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…
Category: Asian Cinema
26th Far East Film Festival Returns with 79 Films from 12 Countries Celebrating Asian Cinema
The Far East Film Festival is back and it’s bigger than ever for its 26th edition, which boasts 79 films from 12 countries, all celebrating Asian cinema. Taking place in Udine, Italy, from 24 April to 2 May, the esteemed film festival will host a number of exciting stars to present their movies to cinephiles….
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…
26th Far East Film Festival: “YOLO” Set to Open Far East Film Festival 2024
In films and TV, the ability to transform oneself into a complex character is an indication of true talent. It’s not uncommon for actors to undergo dramatic physical changes for their roles, altering their appearance in ways that range from subtle to striking. By modifying their physical appearance to match the description of the character…
“Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead” Review
Creating bucket lists to achieve goals or experience new things is a common occurrence for many individuals, but what stops us from fulfilling them? These problems are reflected in the 2023 film adaptation of Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead. Based on the popular manga comics first created in 2018, the narrative follows Akira…
38th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival – In Conversation with Yun Su-ik, Director of “Heavy Snow”
There are countless film narratives out there that not only entertain but also challenge societal norms, encouraging viewers to discuss the difficulties of human relationships and identity. Heavy Snow, a film that depicts the themes of love, social taboos, and personal growth, shows the true power of storytelling. We sat down with the film’s director,…
38th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival – In Conversation with Han Hae-in of “Heavy Snow”
In films, where stories are displayed like flower petals in the wind, there’s a special place where characters come alive, showing us what it means to be human. And one of the shining stars is Han Hae-in. She’s known for her amazing talent in bringing characters to life on screen. Before she portrayed Su-an in…
38th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival – In Conversation with Su I-Hsuan, Director of “Who’ll Stop the Rain”
Taiwan’s politics has always included a range of issues such as relations with mainland China, sovereignty, democracy, and human rights. These issues have sparked significant debate and activism within Taiwanese society, driving movements for greater autonomy, democratic reforms, and social justice. Looking at the cinematic narratives, some stories combine personal lives with politics in a…
Harry Song: Discovering His Path, Identity, and the Power of Acting – Exclusive Interview
For those in the arts, once you get a taste of creativity, it comes naturally. Surprisingly, while many of us know what our calling is, Chinese-Australian actor Harry Song was on a different path, focused on his academics and planning a gap year. Little did he know, that his true passion would be awakened while…
“Home for Rent” Review
2023’s Home for Rent might not immediately strike you as a terrifying choice for your watchlist, but as the old adage goes, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” In this case, the same applies to a Netflix thumbnail. Thai horror films have a knack for unsettling Western audiences by expertly blending jump scares and…
38th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival – In Conversation with Patiparn Boontarig, Director of “Solids by the Seashore”
Solids by the Seashore, set against a Southern Thai coastal town, tells the story of two young women who cross their paths on a beach that was once sandy but now stands eroded by high tides and replaced by artificial rock seawalls. Shati, a local Muslim woman from a conservative family, encounters Fon, a former…
38th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival – In Conversation with Yuqing Lai, Director of “Two Suns”
In its 38th year, BFI Flare: LGBTQIA+ Film Festival in London shines with its programme yet again. Apart from big names and films on the menu, the festival also included little gems from the Asian continent, and Two Suns is one of them. Written and directed by Yuqing Lai, the short film, characterised by its…
38th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival – “Two Suns” Review
Even as we advance in technology and are able to capture image in a crisp 4k imitation of reality, directors across the world are still drooling at the imperfect, gritty charm of shooting on film. Digital is too real, too honest, and too faultless. Two Suns is a short directed (and starred in) by Yuqing…
38th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival – “Heavy Snow” Review
Heavy Snow, written and directed by Yun Su-ik, is a subtle, heartwarming, and delicate narrative that depicts a friendship and budding romance between two teenage girls and their tumultuous journey through adolescence. At the centre of the story is Seol (Han So-hee: Nevertheless, My Name), a teenage actress whose world is transformed when she encounters…
VIEW OF THE ARTS 