DAY 1: THURSDAY MARCH 30 2006

		Dumpling, anyone?

CinemAsia 2006 got off to a flying start last night at Filmmuseum Cinerama in Amsterdam. The opening address was given by our very own Katja Schuurman, who managed to survive the predictable press-scrum when she arrived at the venue. 20 years ago you would have said that there were flash-bulbs popping all over the place - these days that no longer applies, but there were a LOT of cameras in use as well as film crews from, amongst others the RTL5 Boulevard show. Also present was lead actress from the opening film Dumplings (2004), Bai Ling.

Katja's presentation strongly emphasized the goal of this years CinemAsia Film Festival as intending to introduce a young and dynamic present-day Asia, to show it through the eyes of a new generation of talented film-makers from a geographically diverse Asia. And not from Asia alone, globalization and increasing immigration contribute to the blurring of cultural and geographical borders and identities. The Netherlands has a long history of Asian involvement and New Asian Cinema can also be found right here in Holland. The purpose of the CinemAsia “Made in Holland” Filmlab initiative is to encourage Dutch-Asian film-makers. The three best entries out of a total of more than 40 will premiere at the Rialto Cinema on April 1st.

A packed auditorium got to see the world premiere of the short film Lens before moving on to the Dutch premiere of Dumplings. It's a film that requires a strong stomach! Audience response to the more gruesome scenes was audible. (For those unable to attend last night, the next screening is Wednesday April 5th, 22.00 at the Filmmuseum Vondelpark and later at various venues during the CinemAsia Tour). Any doubt about the vile ingredients of the dumplings in question is quickly dispelled in this bizarre and beautifully made film. Prior to the screening Bai Ling herself was serving Chinese dumplings to the audience that were an exact copy of those subsequently to be seen on screen, prompting many festival goers to remark upon leaving that they would NEVER eat dumplings again. During the Q&A session with Katja and Bai Ling after the screening, the Chinese actress talked about having to overcome her revulsion at having to actually eat these things during shooting - even though she knew their filling was in no way related to the heinous contents the film would have you believe. “I hope the film didn't disturb you to much”, said Bai Ling, to the amusement of all concerned.

After the screening, us mere mortals milled around in a post-Dumplings “Ew I'm shocked, but wasn't that a great movie?” kind of way and had a drink. For Katja Schuurman and Bai Ling, it was time for press - AT5, press - Reuters, and more press - RTL5. The interview with both actresses together for RTL Boulevard consisted mainly of unbelievably inane questions which ignored the reason for her presence, the film festival, focusing instead on Katja's recent engagement to Thijs Römer: Katja, did you ask Thijs or did Thijs ask you? Katja, will there be champagne at the wedding? Katja, why did you say yes to Thijs? - and so on and so forth, prompting a member of the Herrie Press and PR agency to crawl forward and furiously wave a pencil at the interviewer, which apparently in press-land means “Shut the F..k up about the wedding”. Katja handled the questions with remarkable grace, Bai Ling sat and looked bemused by the whole thing, as well she might. But Katja was gorgeous, and Bai Ling was splendidly turned out in a purple puffy outfit and big boots - what more could the press possibly want?

Katja and CinemAsia Filmlab makers Jimmy, Susan and Mayura plus Lens director Djie Han Thung

There followed more milling about and a couple more beers, and some charming conversations with the Filmlab winners. Jimmy Tai spoke of how his Filmlab entry Ping concerns not only the little boy of the title, but also the Chinese ritual of ancestral worship. Susan Au - Verzameling - talked about her reason for using Asian erotic movies as a focal point for a young Chinese girl to re-affirm and ground her physical identity - insisting that no, it isn't autobiographical in that way! Finally Bombay-born Mayura Subhedar discussed her short film Her Patch of Sky in terms of the contrast between the claustrophobic existence of her lead character and, she says “the only Dutch thing you see in the movie” - those famous Dutch skies. The film-makers will also be present at the screening of their films on April 1st at the Rialto.

Next up - the Thai film Pattaya Maniac at the Rialto tonight at 20.00 - billed as a side-splitting farce - I can't wait ...! Will there be diminutive but big-booted Asian movie stars distributing dubious foodstuffs? Who knows … there's only one way to find out ...