40th BFI FLARE: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival: “Beyond the Fire – The Life of Japan’s First Pride Parade Pioneer” Review

Japan is one of those societies where discussions about sexuality have traditionally remained private. However, the country has made visible progress in LGBTQ+ awareness in recent years; local partnership systems now exist in dozens of prefectures, Pride celebrations are held in cities across the country, and public discussion around marriage equality continues to grow. Yet…

40th BFI FLARE: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival: “Body of Our Own” Review

Presented at this year’s BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, the documentary Body of Our Own follows three members of the Hijra community: Momo, Neshi, and Jannat. Directed by Rahemur Rahman and Lily Vetch, the film gives us a beautifully observant portrait of identity and friendship. Filmed over seven years, Rahman and Vetch take a…

Yuen Woo-ping’s “Blades of the Guardian” Review

In Blades of the Guardians, director Yuen Woo-ping returns to the wuxia tradition with a film that emphasises the physical and moral foundations of the genre. Known internationally for influencing the style of cinematic combat – just look at The Matrix trilogy and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – Yuen treats the film as a way…

28th Far East Film Festival: The New Poster is Here!

For a few days each spring, Udine turns into the hub of Asian cinema. The premieres, the talks, the packed schedules, the chance encounters between artists and audiences. These are the visible mechanics of any festival. But what truly gives it meaning is something less tangible: the people. A festival audience is a living, breathing…

JIB DREAM Fanmeet 6.5: Welcoming Emi & Bonnie in Rome on May 23

Thai rising stars Emi Thasorn Klinnium and Bonnie Pattraphus Borattasuwan are bringing their wonderful chemistry to Italy this spring. The beloved Girls’ Love duo – affectionately known by fans as EmiBonnie – will meet European fans for the first time in Rome on May 23 as part of the JIB DREAM FANMEET 6.5, with passes…