魏永勇呼吸菲林

This is the biggest project I am working on with Goethe-Institut Malaysia since I joined on board. Since there’s guest composers from all over SEA, HK and Germany, this is logistically very challenging

1st Kuala Lumpur Contemporary Music Festival 09

Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November 2009

www.malaysiancomposers.com/klcmf09

Organisers: Goethe-Institut Malaysia & Malaysian Composers Collective

Event co-organiser: Segi College Subang Jaya

Supporting Organisations: Off The Edge Magazine, Ai FM

Venues: Concerts and conference at Segi University College Kota Damansara

Special Late Night Concert: Annexe Gallery, Central Market

Introduction

The festival, with this year’s theme of Urban Soundscapes, will bring together the best of Malaysian and South East Asian contemporary music at nightly concerts by Ensemble Mosaik and Hong Kong New Music Ensemble. These concerts will explore how composers respond to the festival theme of city life with its many facets and issues.

The Festival also includes the Asian Composers’ Conference with talks by invited regional composers who are leading figures in their respective countries, such as Dr Jonas Baes (Philippines) and Prof Dieter Mack (Germany) and more.

KLCMF 09 represents the first regional contemporary music festival of its kind in Malaysia and indeed the region, and is the premiere contemporary music event of the year. It serves as a platform where Malaysian and South East Asian composers can meet, exchange ideas and celebrate our region’s rich musical talent.

One of the highlights of the Festival is the Young Composers Competition 09 which will invite a total of 9 young composers from the region to participate in rehearsal workshops and a final concert, which will be adjudicated by an international jury comprising established regional composers.

Based on the highly successful HSBC Young Composers Workshop 08, the competition ups the stakes this year with our region’s first ever South East Asian competition.

Admission by donation: RM 30 for all three day events in SEGI University College, Kota Damansara plus the late night concerts in Annexe Gallery, Central Market.

I have been in Bario for the past one month. Apart from accidentally read the news of the deceased of Chief Minister’s wife and a little bit about Swine Flu, I have no knowledge of what’s happening down there. Have not been watching TV, reading newspaper or online for news.

I feel like I have been isolated from the rest of the world or vice versa. Peace sometimes can transform into complacency which later can potentially evolve into ignorance and lastly, self closure.

What do I miss the most from the city?

A bit of everything.

But I just wonder…the day I leave Bario…which is soon…what would I miss the most…

Maybe everything.

Was riding back to home. Saw an old man who’s hard walking well. Decided to turn back and give him a lift. He is staying at one of the longhouses located on top of a hill. Naive me try to take him all the way up. The climb was too steep, I didn’t have enough “horse-power”, the bike reversed and we fell.

Luckily he wasn’t hurt or injured. I kept apologizing to him. He was in shock but kept nodding back indicating he’s ok. I am relieved to see him walk slowly up the hill.

I dislocated my wrist. Should be fine.

I am glad I had my first fall. You don’t fall, you don’t learn.

The documentary principal shoot is finished on the 18th May. The rest of the crews have returned to where they should belong. And I am still at where I should belong. I am working on the translation of the interviews…which takes painstakingly long…12 hours of work can only get 40mins interview translated…it’s a long road…but at least I can still spend more time in Bario…so less complaints…

The weather in Bario has dropped considerably…heavy fogs in morning and night…very diffused and beautiful. A good time to see fogs and mists in Bario. My mommy has left to Miri, pursing her unknown future with a man she thinks is the man for her. As long as she’s happy, I am happy.

Sometimes…I will think of someone here. Someone special. Wish she can be here with me. Not that I am lonely but…always miss her first whenever I see any beautiful or interesting things here.

Being eating lots of carbo food. Need to lose some weight before I go KL.

Wish I can blog more often.

Did anyone miss me yet?

An evening with my Kelabit mommy. We cooked together for the first time. The meal was simple and delicious. It was raining heavily outside but my heart was warmth inside.

After the meal, I massaged her. Something that I always love to do on my love ones.She was so pleased to have a son who knows massage.

And then we began to chat about the past and all. To understand each other more. After all, we are still a rather unknown entity to both. But it doesn’t stop the impulsive bond between us.

I may need a life time to know who she is. But I only need a moment to decide…I want to be her son.

When you allow this kind of things to happen, life becomes…beautiful.

This trip to Bario has certainly calmed me down.

My restlessness has put to rest.

I always believe that nature heals all wounds. Especially those hidden slightly too deep to be reached or even realised.

I found peace, love and acceptance with abundance.

Kelabits are special. Bario is special.

They make you feel special too.

I am not special. But feeling special…is special on its own.

From 17th March onwards, I will be in Bario for a research and pre-production planning for a documentary project. This is my first return since 5 years ago when I did my first film in Sarawak. An emotional return I am sure for myself. Bario is a reality check. Personally, I have improved so much. I was not the same me when I first set my feet there few years ago. But I wonder will Bario remain the same as I remembered time and time again in my memory all these years? I will find up soon.

The mountains of Bario, the faces of the Kelabits, the melting rice with sweet pineapples, the crystal clear natural water, the soul cleansing fresh air, the whisper of the wind…please hug me tight…the return of a son…

I have very low tolerance and extremely little patience on incompetence people. I simply refuse to believe that I am better, but I can’t deny, I am. A day has only 24 hours. It’s not to wait for the best moment but to make every moment best. Success is made and planned, not given or fallen from sky. When wanting to make the best out of everything, is considered as selfish, I find no strength to further explain. 

As such, when I do meet selfish people, I can fully understand and able to justify its notion and even emotion. Caused at least now, I find comfort and peace to admit it. To achieve success, often it is a long winding narrowing road that scares off many averagers. But to walk towards that road, one needs more than courage, but the ability and will, to stay lonely for the time being. Success can be a lonesome walk. Sweats and footsteps, shall company and mark my path. 

Those around me who can’t keep and cope up with me, time and myself, wait for no one. Catch me if you do. I shall always look back and smile and applauded your effort. And when you do catch me and even surpass me, I shall race with you to whatever ends. With joy and full respect.

For those who have made no step and attempt, stand at where you are. I shall feel no sorry to leave you behind. For we may come from the same place and even share the same sky for the same dream, but we may be heading towards totally aliened direction. Part with me. I bear and carry no more grudge.

Bye bye incompetence people! We must apart from each other. Irreconcilable and insurmountable differences are good enough reasons for our forever farewell.