It seems nearly impossible for a director from the West to shoot Tokyo from anything other than a tourist’s perspective. Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation and Gaspar Noé’s Enter the Void are seen as the two biggest offenders in this regard, with the Japan Times review of the latter opening with the pithy claim that:…
Tag: film
“Evil Does Not Exist” Review
The final moments of Evil Does Not Exist have proven divisive, but you won’t be able to successfully argue that Ryusuke Hamaguchi hasn’t tried to prepare you for them. From the opening moments to his latest effort, a prize winner at the recent Venice and London film festivals, it feels like the director is consciously…
18th London Korean Film Festival: “Dr. Cheon and The Lost Talisman” Review (Closing Night)
Spoilers ahead Demons and spirits conjure two emotions for movie lovers: it either piques their interest to watch or has them running away in fear. The opening credits of 2023’s Dr. Cheon and The Lost Talisman do just that with the cryptic quote, “Seoul Kyung is a talisman with spells and glyphs written on Hanji…
18th London Korean Film Festival: “Hail to Hell” Review
In recent years, South Korean independent cinema has been taking the world by storm. Just look at Past Lives – a hidden gem of the country’s cinema. Another interesting film that is worth one’s attention is Lim Oh-jeong‘s Hail to Hell. Screened at this year’s London Korean Film Festival, the compelling film takes us on…
8th London East Asia Film Festival: “Concrete Utopia” Review (Closing Night Film)
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…
London Korean Film Festival Unveils Exciting 2023 Program
The London Korean Film Festival (LKFF) is back with its 18th edition, and this year promises to be a special one as it commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA). The festival, known for its dedication to presenting the best of Korean cinema, is set to run from November 2nd…
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…
76th Cannes Film Festival: “If Only I Could Hibernate” Review
Social realism is the name of the game in Mongolian filmmaker Zoljargal Purevdash’s debut feature If Only I Could Hibernate. Over the past few weeks, the Un Certain Regard title has been widely celebrated as the country’s first film ever in the Cannes official selection. To be accurate, however, Hibernate is the first Mongolian feature-length…
76th Cannes Film Festival: “Inshallah a Boy” Review
The power of cinema in Jordan holds significant cultural, artistic, and societal importance. Jordan has a rich cinematic history, and the country has produced a number of acclaimed filmmakers and notable films that have made an impact both domestically and internationally. Cinema in Jordan has been instrumental in reflecting and exploring various aspects of Jordanian…
Lee Jeong-eun on Producing “Ditto”: From Script to Screen
Being a female film producer today means that you are part of a growing movement in the film industry to increase diversity and representation behind the camera. Historically, the film industry has been male-dominated, and women have faced significant barriers to enter and advance in this field. However, in recent years, there has been a…
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