Secret Screening: In the Pool

I joined the Third Window Films mailing list a few years ago but never managed to make any of their free film screenings. This year's resolution for me: ATTEND AS MANY FREE EVENTS AS POSSIBLE!

So I pitched the idea to my world cinema partner in crime Ronnie and her sis Chrissy and plans were made, almost cancelled and then re hashed and we went.

It was held at the trendy Roxy bar near London Bridge station, never been before, was plesently suprised by the modest outside, walked past it but inside was a posh as Fangtasia (True Blood reference) minus the vampires and hookers ! We got there a good 30mins before the showing and I warn you in advance if you do go in the future: GET THERE EARLY! We just about got the last remaining 3 seats next to each other. Whereas, others had to sit away from their friends if not turned away! Yes it was a full house and I even passed up beverages protecting my high chair !

Since Third Window were celebrating the new Satoshi Miki box set they showed his 2005 comedy In the Pool. Didn't know what to expect apart from perhaps water :p but it really was a mix of drama, comedy and venturing deep into the mind. 

The memories we hold on to, traumatizing us till the end of our days, we foll several people who see a odd doctor for various problems. A woman who has a severe form of OCD and always thinks she's left the window open or the air con on and thus cannot go on holiday. A guy with a permanent boner holding him back at work and even with the ladies. What's the pool got to do with any of this? not a lot but there is an amusing scene with a fridge at the end. I won't spoil it but please watch this movie if you let certain events hold you back in life.

Red Light Revolution Review

My friend Ronnie un suspectingly in front of the raunchy poster :D

(Chinese film with English subtitles at Prince Charles Cinema in West-end, London)

One of the perks of joining so many groups on Facebook is that the active ones ACTUALLY send notifications of events regularly. Courtesy of the Korean fan club and Third Windows films I found out there was a showing of Red Light Revolution at the Prince Charles Cinema (PCC) in the West-end.

This was a chance to check out the PCC as I had never been before and to my surprise, through the small entrance, the downstairs held a large waiting area and bar. Upon entering the room I was amazed to find a decently sized screen and comfy squishy seats (oh yes these things definitely add to MY experience).

I knew the film was a saucy comedy already focusing on the sex industry of China, as much as it was taboo, everyone was a apart of it, you just didn’t know they had a dildo in their briefcases ^^; The main character though easy manipulated by others, is a very likeable character and you enjoyed what downfalls awaited poor Shunzi  (Jun Zhao).

We follow Shunzi after he loses his job and wife and by randomly bumping into an old friend he is thrust into the money making world of the sex trade along with his new friend and partner in crime Lili (Vivid Wang and yes that is her real name!)

Director and Writer Sam Voutas (also cameo’s in movie as sex guru Jack Deroux) wanted to explore a subject that most Chinese Directors shy away from and flaunts the notion with parady and the utmost of seriousness at times too.

A truly enjoyable movie (with not a lot of smut actually despite the name), a journey to make money; please the pushy parents and having fun with your friends. Best part is i saw it with my friend Ronnie who isn't accustomed to such kinky display, she even liked it (she won't admit it out loud but I saw her laugh ;).