I just learnt that my friend Bertrand Lee survived an accident in which he was run over by a lorry. But he had to have a leg amputated. This must come as a real shock to him, an otherwise healthy 27-year-old.

He is one of Singapore's talented young filmmakers. His graduation short film Trishaw, made at the age of 23, won the Kodak Asia-Pacific Competition. His second short film, Conquistador, was shot during his studies in Spain, and received much critical acclaim. His recent film, Birthday, was going round the international film festival circuit: 
http://www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com/en/southeastasianeyes/article/339714.html

--------------------------------------------------------------

The Straits Times
Jan 20, 2005
Film-maker loses leg in India lorry accident
by Tanya Fong and Benjamin Ho

A local film-maker was run over by a lorry in Mumbai, India, where he was on location shooting his latest effort, and had to have his left leg amputated.

Bertrand Lee, best known for his production La Conquista, about a Spanish yuppie's adventures, also fractured his pelvis and other leg.

A doctor from the Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai, where Lee is warded, said the 27-year-old is in stable condition.

The president of the Association of Independent Television Production Companies, Mr Tony Chow, 33, said: 'I heard from friends that Bertrand was walking down a street when a lorry that was reversing knocked him down and crushed his leg last Friday. We're shocked.'

He described Lee as 'an up-and-coming director who is very talented and has produced good work'.

The marketing manager of media content producer Mega Media, Miss Emma Neubronner, 29, said: 'He sent a message while his film Birthday was being screened at the Singapore History Museum on Saturday, saying he was shooting in Mumbai, and was glad the Singapore Film Commission could show his film.'

Birthday is a 30-minute production about a teenage couple who become parents by accident.

It was shown at film festivals in Venice and Stockholm last year, and will be screened at ones in Rotterdam, Bangkok and France this year.

Lee, a film, sound and video graduate from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, has made two other short films, Trishaw and La Conquista, both of which have also been shown at international film festivals and competitions. They are being distributed worldwide.

La Conquista, his second effort, was made shortly after he did a director's course in Barcelona, Spain, in 2001. It has been named as one of the best student films by Cilect, the Association of the World's Major Film Schools.

On his website, Lee lists travelling, travel photography and scuba-diving as his hobbies.

Said Mr Chow: 'We hope he won't lose his motivation to produce. It's his talent and his passion in life.

'If he does stop making films, it'll be a real loss to the industry.'