Much like the greyscale outlook of those with depressive disorders, sometimes cinema is so uninspired it seems like the entire industry has been lost to shareholders. But on one’s first watch of Florian Pochlatko’s How to Be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World, it’s like trying fudge after a lifetime of eating cardboard….
Tag: film
75th Berlin International Film Festival: “The Message” Review
Screened in Competition at this year’s Berlinale and winner of the Silver Bear Jury Prize, Iván Fund’s The Message is an unconventional coming-of-age story that balances the ethereal with the tangible, creating a narrative about family, perception, and connection. At its core, The Message captures the defining moment when a child gains the awareness that…
75th Berlin International Film Festival: “Hysteria” Review
A study in humanity might be one good way of summarising Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay’s 2025 film Hysteria. Where is the line between a righteous act and a performative spectacle? Büyükatalay attempts to answer the question when a dishonourable burning of a Quran for a shoot sparks conflict between parties, and Hysteria becomes a meta film…
Cinema and Myth: Riar Rizaldi Discusses “Monisme” and the Enigma of Mount Merapi – Exclusive Interview
Indonesian multimedia artist and filmmaker Riar Rizaldi, known for his blend of documentary fiction and essay films, has recently completed his latest work, Monisme (2024). The film delves into themes of duality—human and non-human, nature and technology—while questioning their interconnectedness. Born from years of extensive research on Mount Merapi, one of Indonesia’s most significant volcanoes,…
Takeuchi Hideki Returns to the Far East Film Festival
Historically, cinema has predominantly engaged with the human body through the lens of science fiction, often depicting miniature characters – reduced to the size of ants – who embark on fantastical journeys within our physical form, confronting its mysteries and the limited special effects technology of bygone eras. Iconic films like Richard Fleischer’s Fantastic Voyage,…
International Premiere of “The Wedding Banquet” to Open The 39th BFI FLARE: LONDON LGBTQIA+ Film Festival
LGBTQIA+ cinema is more essential than ever, offering visibility, promoting empathy, and challenging societies. It provides a space for storytelling that reflects diverse identities and experiences, creating a sense of belonging for marginalised communities. Festivals like BFI Flare play a crucial role in strengthening these voices, ensuring that queer narratives – whether exploring love, family,…
The World of Shaina Magdayao: Acting, Advocacy, and International Acclaim – Exclusive Interview
Before cinema’s advent in the Philippines, theatrical traditions thrived through indigenous rituals and Spanish-imported zarzuelas and vaudeville. These laid the cultural groundwork for the cinematic evolution to follow. The country’s first public film screening occurred in 1897 under Spanish auspices, marking a watershed moment for Philippine entertainment. By the turn of the century, cinema rapidly…
18th Asian Film Awards Have Announced the Nominees for its 16 Award Categories
The Asian Film Awards have once again shown the genius of Asian cinema, with Exhuma taking the lead in this year’s nominations. Earning an impressive 11 nominations across major categories, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Newcomer, Best Screenplay, and more, Exhuma has quickly become a prime example of the power…
“By the Stream” Review
There is no easy entry point to the work of Hong Sang-soo. Even though his style remains consistent, his Eric Rohmer-inspired narratives frequently built around off-the-cuff drunken conversations and meandering walks around Seoul, there’s a density to the storytelling not always immediately apparent. His earlier work could often be in conversation with itself, with metatextual…
Wang Bing’s “Youth” Trilogy: Voices from China’s Hidden Factories – Film Review
The history of cinema, in many ways, began in the factory – its first frames capturing the daily lives of male and female workers as they filed out of the Lumière factory in Lyon in 1895. This simple, silent image marked the inception of the filmic medium, recording not just the physical movement of workers,…
“How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” Review
Some films change your life; others just remind you to call your grandparents, if you’re fortunate enough to still have them around. The Thai box office hit How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, which has already made nearly $80 million globally prior to its UK release, is a movie with modest emotional aims that…
Winter 2025 Anime Lineup: New Adventures, New Challenges, and Thrilling Returns
As the winter season sets in, anime fans are in for a treat with a wave of exciting new titles and thrilling returning series. From daring quests to supernatural investigations, the anime world is brimming with stories to captivate viewers of all tastes. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming to screens this season: New…
Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment Will Bring the First Film “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle” to Cinemas in 2025
Crunchyroll, the ultimate destination for anime fans worldwide, has revealed a captivating new illustration created by the acclaimed animation studio ufotable. This artwork provides an exciting preview of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle, the opening chapter of a thrilling trilogy slated for an international theatrical release in 2025. During the Thunder Stage event…
Eight Stories, Endless Nightmares: Inside Thai’s “Terror Tuesday: The Extreme” – TV Show Review Part Two
And here is our part two… Dear Granny Unlike the others, this episode’s opening feels particularly refreshing. It begins with Montha (Bee Namthip Jongrachatawiboon) taking a tranquil walk by a lake with her mother. The scene is relaxing, almost lulling viewers into a false sense of security, as they stroll under a crisp blue sky…
