Today (sat) was nice, in spite of the weather.

It started with Appleseed: Ex-machina. Produced by John Woo, a few costume designs by Prada. Could tell the john woo influence in the opening sequence already, and I wished they hadn't done that, because sigh, it's so cliche and in a way unbecoming of an otherwise cutting edge film. I loved everything else about it though. I also like the audiences at the screenings. They're by and large very polite and appreciative, waiting for the credits to finish rolling before leaving the theatre and clapping after every show. It's a respect for filmmakers I wish I could see more of at SIFF.

Stepping out from the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (I wish I had taken a trip here to see their spaces for art and film events before doing my thesis project -the grandeur and glamour and pomp and circumstance that the spaces inspire!) onto the Tsim Sha Tsui coast/broadwalk/viewing platform I realised that it had rained and there was still a light drizzle, which meant that the public spaces were all really really empty for a weekend and I could get some nice aki shots, albeit in a rather flat light.

Had wanted to spent the afternoon lazing in Kowloon Park but the rain made that impossible so I just wandered from Tsim Sha Tsui to Mongkok, stopping by a Pacific Coffee outlet for an hour or so when the rain got really heavy.

Back at 6pm to the HKCC for the next movie: A Land without Baseball. All I can say is: yum. heh. but i would like to note one thing the producer said at the QnA after; that clothes, like masks, are something you put on. I also like that they don't really seem to feel the need to justify or provide anlysis for any of their art. After all, isn;t that for critics and historians to do? Artists should just do what they feel is right for them: in a way, trying to fulfil the roles of both artists and critic (though I admit some art is criticism) somehow pollutes the purity of art (and here i go opening up a whole can of worms - I'm not an academic, just spewing my thoughts, pls don't bash me =P)

Took a walk along the coast, lots of phototaking of the night skyline, ferry back to central, walk and more phototaking up to midlevels and dinner and home-for-the-moment. All in all, a good day, people were nice, tried to make conversation with cleaner aunties and stall helper aunties though rather limited by my dismal command of cantonese. happy.