I get inspired when I’m traveling on the airplane, bus or train. Sometimes ideas also strike when I’m watching a movie—so I have to take out my notebook and write in the dark.
There’s no distinction between my weekends and weekdays because I’m constantly working, either as a teacher or as a filmmaker.
I’ve been reading Pablo Neruda’s poems, and some books by local writers that I real ly like, like Daren Shiau’s Heartland—one of my favorite novels.
I made my first video installation when I was a teenager. I did video at O-level, which scared the hell out of my teacher, because nobody had ever done it before.
I’m annoyed at myself when I’m late and I’m annoyed at other people when they’re late—which is why I’m annoyed at myself when I’m late.
I don’t like to think of myself as being very old.
True happiness is when you’re completely at ease with yourself and with what you’re doing.
The only dream I can remember is of a vampire chasing me. I realized I was dreaming and told myself that if I closed my eyes and jumped on the spot twice I would wake up. Yes, I watched a lot of Hong Kong vampire films.
It’s so much more enjoyable to watch other people’s films than to watch your own. I’ve learnt that filmmakers don’t sit in their own film screenings. They introduce the film and walk out.
I can never finish anything. Even right now when I watch my films, I’ll feel like re-editing them. People think I’m very melancholic and quiet. But most of the time I’m observing and listening.
I have a love-hate relationship with Singapore. When I’m here I feel stifled and claustrophobic—I don’t like that big city feeling.
But I cannot make films anywhere else. When I’m out of Singapore, I don’t connect in a deep way with the place and the people.
Somehow, there are things in Singapore that hold me back and stop me from leaving. There are always so many more opportunities when you’re in your own country.
