It seems nearly impossible for a director from the West to shoot Tokyo from anything other than a tourist’s perspective. Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation and Gaspar Noé’s Enter the Void are seen as the two biggest offenders in this regard, with the Japan Times review of the latter opening with the pithy claim that:…
Category: Asian Cinema
“Evil Does Not Exist” Review
The final moments of Evil Does Not Exist have proven divisive, but you won’t be able to successfully argue that Ryusuke Hamaguchi hasn’t tried to prepare you for them. From the opening moments to his latest effort, a prize winner at the recent Venice and London film festivals, it feels like the director is consciously…
18th London Korean Film Festival: “Hail to Hell” Review
In recent years, South Korean independent cinema has been taking the world by storm. Just look at Past Lives – a hidden gem of the country’s cinema. Another interesting film that is worth one’s attention is Lim Oh-jeong‘s Hail to Hell. Screened at this year’s London Korean Film Festival, the compelling film takes us on…
18th London Korean Film Festival: In Conversation with Lim Oh-jeong, Director of “Hail to Hell”
In modern cinema, where certain themes are revisited time and again, director Lim Oh-jeong manages to breathe new life into the well-worn subject of bullying with her debut feature film, Hail to Hell. In our exclusive interview with View of the Arts, Lim shares insights into the film’s narrative choices, character development, and cinematographic approach. …
8th London East Asia Film Festival: “Concrete Utopia” Review (Closing Night Film)
The essence of what makes us human is a complex and multi-layered pyramid of emotions, experiences, and moral choices. Human nature contains elements of both light and darkness and is often revealed during times of crisis, when the balance between empathy and selfishness can sway. The pressures of a crisis can bring out our instinct…
8th London East Asia Film Festival: “The Boys” Review (Opening Night Film)
The Boys is the final film in Chung Ji-young’s “true story trilogy” which began in 2012 with Broken Arrow (also known as Unbowed) later followed by Black Money in 2019. The three films deal with social issues and in particular focus on prosecutorial and police misconduct within the South Korean justice system and the ordinary…
8th London East Asia Film Festival: “Life and Death of the Hollywood Kid” Review
Chung Ji-young has carved out a distinguished place for himself in Korean cinema with a unique and versatile filmmaking style that is marked by its dynamism, social commentary, and a keen sense of narrative craftsmanship. The director’s films are often lauded for their social and political relevance, in which he fearlessly addresses pertinent issues and societal…
“Cobweb” Review
The 1970s were a particularly dark period for the Korean film industry. Shortly after South Korean filmmakers began to gain international recognition in the decade prior, a period of intense censorship followed, which hit an authoritarian peak in the seventies – at the time, many speculated there was no country in the world whose government…
LEAFF 2023: East Asian Cinema Takes Center Stage in London
The London East Asia Film Festival, also known as LEAFF is back for its 8th edition, bringing the best of East Asian cinema and culture to the capital. Starting on October 18th with the gripping drama The Boys by Director Chung Ji-Young at ODEON Luxe Leicester Square, the festival will run until October 29th. The…
London Korean Film Festival Unveils Exciting 2023 Program
The London Korean Film Festival (LKFF) is back with its 18th edition, and this year promises to be a special one as it commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA). The festival, known for its dedication to presenting the best of Korean cinema, is set to run from November 2nd…
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