“Whatever you do, do it carefully”
- Alma in Phantom Thread (2017).
Looking back on the night we watched Phantom Thread (2017), one can’t help but to remember this line that the heroine of the movie, Alma, whispers tenderly to Reynolds Woodcock before she is swept up in his world of fashion, glamour, and artistic demands.
Guests arrived to the fourth Dear Cinema event in Beijing dressed in elegant evening wear to celebrate the world of Phantom Thread. It was in these moments that we felt transported back to the golden ages when going to the cinema was an event to dress up for. During a time where watching movies at home in sweatpants is the norm, it was a delight to see guests experience the theatre in such a fashionable way.
We were also joined after the viewing by Paloma Sanchez, Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A) Gemologist, Jewelry Designer, and the founder of her own fine artisan jewelry brand, who shared valuable insight on what it’s like to be an artist impassioned with her/his work. Relating to the main character in the movie, dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock, she noted that she also likes to use one of the kind materials - in her case, rare museum grade gemstones. While Reynolds Woodcock was able to find a muse in Alma, Paloma confessed that she has yet to design for a muse in her 30+ years of craftsmanship. However, Paloma shared with the audience that she is always inspired to create by confident people, saying “I think if you are confident, you are beautiful no matter how you look.”
Before guests left for the night, Paloma chose her favourite outfit from the crowd, the guest of which was awarded a film camera by the Dear Cinema committee.
As we walked out the doors of Cinker, we were all in no doubt influenced by the events that occurred, going home and carrying on with our lives doing things perhaps a bit more carefully than we did before watching Phantom Thread (2017).
Borne as a love letter to cinema, Dear Cinema is a serial film screening event where we aim to celebrate the power of story through the big screen.
Find out more about Paloma Sanchez here.
Film Selection by Jasmine Xie
Creative Direction by Madina Imami
Hosting by Elizabeth Turner and Jasmine Xie
Chinese Copywriting by Molly Wu
English Copywriting by Jasmine Xie
Videography and Editing by Dima Veselov
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Women in Media Organiser Miatta Momoh
Cinker Organiser Lillian Wang