Such Happy Moments
FADE IN:
.
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Following three WOMEN, one using a wheelchair, PETER and ZENO arrive at a round table. Among the sitting three COUPLES are two KIDS. They greet; and Peter sits near A Mat (6) who draws faces on a single-line exercise book.
PETER
(A Mat)
A Mat, would you
include me as well?
A Mat nods smilingly. He observes Peter's facial features deeply as he draws. Later, he presents his work to Peter.
PETER
(Pointing at the drawing)
Okay, I'm 姨公.
A Mat nods smilingly. Peter compares his image with others.
PETER
Why did you put circles
around great-grandma's
image?
A Mat
She's in a wheelchair.
Peter nods.
PETER (V.O.)
She's 92...He crosses out
some draft portraits...Yes,
it's labour-intensive. Like
many matters, it's hard
to get it right the first
time.
Pausing.
PETER
Well, have you included
every one here? Let's
check.
Peter and A Mat count the number of persons present and the images drawn.
PETER
13 persons and 13
images! Good!
A Mat nods cheerfully.
PETER (V.O.)
He captures the distinct
facial features of all in a
few lines. They all look
different...
FLASHBACK
INT. CLASSROOM - NIGHT
Scrapbook on desk and pencils in hand, Peter (20) draws basic lines and shapes, representations of light and shadow as an INSTRUCTOR (30s) walks around and instructs students.
INT. STUDY - DAY
Some dried paints in a dish and paintbrushes in a corner. Reading an information sheet from the University of London, Peter (22) ponders.
PETER (V.O.)
Should I take the
Philosophy of
Aesthetics? I like
to learn how to
reflect on art, culture
and nature.
INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY
Peter chats with Zeno.
PETER
You drew and painted for years. What do you
think is the difference
between painting still
matters and taking still
photos?
ZENO
In painting, you create
beauty. In photography,
you capture beauty.
Peter nods.
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER
A Mat, sign your work
and date it.
As A Mat follows the instructions, Peter picks up his phone.
PETER
Can I take a photo of
your drawing and share
it with the world?
A Mat and his A MUM nod.
Having taken a shot, Peter taps his Facebook page.
PETER (V.O.)
Actually, now is a happy
moment of a year-end
ritual. An easy photo
capturing it isn't as
beautiful and emotionally
powerful as this simple
artwork.
Peter types: "An impression of "A Happy Moment" by a cheerful artist, Matthew Lam (6). I am his 姨公". He touches the "post" button.
PETER
I've shared it to the
world...
Peter takes another look of the posted photo and discovers something.
PETER (V.O.)
He has his own mindset
about dates, months and
years...
INT. SLEEPING ROOM - DAY
Peter wakes up.
PETER (V.O.)
What should I write
today? It's year end.
What's still resonating
in my mind?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd)
I'm hopeful that such
happy moments will still
happen on earth - on the
90th day of the Month 100,
in the year 20111100!
Peter takes a look of the colourful globe model on his desk.
FADE OUT. The End