HOCC + Mak Yan Yan - The Decameron Documentary DVD DVD Region All

As a manifestation of the singer's charitable work on mental health and social discrimination issues, The Decameron is already a winning release for sincerity alone, but it also makes for a fascinating documentary. Divided into ten chapters of interviews with different individuals who may be considered "mad" by society, The Decameron explores the meaning and makeup of madness in modern society. Interestingly, the documentary profiles not only patients but also artists, opening the discussion to a broader arena of self and social perception. The documentary's foray into madness covers those who suffer from mental illness and those who celebrate in eccentricity, and their shared status at society's periphery. Thus, The Decameron provides both sensitive peeks into the lives and thoughts of those afflicted with schizophrenia and depression, and soapboxes for those who advocate alternative pursuits, including a behavioral artist, a Kamen Rider cosplayer, Canto-rap and graffiti art pioneer MC Yan, and Pro-dip, another former LMF member who now moonlights as a UFO investigator.

Though this small documentary offers no big revelations, The Decameron succeeds in putting a human face on this matter of madness, and it does so in a sensitive and straightforward manner through simple, candid interviews and slice-of-life moments caught on camera. The film is smartly edited and laid out such that it maintains a brisk pace from one chapter to the next, while still allowing each individual adequate time and space to express themselves. As a befuddling artsy indulgence, there are also grainy, dream-like scenes of Denise dallying around with Kamen Rider sprinkled throughout, but most of the time the down-to-earth singer is onscreen, it's as a smiling observer and supportive voice.

Director Mak Yan Yan and Denise Ho have worked together in the past for a stage play and music videos, and The Decameron is clearly a fruitful collaboration of kindred minds. Though the topic is heavy, The Decameron stems from and appeals to man's better side, making it an unlikely feel-good film. It's nice to see that though Mak Yan Yan has been absent from the silver screen since making a splash with her 2004 feature Butterfly, she is still creating worthy works in different media. And it's nice to see a pop star can do good. But mostly, it's nice to see the people, places, and faces in The Decameron, and to hear their stories told.