“Where are you from?” is a tricky question for us to answer, mostly because it requires a lot of explanation and background exposition. So oftentimes, we just simplify things and keep the complicated, yet crucial, details to ourselves.
However, these are words that shed light to who we really are beyond what we appear to be and would explain why we are the way we are. They shed light to our experiences that have shaped our experiences that have shaped our perspectives, causing us to act or think differently. These words reveal why we feel displaced and question why we feel a lacking sense of belonging, be it in the busy places or the quiet corners. Though they also highlight where (or with whom) we feel right at home.
So here's to the words that many of us are not able to express, even though the depths of us long to. Here's to the words that usually get cut out when we introduces ourselves.
A huge thank you to Antonin Crestois and Queenie Ke for sharing their stories with us.
However, these are words that shed light to who we really are beyond what we appear to be and would explain why we are the way we are. They shed light to our experiences that have shaped our experiences that have shaped our perspectives, causing us to act or think differently. These words reveal why we feel displaced and question why we feel a lacking sense of belonging, be it in the busy places or the quiet corners. Though they also highlight where (or with whom) we feel right at home.
So here's to the words that many of us are not able to express, even though the depths of us long to. Here's to the words that usually get cut out when we introduces ourselves.
A huge thank you to Antonin Crestois and Queenie Ke for sharing their stories with us.
Concept Creation
Keen on playing the role of a flaneur, I set out to observe the people in the streets while asking myself the question of why people sometimes just feel as though they do not belong.
From A Vagabond'sTurmoil, I’ve kept in mind these concepts while filming around the city:
Crowded – Urban isolation; being in a sea of people, yet still feeling alone
Semi-crowded – People being too busy with their own lives that it’s hard to feel truly attached to anyone
Abandoned – feeling so insignificant that we might easily be forgotten
Including sound inside my project this time around, I decided to focus on languages and accents to emphasise the idea of division between those we could comprehend and possibly communicate well with versus those who may speak a different tongue. The communication barrier oftentimes serves as the reason why some feel alienated, as being understood by others seems difficult. Sometimes, one’s accent may also catch others off guard, as their accent does not entirely match their appearances. With this, languages and accents indicate one’s background and identity that goes beyond surface level. Oftentimes, we can indicate whether one is Chinese or Filipino or American through their accents or the languages they speak.
Voiceover Voices
Antonin Crestois
He was born in France but grew up in Canada, moved to a few places there, and eventually moved to Singapore. His parents grew up in France.
Queenie Ke
She was born in Hong Kong but moved to Singapore when she was younger. Her parents were originally from China but moved to Hong Kong.
Justinne Alethea Casuga
She was born in the Philippines but moved out of the country when she was four, moved back to the Philippines at the age of 11 and moved out again. Her parents grew up in the Philippines.
Questions Asked
From A Vagabond'sTurmoil, I’ve kept in mind these concepts while filming around the city:
Crowded – Urban isolation; being in a sea of people, yet still feeling alone
Semi-crowded – People being too busy with their own lives that it’s hard to feel truly attached to anyone
Abandoned – feeling so insignificant that we might easily be forgotten
Including sound inside my project this time around, I decided to focus on languages and accents to emphasise the idea of division between those we could comprehend and possibly communicate well with versus those who may speak a different tongue. The communication barrier oftentimes serves as the reason why some feel alienated, as being understood by others seems difficult. Sometimes, one’s accent may also catch others off guard, as their accent does not entirely match their appearances. With this, languages and accents indicate one’s background and identity that goes beyond surface level. Oftentimes, we can indicate whether one is Chinese or Filipino or American through their accents or the languages they speak.
Voiceover Voices
Antonin Crestois
He was born in France but grew up in Canada, moved to a few places there, and eventually moved to Singapore. His parents grew up in France.
Queenie Ke
She was born in Hong Kong but moved to Singapore when she was younger. Her parents were originally from China but moved to Hong Kong.
Justinne Alethea Casuga
She was born in the Philippines but moved out of the country when she was four, moved back to the Philippines at the age of 11 and moved out again. Her parents grew up in the Philippines.
Questions Asked
- Can you introduce yourself? Where were you born and where were you raised?
- Do you feel like you belong there?
- Where is your home?
- Define what home is to you - What makes a home?
Program Used
Premiere Pro
Camera
Canon 60D
Premiere Pro
Camera
Canon 60D
