But we still remember what it was like to fly.
I was probably like some insane Captain Ahab just trying to get the white whale, Tan says.
He evaded their calls, moved out of the country, and they eventually lost touch with him completely.
Credit: Netflix
Tan kept the canisters stacked in her house like a vertical coffin for three years.
She knew that once she opened them, they would consume her.
She finally got the film reels digitized by an experienced colorist, whose jaw dropped.
Netflix
I knew what we went through was quite an adventure, Tan says.
But I didnt know if the outer world would think so.
Now that she did, Tan knew she had to make something out of it.
Netflix
It couldve been some kind of landmark work, or dismissed as an eccentric folly, Tan says.
Either way, it still wouldve been something.
He was a creative person who could not create, Tan says.
He creates by destroying.
ButShirkersis not a tragedy.
Tans present-day interviews with Ng and Siddique make this clear.
I think its very important to show what its like to have these long female friendships, Tan says.
The real textures of these things is rarely depicted on screen.
Their conversations also show how, rather than discouraging them, the loss ofShirkersfanned their creative flame.
I dont know if that wouldve been true if the film had been made.
Tan hopes the documentary will motivate others to keep their creative dreams alive.
