The South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA) is the regional film archive for the South West of England. Established in 1993, SWFTA's core collection comprises of the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and TSW (Television South West). The archive also cares for a significant number of donated film collections, both amateur and professional, dating back to the early 1900s.
This film is part of Free
Chinese Restaurants in Plymouth
A visit to Chinese restaurants in Plymouth and a chance to get to know the staff.
From the collection of:
Overview
Chef Moyra Babington meets Mr Kim Wong at The China Garden, the largest Chinese restaurant in Plymouth by Perry's Cross and next to Derry's Cross. Hakka or Cantonese cuisine is rising in popularity in the UK and its braised meats, pickles, dumplings and seafood are a popular choice for diners. Mung or Chinese beansprouts are cultivated in the kitchen and there is a chow mein or rather stir-fried noodles boom. The Peking Palace also features.
Mr Wong is a Hakka, Han Chinese people whose ancestral homes are from the Hakka-speaking provincial areas of Guangdong and today incorporate the Special Administrative Regions of China Hong Kong and Macau, former British and Portuguese dependencies. Canton comes from the Portuguese name for Guandong and Cantonese, the food and people of Hong Kong. Guangdong also means ‘expands east’ or ‘east of the pass’ in reference to past mass migrations. There are over 80 million Hakka Chinese around the world and their cuisine is revered for its simplicity. This report aims to give an insight into first generation British Chinese to settle in Plymouth through their work and leisure activities.
Related
Chinese characters in British film (Q&A) Chinese characters in British film (Q&A)
Inside Film 2014 3 mins
BFI Curator Dylan Cave, filmmaker/novelist Xiaolu Guo (She, a Chinese) and screenwriter Selina Lim (Painkiller) introduce the ‘Chinese Britain on Film’ collection.
China Town China Town
Magazine and Review show 1981 24 mins Location: Liverpool
One of the top TV stars of 1981: David Yip, aka the Chinese Detective, discovers the hidden history of Liverpool's Chinatown.
Nancy Kuo Nancy Kuo
Magazine and Review show 1985 9 mins Location: Camden Town
Composition is the key as Nancy Kuo guides us through the strength and grace of her art in her Camden Town studio.
East Sixteen East Sixteen
Documentary 1959 10 mins Location: Limehouse
Stylishly realised portrait of Chinese priest Peter Kao, who offers a Christian welcome to sailors from his homeland.
Chinese Community Chinese Community
Magazine and Review show 1985 8 mins Location: Sparkbrook
Labour, Tory or Alliance - where does the political allegiance of the West Midlands Chinese community lie?
From HK to MK From HK to MK
Short documentary 2017 10 mins
A mixed race son visits his Chinese father in Milton Keynes.
Dingles of Plymouth Dingles of Plymouth
Advert 1960 1 mins Location: Plymouth
A charming regional commercial for Plymouth’s best loved department store.
Millbay Laundry Millbay Laundry
Advert 1960 0 mins Location: Plymouth
Help keep your relationship on track by outsourcing your laundry!
Comely Caviar Comely Caviar
Current affairs 1984 1 mins Location: Plymouth
Reporter tests the theory of caviar heightening libido.
Model Clipper Sailor Model Clipper Sailor
Current affairs 1965 2 mins Location: Plymouth
Former shipwright turns his talents to model-making.
Field Gun Practice at HMNB Devonport Field Gun Practice at HMNB Devonport
Current affairs 1962 2 mins Location: Plymouth
Gunboat Crews practise the Royal Navy’s field gun drill in preparation for competition.
Last Cooper Last Cooper
Current affairs 1967 5 mins Location: Plymouth
The last apprenticed cooper in the Royal Navy’s Royal William Victualling Yard undergoes a trusso, an ancient rite of passage.
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson & Leonardo DiCaprio
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.
Edgar Wright on The Running Man Edgar Wright on The Running Man
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
The director talks to Mark Kermode about putting Stephen King's dystopian life-or-death gameshow thriller through its paces.
Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 69 mins
Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.