Blue Willow

Veialu Aila-Unsworth directs this re-imagining of the ubiquitous blue and white ‘willow china’ ceramic pattern (designed by Thomas Minton in the late 18th Century). Aila-Unsworth’s exquisite animation uses the design as a tableau for a tragic tale. It tells the story — supposedly derived from an ancient Chinese folktale — of lovers fleeing an angry father. The doomed pair are ultimately transformed into birds by the gods, finally escaping from oppression ... and bangers and mash. Blue Willow was selected for the Berlin Film Festival (Kinderfest section).

A beautiful daughter ... a forbidden love. To find true happiness she must risk all.

– From the film

Key Cast & Crew

Veialu Aila-Unsworth

Director, Writer, Producer, Camera, Illustrator

Thomas Beauchamp

As: Tajin

Jing He

As: Old Koong-se

Dan Caddy

As: Chang & Father

Tim Beals

Composer, Sound

Mark D'Ath

Animator, Editor