The Land of Morning Calm, directed by Park Ri-woong, is a powerful portrait of a fading Korean fishing village and the emotional dislocation of its residents. Supported by moving performances from Yoon Joo-sang, Yang Hee-kyung, and Khazsak Kramer, the film explores generational divides, economic decline, and the complex, often unspoken tensions surrounding immigration and arranged…
Tag: horror
27th Far East Film Festival: In Conversation with E.oni, Director of “Love in the Big City”
In the contemporary Korean cinema, director Lee Eon-hee, known professionally as E. oni, is recognised for her quietly revolutionary voice in telling human stories. E.oni was part of the first graduating class of the Korea National University of Arts, where she majored in film. Her early career was rooted in foundational, behind-the-scenes work: she served…
27th Far East Film Festival: In Conversation with Antoinette Jadaone, Director of “Sunshine”
Filipino filmmaker Antoinette Jadaone has won acclaim for telling intense women’s stories and for having the courage to tackle controversial issues that are mostly avoided in her conservative homeland. But it’s fair to say that Jadaone’s latest production, Sunshine, is her boldest – and perhaps most brilliant – yet. The film features Maris Racal as…
27th Far East Film Festival: In Conversation with Dong Zijian, Director and Actor of “My Friend An Delie”
Chinese actor Dong Zijian just made his directing debut, and it’s a stellar endeavour. The beautifully shot My Friend An Delie, based on the novel by Shuang Xuetao, is a warm shelter amidst the snowy plains of uncertainty. It’ll hold your hand as it takes you along a slow path toward overcoming grief and pain,…
27th Far East Film Festival: “Angry Squad” Review
When tax collector Kumazawa Jino (Seiyo Uchino) is scammed out of his hard-earned bonus by a professional swindler he is, quite rightly, angry. He decides to go after the man, but when he does find Himuro (Masaki Okada) the scam artist does the unexpected, he offers him a deal: immunity in exchange for help taking…
27th Far East Film Festival: “Dark Nuns” Review
What is the cardinal rule of any horror film? That it needs to be scary, of course. Unfortunately, exorcist drama Dark Nuns seems to have forgotten that. Directed by Kwon Hyuk-jae and a spin-off to The Priests, Dark Nuns follows Sister Giunia (Song Hye-kyo), an unordained nun who moonlights as an exorcist. She is one…
27th Far East Film Festival Announces Its Lineup – A True Celebration of Asian Cinema
The 27th edition of the Far East Film Festival (FEFF) in Udine continues its long-standing mission of showing contemporary Asian cinema. With a lineup of 75 films from 11 countries – including 7 world premieres, 15 international premieres, 20 European premieres, and 19 Italian premieres – the festival presents a diverse mix of popular, auteur,…
39th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival – In Conversation with Minh Quý Trương, Director of “Việt and Nam”
Minh Quý Trương, a filmmaker from Buôn Ma Thuột, Vietnam, began his artistic journey by attending film school but dropped out in 2008 to pursue independent filmmaking. His early exposure to cinema led him to participate in the Asian Film Academy and the Berlinale Talents program, which enhanced his passion for storytelling and filmmaking. Trương’s…
39th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival Announces Its Full Programme
The 39th edition of BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival will take place at BFI Southbank, featuring screenings, special events, and DJ nights. The festival, known for its significance in the LGBTQIA+ film calendar, is divided into three thematic strands: HEARTS, BODIES, and MINDS. This year’s programme includes 34 World Premieres, 56 features, 1 series,…
75th Berlin International Film Festival: In Conversation with Sarah Miro Fischer, Director of “The Good Sister”
Sarah Miro Fischer began her film studies at the Escuela Nacional de Cine in Bogotá before returning to Germany, where she gained experience in script development, set management, and as a 2nd AD. Since 2018, she has been studying at the German Film and Television Academy Berlin, developing her craft through various projects as a…
