographic Channel is really the perfect window to the world.
And to add to their unbelievably long roster of wonderful programs, last April 29, at the Fort Canning Green in beautiful Singapore, National Geographic Channel premiered the latest works of Asia’s documentary filmmakers in ShowReal Asia Season 2. In the traditional of the highly successful ShowReal Asia 1, which boasted incredible programs such as The Kung Fu Dragons of Wu Dang (which was my favorite), Beetle Battles, and Body Snatchers of Bangkok, National Geographic funded 10 Asia-based filmmakers to produce highly innovative and original programs showcasing some of the many unknown mysteries and treasurers of Asia. The incredibly talented filmmakers rose to the occasion and produced 10 highly informative and very entertaining 60-minute shows that have been airing on National Geographic every Wednesday at 10 p.m. since May 13 and will continue running throughout July.
The entire program is actually a brainchild of the National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) which signed an agreement to form a NGCI and EDB Documentary Production Fund with the goal to grow the documentary filmmaking skill base in Asia. Commencing in January 2002, the Fund provided $11 million over five seasons in filmmaking to fund Asian filmmakers and production companies in producing original all-Asian programs with wide international appeal. Thus was ShowReal Asia born, a series which showcases radical new approaches to documentary filmmaking with a provocative new Asian perspective. Each film captures bold new stories, people, and subcultures that make up the heart of Asia.
It was an exciting recipe for success and with the unbelievable response to Show Real Asia’s first season the second season had the ten chosen filmmakers pushing the envelope even further to produce exciting and informative new shows. And they did just that, which was one of many reasons to celebrate last April 29 in Singapore.
As the kick-off for the new season of ShowReal Asia, National Geographic along with the Singapore Economic Development Board invited the 10 filmmakers and journalists from all over Asia to Fort Canning Green in Singapore for the ShowReal Asia 2 Awards Night and the first public screening of the new season under the stars on the big screen.
To say it was a really exciting event is really an understatement. I flew in April 28, the night before the Awards Night, and was met by a very accommodating Richard Silarkis from National Geographic and checked into the beautiful Fullerton Hotel. Since it was really too late to do anything, I just had a delicious dinner and settled down for the night. The following day was full to over-flowing with activities. All the documentaries interested me, but since I only had limited time I chose to meet with Karina Holden of Hiss of Death and Samurai Spiders along with the stars of her two films (Thongkam and Tak of Hiss of Death were absolutely charming while Peter Yawata of Samurai Spiders is the modern-day spider-man!), Sohaila Kapoor, the journalist and talent of Indian Witch Hunt, and Dr. Pornthip Rojanasunan of Crime Scene Bangkok and they gave me the inside story on their incredible films.
It was information overload for me all afternoon talking with those exciting, intelligent, and wildly different types of people and as the day wore on (and I amused myself by shopping - Orchard Road I love you!) I could no longer contain my excitement for the Awards Night and to finally be able see the films I’d been hearing so much about.
When we arrived at the venue I was impressed even further by what I already knew would be a wonderful and unforgettable evening. The sprawling lawns of Fort Canning Green were prepped for a drive-in movie-like setting with an enormous Sony big screen for the airing. Everyone who arrived was given an expandable black mat to spread on the grass for a larger-than-life unobstructed view of the screen and the entertaining show planned for the evening. They were also given delicious tin cans of Indian Dust tea to enjoy after the show. And if that wasn’t enough, just to complete the perfect viewing experience Orange Julius, caramel popcorn, and hotdogs were available in concession stands surrounding the grounds. In short, it was viewing paradise.
As the venue began filling up with people, the excitement was palpable as everyone walked around awaited the start of the program. The awarding began promptly at seven and filmmakers anxiously waited to see who would nab the five awards – namely Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Most Innovative Documentary, Best Director, and Best Film. But before announcing the winners, Bryan Smith, executive vice president of National Geographic Channel had a few inspiring words for the Asian filmmakers. "The quality of the nominated and winning films this year is commendably high, and we are delighted to take a leadership position in this continuous drive to develop Asian’s filmmaking talents. Following the conclusion of ShowReal Asia 2, we look forward to assisting more aspiring filmmakers in producing more first-rate documentaries for National Geographic Channel’s global audience," he stated to thunderous applause.
After his speech the suspense was finally ended as the award winners were announced. Nominated for Best Cinematography were Hiss of Death, Megastructures - World’s Busiest Port, and Tokyo Shock Boys’ Guide to Japan with Megastructures - World’s Busiest Port taking the award. In Best Editing the nominees were Hiss of Death, Megastructures - World’s Busiest Port, and Samurai Spiders with Megastructures - World’s Busiest Port again nabbing the win. For Most Innovative Documentary the nominees were Stuntmen of Bollywood, Trading Faces, and Tokyo Shock Boys’ Guide to Japan which won the award. For Best Director they nominated Karina Holden for Hiss of Death, Rakhi Varma for Indian Witch Hunt, and Lee Thean-Jeen for "Tokyo Shock Boys’ Guide to Japan with veteran Karina Holden winning the award. And finally for Best Film, the nominees were Indian Witch Hunt, Hiss of Death, and Megastructures - World’s Busiest Port. In this last category Indian Witch Hunt was named the winner and the Best Film of ShowReal Asia Season 2. Winning this award also meant that Indian Witch Hunt would be the only film shown in its entirety that evening.
After the awards were all handed out, everyone’s attention was focused on the big screen at the end of the lawn and a spectacular live drum sequence. They also showed clips of Hiss of Death and Megastructures - World’s Busiest Port. I let out a chuckle during the screening of that clip. A part of that documentary was a shipmaster of one of the vessels in the film being interviewed about pirate attacks. A fellow journalist from the Philippines and I knew at once that he was Filipino. After showing the clips from those two films and several tidbits from the other films as well, Thongkam and Tak of Hiss of Death performed their incredible snake fighting live on stage to an enthralled audience. Thongkam fought a fully fanged fully venomous King Cobra right before their eyes (I have to admit, I was nervous just taking the photographs!)
I was excited to just be there. National Geographic Channel has always been one of my favorite channels and this is a wonderful set of programs that hit very close to home for me, as an Asian. Each documentary is exciting and informative, from snake dancers in Thailand to the booming plastic surgery industry in China. As I settled down on my own expandable black mat that evening under the stars to watch Indian Witch Hunt I sipped my Orange Julius and enjoyed caramel popcorn while thinking to myself – these are definitely programs that everyone should see.