NY Principal cameos in 'Recurrence'!
Before you stomp off to the film fest this coming Friday, our reporter, Kheng Meng, reveals one of the greatest secrets of the film fest to date…
The rumours are true! Our Principal, Mr Kwek, is indeed acting in I.Nnovation's 'Recurrence', premiering at the NY Film Festival on 3 August 2007. His role is actually a very short one -- 20 seconds to be exact. 20 very symbolic seconds, he assures us.
Despite being a first-time actor, he showed no sign of nervousness. On the contrary, he was very enthusiastic about it. He even previewed his scene in front of me and the Channel News Nanyang (CNNY) crew. He plays a passer-by who informs his parents via SMS that he will be home late. A short role perhaps, but a significant one in the movie.
Mr Kwek accepted the role to show his support for our College's CCAs, especially to the student-initiated ones. His faith is well-placed in I.Nno, one of the newest CCAs in NYJC. Barely 2 years old, it has already produced many films and music that have won awards in local film festivals.
This CCA was initiated in 2005 by Tong Cheng Wei, a student at that time. He was very interested in film art but as such a CCA did not exist then, he conceptualized and launched I.Nno. Mr Kwek recognised the potential of the Film Festival and approved it without hesitation. Sure enough, Cheng Wei and his CCA members did not disappoint. Their efforts have appeared in the local media. (See "Students get to launch their own CCAs" from the college website).
Mr Kwek is greatly appreciative of people like Cheng Wei who step forward to initiate CCAs and activities. In the JC, it is common for students to be engaged mostly (or solely) in their studies. Very few would take up the challenge of doing something different. When Cheng Wei took the lead, Mr Kwek immediately appointed a tutor-in-charge and provided funding.
When offered the opportunity to be part of the filmmaking buzz by current I.Nno President, Dickson Sim, Mr Kwek jumped at the chance. As Principal, he has a major stake in the College's well-being and culture, and if screening this film can help achieve that, then why not take the opportunity to show his support by being a part of the production?
Behind the scenes with 'Recurrence':
By Yeo Kheng Meng