I Don’t Want to Sleep Alone

I suspected not many people would fancy watching an indie movie, especially from a Malaysian film director like Tsai Ming-Liang. Wanted to watch this during the weekend when the family car would be free to use, but since both my parents were conveniently on half-day leave yesterday, I took the opportunity to head out to Cineleisure Damansara to watch I Don’t Want to Sleep Alone.

Ironically I went there alone – I was more fearful about getting lost than actually going alone, since my sense of direction isn’t something to be proud of – but everything went off quite well without a hitch. Last time I recalled actually watching a movie alone was S.W.A.T. at The Summit years back.

Much as I dislike doing things alone occasionally, sometimes I figured I really needed some alone time, since not everyone shares the same interest or like doing the same things as you. I noticed that I was actually walking around the complex at a faster pace than usual, which is something that I do quite naturally, without actually having to match the walking pace of the people you go with.

And one thing I noticed with Cathay’s staffs was their ever readiness to smile – their friendliness was unlike some other cineplex you go to, although I imagine I’m only more aware about such things because I’m there, um, alone.

Now about the movie – as expected it was quite slow-paced, being an indie, art show and all. For instance the first scene alone that shows a stationary camera angle of a disabled guy breathing in and out for about a minute or two would be enough to put most mainstream viewers off. And the fact that the main characters barely mouth a word to one another (come to think of it, close to none) can be rather maddening.

But in a strange, quiet way, this movie is like a forgotten trinket in a sea of everyday modern problems we encounter thus far. It resonates the qualities of human connection irregardless of gender and race, and in some scenes, I can quite identify with the characters, eeriely.

I don’t profess to understand the movie entirely, but I was quite engrossed in it – while stifling a yawn or two – that before I know it, the movie has ended. The wordless scenes force you to think, to ponder – and sometimes it’s quite amusing if you can spot a thing or two on your own since the movie doesn’t quite blatantly point a certain absurd part right out. And it’s quite magical to see places in Kuala Lumpur that you never knew existed.

Thumbs up to Norman Atun’s acting on the last scene.

Director Tsai Ming Liang and actors Li Kang Sheng, Pearlly Chua and Norman Atun.

And I felt a bit awkward to watch my ex-English teacher, Pearlly Chua, up there on the screen, in this movie with lots of sexual undertones. Too bad for the numerous cuts, where I felt those scenes that have been snipped away would’ve made the movie even more whole and better understood.

I suppose the best part about the entire experience was the director himself walking to the center lane of our seats when the credits begin to roll – you could really hear gasps echoing throughout the hall, short of a standing ovation (more like sitting). He began to talk in Mandarin, so my understanding of his speech was quite limited – could only understood the part where he asked to recommend the movie to family and friends if we liked it, and if we don’t like it.. yeah, I didn’t understand after that.

He was also saying he was quite happy that many people turned up on the 2nd day of the screening itself. How many directors actually go to cinema halls and speak to the audience?

If you’re open enough to want to watch indie films, I think you should give this movie a try.