Saturday, October 18, 2014

Three's Company

The third screening of '-1287' (TIDF film page HERE) took place today in the Doc Cafe section of the Taiwan International Documentary Festival (INFO).  In this strand, several films were shown for free to the public in cafe spaces around the historic Huashan complex, once home to a wine factory (INFO).  The intimate settings made for wonderful screening spaces, and the Q&A that followed '-1287', led by TIDF staff member Rina, lasted longer than the 70 minute film!



As we have done following all of the screenings of '-1287' to date, we handed out gift bags to each person in attendance.  Today's bags contained Breast Cancer Awareness ribbons handmade by '-1287' producer Sarah Lushia and team (photos and story HERE), and chocolate that Sarah had sent, the purchase of which helped support breast cancer research.  At the two other screenings here in Taiwan (and THIS one in the UK), we have also handed out bilingual fortune cookies inspired by THIS scene in the film.


I am so grateful to all of the TIDF staff, volunteers and audiences members who helped make the screenings in Taipei such a wonderful experience.  I would especially like to thank Program Director Wood Lin and my interpreter for the first two screenings, Joyce (photos with Wood and Joyce HERE), festival volunteer Shannon (below, left) who made sure I was in the right place at the right time everyday, and Rina (below, right) who beautifully guided and interpreted the discussion after today's screening.


After the screening today, Taiwan-based friends Panos and Mei, who live an hour and a half outside of Taipei, drove into town with their two sons, and we had a wonderful visit together (the last time I saw them was in Taipei in February when I was here for THIS screening).  Ten years ago we were all living in the same flat in the University of Bristol's accommodation for international students, where Panos and Mei met and then eventually married!

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