where to buy film in hong kong: filme

I wouldn't say the supply of film in Manila is scarce, because there's a bunch of people popping up in Facebook groups selling films, a handful of online stores and probably one or two actual stores available for the ones looking. However, the disadvantage is that, there's not so many kinds of films to choose from. So before I left for Hong Kong, I made sure I've done a research on where I can buy film there. 

Most people who've been to Hong Kong would tell you to go to Dot-Well -- which I've also been, and will try a separate post for it -- but I also tried to search other film/camera stores just in case schedule would not permit me to go to Tsim Sha Tsui (but really, this is kind of impossible for anyone going to HK haha).

Anyway, it was our last day, last few hours before we fly back to Manila, and by this time I've already bought "enough" film from Dot-Well and a local photo shop near our hotel. We could have gone to other places, but I kind of maneuvered my folks (hehe) to go to Times Square in Causeway Bay, just so I could try to look for this quirky film store based on my research. 

It was 12 noon when we arrived in Times Square, and we all agreed that we split in going around the mall to save time. But of course, I wasn't there to do clothes shopping?? I had a map to the store printed, so I quickly head out the shopping center and looked for Yiu Wa Street, which was only a street away. I didn't have a hard time looking for Redana Center, so before 12:30 PM, I found myself at the door of Filme. I figured that they're still closed so I just opted to sit and wait there.. right beside some wooden crates haha. I remember being fidgety while waiting because of excitement, I guess? and also because no one has still arrived to open the store at quarter to 1 PM -- and I had to head back to Times Square by 1:30 PM. So, gah.

A little more of fidgeting, and I finally heard the elevator open for these two girls who went straight to the door. I got up at once because I don't want them to know that I've been lurking there for some time hehe. Then, they saw me and were a little bit embarrassed for making me wait, but I told them that it was nothing.. because by the moment they opened the door and let me in, it was like being sucked in by a space warp. I was in GEEK MODE x 1000.

OMG. To see an entire wall of films in different kinds made me feel so happy! I scanned everything in the shelf, just touching a couple of boxes very gingerly -- as if they were gems. You have to know that by this time, it's harrowing to realize that I'd never get to buy a piece of everything, that is why it really took me so long to decide just which pieces to buy. And they must have noticed the length of time I spent in there, because they started talking to me, and were kind enough to show me albums of photos taken by each film -- really, like Katie's Film Guide :) It probably was so evident how torn I was so they thought they had to step in and help me in the decision-making :D

After taking photos of the shop, I really wanted to take a photo of them too because they've been so nice! I was sooo shy to ask, but also thought that I'd feel really bad if I didn't and just left. So I finally asked, and they said sure, then gathered together without qualms. Then the young guy (in the back) asked me if I wanted a photo of myself taken? I really wanted to say "no, it's fine" but I thought it would be rude, so I said okayyy and posed awkwardly as shown in the photo below.

My runway forehead says hello! And I don't know why I look like a school kid in here?! This was still back in September, and I believe I don't look like this anymore hahaha.

I left this quirky home satisfied, happy and accomplished! I recommend visiting them if by chance you will be in Hong Kong :)

FILMe

Flat 14B, Redana Centre,

25 Yiu Wa Street

Bowrington, Hong Kong