DAY 8: THURSDAY APRIL 6 2006

Yesterday afternoon CinemAsia hosted a well-attended reception at the Binger Filmlab in Amsterdam. It was a chance to see the Made In Holland short films again in a more intimate setting and in the company of the filmmakers Susan Au, Jimmy Tai and Mayura Subhedar.

After each film was screened, Binger Head of Studies Marten Rabarts invited the relevant filmmaker to discuss the ideas and influences that had been behind the wish to make those films. Rabarts remarked that all three shorts, while being very different productions, were each in some way concerned with identity and with how being either an immigrant or part of a minority culture affects an individual's sense of identity.

In the subsequent Q&A and general discussion, the films of Wong Kar Wei and Michael Haneke emerged as having been influential on all three directors. Wong Kar Wei in particular with regard to slow, graceful movement, prompting a discussion around ideas of a specifically Asian body language as opposed to a western one.
On a different note, Ping director Jimmy Tai was asked if he'd had any particular difficulties in working with the children in his film. The famous line about never working with animals or small children was clearly at the front of many people's minds. Jimmy didn't have a problem; as an assistant director on TV shows for kids, he has a lot of experience with working with children. “If you cast your children well, you can work with them just as you would with an adult”, Jimmy contends.

In closing, Rabarts pointed out that the three movies all ended on a positive note. Ping gets his longed-for Transformer and learns about honoring and respecting his Chinese ancestry, Gayatri (Her Patch of Sky) is able to let the outside world in a little, if only through a chink in the skylight in her bare attic room, and even Susan Au's character ends up laughing. However, this could equally be because she is, as Rabarts put it, crazy. Up to the audience to decide what they make of it, said Susan.

After the discussion, the wine and conversation flowed in the 1st floor foyer of the Binger Filmlab. To be seen in the crowd were Ethan Mao director Quentin Lee with the composer of the music from Ethan Mao, Steven Pranota (also the composer of the music for the CinemAsia trailer seen at all screenings), actor Aaron Wan, actor and presenter Paul Richter, and Lens director Djie Han Thung.

Extra-special festival guest, Butterfly actress Josie Ho, just in from Hong Kong yesterday morning, got the better of her jet-lag and graced us with her presence at the reception. Josie will be present at the screening of Butterfly Friday night (7 April) at the Rialto at 19.30, to participate in the Q&A held after the film, and will join us at the much-anticipated festival party at the Powerzone with DJ Manny Lehman.

After the Binger it was off to the Rialto for the 8pm screening of Gol & Gincu. Director Bernard Chauly and lead actress (and scriptwriter) Rafidah Abdullah were there to introduce the film and answer audience questions afterwards.
In the Filmmuseum, last night's screening of Shanghai Dreams was very well attended. As a one-off, a special dog-sitting service was provided by the festival organization to enable a spontaneous dog-owner's visit to this impressive film.

Last but one night tonight, with four Asian movies screening at the Rialto and then off to the Powerzone party!

Read the earlier daily reports!