While LGBTQIA+ cinema is still not seen in a favourable light in South Korea, many filmmakers dare to venture into that territory, and rightfully so, whether they are part of the community or not. Although not all of these films can be screened in the country itself, international festivals, including BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film…
Category: Asian Cinema
38th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival – “Nobody Knows” Review
Despite significant progress in recent years, the LGBTQIA+ community continues to face discrimination and marginalisation in Asia and around the world. While some countries have made strides towards equality, many from the community still live in fear of persecution, violence, and rejection by society due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. In Asia, cultural…
38th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival – “Who’ll Stop the Rain” Review
Although Who Will Stop The Rain is Su I-Hsuan’s feature film debut, it is not the director’s first film. This goes to her award-winning television film Where the Sun Don’t Shine (Taiwan Public Television Service, 2018) which documents the life of a murderer, Dong, after his release from prison, and the difficulties of rehabilitation for…
Daejeon’s Batman & Robin: “A Killer Paradox” Review
Warning: Spoilers ahead. Parasite star Choi Woo-shik is a righteous serial killer in Netflix’s latest whack at prompting viewers into questioning the meaning of true justice. A Killer Paradox, directed by Lee Chang-hee and based on the webcomic by Ggomabi, is grittier than the average Korean drama, gentler than American thrillers, and honest with its…
Mek Jirakit Thawornwong’s Dual Pursuit: Balancing Acting and Musical Aspirations
Jirakit Thawornwong, also known as Mek, started his career a decade ago in his native country of Thailand. And at the age of twenty-nine, he has already made a name for himself as both an actor and a promising singer. While the latter is still in the making, one can be sure that he will…
Lee Young-ae on Her Role of Cha Se-eum in “Maestra: Strings of Truth” – Exclusive Interview
Disney+’s Maestra: Strings of Truth, a Studio Dragon production, turned out to be one of the most interesting series of this season. The show follows the life of Cha Se-eum, a gifted violinist and conductor, played by Lee Young-ae, who battles a genetic illness. As the series progresses, Se-eum returns to South Korea, intending to…
“Finding Her Beat” Review
Drums typically represent the most ancient musical tools within any society, and the Taiko has a historical presence dating back over 2,000 years in ancient Japan. Archaeological and anthropological studies suggest that during the Jomon era, people used drums as a means of communication or in religious rituals. However, the percussion instruments of that time…
17th Asian Film Awards Nominations Announced
Celebrating its 17th anniversary, the Asian Film Awards (AFA) has unveiled the nominees for its 16 award categories ahead of the ceremony scheduled for March 10, 2024 (Sunday). The Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA), established by the Busan, Hong Kong, and Tokyo International Film Festivals, aims to honour excellence in Asian cinema. AFAA plays an…
Sung Hoon Dives into His Role of Seo Do-guk in Viki’s “Perfect Marriage Revenge” – Exclusive Interview
Meeting a Korean actor whose career has graced screens for over a decade is a rare and thrilling experience. Recently, I had the chance to sit down with the super lovely Sung Hoon in Seoul, where we explored his latest role in Viki’s Perfect Marriage Revenge. As we settled, Sung Hoon provided insights into the…
“Perfect Days” Review
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:…
VIEW OF THE ARTS 