About you
I’m a British filmmaker and screenwriter, who arrived in Hong Kong via Los Angeles and never left! I’m very fortunate to have filmed projects in many incredible places throughout Asia with my work ranging from TV commercials to feature films. My first documentary “The Helper” opened in cinemas here in Hong Kong back in 2017 and more recently “reFashioned” was released in 2021.
"My Extra Special Aunty" is Hong Kong's first children's book illustrated by migrant domestic workers. It’s a local story, written in English and Traditional Chinese, celebrating the incredible talent and diversity of domestic worker artists, with beautiful scenes and diverse cultural representations from Hong Kong, the Philippines, Indonesia and more. It features characters and scenes that are unique to Hong Kong families and their aunties and was created using multiple artistic techniques, including hand illustrations, painting and textiles. The book aims to encourage young children, their families and aunties to develop healthy relationships. All proceeds from book sales will go to domestic worker focused NGOs Enrich and Pathfinders.
Your Inspiration
“My Extra Special Aunty” is my first children’s book, and was inspired in part by “The Helper.” The film had such a positive impact in increasing awareness of issues facing migrant workers that I thought this was a great opportunity to inspire empathy and understanding in the next generation of employers.
I was introduced to Guhit Kulay, a collective of Filipino migrant domestic worker artists at a screening of “The Helper” that was organised by the NGO Enrich. I had an immediate creative connection with two of the artists Cris and Noemi and we were inspired to collaborate on a children’s book project together. Through a series of conversations we decided to to tell a story to help Hong Kong families navigate the complex emotions felt by young children when the domestic worker that cares for them leaves their employment to return home to her own family. My Extra-Special Aunty was the result of our collaboration.
Favourite thing to do or see in Hong Kong
I love going camping on the beach in Hong Kong! There’s nothing more beautiful than a beach bbq just as the sun is setting, while roasting marshmallows on the fire with my family!
