Who Do I Belong To by Meryam Joobeur, screened in Competition at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, is a poignant yet powerful exploration of family and its identity, inspired by a chance encounter during a road trip in Tunisia. Joobeur’s journey began with a desire to reconnect with her homeland and evolved into a…
Category: Film events and festivals
74th Berlin International Film Festival: “Young Hearts” Review
Warning: Spoilers ahead. Set amongst the fairytale-like rural landscapes of Belgium, Anthony Schatteman’s Young Hearts takes us into the lives of Elias (Lou Goossens) and Alexander (Marius De Saeger) as they pry open their feelings for one another – and navigate first love. With musical magic from Ruben De Gheselle, the film suffocates you with…
74th Berlin International Film Festival: “Through Rocks and Clouds” (Raiz) Review
Premiering in the Generation Kplus section at this year’s Berlin Film Festival, Through Rocks and Clouds weaves a poignant if predictable tale of tradition and industrialization, set in the rural Peruvian community of Rumicancha. At the heart of this Peruvian-Chilean coproduction lies Feliciano (Alberth Merma), an innocent 8-year-old alpaca herder whose world revolves around football…
The Human Rights Watch Film Festival to Open with “Mediha” by Hasan Oswald
The Human Rights Watch Film Festival, now in its 28th year in London, has revealed a line-up of 10 award-winning, international feature-length films in partnership with Barbican Cinema and Rich Mix and generously supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The festival programme, presented at the Barbican and Rich Mix from 14-22 March, 2024, includes…
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…
“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:…
“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: “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…
The London Korean Film Festival Returns for Its 18th Edition with a Special Focus
The London Korean Film Festival (LKFF) is set to return for its 18th edition from November 2 to November 16, 2023. Held in cinema venues across London, this year’s festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, A Glimpse into Korean Cinema With the distinction of hosting the most extensive program of Korean cinema…
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