If you were curious about whether any contemporary alien life form could appear more terrifying than the demogorgons from the renowned science fiction TV series Stranger Things, then Parasyte: The Grey presents a challenge for you. While they may not resemble the conventional image of parasites, the reality is even worse—they are fully formed, shape-shifting…
Category: Foreign Films
26th Far East Film Festival: “Customs Frontline” to Close the FEFF in Udine
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…
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….
“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 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 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 – “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…
74th Berlin International Film Festival: “REAS” Review
As we plough through this cursed era of remakes and unnecessary sequels, any film or TV series that features a brand new story is a blessing – and there’s nothing more original than real life. Lola Arias directs Argentinian self-proclaimed hybrid musical REAS, which sources its material from the charming inmates of Ezeiza prison a…
74th Berlin International Film Festival: In Conversation with Meryam Joobeur, Director of “Who Do I Belong To”
In the film industry, where originality often takes a back seat to commercial formulas, Meryam Joobeur is a truly authentic storyteller. Her latest project, screened in the Competition at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, Who Do I Belong To, beautifully connects themes of family, its identity, and the ramifications of extremism with a deft…
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…
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…
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…
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…
