Discovering Southeast Asia Through Documentaries: NTU Singapore’s Dr.Campbell Shares Transformative Insights at GCIT
Date :
2024-12-23
Department :
GCIT
【Article by GCIT】
Documentaries have the power to transcend borders, unravel hidden narratives, and transform both the lens and the person behind it, creating a profound connection between culture and education.
On December 18, 2024, Dr. Kym Campbell, senior lecturer at Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University, invited by the Master’s Program in Global Communication and Innovation Technology (GCIT), delivered a compelling lecture at the Li Zhan Lecture Hall, College of Communication, National Chengchi University (NCCU). Hosted by Trisha Lin, the event titled “A Bridge Between Culture and Education: Understanding Southeast Asia Through the Lens of Documentaries” explored how documentaries serve as a medium to bridge cultures, challenge perspectives, and foster global understanding.
Dr. Campbell opened the session by emphasizing the transformative power of documentaries. He highlighted how engaging with diverse cultures through filmmaking reshapes students’ perspectives. Using notable examples like “The Act of Killing” (2012) and “Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten: Cambodia’s Lost Rock and Roll” (2014), Dr. Campbell showcased how documentaries not only chronicle historical events but also reflect the socio-political contexts of that event at a certain period.
Dr. Campbell shows behind the scenes of documentary production, planning, equipment constraints, and legal challenges filmmakers face, such as drone restrictions in specific locations. He shared insights from Nanyang Technological University’s ODYSSEE program students who spent six days immersed in Southeast Asia to produce their films. This firsthand experience encouraged active learning as students navigated cultural barriers, built local connections, and adapted to dynamic production environments.
The lecture included screenings of remarkable student films that offered fresh perspectives on Southeast Asian culture:
“Kick Spark” – An exploration of Vietnam’s skateboarding culture.
“Vibrations” – A Vietnamese music duo blending traditional northern folk instruments with modern music.
“Alive and Kicking” – A tribute to Nou Srey Pov, a Cambodian Kun Khmer fighter representing the SEA Games.
“Heart Over Body” – A story of two wheelchair basketball players Sara and Sinet from Cambodia.
“The Palace Boy” – A life of Rizki, an 11-year-old Abdi Dalem (royal servant) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
“Dissonant” - "The story of a noise protester in Indonesia"
Each film captured unique cultural narratives, showcasing the region's diversity and fostering deeper empathy and understanding.
Dr. Campbell concluded by emphasizing the importance of active learning. In this case, his students' hands-on experience allows them to see beyond stereotypes, fostering global empathy and enriching their understanding of Southeast Asia. They also established new friendships with local communities.
At the end of the session, students inquired about overcoming language barriers in production. Dr. Campbell provided practical insights, explaining how production pipelines are structured, with team members designated for translation and subtitling. Through this lecture, Dr. Campbell left students inspired by highlighting the power of documentaries as a bridge between culture and education.
[此中英文稿和圖片以及全球傳播與創新科技碩士學位學程均獲得中華民國文化部的補助。]
Documentaries have the power to transcend borders, unravel hidden narratives, and transform both the lens and the person behind it, creating a profound connection between culture and education.
On December 18, 2024, Dr. Kym Campbell, senior lecturer at Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University, invited by the Master’s Program in Global Communication and Innovation Technology (GCIT), delivered a compelling lecture at the Li Zhan Lecture Hall, College of Communication, National Chengchi University (NCCU). Hosted by Trisha Lin, the event titled “A Bridge Between Culture and Education: Understanding Southeast Asia Through the Lens of Documentaries” explored how documentaries serve as a medium to bridge cultures, challenge perspectives, and foster global understanding.
Dr. Campbell opened the session by emphasizing the transformative power of documentaries. He highlighted how engaging with diverse cultures through filmmaking reshapes students’ perspectives. Using notable examples like “The Act of Killing” (2012) and “Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten: Cambodia’s Lost Rock and Roll” (2014), Dr. Campbell showcased how documentaries not only chronicle historical events but also reflect the socio-political contexts of that event at a certain period.
Dr. Campbell shows behind the scenes of documentary production, planning, equipment constraints, and legal challenges filmmakers face, such as drone restrictions in specific locations. He shared insights from Nanyang Technological University’s ODYSSEE program students who spent six days immersed in Southeast Asia to produce their films. This firsthand experience encouraged active learning as students navigated cultural barriers, built local connections, and adapted to dynamic production environments.
The lecture included screenings of remarkable student films that offered fresh perspectives on Southeast Asian culture:
“Kick Spark” – An exploration of Vietnam’s skateboarding culture.
“Vibrations” – A Vietnamese music duo blending traditional northern folk instruments with modern music.
“Alive and Kicking” – A tribute to Nou Srey Pov, a Cambodian Kun Khmer fighter representing the SEA Games.
“Heart Over Body” – A story of two wheelchair basketball players Sara and Sinet from Cambodia.
“The Palace Boy” – A life of Rizki, an 11-year-old Abdi Dalem (royal servant) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
“Dissonant” - "The story of a noise protester in Indonesia"
Each film captured unique cultural narratives, showcasing the region's diversity and fostering deeper empathy and understanding.
Dr. Campbell concluded by emphasizing the importance of active learning. In this case, his students' hands-on experience allows them to see beyond stereotypes, fostering global empathy and enriching their understanding of Southeast Asia. They also established new friendships with local communities.
At the end of the session, students inquired about overcoming language barriers in production. Dr. Campbell provided practical insights, explaining how production pipelines are structured, with team members designated for translation and subtitling. Through this lecture, Dr. Campbell left students inspired by highlighting the power of documentaries as a bridge between culture and education.
[此中英文稿和圖片以及全球傳播與創新科技碩士學位學程均獲得中華民國文化部的補助。]