26th Far East Film Festival: “Ransomed” Review

Where film demands dramaticism, realism is forfeited, Ransomed is the latest piece of Korean cinema to take a bit of history and whip up a fun action flick around it. The true story it’s based on of a Korean diplomat’s abduction in Lebanon is like a small meringue, sitting atop a thick lemon tart of…

26th Far East Film Festival: “12.12: The Day” Review

12.12: The Day is the new cinematic offering from Kim Sung-su, a South Korean filmmaker well-known for Musa, Asura: The City of Madness, and Flu. And, just like his previous works, 12.12: The Day is a gripping and powerful narrative filled with sublime performances. In the wake of President Park’s assassination in 1979, the political…

26th Far East Film Festival: “Citizen of a Kind” Review

Perhaps the most remarkable tale is one of a seemingly unremarkable person who defies their dreary destiny and takes control of their life. Nothing is more impressive than when these occur in real life – not just some fantasy stirred up for a good bit of fiction. Citizen of a Kind, directed by Park Young-ju,…

“Parasyte: The Grey” Review

If you were curious about whether any contemporary alien life form could appear more terrifying than the demogorgons from the renowned science fiction TV series Stranger Things, then Parasyte: The Grey presents a challenge for you. While they may not resemble the conventional image of parasites, the reality is even worse—they are fully formed, shape-shifting…

26th Far East Film Festival: “Customs Frontline” to Close the FEFF in Udine

The Closing Night of FEFF 26 will begin with the prestigious awarding of Lifetime Achievement Golden Mulberries to both Zhang Yimou and Chiu Fu-sheng, followed by the screening of the restored version of To Live. The festival’s conclusion will feature the world premiere of Herman Yau’s thrilling new action film, Customs Frontline. Herman Yau, screenwriter…

Forbidden Jazz and Mending Hearts: “Jazz for Two” Review

Directed by A Shoulder to Cry On’s Song Soo-rim, Jazz for Two is the latest BL drama to yank mercilessly at our heartstrings. Starring Ji Ho-geun as the brooding Han Tae-yi and Kim Jin-kwon as Yoon Se-heon – who’s fresh meat to everyone on campus at Wooyeon Arts School – the drama wastes no time…