Dragon Gate Assembly, the opening segment of anthology feature film Kopitiam Days, directed by Yeo Siew Hua.
A comedic ode to wuxia set in the 80s with over-the-top fantasy elements (and a flashback sequence thrown in to boot)? This piece was a blast to grade!
Its colourful (pun unintended) cast of characters and their playful exchanges reminded me of the wuxia films I grew up watching on VHS and VCD – particularly New Dragon Gate Inn – which I have no doubt inspired director Siew Hua’s playful homage.
DP Russell Morton gave me a wide variety of filmic references, which I then took cues from to build a look that invoked the feel of that era, location and genre blend of wuxia and comedy. To finish off, I added some imperfections I picked up on during my time restoring 35mm films, as finishing touches for a film that calls back to that period.
