'Dim Sum' is Jane Wong's first film documentary focusing on the conversations of three women sitting making dumplings in Liverpool. As they chat about traditions, family and men, we discover that although distinctly Chinese, their subjects are universal concerns to which everyone can all relate. Dimsum, the website, spoke to Jane Wong about 'Dim Sum' the film…

Dim Sum was your first film, can you tell me how it came about?
Dim Sum was my graduation film whilst at the National Film and Television School. The film school tries to develop director's voices and I chose a subject extremely close to my heart, my mother and the strength of Chinese women. I knew also that it would probably be the last chance to make a completely authored film, one with my stamp on it and one that would not have to work within the constraints of television.

How much does it reflect the issues that affect your life and your relationship with your mother?
The film is a total reflection of my views on Chinese women. In my eyes, it's women who are the backbone of the family in Chinese society. I do feel that the film is truthful in the representation of the relationship between my mother and me. We love each other, but we don't always like each other (probably true of any mother-daughter relationship).

There's one scene where I ask 'Would you be happy if I made dumplings?' It's really a question of 'Would you be happy if I chose this life?' I realised it was quite judgmental of me to think this way. During filming there were a few occasions where we irritated each other, I would ask my mother to ask the women a question in Chinese. My mother would answer in English for them 'They think this, Jane…' I had to point out that I would like to hear the answer from their mouths.

I think it was also difficult for my mother to realise that I did not have a particularly pleasant or happy experience being Chinese, and growing up in Liverpool in the seventies. The main themes of the film are marriage, family, tradition and choices. In their day, women were expected to marry and have children. Compare this to women of my generation when theoretically we're supposed to be able to have-it-all. Which generation is the more content?

When the film was shown, how was it received with British and Chinese audiences?
When the film was shown at graduation screenings at the National Film Theatre, friends and family of the graduates were present, and it was packed out. My parents were also there, and afterwards my mother had a lot of people come up to her asking questions and complimenting her. At first she was embarrassed, but I actually think towards the end she enjoyed it. It hasn't been shown to a majority Chinese audience, so I'm really keen on any feedback on the film after the showing.

What impact (if any) do you feel that the film has had on your work/life?
As with a lot of filmmaking, I found I had a different outlook after the film had finished. I was questioning how these three women get their satisfaction. They work day in day out, without hobbies or leisure pursuits. They enjoy simple pleasures such as food, being with the family, cooking. They want their children to succeed, and put the needs and interests of their family before their own. I was questioning whether they've got it right and I haven't.

You have recently completed a UN sponsored project called Volunteers Odyssey. Can you tell me how you got involved in this project and what it is about?
A Brussels based company, PI International contacted the film school and I applied for one of the 21 places for film students from all over the world. It involved filming the work of volunteers worldwide, in a team of three we took turns doing camera, directing and recording sound.

I learnt a lot about working with people from different cultures as my team consisted of an Argentinean and Mexican. We visited Australia, Brussels, China, Cameroon, Guyana, La Reunion, and Mexico over a period of 4 months. The subject matter focused around anything from doctors offering their services, through indigenous people in Mexico, to preserving Turtles in La Reunion. It was to promote the idea of volunteerism and I was myself a volunteer, doing the filming for nothing.

Do you have any future plans to make more British Chinese films in the future?
I would love to make more films about British Chinese, however I must bear in mind the British audience are not known for their tolerance of subtitled films. My next planned film does have an oriental aspect to it. It's about a Vietnamese girl born in Saigon, adopted as a baby into an all white family in Australia and she's now settled in UK. There are problems with identity and culture and fitting in.

How do you feel about participating in the Overseas Chinese Film Festival?
I am honored to have my graduation film‚ Dim Sum‚ participating in the festival. I am really looking forward to the feedback from the Chinese community. Its also stimulating to know that in England there are festivals celebrating different cultures since they give insight into other worlds.