Interview: Studio Ghibli's Geoffrey Wexler Talks About "The Wind Rises"

It is a rare chance indeed to be able to meet an executive from the Japanese animation film outfit, Studio Ghibli, founded by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata.

Through the years, the animated movies from Studio Ghibli, like "My Neighbour Totoro", "Princess Mononoke", "Grave of the Fireflies" and "Spirited Away", have touched the hearts of audiences all around the world, despite language and cultural differences.

Yesterday morning, in view of the local premiere of Oscar-nominated "The Wind Rises" on March 19, Red Dot Diva had the opportunity to interview Geoffrey Wexler - Chief of International Division from Studio Ghibli, and one of the Executive Producers of the English language version of "The Wind Rises".

"The Wind Rises" - purportedly Hayao Miyazaki's latest and last film - is a tale about the life of aeronautical engineer Jiro Horikoshi, and his legacy of a killing flying machine - the Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter used during World War II. The long awaited English-dubbed version features well-known voice actors like Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci.

Held in a cozy meeting room at the swanky Fullerton Hotel, a very warm and knowledgeable Geoffrey Wexler (or Jeff, for short) shared about "The Wind Rises" as well as his insights on Studio Ghibli and the animation industry.

Will You Join Forces With "The Amazing Spider-man 2" Cast For Earth Hour 2014, Singapore?

 

When news emerged last month that the cast from "The Amazing Spider-man 2" will be swinging into town for Earth Hour, one could almost hear a wave of excited gasps emanating from the lips of Red Dot Island geeks.

Together with director Marc Webb, three of the cast members - Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Jamie Foxxx - will be at the Float @ Marina Bay on March 29 as part of Earth Hour 2014, Singapore.

Nerd HQ 2014 Kicks Off With A Crowdfunding Campaign

Calling Nerds from ALL over the world (and other dimensions and universes)!

It's Time We UNITE for Nerd HQ and ensure its survival!

This year, The Nerd Machine -  the fine people who organize Nerd HQ - seeks support from fans to contribute just USD 5 each via an Indiegogo crowdfunding project, so that they can secure venues and production teams prior to the event date.

For those who are not aware, The Nerd Machine consists of actor Zachary Levi ("Chuck"/ "Tangled"/ "Thor" The Dark World") and his good friends David Coleman and Courtney Coleman.

Since 2011 (the unfortunate year Red Dot Diva was unable to make it to San Diego), Nerd HQ has operated as an off-site event during San Diego Comic-Con.

Having Nerd HQ continue to operate this year means a great deal to Red Dot Diva as well as to many fellow geeks and nerds out there. Why is this so?

Here is Red Dot Diva's run-down of the reasons why:

Savour 2014 - HBO Asia Throws A "Game of Thrones"-Styled Purple Wedding!

Savour 2014 was back in town recently at the Promontory - a very picturesque sport just a stone's throw away from the old Customs House tower facing Marina Bay Sands.

It was unfortunate that on the same week, not only had the event returned to Red Dot Island, so did the horrible haze caused by land clearing fires around Indonesia and Malaysia.

But haze or no haze, no respecting geek would turn down an invitation from the brilliant folks at HBO Asia. Especially when it's a "Game of Thrones"-styled *wedding* invitation - the kind that is fit for a king - even if he's a king you'd wish would be attacked by a million zombified scorpions. Yep, it's an invitation to celebrate the union of Joffrey Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell.

With precious invitation in hand, Red Dot Diva took the opportunity to wear her favourite amethyst pendant to the party held at the Savour 2014's Premiere Lounge. That location turned out to be a secluded spot hidden away at the 2nd level of the makeshift gourmet hall with a gorgeous view of MBS and its surroundings.

Eric Clapton Live in Singapore 2014 - He Came, He Played, He Said Thank You

The last time legendary musician Eric Clapton was in Red Dot Island, it was in 2011.

Red Dot Diva had to miss his concert then because it wasn't a good year for her. Coincidentally, so were his first two times performing here (1990 and 2007).

When it was announced that Mr Slow Hand himself was coming back to the island on March 4, 2014 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, Red Dot Diva jumped at the chance to score herself a SGD 298 ticket to watch him live. (Thanks to a better current financial position and pal Ryan for helping to book those tickets!) After all, Clapton is getting on in years, and she wasn't sure if she will get a chance to experience his guitar magic live ever again.

At Kinokuniya - "Land of the Meat Munchers" Meet-The-Author Session with Zombies and Blood-Red Skies

If you think the book "Land of the Meat Munchers" is a foodie's guide to the best meat dishes found around Red Dot Island, or some sordid story involving a lot of plump juicy booty, think again. Although, come to think of it, "Land of the Meat Munchers" does involve a whole lot of writhing bodies, but of a far less sexier kind.

The book, by ex-ST journalist now-freelance writer Nicholas Yong (whom Red Dot Diva meets in the local geek world from time to time), is a tale about 3 young survivors trying to make their way from Ghim Moh to Tiong Bahru MRT station during a zombie apocalypse in Red Dot Island.

The book started off with undergraduate Jim scrounging for more food and supplies around the Ghim Moh HDB estate when he met an already unhinged Serina, who saved him from a near fateful "uncle"-zombie attack. While driving along Mount Sinai Road, they bumped (literally) into Bollywood-handsome Raj with a love for cooking, and the trio banded together to keep those hungry undead gnashers out of their way.

Unisoft's "Art in Video Games" Exhibition To Make Its Way To Malaysia!

Calling all video game fans and art lovers across the Causeway!

You will soon have the chance to enjoy Ubisoft Singapore's "Art in Video Games" exhibition held later this month.

The exhibition, hosted by leading art & design college - The One Academy, is the first time Ubisoft will be showcasing their video game art in Malaysia.

Like the Singapore version of the exhibition which opened last November, there will be a gallery of art for pirate fantasy-based "Assassins Creed IV Black Flag" and "Ghost Recon Online", but with 21 additional art concept displays.