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…
Category: Film
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…
80th Venice International Film Festival: “GOD IS A WOMAN” Review
Warning: Spoilers ahead. Just off the coast of Panama, in the indigenous Guna Yala province, sits an island town vibrant with colourful clothes and happy faces. Ustupo is home to a community of some 2,000 Guna people, whose rich culture and pride in their community is kept well alive to date. 50 years ago, French…
80th Venice International Film Festival: In Conversation with Nehir Tuna, Director of “Yurt”
The 80th Venice International Film Festival recently featured an intriguing and thought-provoking film, Yurt. In our exclusive interview with Nehir Tuna, we delved into the director’s background and the deep influence it had on the making of the aforementioned film. As the writer-director of the project, Tuna shared his deep personal connection to the story,…
80th Venice International Film Festival: “Yurt” Review
In the year 1996, against the backdrop of Turkey’s escalating tensions between religious and secular ideologies, a poignant and thought-provoking film, Yurt, takes us on a journey through the life of a fourteen-year-old boy named Ahmet (Doga Karakas). Raised in a secular environment, his world is upended when his recently converted father (Tansu Bicer) decides…
Ryoo Seung-wan’s “Smugglers” Review
Ryoo Seung-wan has done it again with his twelfth feature – albeit in terms of commercial, rather than critical, success. His latest film Smugglers has earned nearly £30 million since its July 26 premiere in South Korea, making it the fourth-highest grossing film of the year in the country and the summer box office champion….
80th Venice International Film Festival: “Making Of” Review
Warning: Spoilers ahead. A fantastical orchestral piece plays over a black screen. The opening credits introduce us to Making Of before throwing us into a rain-doused action scene. Without looking at the blurb one might’ve easily assumed this was the movie they were watching, but before too long, a cameraman is angrily pushed away and…
Chen Yixin Opens Up About Her Acting, Modelling and Influencing – Exclusive Interview
The entertainment industry has always been filled with diverse talent, with each individual contributing a unique, creative hue to art in all of its forms. One such vibrant thread is Yixin, a Singaporean actress, model, and influencer who has graced both screen and stage with her performances. From her beginnings in applied drama and psychology…
Visions of Haiti: A Celebration of Culture, History, and Resilience through Film
The Barbican Cinema is set to present a unique and immersive experience, Visions of Haiti, from October 18 to October 31, 2023. This event will provide a rare opportunity to learn more about the rich Haitian culture, history, and resilience through an array of films, poetry readings, and discussions. The two-week celebration will present the…
Celine Song’s “Past Lives” Review
The mundane joys of people watching have seldom been caught onscreen as effectively as they have in the opening sequence of Past Lives, the lauded directorial debut of playwright Celine Song. Entering the film from the perspective of two unseen, unnamed narrators, we’re immediately tasked with guessing the relationship dynamics between three people sitting at…
VIEW OF THE ARTS 