Donkoi took me to the oldest Golden Village cinema in Singapore to watch Ice-Kacang Puppy Love. The cinema in Yishun was located next to North Point. I can tell that the cinema was old. The seat was not exactly comfortable for Donkoi. The cinema was not even 50% full for Sunday 7pm theater. I guess normal movie goers' were rather spending their $10SGD for American blockbusters rather than a local production from a neighboring country.
In the middle of the movie, I heard the following conversation in Mandarin from the couple behind me.
Woman: (with strong PRC accent)So, you were like this when you were a kid?
Man : (monotonous and soft) yes, something like this.
Woman: (with even stronger PRC accent) So, where is all your marble balls now?
Man : (slightly irritated) at my hometown.
Woman: (with the strongest PRC accent) I want to follow you to go back to your hometown next time.
Man : (very irritated now) ok, let's watch the movie.
See, see, see! Loud with accent. Geram nia loh. I almost stood up to look at the woman to express my thought. But, I didn't.
My whole intention of repeating the conversation is to tell you that how PRC spoke out loud regarding her interest in our Malaysian kampung life-style. [Else, what are you thinking?] smirk*
This was what being displayed in this movie - the innocent age, whereby life was about the marbles, fighting fish, gossiping in the same cafe with a cup of aromatic black coffee. It was the story of 1990s. It was the year, whereby love was not coated with candies or chocolates. Passion was uttered through actions while affection was indicated with endurance. It was the story about how people come into our life and how people exit from our life.
I like this movie for three reasons.
First thing: Fashion suicides. Very local. Very Malaysian. :)
The white thin T-shirt with towel at the shoulder reminded me of Ah Goong. (Ah Goong was a grocery store delivery man at my grandma's neighbourhood when I was a kid.)
The pants are always one size bigger and held on tight on the waist with a belt.
Nothing is as in as the blue strips with white base slippers and the red wooden clogs.
Many talented Malaysians are casting in the movie.
Second thing: Old buildings of Penang and Ipoh. Malaysia is beautiful.
The setting of the cafe was so close to heart. Donkoi and I had to point to screen and whispered simultaneously, "Look!" The movie took place at many locations in Penang and recounted many old stories about these locations.
Third thing: Love.
Love doesn't mean possession or controlling. If you watch the movie, then, you would understand.
Not really a fashion disaster since she is a pretty girl.
Past and present. Whatever happens back then is encapsulated as good memory in the heart.