What is
Zen-Mind Filmmaking?
TZANG MERWYN TONG
唐荣均
About the Artist/ Researcher
Tzang Merwyn Tong is a Singapore-based scriptwriter, educator and independent filmmaker known for his surreal underground films, like A Wicked Tale (Rotterdam International Film Festival, Montreal FanTasia 2005), V1K1 (Houston WorldFest Gold Remi Award, 2011) and e’Tzaintes (Berlin Asia Pacific Film Festival, 2003). FAERYVILLE (2015), his dystopian teen movie made in 2015 about gun violence and college misfits, was recognised for its relevant themes of idealism, and radicalisation reflecting struggles of youth growing up in the Post 9-11 world. It premiered in Los Angeles in 2015, and was the Closing Night Film of the Central European Film Festival Timisoara in Romania 2019.
In 2015, Tzang admitted to experiencing a burn out from filmmaking. He questioned if passion and sacrifice is the only way to make films. Inspired in part by Dogme95 movement, as well as the Romanian New Wave, Tzang wanted to develop a methodology or new ethos that can bring filmmaking back to its center – as an expression of consciousness through the moving image - unhindered by the many entanglements that make filmmaking excessively conditional.
The Zen-Mind Filmmaking Experiment was developed in late 2021 as part of his MA thesis in Arts Pedagogy and Practice for Goldsmiths University of London. He sees it as a thought experiment and a film movement that is still in the process of understanding and finding itself. More films are currently being planned as of this date. Tzang hopes for this movement to make filmmaking less conditional and not subjected to external control, allowing filmmakers to be more one with their films.
Tzang is currently an educator teaching Film Appreciation and Visual Storytelling at Republic Polytechnic.
For More Information
Contact Tzang Merwyn Tong
+65 9777 280 | tzangm@gmail.com
禅心电影制作
Zen-Mind Filmmaking is an experimental thought movement in filmmaking inspired by Zen philosophy developed by Singapore indie filmmaker Tzang Merwyn Tong.
It is a practice and methodology for filmmaking (see manifesto), using non-attachment, minimalism and being in the here and now to bring a film to form. Much like how gardening, archery, and calligraphy adopts Zen philosophy, this movement explores how filmmaking can change with Zen principles.
The idea is to make films using a Zen-Mindset to free the filmmaker from entanglements that make filmmaking such a life-draining sacrificial experience. It is not about spiritual enlightenment or Buddhism and films made in Zen-Mind rules need not be about ‘Zen’.
The experiment allows the filmmaker to be more present in the body and not to be lost or caught up in entanglements. Using this approach, the filmmaker not only serves one’s vision but one’s intuition and reaction to ever changing conditions to make a film. This allows filmmaking to come back to its center – to be itself again – an expression of consciousness through the moving image - un-hindered by conditions that make filmmaking excessively dependent and entangled.
What kind of films can come out of this? Is it still a film or is it just a mood-piece using Zen as an excuse for minimalistic work? Perhaps, Zen-Mind filmmaking is just simplistic low-budget filmmaking? Will a minimalistic film always slow-paced and arthouse? Can different genres emerge from this film movement?
To find out, artist/filmmaker/researcher Tzang Merwyn Tong worked with four filmmakers of varying experience to produce four films made under strict Zen Mind parameters. The parameters, as listed in a working manifesto, are devised to protect the filmmaker from excess. They include a short producing time bracket (a four hour shoot and four hour edit) and rules on completion. Because there is no seeking of additional budget or crew, Zen-Mind films are made with a one-man or two-men crew) and working with the as-is and what-is. Zen-Mind Filmmaking is an experiment-in-process that is still trying to find itself.
About the Zen-Mind Films
The Verge
by Darshan Kunasagran
A woman stands at the edge of a roof garden contemplating suicide only to meet another person there to do the same. (Drama, Black Comedy)
(7.50 min) Watch Here. pw: emptiness1
Useless
by Syafiq Fadzelli
A lethargic young man works to overcome depression. (Video Diary) (4.18 min) Watch Here. pw: emptiness1
The Cell
by Zach RS Ho
An internet famous video streamer has an unexpected encounter with a fan too willing to share his story. (Drama) (5.54 min) Watch Here. pw: emptiness1
The Rehearsal
by Mattheaus Choo
An actor returns home from a film rehearsal only to discover weird occurrences at home. (Thriller, Experimental) (8min) Watch Here. pw: emptiness1
The Films of Tzang Merwyn Tong
Writer/Director/Producer since 1999
Faeryville (2015)
A Feature Film
Dystopian / Coming-of-Age
World Premiere in Los Angeles, Winner of Best Original Story at FLIXX Fest, USA
Closing Night Film of Central European Film Festival Timisoara in Romania
93 minutes
A Wicked Tale
(2005)
Experimental Thriller
World Premiere at Rotterdam
Intl. Film Festival
Official Selection
Singapore Intl. Film Festival
Montreal FanTasia
45 minutes
V1k1 - A Techno Fairytale (2011)
Indie Sci Fi
Winner of Gold Remi Award (Sci Fi/ Fantasy)
Houston WorldFest, USA
Singapore Short Film Awards
30 minutes
e'Tzaintes
(2003)
Teenage Black Comedy
Winner of Bronze Remi Award (Indie/Experimental)
Houston WorldFest, USA
Opening Night Film,
Berlin Asia Pacific Film Festival
53 minutes