ZINE // Issue 1

Zine is...

An explosion of ideas and student-run magazine that offers a unique(?) platform for the talent within our community: arts, film, drama and music.

We feature everything that stems from the creative mind, whether it be photography, plays, digital works, films, or compositions (and more). Art isn’t an exclusive club that only certain people can join, but an open stage that can help raise anyone who has a passion for the arts.

We embody the musician, the actor, the filmmaker, and the artist in you.

‘悲しみ’ // Nick Berry, Joe Littler, Justin Choo

Stills Kubrick’s Gaze Sing Street The End of the Tour Polly: Gabriel Lee Moving Day: Rachael Lee Sunday: Nick Berry Events

Film

December: Hong Kong French Film Festival Feburary: 89th Academy Awards Feburary: 70th BAFTA Awards Feburary: 32nd Independent Spirit Awards April: 41st Hong Kong International Film May: 70th Cannes Film Festival September: 74th Venice Film Festival September: 42nd Toronto International Film September: 69th Primetime Emmy Awards October: 39th Sundance Film Festival October: 14th Hong Kong Asian Film Festival

Sing Street Set in 1985 Dublin, the film chronicles the story of 14-year old Conor Lawlor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) as he navigates through a troubling- family life, bullies and school. He starts a band to impress the mysterious Raphina (Lucy Boynton).

This ‘happy-sad’ drama is reminiscent of films like School of Rock and The Perks of Being a Wallflower and is tonally closer to Back to the Future. The film masterfully tackles subjects like family, school and relationships. Performances in the film are excellent, especially coming from first-time actors, although certain characters lacked character development. The pacing of the film is also superb, sequencing itself between quirky comedy and hard-hitting drama, making you laugh almost as fast as it makes you cry.

The best thing about the film is the relationship between the leads, Conor and Raphina.

This is achieved through realistic dialogue that never feels like it’s written by a 40-year old screenwriter. The characters feel natural and act age appropriate. The film also offers an excellent soundtrack with hits from the 80s such as Rio by Duran Duran and Inbetween Days by The Cure and original songs performed by the main cast. But what makes Sing Street stands out the most as opposed to other ‘coming of age’ films is how director John Carney rides the line between realism and musical fantasy, and this gives the film it’s its emotional core.

Sing Street is a well-crafted uplifting tale about growing up and one that should strike a chord with its audience members. This is by far the best film I’ve seen all year Ethan Chu

just the thought of your touch, my heart explodes

she takes me where I wanna drown

I’m a model

Yes!

Saving Private Ryan (1998): Steven Spielberg (D) Following the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action.

“James, earn this... earn it.”

The Master (2012): Paul Thomas Anderson (D) A Naval veteran arrives home from war unsettled and uncertain of his future - until he is tantalized by The Cause and its charismatic leader.

‘If you leave me now, in the next life you will be my sworn enemy.

And I will show you no mercy.’

A Space Odyssey (1968): Stanley Kubrick (D) Humanity finds a mysterious, obviously artificial object buried beneath the Lunar surface and, with the intelligent computer H.A.L. 9000, sets off on a quest.

“Good morning, Dave.”

The Truman Show (1998) : Peter Weir (D) An insurance salesman/adjuster discovers his entire life is actually a television show.

“Good morning, and in case I don’t see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!”

Stills

Kubrick’s Gaze

Kubrick’s films are closer to documentaries exploring the human psyche instead of fictional narratives. He uses stories as a way of reflecting real problems in real life. As a director, Kubrick’s

trademark style is commonly referred to as ‘Kubrick’s Gaze’. This is where an actor has his head tilted down and looks up beneath his eyebrows, staring directly into the camera. The ominous stare

is meant as a gateway between the fictional world of the film and the real world. People say the eyes are a window to one’s soul.

‘Kubrick’s gaze’ is exactly that; a window connecting the audience to the psyche of his characters.

Tiffany Ng

Stanley Kubrick has been widely regarded as one of the best directors of all time. He has directed such films as 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Shining, and A Clockwork Orange.

Being the innovative director he is, Kubrick constantly breaks norms in film and employs unorthodox filming techniques.

01: 09 : 58 ‘What?!’

1 : 03 : 50 ‘I don’t want her talking to you’

00 : 07 : 26 ‘David! Hi its David Lipsky’

Last October, I had the pleasure of seeing The End Of The Tour with a couple of friends. The film not only struck me as a poignant and soulful homage to the mind of David Foster Wallace, but also awakened a sense of resonation. Jason Segel plays the character with such depth and grace that we as viewers don’t even realize the 12,500 word script is filled with Wallace’s gems like “it really is scary to be alive and be human”. The statement echoes through the repeated listens of catalogues of artists such as Radiohead, and it’s with quotes like these that we realize that being emotional, and showing signs of vulnerability isn’t something that is abnormal. Wallace struggled with depression his whole life, and his unfortunate suicide serves as a grim reminder to reach out. But that in itself is a challenge.

To define the term superhero is to construct an image, almost either automatically or by some sort of twisted idea fed by the mass media, of a towering, capable, but most importantly, someone who does not back down in the face of adversity. This flawed depiction of a ‘hero’ in our modern context has fully indulged itself in the growing insecurities of teens, and led them to believe that being receptive of stress and sadness is to be frowned upon; instead to be replaced by the hyper aggression of avoiding the problem, and to gain false confidence by stepping on others. This is fully explored in the character of Captain America, whose name itself oozes the over saturation of patriotism and idolization of the flag.

But perhaps the most glaring flaw of the Captain, is that he won’t back down from a challenge. In Civil War, we see that him and Tony Stark are at crossroads, and the only way to diffuse the situation is to engage in further combat. The simple mindset of it’s my way or the highway is sometimes encouraging, but most times it just makes

me feel sick to my stomach. To simply base your decisions off what you believe is right, and not considering if others are sacrificed in the process, is the exact problem with the male superhero: most times they’re too caught up in their own self indulgence that they never notice the real problem. Captain America doesn’t fight to defend anyone else’s honor but his own. His biggest problem is fixing his hair in the morning.

Contrast that machismo mentality with a towering, gentle figure in David Foster Wallace. For Wallace, depression was not something that he enjoyed, but much rather something he feared. He spoke on it as “It’s not desiring the fall; it’s terror of the flames. And yet nobody down on the sidewalk, looking up and yelling ‘Don’t!’ and ‘Hang on!’, can understand the jump”.

When heros are in dire situations, we as an audience expect them to pull some last minute act of salvation, to prove to us that they are truly capable. To fear depression, and to have anxiety, is something that exists amongst many teenagers, and looking for a solution in an artificial, soulless team unifying speech by the Captain himself isn’t the right perspective. Wallace has no utility belt, no suit of armor. Instead he wears a headband, as a “recognition of my weakness, for a safety when I feel my head’s gonna explode”. To gain solace in not having an all powerful way to solve a problem, is comforting for many people.

When faced with microtriggers everyday that can dictate your mood for the rest of the day, like when someone takes too long to reply to a text, or when you’re juggling expectations and over assuming, it’s not that easy to just shake off and save the day.

But I suppose, if they made big budget films about self deprecating and depressed superheros, it probably wouldn’t make it past ten thousand in the box office.

Gabriel Lee

https://vimeo.com/190369641

Nick Berry

The Junk

https://goo.gl/xNCqsD

Sunday

https://goo.gl/7kAtdw

https://goo.gl/pZwZis

“Light Upon The Lake was an album that brought a fresh perspective to indie rock in 2016. Blending elements of country with sauntering, wistful indie pop, laced with trumpets and dense violin work, this record shaped the soundtrack to my summer. While in Chicago, the song Polly strongly resonated with me, and inspired me to create a montage video based on the simple concepts of love and isolation. There is no better location to express that than the train. 1.6 million riders get on the CTA, and each rider has an emotional story waiting to be told. This was my version of interpreting those voices.�

Gabriel Lee

Polly

Ciara Liu Yoonjin and Lucy Gioia Cheung Camille Chiang September - Novmeber // Hong Kong Art-in-Motion August - Novmeber // Jockey Club Creative Arts

Hong Kong International Photo Festival

November 5th to 25th // The Gallery of Hong Kong Art School Archive of Loneliness

October 20th to December 16th // Youth Square, Chai Wan Body 0.1 - Art Show By Four Young Artists December 16th to 18th // Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre Ink Asia

February 16th to March 18th // Hong Kong Arts Festival March 17th to 20th // Conrad // Asia Contemporary Art March 21st to 25th // Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre March 21st to 25th // Central Harbourfront

Art Basel

Art Central

Stutter // Karis Tao

Camille Chiang

Depression // Gioia Cheung

Dress // H&M Lips // M.A.C Shoe // H&M

Earring // Stylenanda Dress // H&M Choker // Stylenanda Lips // M.A.C.

Style Spotlight // Yoonjin Lee and Lucy Stewart

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Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music MuMusic sic Music Dec 4 to Jan 2 // Hong Kong Coliseum // Music Music Music Jacky Cheung 張學友 A Classic Tour (Hong Kong stop) Music Music Music Dec 14, 15// MacPherson Stadium // RubberBand Live MuMusicMusic Music Dec 25, 26 // Asia-World Expo // Show Lo 羅志祥 sic Music Music Jan 8 to Jan 17 // Hong Kong Coliseum // Jay Chou 周杰倫 Music Music Music Jan 15 // Hidden Agenda // MONO Live 2017 Music Music Jan 20 // Asia-World Expo // Metallica WorldWired Tour 2017 Music Music Jan 21 // Asia-World Expo // The Truth - FT Island Live Music Feb 8 // KITEC Music Zone // Yellowcard - The Final World Music Feb 11, 12 // Asia-World Expo // EXO Music Feb 16 to Feb 19 // Hong Kong Coliseum // Music Hins Cheung 張敬軒 and Ivana Wong 王菀之 The Magical Teeter Totter Music Feb 23 // Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center // Music James Taylor & His All-Star Band in Concert Music April 1 // Sónar Festival Music Rubber Soul: An Album Review Music Pathetique Tunes Music Semester Penderecki Threnody Music stephen chan // fluoxetine Music Tristan // Sky Music

In the brisk winter of 1965, something changed about The Beatles. Gone

are the days of sexual insinuating lyrics from I Saw Her Standing There; “Well she was just seventeen, if you know what I mean”, or the petty

troubles of taut pop teen-love and heartbreak from A Hard Day’s Night.

They transformed- arguably, encountering a paradigm shift that tilted

their sophistication. Rubber Soul was viewed as an artwork as a wholeevery song, every chord, and every lyric contributed to an amalgamation of pure artisan and musical prowess. This was Rubber Soul.

The 9th track- Girl has grown to be one of my favourites over my many years of listening. The vocals present an audible spectacle: Lennon- seductive yet seemingly pleading for love, and the harmonies angelic with a hint of Because from their final album. A hauntingly wonderful symphony of Spanish-esque guitar coupled with Starr’s immacu-

late brush on the snare creates one of my personal favorites.

In My Life is nothing more than nostalgic. It was significant in The Beatles’ career in that, they had never written a song so personal.

In the track, Lennon reminisces of his childhood memories in Liverpool that creates an echo for each listener- you listen to this song looking out the window leaving your childhood home. Or perhaps thinking about a lost love one- “Some are dead and some are living. In my life, I love you more”.

Austin Lam

A Suicide Note?

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky did not live an easy life.

The early death of his mother, the death of his closest friend, and his secret homosexuality are just examples of his troubles; and they conspire with the last work premiered in his lifetime - his Symphony No. 6, titled Pathetique - to paint a convincing image of depression and perhaps even suicide in the final moments of his life, nine days after he conducted its first performance. Indeed, the music would appear to corroborate this: the final lamenting bass notes of the fourth movement fade into silence, and the Russian Orthodox hymn of requiem makes a cameo appearance in the climax of the first. It seems to makes sense; but in fact, Tchaikovsky’s sixth symphony reveals a passion for life and a peak in the composer’s creativity and energy, rather than a final resignation. The misunderstanding begins in the title: Pathetique is simply a poor translation of the original Russian title, Pateticheskaya, and a more suitable translation would be “passionate” or “emotional” - far more grandiose than “pathetic”. In fact, when asked a few weeks before the premiere whether the symphony would be a mourning tribute (in this case, for a recently-passed friend), he stated that he “was in no mood to write a requiem”, and was excited and energised by a rush of creativity.

Various attempts have been made at explaining the program, or “story” behind the symphony, which

Tchaikovsky insisted does exist, but never himself revealed. The prevailing theory now is that - ironically - the theme is of death, of the collapse of life, but far more imposing and magnificent than a personal death note. The first movement depicts energy and passion but also pain, and the vigorous climax foreshadows the descending scale, the death throes of the final movement. The second movement is full of love and joy, a ballroom romance stunted from the beginning and throughout by the five-eight time signature that reduces it to bittersweet memory. The third movement is frenetic and tense, its rapid staccato and pizzicato as well as repeated melodic motifs feeding suspense and building up to an impassioned final climax that leaves the audience leaping out of their seats in exultation and applause for the typical joyous end of a symphony, only to be greeted by the cold, harsh reality of the opening scale of the fourth movement, a jarring and harsh reminder of the pain first presented in the beginning. The strings weave in and out of the dying scale, until only the cellos and basses are left, playing the final fading notes, an ultimate submission to death.

Adam Guo

1. Redbone by Childish Gambino 2. Where I’m From by Digable Planets 3. Another Time by Nxworries 4. Work This Time by King Giz

zard and the Lizard Wizard 5. She Doesn’t Really Care_1 Luv

by Alicia Keys 6. History Eraser by Courtney Barrett 7. Making Breakfast by Twin Peaks 8. Had It All by Allah-Las 9. Cold Outside by Ari Lennox 10. Until by Steven Jame$ 11. Natasha Bryant by KoBoogie 12. Everything To Me by Lips 13. Come Over by Cat Be Damned 14. I’d Still Say Yes by Klymaxx 15. PCB (feat. Rahn Harper) by Pink Slip

16. I Feel For You (Live) by Cha ka Khan 17. Bonita Applebum by A Tribe Called Quest 18. Money by Charli Baltimore 19. Wifey by Tinie Tempah 20. Back Around by Dessert 21. Papa ? by Hocus Pocus 22. Booored by Magic Potion 23. Slim Thick by Felly 24. Borderline (An Ode to Self Care) by Solange 25. 4 U by Hoops 26. 1 = 1 = 1 by Subculture Sage 27. Hi! by Baro 28. Lonely Jones by Post Animal 29. Waiting Around for Grace by Pond 30. Salt by Alex G 31. U-Love by J Dilla 32. So Wet by Beenzino 33. Lying Has To Stop by Soft Hair 34. Hate Yourself by TV Girl 35. Indian Food by Dumbo Gets Mad 36. Planet God Damn (feat.

Njomza) by Mac Miller 37. Don’t B Sad (Prod TOPS) by Sean Nicholas Savage 38. Will to Win by Society 39. Nurse Ratched by Cherry Glazerr 40. 100 Songs by SOL Emily Duncan

Semester Semester Tunes Tunes

Penderecki Threnody

The Twentieth Century: the birth of jazz, hip hop, rock and roll, and the death of classical. Against the global undertow of suffering and misery, twentieth century composers played out the dramatic final cadences of Western art music. Who can blame them? With so much real-world inspiration and material, it was hard to go anywhere but down.

In 1960, Polish composer and conductor Krzysztof Penderecki composed 8’33�, a string ensemble piece written for precisely fifty-two string instruments. Riding the wave of experimental Polish musical movement, sonorism, its violins sound like dissonant, desperate screams, the cellos and basses like ominous rumbles. Powerful and sudden glissandos bear sinister resemblance to the sound of sirens, and atonal sounds of percussion - certainly unexpected from a string ensemble - feel more at home in a horror film. It evokes a sense of death, disaster, catastrophe.

Perhaps it is only fitting that Penderecki, upon hearing the piece performed for the first time, decided to rename it Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima - a song of mourning. The sirens now signal air raids, and they taunt the screams.

The twentieth-century composers tossed aside the classical rulebook, and brought out something more primitive and raw in music. Penderecki used sonorism and experimental freedom to create fear and dread unlike any other, a bold reflection of dark times.

stephen chan // fluoxetine

Tristan Wong // Sky

Theatre Poor Theatre Kiss Me Kate // A feature Books / Plays ?

The Art of Experiencing December 17 - 18 // Sha Tin Town Hall Auditorium “Good Show 2016” by City Contemporary Dance Company CCDC Dance December 8 - 11 // Kwai Tsing Theatre Black Box Theatre “The Night when You Come to Repossess the Flat” by Cinematic Theatre Janurary 6 - 8 // Shan Theatre New Wing, Auditorium Prospects Theatre : Simply Charles

March 24 - 26 // Sha Tin Town Hall Auditorium HK Ballet: Coppélia

Poor theatre // Ocean Pak

Jerzy Grotowski’s Poor Theatre (pronounced gro-tof-ski) is an influential genre in the world of drama. The style is known as Poor Theatre because performances required only the bare minimal of costumes, set and special effects, with the actors transforming dayto-day objects into elaborate props. The style itself focuses heavily on physicality, prop transformations, vocal versatility, and body flexibility. This is due to Grotowski’s belief that actors needed to be and feel like their characters. As such, he researched a variety of ways in which they can explore their bodies, through stretching exercises, or activating physiological resonators to carry more vocal power.

In Poor Theatre, most of the story’s message is revealed to the audience through physical actions rather than words. Quite often a performance by Growtoski may only use a single word or phrase. On top of that, the audience will usually be positioned closer to the actors, so that they feel incorporated and involved with the story. Grotowski’s Poor Theatre has made a huge impact on physical theatre nowadays, influencing the way directors and actors work with script or stories. For every drama student, Jerzy Grotowski is a name not

Kiss Me Kate // Phoebe Chan

Book / Plays?

Nowadays, some of the most renowned theatre productions are actually adapta-

tions of books. Charlie and the Chocolate

Factory, Matilda, The Curious Incident of

the Dog in the Night-Time and War Horse are just a few. But is there one method

that is better than the other?

Whilst watching a play, the audience is able to have a deeper sense of visual

understanding and interpretation of the

story as it’s being told right in front of

them, with props, staging and lighting to

enhance emotions or motives. Unless you

are someone who has good imagination, reading a book is challenging as it may

be difficult to picture the story and all the events throughout the book. However, it can be argued that because books rely

heavily on the reader visualising it for

themselves, different people can interpret the story the way that they want to.

Matthew Lee

The Art of Experiencing Konstantin Stanislavski was a Russian theatre practitioner, one of the first to believe that an actor’s training doesn’t only involve physical and vocal elements. During his career, melodramas were at their peak. Melodramas were clichéd plays with a set stock characters, often finishing with a happy ending.

Stanislavski saw these plays as unrealistic representations of life and he wanted to create a system in which truth can shine through - he didn’t want to restrict his work to just happy endings and generic heroes.

Stanislavski’s system is a combination of naturalism and the use of memory or method acting. This is where actors use their own past experiences and memories to portray the emotion of characters. Instead of simply representing their characters, actors are able to fully connect, relate and experience the character, giving the piece of theatre a more truthful tone.