Eye Catcher Global is a Hong Kong based organisation that brings Asian creatives and production communities to the international independent filmmaking industry. Our Editor in Chief Kat Tse, and Head of Writers, Justin Sin, attended two exciting events over the weekend: In Conversation with Derek Tsang and an In-depth Talk with Julien Rejl.
IN -DEPTH TALK WITH JULIEN REJL
The event showcased a selection of short independent films that were part of the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, including The House is on Fire, Might as Well Get Warm, The Birthday Party, A Storm Inside, and I Saw the Face of the Devil. Moreover, audience members had the riveting opportunity to listen to a Q&A session hosted by film critic and programmer Kiki Fung. Audience members also got to ask their questions to Julien Rejil, their artistic director of Directors’ Fortnight since June 2022, with questions ranging from how Julien believes movie internationalisation should be treated and the ways new directors might be heard or encouraged.
The theme of marginalisation was particularly present during the discussion, and Julien provided strikingly self-aware and astute answers to many such questions. In the creative industry, marginalisation can be characterised as the social, economic or political conditions that might prevent the realisation of an artistic piece’s full potential or outreach. The Cannes movie festival was one of the first opportunities where previously invisible films could have a spotlight; therefore, the Director’s Fortnight builds on these founding principles. The exclusion of many Asian films from this year’s Director’s Fortnight did come up in the discussion following the screenings; thus, leading many audience members to wonder whether Asian cinema has a place in Cannes and the representation-quality balance.
Ultimately, while it is essential for more diverse voices to be heard, Julien’s standout reply emphasised the need to be ‘surprised’– in a way that could only be likened to Ego from Ratatouille, the 2007 Pixar animated film. Art is subjective, but in this writer’s opinion, the criteria for ‘good’ art ultimately come down to authenticity and the ‘surprise’ value, regardless of its form. Thus, it was great to hear Julien’s firm reaffirmations of these values throughout the discussion on ‘How can we be more future-oriented?’ Participants greatly appreciated the opportunity to attend this event and hope for continued opportunities to experience, understand and discuss the creative industry.
IN -DEPTH TALK WITH DEREK TSANG
This year, Eye Catcher events were held at two prestigious venues, Soho House and the Hong Kong Arts Centre. Hong Kong Filmmaker and director Derek Tsang spoke about his recent co- directing experience with Netflix series “3 Body Problem” and offered insights into the film industry at Soho House. Moderated by Creative Director of Eye Catcher Global, Eric Tsang, the two dived into a thought provoking and meaningful conversation into the film industry.
Derek mentioned the importance of acknowledging mutual support required by both parties when considering the relationship between actors and directors. Actors can assist directors not only during auditions and filming but also through effective communication and trust-building. This mutual support then becomes especially crucial in fast-paced environments such as Hong Kong’s film industry, where pre-shoot familiarity can significantly enhance on-set efficiency. Directors are increasingly recognizing the value of establishing close, personal relationships with actors beforehand, whether through discussing roles or simply getting to know each other better. This understanding and trust will allow actors to have the creative freedom they need during filming.
When asked about the benefits of film school, Derek delved into how film can contribute to building a network of passionate peers who can become lifelong collaborators and explained how practical experience can often be more valuable in this industry.
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