The GrowlersWorld Interviews

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The GrowlersWorld Interviews are an ongoing quest, bringing you closer to successful and creative people in all walks of life.

Rawle Austin presents...

A conversation with Joey Leung (Founder of the Terracotta Group) - Forging a Fantastic Film Festival

Joey Leung is a dynamic individual whose entrepreneurial achievements are quite inspirational. I spoke to him to find out what makes him tick. Rawle Austin: Could you briefly introduce yourself to GrowlersWorld readers? Joey Leung: Hi, I’m Joey, and one half of the Terracotta Group, which aims to champion Far East Film in the UK. RA: What made you decide to start up Terracotta Distribution? What’s it all about? [Terracotta Logo designed by Siu Design] JL: I’d had the very good fortune to be able to visit other film festivals and film markets. In doing so, we have to watch over 100 films at events like Tokyo Film Festival, Hong Kong Film festival etc.

Of the 100, there are some that aren’t great, some that are exceptional and some that make you think – “why aren’t they shown over here in the UK?” “Why are they only available on DVD on region 3 import?”

A natural way to introduce Far East films to newcomers of the genre, as well as bring films that slip through the distribution net, was then to set up Terracotta Distribution, to bring some of those films over here.

Our aim really isn’t to be a distributor – we just want to match a film to the audience, you know in the way that when you were younger you might make a mix tape for your friend of music that you know they will like, or lend someone a DVD of a film you are sure they will love?

We are just doing that on a wider scale – doesn’t matter what format – cinema, TV, DVD, VOD, we just want people to know about and see these films that we’ve seen as well.

It actually compliments the festival very well.

RA: What has been your most memorable experience to date in setting up and running the company?

JL: Lots of good experiences so far, not one single one that stands out above the rest.

I was very happy to see our first film poster of ‘Hansel and Gretel’ on the London Underground, very happy to see it in stores like HMV, Fopp, Amazon when it came out on DVD, very happy to see people at the festival.

Also very happy to have been in SKY MOVIES for an interview AND get a festival survey respondent cite that the reason they came to the festival (all the way from Newcastle!) was that they saw the segment on SKY MOVIES!!

RA: You followed this up by organising the very successful, first Terracotta Film Festival. How would you describe the festival to someone who has yet to visit it? JL: I actually would like to be able to describe it, in a few years time, as the Star Wars convention for Far East Film fans. I would like to bring actors and directors over so that the public can meet them and speak with them, watch some of their films, then go to the festival parties to meet other people, talk about the films and have a drink with the cast and crew. The format is simple: thirteen films from all genres and across the Asian continent. There are two groups of people I hope will come to our festival: If you like going to the cinema, try one of these films. There will be something for everyone. This year we had supernatural thrillers, dramas, lo-fi dirty action movies, action movies, heist thrillers, some mangas and even, a zombie comedy! Don’t write a film off just because you have to read subtitles.

If you are a fan of Far East Films this is for you!!

Of course, its quite hard work watching films all day, so we throw in a few parties so people could let their hair down.

Actually, one of the most memorable moments was sitting on the balcony of the bar of our opening night party and suddenly realising we were overlooking Leicester square with the Odeon to our left, the one that always premieres major Hollywood films, and being able to stop for a moment to have a drink and catch my breath.

With the party in full swing behind me and the first film already under our belt, I remember thinking, wow, this might be ok!

We also had a Manga-themed party after the GHOST IN THE SHELL 2.0 screening in which we had people dressed up in anime costumes.

See for yourself: www.flickr.com/group/TerracottaLondon

RA: What was your proudest moment during the festival?

JL: There were actually two –

First, hearing spontaneous and near unanimous applause after the film HIGH KICK GIRL – a Japanese karate movie starring real life Karate champion Rina Takeda, who’s only 17.

The audiences enthusiasm for this film was awesome, – its shot on video and is probably the least polished of all the films in the line-up.

Yet the audience loved it!

The genuine applause that I could hear emanating from the auditorium whilst I was stood in the foyer of the cinema was very gratifying – that’s the aim of the festival, to bring films over here so that people can be entertained, films they would never see here otherwise.

The second was being able to present a birthday cake to one of our guests, Xavier Jamaux – the co-writer for the soundtrack of SPARROW, our Closing Film.

When he heard we were playing this Johnnie To film, that had been gaining acclaim on the festival circuit, that he had co-written the soundtrack to, he didn’t hesitate to come over to take part in our Q&A and even grabbed the film's editor and associate producer along with him!!

They were great. And not only did they make time for our festival, Xavier, who’s an established artist back in France (he's collaborated with the likes of AIR and NOUVELLE VAGUE) agreed to DJ at our closing party AND its was his birthday! The least we could do was get him a cake and we all sang happy birthday at his party, interrupting his set! RA: What advice would you give someone keen to set up a film festival? JL: DON’T! its very stressful, makes you age, and then you will be in competition with me!! Actually, just kidding. I think make sure you are an all-rounder (you can cope with the logistics side, the finance side, the marketing of the festival, the creative design etc) or have a good team of people to help you. Have an aim – what is the festival about, why are you doing it, who do you want to come to it - and find the right venue. Prince Charles Cinema was the perfect location, in the middle of the West End and also because of its cult status. Then, JUST DO IT!

RA: You clearly have a great love for films. What are your top three favourite movies and why?

JL: That’s the easiest question!!

I define favourite as films that you can watch over and over again and never tire of, or films that you connect emotionally and personally with. With that in mind….order of favourite-ness:

EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN – an early Ang Lee film about a family of three sisters and their father who connects with his daughters through cooking a gourmet Sunday lunch every week.

Despite his efforts, the daughters take very different paths from what he, and the audience, expects.

AMERICAN PIE 2 – I love it when Stiffler says “the force is strong in that one…” after he throws an American football into a crowd of girls on the beach for Oz to catch. And lets not forget The Sherminator!!

Kids having a great time – its clever how they set it away from home, almost like suspending reality for a moment, to get drunk and be with friends and have an awesome time. Makes you wish you could escape too!

AMMADEUS – because I am Salieri: I will never be one of the greats, and I’ll just become bitter and watch the truly talented rocket past me.

RA: Who inspires you in life and why?

JL: Erm.. very hard question. I can't pinpoint where I draw inspiration from for my life. I feel like I just live it and do my thing.

I guess Jackie Chan in a way – he's always looked after those around him, especially in his Jackie Chan Stunt Team, always an ambassador for happiness, and if you’ve seen the out-takes from Armour of God… that’s the true definition of “if at first you don’t succeed….”!!!

RA: How do you keep yourself motivated to pursue your goals?

JL: Both abroad and at home, I’ve seen many people who want to do things, and don’t have the opportunity and yet have plenty of capability. I just think to myself, I can’t give up when I have the chance to do something like this.

Also, seeing the look on people's faces when they come out of a film and hearing the positive chatter makes it definitely very worth while.

RA: And finally, what words of wisdom would you like to leave us with?

JL: Not really words of wisdom, as I'm not that wise (really, ask my wife!) just my maxim in life – MAKE LOTS OF MONEY, BUT DON’T F*@! ANYONE OVER IN THE PROCESS!

Barrie Armstrong: Charting a Steady Course of Photographic Lighting>

<Introducing Piotr Jordan and the amazing Balkan/Gypsy Jazz band, Dunajska Kapelye!

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