From the endlessly imaginative Japanese studio STUDIO 4°C comes ChaO, a stunning animated feature that marries slapstick comedy with sweet romance, all told through a burst of colour and hand-drawn beauty that feels almost radical in today’s digital-first era. Director Yasuhiro Aoki, making his feature debut, draws on decades of experience in character animation to…
Tag: Asian Cinema
69th BFI London Film Festival: “Human Resource” Review
Abortion remains one of the most polarising debates in the world: a subject weighed down by politics, religion, and morality, but rarely centred on the lived experiences of the women forced to make impossible choices. Too often, the men who play a part in unplanned pregnancies can walk away, while women are left carrying the…
The Magic of Thai BL: JossGawin’s Unforgettable London Fan Meet
There’s something magical about Thai BL dramas; their stories connect people not only in Thailand but all around the world. Whether it’s the slow burn, the unspoken glances, the richness of emotion, or simply seeing parts of ourselves in the characters, these shows become personal experiences, unless, of course, they involve supernatural beings. While some…
Alula Film Festival 2025 Announces Full Lineup, Returning to Los Angeles to Celebrate Independent Chinese-Language Cinema
The Alula Film Festival has unveiled the complete lineup for its 2025 edition, set to take place from October 16 to 19 at The Culver City Theaters in Los Angeles. Dedicated to independent, arthouse, and auteur-driven works, Alula continues to serve as a vital platform for bold and original Chinese-language cinema. Formerly known as the…
Explore East Asian Cinema at LEAFF 2025: Full Film Lineup
The London East Asia Film Festival (LEAFF) returns this autumn to celebrate its 10th anniversary. From 23 October to 2 November 2025, the festival will once again transform the capital into a hub of cinematic celebration, bringing over 40 films from across the region to some of London’s most iconic venues. Over the past decade,…
Celebrating 20 Years of Korean Film: LKFF 2025
Now in its landmark 20th year, the London Korean Film Festival (LKFF) returns from 5 to 18 November 2025. Organised by the Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK) and supported by the Korean Film Council, this year’s anniversary edition will unfold across BFI Southbank, Ciné Lumière, and ICA London, offering an ambitious lineup. The festival opens…
Tetsuya Mariko on His Newest Project, “Dear Stranger” – Exclusive Interview
Born in Tokyo in 1981, filmmaker Tetsuya Mariko began his creative journey making short films while studying at Hosei University. Early works such as The Far East Apartment (2003) and Mariko’s 30 Pirates (2004) earned him early awards, with the latter winning the Grand Prix at the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival. His debut feature,…
Jia Zhangke and the Pingyao International Film Festival
Jia Zhangke is a name inseparable from contemporary cinema, especially this year. Over the past few months, he has appeared at major festivals worldwide, championing cross-cultural exchange: first the Taipei Film Festival in June, then Venice in August, Busan in mid-September, and finally his own Pingyao International Film Festival (PYIFF) at the end of the…
Kim Kang-min and OMEGA X’s Kevin on Hot New BL Drama “My Bias Is Showing!”
The tides are turning, and actor Kim Kang-min and OMEGA X’s Kevin are mermen. BL (Boys’ Love) and other LGBTQIA+ themed dramas are abundant in regions like Thailand and the Philippines, but South Korea is not quite there yet. That’s why Webtoon phenomenon My Bias Is Showing!’s adaptation is such a big deal; there are…
Experience the Magic of Another Fanmeet: JIB DREAM FANMEET in Rome Details
Over the past decade, Thailand’s Boys’ Love (BL) dramas have become far more than niche entertainment. They are vibrant, emotionally rich stories that allow characters and viewers to explore vulnerability, identity, and romance without apology. One of the genre’s most unique strengths is pairing consistency: actors who work together across multiple series build trust and…
VIEW OF THE ARTS 