C.F.O.C - Paris shopping

As my earlier post states I visited a wonderful store whilst in Paris recently. It has been there since 1966 I think - Compagnie Francasie de l'Orient et de la Chine (170 Boulevard Haussman). Due to the bad exchange rate and my lack of funds in general I was unable to go totally crazy and buy an antique deco light or a wonderful cherry red 1950's fish shaped clock. I did however pick up these little gems:


A double happiness (shuang xi) mug perfect fro either beer or tea (the sight of soya-milky tea in a glass mug gives me a warm glow, can't explain why).


Monkey! I paid too much for this but my heart wouldn't let me leave the shop without it. I wondered if it had started life as a jar, like the nutella or mustard jars you get in France with cartoon characters on. I remember getting some lovely Chinese honey jars/glasses until Chinese honey was banned here in the UK for a while.

Paris

It was pouring with rain in Paris so I didn't stand around to take a photo but we saw this fabulous red Chinese building which is now some kind of a private gallery.
Picture on Flickr.
Nearby there's a Chinese department store, it has been trading for 20 years or so and has beautiful crockery, antique furniture and nick nacks and clothes. I found a Monkey (Journey to the West ) glass which I could not bare to part with so parted with some Euros and now it is mine, mwahh ha ha ha ha. Picture to follow when my holiday is over. Right, no more blogging, I'm en vacance!

Nina

No special reason, just found this great clip and wanted to share.
The one and only Nina Simone.

Vote Terracotta

The Far East Film Festival, Terracotta, comes to the Prince Charles cinema tomorrow (Thursday 6th May). The opening film is Jackie Chan's latest Chinese movie Little Big Soldier (which does not have any tie in deals with supermarkets but is a film worth watching).
All the films in the festival are being shown at the cult "Prince Charles cinema in London's Leicester Square. Here are some of the movies that I am looking forward to:

• Development Hell: A documentary about the making of the historical epic martial arts film Bodyguards & Assassins. As the title suggests it was a rocky road and took 9 years to complete.
  (Friday 7th May 2pm)
  
  
  
  
• Bodyguards & Assassins: Director Teddy Chen will be in town to give an intro and Q&A on the film. A star studded production (Donnie Yen, Leon Lai, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Nicholas Tse, Fan Bing Bing, Simon Yam) which tells the story of an attempted assination attempt on Sun Yat Sen in 1903 when he visited Hong Kong. Watch out for Eric Tsang playing the Chief of Police with a Poirot style moustache!
  This is an epic film which deserves to be seen on the big screen.
  (Sunday 9th May 6.10pm)
  
  
• Fish Story
  Can a Japanese band's punk rock song save the world? Mmm, perhaps, do you remember how yodelling saved the world from the martians in Tim Burton's Mars Attacks?
  (Friday 7th May 3.15pm)
  
  
• Accident
  Hong Kong thriller produced by Johnny To and directed by Soi Cheang. A team of professional killers whose work always looks like accidents are stumped when the tables are turned. Noir Hong Kong style.
  Q&A with Xavier Jamaux (soundtrack composer).
  (Friday 7th May 6pm)
  
  
  
  
• Antique
  A Korean movie on the big screens in the UK that isn't violent! Hurrah. A comedy based on a manga about a cake shop with romantic farce. Looks like delicious foodie fun (no live octopus eating).
  (Saturday 8th May 1pm)
  
  
• In the Mood for Doyle & Yakuza Eiga
  Documentary double bill: 1 Christopher Doyle, Wong Kar Wai's cinematographer of choice. 2 The impact of yakuza (Japanese gangsters) on cinema.
  Q&A with director Yves Montmayeur.
  (Saturday 8th May 3.25pm)
  
  
• Vengeance
  Johnny To action thriller starring the great HK stalwart Anthony Wong Chau Sang and French crooner and national treasure Johnny Hallyday. Expect gun shots a go go and serious male brooding!
  (Saturday 8th May 6.15pm)
  

For a full programme visit terracottafestival.com

On Saturday night there's a Japan Party at the Slug & Lettuce (or should that be the Eel & Mizuna?) Lisle Street (Chinatown). I'll be DJing before bands Peter Parker Rocks and Sunset Drive perform live. (Part of It Came From Japan). For full details see the Facebook Event Page.

cherry blossom