Taiwan’s politics has always included a range of issues such as relations with mainland China, sovereignty, democracy, and human rights. These issues have sparked significant debate and activism within Taiwanese society, driving movements for greater autonomy, democratic reforms, and social justice. Looking at the cinematic narratives, some stories combine personal lives with politics in a…
Category: In Conversation with
Harry Song: Discovering His Path, Identity, and the Power of Acting – Exclusive Interview
For those in the arts, once you get a taste of creativity, it comes naturally. Surprisingly, while many of us know what our calling is, Chinese-Australian actor Harry Song was on a different path, focused on his academics and planning a gap year. Little did he know, that his true passion would be awakened while…
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 – In Conversation with Heo Ha-yeon, Director of “Nobody Knows”
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…
Crossing Rain: Spreading Hope and Hawai’ian Culture Through Music – Exclusive Interview
The journey of Crossing Rain, a Hawai’ian boy group, is as diverse and vibrant as the culture they represent. With a shared dream of spreading hope and inspiration through their music, one thing is promised: to get you stomping your feet regardless of your age. After they debuted in 2021 with an EP, Dreams, Crossing…
74th Berlin International Film Festival: In Conversation with Anthony Schatteman, Director of “Young Hearts”
During the 74th Berlin Film Festival, just two days before the festival’s curtain called, I had the distinct pleasure of engaging in a candid conversation with the filmmaker Anthony Schatteman. His film, Young Hearts, earned a special mention from the discerning children’s jury in the Generation Kplus Best Film category. Young Hearts is rooted in…
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…
Len Adz: A New Chapter in Music – From “Shades at Night” to “Dizzy” – Exclusive Interview
Len Adz, formerly known as Jomalxne, sat in his dimly lit studio and was happy to answer all of my questions. His latest single, Dizzy, featuring Yonko, had just been released, marking a new chapter in his musical life. Dizzy was a celebration of weekends and parties and a reflection of Len’s own experiences. He…
“It Was Like Fire”: DXMON On Their Debut “HYPERSPACE”
With the energy of a hundred Border Collies on caffeine, six chirpy faces arrived on a call with the press on the 25th of January to talk about their recent debut with HYPERSPACE. The endearingly zestful attitudes of Minjae, Seita, Hee, TK, Rex and Jo will have been paramount in getting to this point, as…
