Just How Much Do You Know About Films?

Yeap, that's my question. How much do you think you know about movies? Watching loads of summer action flicks isn't exactly a great representation of  your knowledge. At least that I can say. I picked up this book randomly at Foyles Charing Cross Road couple days ago. As a film buff, I don't just watch movies, I wanna know more about them - history, film movements, styles of directing and so on. This has been a pretty productive summer for me, I've read and read, both fictions and non-fictions. In return, I've learnt loads about random things. When I bought this book, I was really interested in knowing more about artistic styles of Hollywood and European cinemas. I didn't read the description carefully enough, so it surprised me a lot when the book emphasizes more about social and political factors surrounding film production of different periods in particular parts of the world. Nevertheless, a pleasant read and I managed to learn some interesting stuff, from the style differences between the French New Wave (Godard, Truffaut, etc) and the New Italian Cinema (Fellini, Antonioni, etc), more clarity about non-dancing Indian cinema (Ray's movies), certain genres that have become more known in a country than another (Western films are often associated with Hollywood), and so on. I might have known some of them and I read the 400+ pages rather quickly (about 2.5 days). 

I want to write a little bit about my love for movies. How should I put it? Movies are something I've liked since I was young, without much realising how much certain titles have grown on me. I think the turning point was when I watched Schindler's List. That last scene, such a simple scene of people paying respect to Oskar Schindler. I wasn't able to stop crying. Since then, I started questioning myself how some films could be great and some couldn't. I've started going through some famous movie lists (e.g. various AFI, imdb, 1001 movies to watch before you die lists) to get an understanding of what good movies are. Movies have been with me when I was happy and sad. I have written some reviews occasionally, not long ones - short enough for Facebook status updates, and they're mostly on new movies. I truly wish I could learn more about film studies one day. I really wanna be involved in producing movies. I appreciate all kinds of movies although I'm more biased towards drama genre than summer blockbuster kind of things. Art house cinemas are something I support too - you'll be amazed when you watch some independent films and realise how much better they are than movies you often watch in cinemas.

I do wish I can pick up another book about the history of films, preferably one that talks more about different styles. I really wanna learn more about the French New Wave and the New Italian Cinema. I think I've found some good titles, but haven't been to a bookstore to personally check them yet. Maybe I'll write about my findings next time :)

Loving and Learning from Wild Swans

Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang is the latest non-fiction book I read this year. I picked it up randomly at Changi Airport on my way to the UK. It's not only a great book to read (I couldn't put it down), but also one that affects the readers emotionally. Well, at least I felt that way, and I still do. It's about a story about three generations of women in a Chinese family. The book vividly describes their experience throughout the Japanese occupation and Chairman Mao's Communist regime. It's now easily one of my favourite non-fiction. It's as unforgettable as Nicholas and Alexandra (about the last Emperor and Empress of Russia - a topic I'm very interested in) that I read years ago and I still treasure until now. I believe this will be the same. I guess what makes the book so great is that the writer's very honest about her family's experience over the years. This is why I love autobiographical kind of books - they come straight from the heart and the readers feel it. It's almost too painful to read sometimes, but when I nearly reached the end of the book and turned the last page, I didn't want it to end. I truly wish there's more to read, but as real as any non-fiction, it must stop at certain point.

Another reason why I'm so deeply affected and moved by the book is because of my Chinese ancestry. Ever since I was young, my dad has been repeatedly told me stories about my grandparents, who came from China. My grandfather and his younger brother immigrated from Mainland China (Fuzhou in Fujian Province) with my great-grandparents to look for a better place to live elsewhere. They came to settle in Tebing Tinggi, a small city in North Sumatra, Indonesia. That's where my grandparents were married and my dad was born. Throughout their lives in Indonesia, my great-grandparents and grandparents never forgot about their Chinese roots. My great-grandfather had five siblings in China, some of whom might still have some descendants there. This kind of story makes me rather emotional. I really wish I could visit my ancestors' birthplace one day. It's a shame that none of us can speak the Fuzhou dialect anymore at home though we all speak Hokkien. 

Also, I kept wondering what would have happened if my great-grandparents and grandparents chose to stay in China. Would they experience the same hardships described in the book? I'm not saying this as they didn't experience anything difficult in Indonesia. My grandfather had a hard time during the Japanese occupation in Indonesia. I guess in every family, there's always a story to tell and I would really love to know more. I used to listen attentively whenever my dad told me their stories. I really miss those times. Anyway, back to the book! I think everyone, regardless of their roots, should read this book if possible. It's one of those books that will change the way you think and appreciate what you have - self-reflection, in other words. I'm grateful to have come across it, really.

Affordable Body Lotion with Instant Effects

I think when it comes to choosing body lotion, you don't need an expensive brand to get the kind of healthy, smooth skin celebrities have. Often we need to spend within our budget and there are actually many types of amazing body lotion sold in high street shops. I know because I've tried using some really cheap lotions to branded ones like Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Body Lotion. I can afford trying different kinds (including scented ones) as I don't have sensitive skin - you might wanna choose carefully if you're allergic to certain ingredients. Nivea SOS Relief Body Lotion has become one of my favourite lotions since last year. It's affordable and you can easily get it from any Boots stores. It used to come in a 200ml tube when I first discovered it last year (it used to cost more too) and recently, I can only find the version displayed above. Clearly, it's aimed for people with very dry skin whose skin needs to be instantly relieved and soothed. My skin type is normal to dry, which means I don't really need this lotion, but I still love it. It soothes the skin immediately and you'll get a baby-soft skin in about 10-15 minutes after application. A friend of mine who accidentally touched my skin last year actually asked how I managed to keep it soft and smooth. I used to have pretty bad skin, but I think it's because I never really use lotion regularly at home due to the humidity and heat. Since coming to England, I couldn't really afford doing the same thing ( I hate the idea of cracking skin) and started the habit of applying lotion regularly. I love having a silky smooth back and I absolutely hate it when my back is not moisturised enough - this lotion does a perfect job.

A few pointers about the application. You might find it sticky and annoying if you put on too much during summer (especially if you're living in a humid country), but this is not a really big problem in the UK. Try to apply moderately and see if it has covered most of your body. I particularly love using it after shower and before sleeping at night since I would no longer go out (lower probability of sweating). I personally also find it more effective if you apply it immediately after taking shower, especially because my skin absorbs more quickly that way. You can still feel that your skin stays smooth the next morning. The downside is it's scented - if you have sensitive skin or are allergic towards fragrance, you might not want to try this.