The outcasts of society has always been a topic of fascination, explored in numerous films. The legacy of the marginalised, the underprivileged, the anti-heroes and underdogs, brings the warmth that audiences seek, amidst bleak situations and grim environments. From star-crossed lovers in Jakarta, a boxer in the underground rings in the Philippines, to aimless misfits in South Korea and an introverted performer from Taiwan, each of these films paint a picture that may not be pleasant, but will keep you rooting for them until the end.
1. TPE-Tics
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Huang Dawang, a talented artist, describes himself as having “the mental disorder of the 20th century.” All this because he feels like the ultimate outcast: unable to fit in anywhere, travelling to perform but still lives by himself, surrounded by books and art, and convinced that he will die alone. Spoken word moments in the documentary are rife with imagery on the deteriorating state of the world, as evidenced by his views on his own life. And yet Huang is loved by many in his presence, particularly during his performances, which is when he is truly himself, immersed in his craft.
Note: Huang Dawang will be present at the SGIFF screening of TPE-Tics, after which he will perform ‘Blackwolf Nagashi in Extremely South’.
2. A Copy of My Mind
A Copy of My Mind, about a facial therapist named Sari who unwittingly finds recorded evidence of political corruption, is a commentary of the relationships between the marginalised lower class and the privileged upper class in modern day Jakarta. The lower class struggles to find the middle ground between survival and living, while the upper class continues to stay on their high horses. Even with a documented case of corruption, Sari’s discovery is not rewarded, and the lower class continues serving the upper class.
3. Dirty Romance
Dirty Romance showcases scenes of life in the ghettoes of South Korea, where the lower class youth struggle to find employment. Living day-to-day, hustling, stealing, all the while seeped in boredom and restlessness, they do whatever they can that differs from the hopelessness of their lives, leading to dire consequences. Ultimately, the film shows that the marginalised try to do right as best as they can, but sometimes doing good may not always be rewarding.
4. Snow Pirates
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Set against the coup d’etat in 1980s Turkey, lower class youths are ostracised by the state and its members: from school, to the military, to government servants. With no access to heat in the freezing winter and a government that put the state before its citizens, the lower class do whatever they can to scavenge for coal. The kids then take matters into their own hands, to keep their families alive and help other people struggling in their village. But while the kids eventually get caught and dealt with a tough hand, they never lose their innocence and youth.
5. Beast
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Young American-Filipino boxer Jamie accidentally kills his opponent in a match rigged to his favour, but cannot live with the guilt. He tries to make amends without disrespecting his father-slash-trainer, though he does not want to follow in his father’s footsteps: a low-level criminal who fixes boxing matches for money, only to squander it on booze, women and gifts. Jamie suffers the consequences in the end, albeit by his own terms, and is forgiven by the family of the deceased.