The lighter things in life

Scream to your heart’s content (and neighbor’s displeasure) at the Screamfest Indo International Fantastic Film Festival, opening today at Blitz Megaplex in Bandung.  Touted as the first festival in Indonesia featuring horror, sci-fi, suspense, fantasy and anime movies all together on one bill, it moves after its three-day runin the West Java capital to Jakarta next weekend. Check out the film listings and accompanying events, including a film workshop, showings of classic horror movies (including a couple of Indonesian cult favorites) and costume party, at www.screamfestindo.com. 

Take a look at what’s in store at Alun-Alun, a cavernous corner of Grand Indonesia that is touted as a one-stop venue to showcase the best of Indonesian products and handicrafts. Browse for local textiles, jewelry, accessories, art and spa goodies, or while away the afternoon over coffee (try the Papuan variety) and old-time snacks at Warung Kopi (there also is the pricier restaurant Palalada). The owner’s stated mission is to give Indonesian creations a fitting place in their own backyard, so see for yourself if it has that nostalgic memento you have been looking for.  

Save yourself a whole lot of trouble by stocking up on Threadless Tees from www.threadless.com for gifts. The cult T-shirt retail site which invites aspiring designers to send in their own creations has a catalog of tees (from US$15) that feature great graphics and tongue-in-cheek messages. You’ll find a tee for everyone in your life, from your long-suffering secretary to grandma. Kid sizes are available too.

Weep buckets reading Ann Enright’s The Gathering. This year’s Man Booker Prize winner and a dark horse among nominees tells of a troubled family grieving a son’s suicide. Enright calls the somber tale “the literary equivalent of a Hollywood weepie” but we call it a timely reminder (just in time for the festive season) that all families have their failings. And that you could be far worse off.

Cheer on your favorite team in the second season of Amazing Race Asia on AXN.  If you haven’t already noticed, this year’s teams pack a punch in the looks department, with models, actresses, sometime celebrities and TV hosts in the fray. Sure, they may be better looking than last season’s loveable lugs, Indonesian siblings Mardi and Marcio, but will they be as entertaining?

+ Chan Hse May

Home