This is an overdue post about the local indie movies that I’ve watched. Let’s start with Joshua Tapes and since the movie ended about a month ago, I’m going to just give the spoilers.

I always look forward to watching films from Perantaun Pictures. Ok, I going to sound bias because a few of the people in the production are actually from my secondary school. So whenever if I hear that they are coming out with any films, I would try to catch it. Unfortunately I missed S’kali and 5:13 (anyone knows where I can get them?) Not only that, I also personally like Meter which was one of the short films on 15 Malaysia. I felt that their movies can be understood and relevant to life and society.

As much I know a few of the people there by name, but this post is going to reflect on what I think and feel of the film, and why I still talked about it until today.

So what is Joshua Tapes all about?

Here’s the synopsis taken from The Joshua Tapes site:

The Joshua Tapes tells the story of three young men as they set off on a road trip that takes them through the heartland of Malaysia. Mounting Reza’s Pajero, they head to the scenic East Coast, hoping to take in the sights as they go along.

As their journey takes a series of unpredictable turns and their own inner demons close in on them, the bonds of friendship that hold the boys together will be tested to the breaking point, leading them down a road of self-discovery…

The Joshua Tapes is a story of friendship, truth and redemption, and of how the search for these things sometimes hurt, but ultimately heals us all.

The film seem to start out like a typical indie films where there are shaky shots. Thankfully it was not much, and I saw why there were ‘shaking shots.’ It was because they started out as something that is from the first point of view, and typically most people out there do shaky shots. Only the people who have studied design, media and photography will be more precise on their shots if they have a camera with them. It started with flashbacks in Joshua’s house, and they were having a farewell for Joshua. Joshua suggested to have a road trip before he flew off to the States.

Then it cuts to the next scene where you see Reza, Ajeet and Ryan preparing for their road trip. On the way to Joshua’s house, they were talking about Joshua and his family. When they reached, they took the urn and I realised that they took Joshua remains.

I’m just wondering whether it was intentional for viewers to know that Joshua passed away so early in the film. Like for me, I was surprised that it was mentioned quite early in the film while towards the end of the movie, my friend asked me, “Joshua died is it?”

As for the look and feel of the movie, I didn’t expect much since it is an indie film. Sorry for the stereotype but most indie films that I watch, the colours were not so appealing. So yes, that part is forgiven but most of us were wondering why it was overexpose. I was trying to understand the intention for having the overexposure in the film but I can’t seem to pinpoint it. Is overexposure used for hiding certain scenes? Is it used to show how sometimes overexpose is used intentionally in photos like in the older times?

So these are the few things I like about The Joshua Tapes:

1. The storyline. Something that I have not really seen in quite a while. True, we have road trip shows, but I like the element of emotions in it. I like the camaraderie  among the friends. I felt the rift among the friends. I felt sad. I felt the struggles. Personally, if any movie can make you feel about the movie, they have succeeded.

2. Reza’s t-shirts. I like how after certain scenes, he wear certain shirts to reflect the scenes. I want his tops!

3. I like the scenic roads. In the story, the three guys decided to take the more scenic road and not the highway. I like how they shoot some of the road scenes. Because of this film, my friend (who watched with me) and I kept talking how we should go for road trips.

4. A Malaysian show and I can relate to it. Nor I didn’t have to go through long periods of silence in the film  and have to think so hard what those indie film makers try to say.

5. It was funny overall, yet sad and sympathetic at the same time. Oh, we have facial recognition software to detect your face on facebook. Haha. :p

6. It is very memorable. I’m still talking about it.

What didn’t turn up too well for the film:

1. What happened to the river scene? What actually happened between Reza, Ryan and Ajeet?

2. The cameo sounded too ‘citylike’ for a small town hotel owner.

Overall, I have to commend that they use social media properly to promote their film. In the next post, I will talk about Crayon the Movie.