Annabel Chong: "To Singapore pornography is filth. That's okay. But it has become a national ideology than just a value judgment, you know. To do pornography is to be against collective agreement of what it means to be a Singaporean - F**k 'em. They can't lick my ass."
The documentary "Sex: The Annabel Chong Story" chronicles the rise of stardom of Annabel Chong (a.k.a. Grace Quik) from Singapore in the US porn industry, in the early 90s, and closely follows her life thereafter. For setting the record for the world's biggest gangbang, Annabel Chong is certainly an infamous, if not notorious figure in the eyes of conservative Singaporeans.
Annabel Chong: "Oh look at that. That's spooky. I don't know why."
Annabel Chong: "Oh look at that. That's spooky. I don't know why."High School Friend: "That's flag-raising ceremony everyday. It's almost a fascist display."
Annabel Chong: "Memories."
Annabel Chong: "Memories."
The documentary struck a deep chord with me because Annabel Chong was both a Singaporean and a student of Hwa Chong Junior College. It was intriguing to find out why she had chosen to become a porn actress against all norms of being a Singaporean, and how she was a product of the Singapore society. One of the highlights of the documentary to me was the above passing remarks made by Annabel Chong and her high school friend as they were browsing through their nostalgic photos of Hwa Chong JC. It made me rethink about the little things that shaped me as a Singaporean: moral education, flag-raising ceremony, CIP, and now National Service.
Besides splicing in interviews of the porn filmmakers and reactions from various people in the porn industry about her rise to fame, the documentary also had footage of the actual sex act: which was gross and excruciating to watch (someone even stated that it was akin to "watching meat being grinded"). I wondered what had drove Grace Quik, a wholesome, young, intelligent Singaporean girl to such state. In the documentary, it was explained that she was attempting to "reverse the notion that only Men can be sex studs". Be that as it may, it certainly wasn't a pretty sight watching a young petite girl surrounded and pounded by countless naked, hairy, sweaty fat men, all in the name of questioning stereotypical views?
Some memorable parts of the documentary include her visiting the location where she was raped while studying in London (which might have indirectly led to her choice of career), and how she was unable to confront her parents and admit to them what she had done in America. Come to think about it, how would you have faced the truth if it was your daughter who had being screwed by countless men at one go?
All the while I had been viewing the documentary passively, as though I have been maintaining a distance between the person in the film and the world around me (as though in disbelief that Annabel Chong couldn't have came from the school that I had studied in.) Yet as I was watching Annabel Chong step foot into Hwa Chong JC to visit her teachers, that barrier broke. There they were, in the documentary, the familiar faces of the teachers (who are still teaching in Hwa Chong as of today), speaking to Annabel Chong. Who'd knew that that tall, goofy-looking Caucasian teacher had once taught Annabel Chong?
Besides splicing in interviews of the porn filmmakers and reactions from various people in the porn industry about her rise to fame, the documentary also had footage of the actual sex act: which was gross and excruciating to watch (someone even stated that it was akin to "watching meat being grinded"). I wondered what had drove Grace Quik, a wholesome, young, intelligent Singaporean girl to such state. In the documentary, it was explained that she was attempting to "reverse the notion that only Men can be sex studs". Be that as it may, it certainly wasn't a pretty sight watching a young petite girl surrounded and pounded by countless naked, hairy, sweaty fat men, all in the name of questioning stereotypical views?Some memorable parts of the documentary include her visiting the location where she was raped while studying in London (which might have indirectly led to her choice of career), and how she was unable to confront her parents and admit to them what she had done in America. Come to think about it, how would you have faced the truth if it was your daughter who had being screwed by countless men at one go?
All the while I had been viewing the documentary passively, as though I have been maintaining a distance between the person in the film and the world around me (as though in disbelief that Annabel Chong couldn't have came from the school that I had studied in.) Yet as I was watching Annabel Chong step foot into Hwa Chong JC to visit her teachers, that barrier broke. There they were, in the documentary, the familiar faces of the teachers (who are still teaching in Hwa Chong as of today), speaking to Annabel Chong. Who'd knew that that tall, goofy-looking Caucasian teacher had once taught Annabel Chong?
"Sex: The Annabel Chong Story" is a fascinating, in-depth look at the person behind Annabel Chong, and an exploration/study of her motivations of being a porn actress and a documentation of her life thereafter. Definitely a recommended watch. 8/10
Hey Zhu Chuan, your blog is getting better with each post!
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched the documentary, but I have heard about her story. I don't know whether to be sad or what, but I guess it's especially powerful when she's from the same school and grew up in the same environment as the rest of us. But anyway, at least there is a (kinda) happy ending to her (real life) story, and I'm glad that she is pursuing sports and marathons now.
But it really strikes you how one person's life can change. And you also made a good point in looking at everything around us with a foreigner's eye. I practically laughed at the "fascist" quote about flag raising. Indeed it is quite propagandish and totally stupid.
Yup! Hope to chat with you on msn someday (or even better, in person). Take care!
Alvin