Memories from the Terracotta Film Festival, London

Just returned from a great week in London, where I got to hang out with fellow ANDers Junichi and Akira, as well as make heaps more friends at the Terracotta Far East Film Festival. I caught about 5 films playing at the festival, all great, but my favourite was a surprising Korean comedy called "Petty Romance" that puts a unique spin on the romantic comedy genre by adding a manga storyline. And I've got to say the Prince Charles Cinema, built in the '60s, has a really nice vibe to it: red, dark (not ominously so), and retro (with old-school squeaky leather chairs). Word is there was a bit of an outcry when the original fold-out chairs were replaced a few years back. Reminds me of a mix between the Astor and Northcote's Westgarth cinema in Melbourne. "Red Light Revolution" 《红灯梦》 picked up the audience award, which was a very cool way to end 7 days in the UK. A big cheers to Suki for the fest photos. Show-time outside the Prince Charles Cinema with Candy the inflatable doll. One audience member won the same Beijing sex toy T-shirt she is wearing (well, not THE same one).

Candy has traveled to Brazil, the USA, and now England. Customs inspectors have been very friendly at national borders.

Guest actors and Directors. From left: Kim (Breathless), me, Tak (Yakuza Weapon), Rina (Karate Girl), Clement (Gallants).

With guests and the organizing team at Terracotta at the Slug & Lettuce Bar, just down the road from the cinema. The pub was offering 25% off to festival-goers, something I forgot to run with.

The festival hosted a great Sichuan dinner and after party.

Discussing indie filmmaking at a festival class with Londoners before the screening.

Q&A with Joey from Terracotta.

The rest of my stay in London I spent exploring the city by foot. The weather was perfect and there were heaps of surprises behind every corner.

The swans of Kensington Palace.

The Big B.

The gate to Chinatown, with a banner celebrating the royal wedding.