# easternkicks.com > The ultimate site for Asian Film > Generated by All in One SEO v5.0.3, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://www.easternkicks.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Made in Taiwan returns to Garden Cinema, London](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/made-in-taiwan-returns-to-garden-cinema-london/): Running from 24 October to 6 December 2026... The Garden Cinema presents the fourth edition of our annual season dedicated to Taiwanese cinema — Made in Taiwan. Supported by the Ministry of Culture, Taiwan, this year’s programme continues to showcase the best of classic and contemporary works. At the heart of the season is a - [Five Flavours announces New Asian Cinema Competition selection](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/five-flavours-announces-new-asian-cinema-competition-selection/): The 20th edition of Poland's premiere Asian film festival is back from 10 November to 6 December... Ten films, ten extraordinary stories. From a Sri Lankan road movie that is both dramatic and contemplative, through the complex everyday lives of South Korean teenagers whose fall from popularity into complete ostracism is triggered by a single - [Human Lanterns](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/human-lanterns-alt/): Sun Chung brings giallo-style horror to the wuxia genre... Human Lanters is a 1982 Shaw Brothers Film directed by Sun Chung, starring Lau Wing, Chen Kuan-Tai, Lo Lieh, Tanny Tien, Choh Seung-Wan and Sun Chien. A blend of giallo-esque horror and wuxia it is about men driven by pride and tormented by the loss of - [Blades of the Guardians](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/blades-of-the-guardians/): The legendary Yuen Woo-ping returns with an all-star wuxia extravaganza... Based on the popular Chinese manhua Biao Ren, written and illustrated by Xianzhe Xu, Blades of the Guardians has been eagerly awaited by fans of martial arts cinema, marking as it does the return of legendary director and action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping. His first feature - [Blades of the Guardians](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/blades-of-the-guardians-alt/): An amazing piece of Wuxia cinema that lends hope not just for a sequel, but for the future of the genre as a whole... I’ve been a fan of Xu Xianzhe’s manhua Biaoren (“Bounty Hunters”) since it came out in the 2010s. As a self-confessed zhai (Chinese term for geek), Xu is heavily influenced by - [Hirokazu Koreeda interview: "I don’t want to be typecast as a director of family dramas"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/hirokazu-koreeda-interview/): We catch up with the director to talk about his latest masterpiece After The Storm and more... With the delightful After The Storm Hirokazu Koreeda returns to themes of fatherhood and family, after Like Father, Like Son and Still Walking. With the film on release in UK cinemas, we caught up with the director to - [Hana](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hana/): Writer/director Hirokazu Koreeda's thoughtful and hilarious take on the samurai genre... There have been plenty of films that concern themselves with showing superhuman prowess of samurai fighters. Few, however, suggest that that might all have been pretty normal, if not actually a bit useless. Soza (Junichi Okada) lives a life of squalor in an Edo - [Air Doll](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/air-doll/): With an interesting premise that goes awry, Hirokazu Koreeda’s blow-up doll may develop a heart, but where’s the films soul? In the first of a (short) series we look at some of the more interesting films that premiered at the recent 2009 London Film Festival and will, hopefully, make it to a wider audience. First - [I Wish](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/i-wish/): Sweet, charming and utterly uplifting, master filmmaker Hirokazu Koreeda returns with his first feature-length film since Air Doll… 12-year-old Kochi (Koki Maeda) and his younger brother Ryunosuke (Oshiro Maeda) have been separated since their parents divorce, both choosing to live with one of their respective parents. Kochi lives with his mother (Nene Otsuka, The Foreign - [Kaidan Horror Classics](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/kaidan-horror-classics/): Three of Japan’s finest directors (Shinya Tsukamoto, Lee Sang-il, Koreeda Hirokazu) take on three classic ghost stories by Japanese literary masters… There’s something a little old fashioned about this trio of films, and that’s not a bad thing. These period dramas, on the whole, approach their material with reverence, and a measured pace. The more - [Like Father, Like Son](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/like-father-like-son/): Another masterfully played out drama from I Wish (Kiseki), After Life, Nobody Knows director Hirokazu Koreeda… ‘They fuck you up, your mum and dad. They may not mean to, but they do,’ Philip Larkin tells us in his infamous poem This Be the Verse. ‘They fill you with the faults they had, and add some - [Our Little Sister](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/our-little-sister/): A sweet slice of life masterfully presented... Based on a serialised manga by Akimi Yoshida and directed by Hirokazu Koreeda (I Wish, Like Father, Like Son), Our Little Sister is a gentle paced film that follows the relationship between three sisters and their half sister whom they take in after their father passes away. The strength - [Bae Doona interview: "I’m keen on comedy, so I’d really love to work with Stephen Chow!"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/bae-doona-interview/): With A Girl At My Door released in UK cinemas, we talk to one of Korea's most iconic actresses, Bae Doona... Though not Korea’s most successful actress, there’s little doubting that Bae Doona’s looks and roles have made her one the country’s most iconic and recognisable faces. From her early appearances in Barking Dogs Never - [Nobody Knows](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/nobody-knows/): Hirokazu Koreeda’s heart-wrenching and poignant social drama featuring some incredible performances from children… The films of Japanese director, Hirokazu Koreeda, despite attempts to distance himself otherwise, are frequently compared to the canonical works of Yasujiro Ozu. One can’t help but feel the hand of the Western critic categorising new talent purely in relation to known - [Our Little Sister](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/our-little-sister-alt-2/): Another elaborate family drama by the contemporary master of the genre... Hirokazu Koreeda (I Wish, Like Father, Like Son) once more proved his prowess in the family drama genre, directing a film that is genuinely Japanese in its themes, motifs, pace and characters. Three sisters, Sachi, Yoshino and Chika live in a large house in - [After the Storm](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/after-the-storm/): Bittersweet and quietly comedic, Koreeda returns with another masterful family drama... Set in Kiyose, an area just outside of Tokyo, this story follows the fortunes, or more accurately the lack of such of novelist Ryota (Abe). Divorced and now working as a private detective, he struggles to find the money to buy his son baseball - [The Third Murder](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-third-murder/): Hirokazu Koreeda sidesteps the family dramas for a powerful courtroom drama starring Masaharu Fukuyama and Koji Yakusho… A powerful courtroom drama, the latest film from acclaimed director Hirokazu Koreeda promises a sharp move away from the family dramas that he’s become so synonymous with of late, such as After The Storm and I Wish. Featuring - [Shoplifters](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/shoplifters/): Warm and empathetic look at a family surviving on the fringes of society... NZIFF is well placed in the calendar year to pick up hot items from Cannes and this year has been no exception with the screening of Hirokazu Koreeda’s Palme D’or winner Shoplifters. Set over the space of a year in a Tokyo - [Shoplifters](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/shoplifters-alt/): An enticing deconstruction of the ties that truly make a family, in Koreeda’s latest award-winning film… Hitting UK cinemas from November 23rd, Hirokazu Koreeda’s Shoplifters is spectacular. Getting a UK release from Thunderbird Releasing, there’s little reason why audience won’t be blown away with this Palme d’Or award winner, even Cate Blanchett said “The ending - [Maborosi](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/maborosi/): Going back to where it all begins: a spectacular debut from Koreeda that ranks among his best... Sometimes it pays to go back, all the way back. Hirokazu Koreeda is doubtless the most critically successful Japanese director currently working, the most recent chapter of which sees him heading up the upcoming Juliette Binoche vehicle The - [Still Walking](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/still-walking/): Koreeda’s work of genius simply sets the bar for understated family drama... If Hirokazu Koreeda were a painter he would be a master of realism, his subjects not landscapes or assortments of objects but meaningful yet stark family portraits. His triumph of subtly Still Walking renders the most serene yet captivating display of nuance and - [After Life](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/after-life/): A truly classic Koreeda... Do you have a moment that you treasure the most? One, and only one, that you would take through to eternity? It’s not an easy question, but After Life is a film that poses this very challenging idea, and why it has remained one of my favourite Koreeda creations. The premise - [The Truth](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-truth/): Charming, sweet and still very Koreeda... I thought the whirlwind of the festival would be over in the current Covid crisis, but with cinemas now opening up here in New Zealand, the annual festival still gives the opportunity to experience film in the cinema. I had a mix of excitement and trepidation when this film - [An interview with Hirokazu Koreeda](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/an-interview-with-kore-eda-hirokazu/): With I Wish in UK cinemas from 8 February, we talk to its acclaimed director, Hirokazu Koreeda, about getting great performances from young actors and more… The celebrated director of After Life, Still Walking, Air Doll, Nobody Knows and Hana, Hirokazu Koreeda’s past work has dealt with both fantasy and family drama with naturalist approach - [A Day-Off Of Kasumi Arimura](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-day-off-of-kasumi-arimura/): A slight but charming TV work from the master of familial relationships, Hirokazu Koreeda… Actor Kasumi Arimura (Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning, Flying Colors, Sekigahara) plays a highly fictionalised version of herself in this 8-episode TV drama first broadcast in Japan on the WOWOW network in March 2020. The series includes contributions from several established film - [Broker](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/broker/): Song Kang-ho, Gang Dong-won and Bae Doona shine in Hirokazu Koreeda’s first Korean production… It isn’t the first foreign language feature for acclaimed Japanese writer director Hirokazu Koreeda, but it is something relatively new in his career. That honour goes to 2019 French co-production The Truth (La Vérité), working with screen legends Catherine Deneuve and - [The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-makanai-cooking-for-the-maiko-house/): Could Koreeda’s step behind the sliding doors at a geisha house be the next Midnight Dinner?... Acclaimed director Hirokazu Koreeda returns to television after his contributions to the 2020 A Day-Off of Kasumi Arimura series, taking much greater creative control as co-writer, producer and showrunner for the Netflix series The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko - [Monster](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/monster/): Koreeda’s latest is an attempt at making something new is flawed but still worthy of consideration... Viewing Monster will lead to an almost inevitable underwhelming sensation – be it overly charged expectations or unmatched presumptions about the content and tone of the film. It is definitely a more daring endeavour from Hirokazu Koreeda than most - [Like Father, Like Son, Like Daughter: an interview with Hirokazu Koreeda](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/like-father-like-son-like-daughter-an-interview-with-hirokazu-koreeda/): We grab a few moments to talk to the great director Koreeda (I Wish, After Life) on his brief visit to the London Film Festival… It’s a fleeting visit from one of Japan’s most highly regarded (and some would say greatest living) directors. Since his debut narrative film Maborosi the director has been held in - [Escape From Mogadishu](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/escape-from-mogadishu/): Energetic and totally gripping... One of the first Korean films I ever saw was Arahan back in 2004 at the Raindance Film Festival in London, and I was immediately in love with the sense of style and humour that I was seeing. It was a key film in my love of Korean cinema, so I - [The King](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-king/): A bloated but dazzling Scorsesean crime epic that exudes virtuosic style and biting humour... Self-consciously aspiring to the status of grand Scorsesean crime epic, Han Jae-rim’s The King, much like the corrupt prosecutors it portrays, ultimately suffers for its hubris but has a raucously good time along the way. A decades-spanning account of countryman Tae-su’s - [Mag Mag](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/mag-mag/): A love-obsessed ghost causes mayhem in this spin on the usual J-horror formula... Though Japan has been churning out generic tales of vengeful long-haired spirits for decades now, some directors have tried to do something different with the formula, like comedian, actress, hip hop artist and America’s Got Talent contestant Yuriyan Retriever, whose 2025 debut - [Moonglow](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/moonglow/): An effective if passionless noir… Writer, director and actor Isabel Sandoval returns for her first feature since the acclaimed Lingua Franca (2019). Based in the United States since, contributing to episodes of series like The Summer I Turned Pretty and Under the Banner of Heaven, it also sees her return to the Philippines as a - [Hex Vs Witchcraft](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hex-vs-witchcraft/): The second film in Kuei Chih-Hung’s Hex trilogy takes a comic and rather seedy turn... One of the studio’s primary purveyors of hardboiled thrillers and exploitation throughout the 1970s, Kuei Chih-Hung was a natural fit for the wilder and sleazier genre fare the Shaw Brothers started churning out in the early 80s. After having a - [Hex After Hex](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hex-after-hex/): The third film in Kuei Chih-Hung’s black magic trilogy is a truly bizarre and scattershot horror comedy... Following on from Hex and Hex vs. Witchcraft, director Kuei Chih-Hung completed his trilogy of black magic films with Hex After Hex in 1982. Coming during a period where the once-mighty Shaw Brothers studio was struggling at the - [Inherit](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/inherit/): Don't cha wish your grandma was hot like mine… ‘Oh Grandma, what beautiful skin you have.’ Not quite Little Red Riding Hood, perhaps, but just as dangerous. And not a comment you might be expecting to make to an 85-year-old. But when she unexpectedly pays a visit to the family mansion after the death of - [Ba’s Book](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/bas-book/): A thoughtful portrait of a family confronting trauma through storytelling and performance... About a decade ago, filmmaker Ashley Da-Lê Duong received a memoir by her father Anh. The manuscript titled Dear Da-Lê was written in a form of letters, from a father to his daughter, and it recounted Anh’s experiences growing up during the Vietnam - [A Girl Unknown](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-girl-unknown/): Origins lost in Zou Jing’s softly powerful feature debut… A girl taken by her mother to live with another family in the city becomes the pretext for writer director Zou Jing’s softly powerful feature debut. As much a coming-of-age exploration of identity as it is of how much it is a ‘man’s world’. Buoyed by - [London Korean Film Festival returns for 2026](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/london-korean-film-festival-returns-for-2026/): Opening and closing films revealed for BFI Southbank part of programme… The London Korean Film Festival returns from 2 to 16 November for its 21st edition, and tickets for the programme at BFI Southbank are available now. Organised by the Korean Cultural Centre UK with support from the Korean Film Council. Celebrating the richness and - [The Teahouse](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-teahouse/): Kuei Chi-hung’s influential crime drama... Made in 1974, Kuei Chi-hung’s The Teahouse is a crime drama with a strong focus on social justice. The anti-establishment message the film contains is the need for people to take back control in the quest towards a fairer system, violently if necessary, when a heavily criticised law system/government fails. - [The Delinquent](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-delinquent/): Chang Cheh and Ni Kuang’s vision of another teenage rebel, twisted beyond recognition by the notorious Kuei Chih-Hung… The prolific director Chang Cheh and even more productive writer Ni Kuang once again collaborate on a tale of Hong Kong’s youth following on from Dead End, Young People and The Generation Gap; but it’s the creative - [Filipiñana](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/filipinana/): A scorching hot social commentary on class hierarchy in the Philippines… In a country club on one scorchingly hot day, class commentary is played out at a country club through the eyes of a 17-year-old ‘tee-girl’. Amidst wealthy who face no consequences for their actions, and staff who become complicit. Rafael Manuel’s impressive feature debut - [My Name Ain’t Suzie](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/my-name-aint-suzie-alt/): Her name was Shui-Mei... Hong Kong, 1950s. In the lively Wan Chai district, beneath the flashing lights and the vibrant latin and jazz beats drifting out of the Lucky Bar, American soldiers pass through in search of “exotic” company for the night. But beneath the smiles and the dancing, the reality of sex work in - [The Killer](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-killer/): Framing heroes and killers in John Woo’s intimate reflection of violence… The opening credits unfold over a church on a rainy day. Ah Jong (Chow Yun-fat), a professional killer, sits in silence before the face of the Virgin Mary, and accepts his next contract. Then, on the notes of Jenny (Sally Yeh)'s song, he walks - [Sex and Zen II](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/sex-and-zen-ii/): An over-the-top erotic sex comedy starring Loletta Lee and Shu Qi... The original Sex and Zen (1991) was an enormous success at the box office and told the story of lustful scholar who replaces his member with a horse’s penis then goes on a sexual romp that results in his downfall. Sex and Zen II, - [Amie Song interview: "Cinema is great for ghosts and dreams and myths"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/amie-song-interview/): The director of Gu Shi talks memory, isolation, and storytelling... After premiering her short film Three at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in the La Cinef Official Selection, Chinese filmmaker Amie Song arrives at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival with her debut feature, Gu Shi, produced through Biennale College Cinema. In Chinese, “gùshi” means - [First Asian titles at Lund Fantastic Film Festival](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/first-asian-titles-at-lund-fantastic-film-festival/): Lund Fantastic presents a Japanese genre retrospective in collaboration with TOEI... Lund Fantastic Film Festival returns for its 32nd edition from 28 October to 4 November in Lund, Sweden. The independent festival celebrates horror, science fiction, fantasy and animation works that explore contemporary society, power, technology, the body and collective anxieties. Opening the festival is - [Samurai Vengeance](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/samurai-vengeance/): Revelry and renunciation of the samurai spirit swirl into a yin yang of intrigue in the latest hit jidaigeki epic... 16th of January 1810, Kobiki-chō district — modern-day Ginza — Edo. Fresh off of a lovely performance of the Kanadehon Chůshingura aka 47 Ronin, the audience is treated to a still considerably grander, serendipitous spectacle - [East Asian films at BFI London Film Festival 2026](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/east-asian-films-at-bfi-london-film-festival-2026/): A roundup of East and South East Asian films from the 2026 programme... The London Film Festival returns for its 70th edition from 7 to 18 October, promising 251 titles across features, shorts, series and immersive works (with several more added 7 September) from 88 countries. As with previous editions, there'll be screen talks with - [Bakemono](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/bakemono/): A grotesque monster haunts a Tokyo Airbnb in this practical effects-driven creature feature... A throwback to the gory glory days of messy practical effects, Japanese creature feature Bakemono pits a series of characters against a fantastically gruesome monstrosity in Tokyo. The 2023 film was written, directed, produced, and has effects by American filmmaker Doug Roos, - [Death Train](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/death-train/): Another entry in the Hideshi Hino's Theater of Horror series and a Japanese take on Carnival of Souls... Originally released back in 2004, Death Train is another entry in Hideshi Hino's Theater of Horror, a series of six hour-long features bringing the work of acclaimed horror manga artist Hideshi Hino to the screen. Written by - [Hope](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hope/): Na Hong-jin’s latest is a high-octane sci-fi actioner that thrills and baffles in equal measures... Though not exactly prolific, writer director Na Hong-jin has become a real favourite of the international festival circuit and one of the most acclaimed filmmakers working in Korea at the moment. With Hope being only his fourth feature and his - [The Tournament](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-tournament/): Angela Mao must enter the Thai Boxing ring to restore her father’s reputation... The Tournament is a 1974 Golden Harvest film directed by Huang Feng. It stars Angela Mao and Carter Wong as siblings who go to Thailand to restore their father’s reputation after one of his students loses a Muay Thai match. The movie - [Fourth Hong Kong Film Festival UK returns](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/fourth-hong-kong-film-festival-uk-returns/): From 25 September to 4 October 2026 across London venues... Hong Kong Film Festival UK (HKFFUK) returns for its fourth edition from 25 September to 4 October in London, presenting reflective and shape-shifting cinema from Hong Kong, the wider Asian diaspora and beyond. This edition features 21 screenings and events, 40 titles with 17 UK - [Arrested Memory](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/arrested-memory/): A detective loses himself in absurd situations while battling amnesia, cops, and criminals... An operation gone wrong leaves police captain Lee (Ethan Juan) with stress-induced amnesia. What becomes of a detective who can no longer remember? In this co-production between Taiwan and Japan, director Sabu takes the audience on a trip through outlandish scenarios, packing - [The House on the Moon](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-house-on-the-moon/): Singapore's first wuxia is a stunning but narratively fractured reimagining of the myth of Chang Er, the fairy maiden on the moon... Long ago, the legend goes, ten suns rose together in the sky, scorching the earth until the archer Hou Yi strung his bow and shot down nine of them, saving humanity and leaving - [Near the Exit: Kawashima Yuzo’s Porous Worlds](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/near-the-exit-kawashima-yuzos-porous-worlds/): A look at SPOT Taipei and SPOT Huashan's recent retrospective... From August 21 to 31, SPOT Taipei and SPOT-Huashan hosted Beyond the Smile: KAWASHIMA Yuzo, a five-film retrospective of the postwar Japanese director featuring Suzaki Paradise: Red Light (1956), Sun in the Last Days of the Shogunate (1957), A Geisha’s Diary (1961), The Temple of - [Tiger on the Beat](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/tiger-on-the-beat/): Lau Kar-Leung's unlikely crack at a Hollywood genre amps it up even further into action-comedy overdrive... The second half of the 1980s were only signaling sad times for a man who was pivotal in shaping modern HK cinema, Lau Kar-Leung. Shaw Brothers — the studio with whom he’d made every single one of his films - [Advik Beni interview: “It's a kind of mediation on how we deal with the uneasiness”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/advik-beni-interview/): The director reflects on mixed media, mutability, and the potential of grief... I had an incredible conversation with Advik Beni about their personal and imaginative work, mother, you have not died yet. but you will. and when you do, you will finally be alive again. The film itself is very conversational, which made it easy to - [Dangerous Encounters of the First Kind, aka Don’t Play With Fire](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/dangerous-encounters-of-the-first-kind/): As shocking as it is impressive, do not miss this newly restored Tsui Hark rarity... This September, Metrograph is presenting Don’t Play With Fire: The Films of Tsui Hark, a retrospective spanning some of the director’s most celebrated work across wuxia, action, period drama and Hong Kong New Wave cinema. At the centre of the - [Possible Love](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/possible-love/): Two couples from distinct backgrounds cross paths and face their hidden desires... Returning eight years after his last feature, Burning (2018), Korean director Lee Chang-dong brought Possible Love to the 83rd Venice International Film Festival to much anticipation and took home the Grand Jury Prize. The story follows two married couples–a labourer impacted by corporate - [Love Massacre](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/love-massacre/): Patrick Tam’s all-but-lost arch, arty slasher movie, starring Brigitte Lin… Patrick Tam is often considered one of the most important directors of the Hong Kong New Wave of the 1970s and 1980s. But being less prolific than peers like Tsui Hark and Ann Hui—Tam has just two directing credits since 1990, though was editor on - [Firing the Lighter Gun](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/firing-the-lighter-gun/): The dregs of society assert themselves from nuclear ruin in a sunny yet sulky dystopian crime drama... “The price is paid for restarting plants before cleaning up Fukushima.” Japan. Sometime in the near future. The small (presumably fictional) town of Nishimachi is still in dire condition after taking the brunt of yet another major nuclear - [mother, you have not died yet. but you will. and when you do, you will finally be alive again.](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/mother-you-have-not-died-yet-but-you-will-and-when-you-do-you-will-finally-be-alive-again/): An unmissable mixed media exploration of grief and identity... Following its world premiere at FIDMarseille, where it took home the Audience Award, mother, you have not died yet. but you will. and when you do, you will finally be alive again. will make its North American debut this September at the Camden International Film Festival. - [Fighting Spirit 2026](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/fighting-spirit-2026/): This year’s festival brings unforgettable classics and emerging talents to East London... This September, Fighting Spirit 2026 is bringing an absolutely stunning lineup to the Rio Cinema in East London. Known for its celebration of martial arts films and martial arts culture more generally, this year’s fest brings a wide range of action-packed delights. Highlights - [Don’t Play With Fire: The Films of Tsui Hark](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/dont-play-with-fire-the-films-of-tsui-hark/): Metrograph celebrates with a US-premiere 2K restoration and a comprehensive retrospective of the legend’s work... This September Metrograph is screening the new 2K restoration of Tsui Hark’s Don’t Play With Fire, also known as Dangerous Encounters of the First Kind, marking the film's theatrical debut in the US. The film is an absolute must-see for - [The Mighty Peking Man](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-mighty-peking-man/): Shaw Brothers' excursion into the Kaiju genre produces this fun, wacky Hong Kong homage to King Kong... The Mighty Peking Man was Shaw Brothers' answer to the Kaiju craze in the mid to late 70's. They had earlier made cult hit The Super Inframan, a tokusatsu starring a young Danny Lee which was a take - [The Mighty Peking Man](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-mighty-peking-man-alt/): The Shaw Brothers’ ambitious take on King Kong remains one of their most far-out and fun films of the 1970s... While Shaw Brothers were primarily known for martial arts films, they certainly weren’t averse to branching out into exploitation or to taking inspiration from Hollywood hits. Probably the best example of this is The Mighty - [Black Magic 2](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/black-magic-2/): Ho Meng Hua’s 1976 sequel offers up more gruesome Gong Tau rituals and sleazy spells... Originally released back in 1975, Black Magic really wasn’t what martial arts fans might expect from the famous Shaw Brothers, a full-on slice of gruesome exploitation horror revolving around Gong Tau witchcraft. The film was popular enough to inspire a - [Black Magic and Sleazy Spells: The Shaw Brothers Horror Films](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/black-magic-and-sleazy-spells-the-shaw-brothers-horror-films/): As part of our special Shaw Brothers Halloween season, we take a look at the studio's best-known horrors... Although the famous Shaw Brothers studio is primarily known for its martial arts films and tales of wandering swordsmen, the company also dabbled in a wide range of other genres, including comedy, romance, musicals, and perhaps most - [Black Magic](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/black-magic/): A little sleazy, a little gory and a lot dated. This film is everything you could want from a 1970s horror... Often overlooked by horror-buffs in favour of its bolder, brasher sequel (the obviously titled Black Magic 2), this little gem of a movie will worm its way under the skin of anyone willing to - [Thirst for Love](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/thirst-for-love/): In a suffocating tale of desire, obsession and repression, domestic life is turned in a psychological nightmare… Koreyoshi Kurahara can be remembered as a filmmaker who oscillated between mainstream and innovation, between commercially oriented vehicles for star actors such as Yūjirō Ishihara and brilliant, taboo-breaking works like Black Sun (Kuroi taiyō, 1964). Thirst for Love - [Road To Vendetta](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/road-to-vendetta/): A likable if underbaked assassin film… There’s no doubt that anime and manga have been an enormous influence over Hong Kong film and culture for decades. From the (mainly) pirated comics that flooded the market in the 1960s, to the (mainly) pirated live-action adaptions of the 1980s and 1990s. Some of the best known came - [Killer Clans](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/killer-clans/): Chor Yuen redefines wuxia with this classic Gu Long outing... Killer Clans is a 1976 wuxia film directed by Chor Yuen, released the same year as his movies The Magic Blade and The Web of Death. Like The Magic Blade it is based on a Gu Long novel and steers the wuxia genre in a - [Tomie: Beginning](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/tomie-beginning/): The sixth entry in the long-running Tomie series is a direct prequel to the first film, exploring the origins of the seductive goblin... Based on the manga by horror master Junji Ito, the Tomie franchise is a series of films revolving around the titular immortal demonic schoolgirl, who drives her obsessed victims to murder and - [Connor Sen Warnick interview: "You could remove the nostalgic iconography and still capture something truthful"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/connor-sen-warnick-interview/): New York native filmmaker talks on his reimagination of 1970s Chinatown, Characters Disappearing... Walk down Canal Street toward Lower Manhattan and you're immediately immersed in the vibrant energy of Chinatown—food stalls spilling onto the sidewalks, weathered buildings adorned with signage hanging low, and generations of history quietly coexisting with the city's relentless pace. For decades, - [XX: Beautiful Hunter](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/xx-beautiful-hunter-alt/): A pleasing entry of erotic cinema that proves, once more, that the genre is more than mere smut... “Father, I can smell your cologne.” While Nikkatsu’s turn to soft-erotic production (Roman Porno) chased many of the staff-members away, this choice allowed Masaru Konuma to finally realize his dream of becoming a director and become, as - [Ninja Strike Force](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/ninja-strike-force/): A classic 80s cut and paste job from Joseph Lai and Godfrey Ho which splices ninja footage into another entirely unrelated film... As western martial arts fans of a certain age will remember, the 1980s really were the decade of the ninja. To a large extent this was driven by Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus - [Lady Is the Boss](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/lady-is-the-boss/): Cute. Just cute. Even with many genre giants under a legendary director that’s all this really is — or needs!... Hseih Yun (Lau Kar-Leung), sifu (master) of Wah Chiang Martial Arts School, peacefully teaches his students (Gordon Liu, Hsiao Ho, Wong Yu, Robert Mak, David Cheung) their great traditions. Upon a government demolition order for - [Lizard Baby](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/lizard-baby/): The wife of a genre scriptwriter gives birth to a lizard in this Hideshi Hino's Theater of Horror entry... Released back in 2004, Lizard Baby is an entry in Hideshi Hino's Theater of Horror, a series of six short features based on the work of popular manga artist Hideshi Hino, known for his grotesque tales - [Mala](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/mala/): An irresistible mess of island cults, black‑magic glow‑ups, and nonsensical plot points... Every now and then you come across a film which is almost impossible to rate. It is not because they are so mediocre that there is simply nothing to say about them, but because the rating could really go either way; you could - [Center Stage](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/center-stage/): Chinese silent film icon Ruan Lingyu was not afraid of death; her only fear was malicious gossip... “Is it advantageous for a movie star to vanish at the peak of her brilliance?” Reflecting on the life and death of China's most brilliant silent film star, actor Tony Leung Ka-fai poses the question in Stanley Kwan's - [The Invincible Eight](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-invincible-eight-alt/): Lo Wei delivers in this gripping ensemble... The Invincible Eight is a 1971 Golden Harvest Productions movie directed by Lo Wei. It stars Nora Miao, Tang Ching, Angela Mao, Paul Chang Chung, Lee Kwan, James Tin Chuen, Lydia Shum, Pai Ying, Patrick Tse Yin and Han Ying-Chieh. The film is about a group of eight - [When You Open the Door](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/when-you-open-the-door/): Female awakening takes the shape of a werewolf... Eriko Katagiri arrives at the Fantasia International Film Festival 2026 with her debut feature, When You Open the Door, a strange and surreal account of how an apparently ordinary, quiet young woman, Miki (Serena Motola), slowly and irreversibly embraces her transformation into a wolf. Set in contemporary - [Teketeke](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/teketeke/): The ghost of a girl cut in half by a train haunts an overpass in this 2009 Kōji Shiraishi J-horror... One of the hardest working and most prolific Japanese horror directors of the last few decades, Kōji Shiraishi has around 100 credits to his name, covering every subgenre imaginable, from found footage to ghosts, curses - [My Sassy Girl](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/my-sassy-girl/): Twenty-five years later, does Korea's sassiest rom-com still hold up?... In 2001, South Korea was still living with the aftermath of the IMF crisis, and it was precisely during those years that the so-called yopki culture took hold: bizarre, over-the-top antics that, within a few years, shifted from a negative connotation to becoming synonymous with - [Stanley Kwan interview: "I’m happy that after 35 years people are still watching Center Stage"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/stanley-kwan-interview/): With Center Stage returning to theatres in 4K, we look back at the genre-bending biopic with its director... Center Stage (1991) chronicles the life of Chinese silent cinema icon Ruan Lingyu, a supernova who blazed across the screen before tragically departing at just 24 years old. Director Stanley Kwan constructs an irreverent and genre-defying film - [Unidentified Murder](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/unidentified-murder/): An astonishingly funny indie discovery that overcomes its constraints with creativity... In the age of influencers and conspiracy theorists, five people find themselves in an absurdly farcical situation. An alien abduction here, a prank there, and everything goes out of hand. Unidentified Murder is an indie delight that comes out of nowhere, and it is - [Face to Face](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/face-to-face/): Stephen Fung stars in this oddball 2002 Hong Kong Japan co-production based on an Edogawa Ranpo novel... Though it’s remained fairly obscure since its original release back in 2002, Face to Face makes for an intriguing proposition, being a Hong Kong-Japan co-production and being based on a novel by acclaimed mystery and suspense writer Edogawa - [Lust for Love of a Chinese Courtesan](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/lust-for-love-of-a-chinese-courtesan/): Chor Yuen revisits his masterpiece Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan... Lust for Love of a Chinese Courtesan is a 1984 Shaw Brothers film directed by Chor Yuen, starring Candice Yu and Nancy Hu. It is a retelling of the story from Chor Yuen’s earlier classic, Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan (1972). While not - [From Tropical Fish to A Foggy Tale](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/from-tropical-fish-to-a-foggy-tale/): The making of Chen Yu-hsun as Taiwan’s humanist fabulist... For much of the twentieth century, Taiwanese cinema reached international audiences through a relatively small group of celebrated auteurs. Directors such as Hou Hsiao-hsien, Edward Yang and Tsai Ming-liang came to define global perceptions of Taiwan’s film culture. Their works introduced viewers to Taiwan’s modern history, - [Alone in the Night](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/alone-in-the-night/): Ishii’s potent pink yakuza-horror cocktail plunges us into the deepest depths of despair... Lost Legends of Gangster Cinema Final Part Among the all-too-many notable figures in film we lost in 2022, this series pays tribute to a quite diverse range linked only by their love for and influence in the gangster genre — all from - [The Specials](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-specials/): Legendary yakuza stars face the music about their last dance, last chance for killing in a rather… unusual genre hybrid... Kumashiro (Kippei Shiina, Alone in the Night) is #1 enforcer/ troubleshooter of the Kazama-Gumi under Boss Kazama (Noamasa Musaka, Tetsuo: The Iron Man). As feared as their gang is, it can’t help but weigh on - [Eiji Uchida Interview: "I don't like yakuza, but I like yakuza movies!"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/eiji-uchida-interview-2026/): We talk about the special ways and the special casting with which The Specials was conceived... Even as one of the most prolific and eclectic directors in Japanese cinema right now who’s more often than not also successful, Eiji Uchida stays an odd one out in his industry little known outside it. As much of - [Four Moods](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/four-moods/): Four Taiwan-based directors including King Hu take on ghostly tales and more in this anthology… Originally conceived as a project to raise funds for Li Han-Hsiang’s ailing film company, this 1970 anthology movie combines the efforts of four of the most successful Taiwan-based directors of the period, together with stars from Hong Kong and Taiwan, - [Come Drink With Me](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/come-drink-with-me-alt/): A classic is brought back to the small screen... As fans of Asian cinema, it helps to be familiar with certain national genre trends over the years. We may have seen a golden age of Korean crime films some ten years ago, the high budget Bollywood musical, the jidaigeki of 50s and 60s Japan. With - [The Fate Of Lee Khan](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-fate-of-lee-khan/): There’s something awfully familiar about King Hu’s inn-based follow up to A Touch Of Zen… A remote inn during turbulent times in China, where no one is quite what they appear to be, from rebels posing as staff and minstrels to palace spies posing as bandits. All waiting to intercept the imminent arrival of a - [A Touch of Zen](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-touch-of-zen/): A bonafide classic of the Wuxia genre, finally restored to a state worth its status... Decades after its initial release, A Touch of Zen still remains a testament to the art of the action film. Meticulously crafted, beautifully shot and embedded in a spiritual and Buddhist thematic, it is King Hu’s one and only masterpiece. - [Sons of Good Earth](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/sons-of-good-earth/): A Touch of Zen director King Hu makes his debut with an uneven, though fun, Shaw Brothers war film... Sons of Good Earth is a 1964 Shaw Brothers film, most notable for marking the debut of legendary director King Hu. Although he had previously worked on The Story of Sue San with Li Han Hsiang - [Dragon Inn](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/dragon-inn/): Myth, history and action-adventure coalesce in King Hu’s classic wuxia film which soars in its beautiful restoration... After Come Drink With Me, Hu abandoned Shaw Brothers and moved to the greener pastures of Taiwan to gain more directorial freedom. Many of Hu’s motifs and unique contributions to the genre originated in his 1967 box-office smash - [Come Drink With Me](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/come-drink-with-me/): If you wanted to know where Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon came from you only need one name, King Hu. And this ground breaking film started it all... When western audiences saw Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in 2000 they were truly dazzled by it's effects and stunning imagery. To Eastern audiences, however, it must have seemed - [Erotic Nightmare](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/erotic-nightmare/): Anthony Wong gets more than he bargained for when a black magic sorcerer gives him sexy dreams in this 1999 Category III classic... With a name like Erotic Nightmare, the adults-only Category III rating, and the presence of producer Wong Jing and headline star Anthony Wong, most fans of Hong Kong exploitation cinema should already - [The Last Footage](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-last-footage/): Myanmar’s first found footage horror has its world premiere at Fantasia International Film Festival... The Last Footage throws its audience straight into the deep end of Wingabar Forest, where a seemingly harmless holiday trip spirals into a catalogue of catastrophes. It does not reinvent the wheel when it comes to the found footage genre, but - [The Mouths](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-mouths/): Creepy, slow burning terror from the horror master Takashi Shimizu... Takashi Shimizu, one of Japan’s best-known masters of horror is back with yet another tale of supernatural terror. This literary adaptation offers familiar yet unpredictable scares, leaning into Shimizu’s signature slow‑burn tension and the creeping sense that something ancient and malignant is waiting just out - [Jia Zhangke’s A Touch of Sin: A Modern Wuxia Tale](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/jia-zhangkes-a-touch-of-sin-a-modern-wuxia-tale/): Exploring the film’s construction of jianghu, aesthetics of violence and dialogue with key wuxia themes... Xia (侠) is a concept that developed in the philosophies of the Warring States period. According to the court historian Sima Qian, who recorded the lives of real youxia (wandering errant swordsmen) and assassins, they were commoners and untenured warriors - [Episode 4: Who is King Hu?](https://www.easternkicks.com/podcast/the-easternkicks-podcast-episode-4/): Just who is King Hu? We answer that and more... With the 88 Films release of Come Drink With Me, Stephen joins us for an in-depth discussion about all things King Hu, while the Director of Culture Division at the Taipei Representative Office's Dr Chen Pin-Chuan puts his legacy in context and Niina tells us why - [Shatter (Original Soundtrack Selections)](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/shatter-original-soundtrack-selections/): A great, funky soundtrack rediscovered… If you were thinking of films from Hammer’s back catalogue deserving of a 4k restoration and collector’s edition, I very much doubt 1974’s Shatter would be in the top 20. One of two co-productions with Hong Kong’s illustrious Shaw Brothers Studio, the troubled film saw its original director Monte Hellman fired less than - [Suzuki=Bakudan](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/suzuki-bakudan/): An explosive thriller as detectives race against time to get the truth from a captivating psychotic… There’s hardly anything revolutionary about Suzuki=Bakudan. A charismatic but obviously unhinged detainee on an assault charge, Tasogaru Suzuki (Jiro Sato) claims not to remember anything, but that he has psychic abilities to predict a crime involving three explosions. When - [We’re Nothing at All](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/were-nothing-at-all/): A raw portrait of Hong Kong where love, rage and survival collide… A double-decker bus leaves its stop and takes the same turn as usual. Boom. This explosive opening sets the tone for Herman Yau’s latest feature We’re Nothing at All, which won the Audience Choice Award at the 50th Hong Kong International Film Festival and - [Bushido](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/bushido/): Intensity emanates from placidity like we never knew it could in Kazuya Shiraishi’s unforeseen foray into the jidaigeki... The reclusive presumed samurai known as Yanagida (Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Sinking of Japan) lives in a manner most unbecoming of his grooming. He seems to do nothing more than stay in his meagre tenement house with his daughter - [People Who Talk to Plushies Are Kind](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/people-who-talk-to-plushies-are-kind/): Well, it's true, isn't it? Ever since Japan’s Economic Miracle saw the country reemerge as an unmatched soft power powerhouse, perhaps the most unforeseen side effect has been the proliferation of endless random cute stuff. That has moulded a system of Consumer Cute Capitalism that’s now a national phenomenon and a multibillion-dollar industry having no - [Colony](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/colony/): Yeon Sang-ho’s triumphant return to the zombie genre is a claustrophobic high-concept, action packed nightmare that redefines the genre... Colony is Yeon Sang-ho’s fourth zombie film after the tripartite Seoul Station (2016), Train to Busan (2016) and Peninsula (2020) and arguably his most ambitious. Opening to a record breaking domestic box-office, Colony has not only - [Cold War 1994](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/cold-war-1994/): Enter the pre-handover Cold War universe as titans and underdogs fight for power and survival... It’s been ten years since the last Cold War movie. Recognising the commercial success of recent Hong Kong big-budget franchise productions, such as The White Storm (three parts released in 2013, 2019, and 2023), the Cold War franchise is revitalised - [10s Across the Borders](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/10s-across-the-borders/): South East Asia is Burning... Family, in 10s Across the Borders, isn't something you're born into. It's something you build one category, one ball, one performance at a time. Chan Sze-Wei's documentary follows three trailblazers of Southeast Asia's underground ballroom scene, and what she's really interested in isn't just the runway itself, but the stories, - [Bullet in the Head](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/bullet-in-the-head-alt/): The power of belief, brotherhood and bullets thunders onto the 4K UHD release of John Woo’s most tragic film... What does John Woo believe in? The opening sequence of his 1990 epic melodrama Bullet in the Head tells us so much about him. Joyously scored to a sax-blasting cover of The Monkees’ ‘I’m A Believer’, - [Spirit Behind the Door](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/spirit-behind-the-door/): A 2014 take on the Sukima-onna urban legend in which a ghost lurking in small gaps pulls her victims to their doom... Originally released back in 2014, Spirit Behind the Door is another in the post-Ring wave of 2000s Japanese horrors focusing on urban legends, in this case Sukima-onna, a female ghost who lurks in - [The Curse](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-curse/): A young woman heads to Taiwan after mysterious posts appear on a dead friend’s social media account in this J-horror throwback... Writer director Kenichi Ugana heads back to the early 2000s for his latest offering The Curse, which as its rather familiar-sounding title might suggest is very much an effort to recapture the magic of - [Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/intimate-confessions-of-a-chinese-courtesan/): Lily Ho and Betty Pei Ti star in Chor Yuen’s erotic wuxia masterpiece... Director Chor Yuen’s filmmaking is poetic and elevated but never boring. His films are like resplendent paintings in motion, with heavy, dreamlike atmosphere, grounded by thrills and engaging storylines. There is also a brutality in the worlds he builds, especially in swordplay - [The Pilferers' Progress](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-pilferers-progress/): John Woo’s first comedy is a delightfully silly crime caper... The Pilferers’ Progress (also known as Money Crazy) would be the first brush with a genre John Woo would originally become best known for. No, not action films. Comedy. Nearly a decade before A Better Tomorrow changed his career, and that of lead star Chow - [Bullet in the Head](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/bullet-in-the-head/): John Woo's haunting tale of friendship and betrayal against set the Vietnam War is still powerful viewing almost 25 years on… Director John Woo and Producer Tsui Hark had a fruitful collaborative partnership in the 1980's. With A Better Tomorrow and The Killer, the two had been responsible for some of the greatest Hong Kong - [Human Resource](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/human-resource-alt/): Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit explores choice and responsibility in an emotionally detached workplace drama... Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit’s latest feature, Human Resource, opens with an arresting 1-minute freeze-frame of an ultrasound image. The looming dread as I wait for something to happen shall soon be felt throughout the movie. Known for his sociorealistic works such as Mary is Happy, - [A Better Tomorrow III: Love & Death in Saigon](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-better-tomorrow-iii-love-death-in-saigon/): An origin story that forgets its origins, but finds its own voice in the ruins of war... Saigon, 1974. The war is closing in, the city is a pressure cooker of desperation and opportunism, and a young Mark (Chow Yun-fat) arrives to bring his uncle and cousin back to Hong Kong. Along the way he - [A Better Tomorrow II](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-better-tomorrow-ii-alt/): Keeping up with a legacy — more violence, less coherence, but a sequel that earns its own kind of honour... Being born in the shadow of a landmark film is never easy. A Better Tomorrow II had the misfortune of following one of the most influential action movies ever made in Hong Kong. The sequel - [A Better Tomorrow II](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-better-tomorrow-ii/): It's John Woo all right, but turned all the way up to 11!... When convicted triad member Ho (Ti Lung, Blood Brothers, Vengeance!, The Magic Blade) refuses an offer of probation if he helps the authorities bring down his former mentor Si Lung (Dean Shek, Aces Go Places, Drunken Master), his younger brother Kit (Leslie - [Kinki](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/kinki/): Koji Shiraishi descends once more into the abyss of cosmic horror... Koji Shiraishi made his name known in the international horror scene in 2005 with his groundbreaking mockumentary horror Noroi: The Curse. In the post Blair Witch Project landscape, the genre was oversaturated with found footage and mockumentary ventures, most of which just seemed like - [Romancing in Thin Air](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/romancing-in-thin-air-alt/): Learn to breathe and live on your own terms when love suffocates you in this Johnnie To romantic melodrama... Best known for defining Hong Kong’s post-handover action and crime cinema, Johnnie To never limits himself to one genre. Despite being widely revered amongst local fans, To’s romantic films do not seem to receive as much - [Shatter](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/shatter/): When Hammer met Shaw, east meets west with unlikely odd couple Stuart Whitman and Ti Lung. - [Ky Nam Inn](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/ky-nam-inn-alt/): Leon Lê once again paints a picture postcard of 80s Vietnam, but without the bite of Song Lang… “But … I didn’t like the end.” For his second feature, actor turned writer/director/producer Leon Lê once again steps back into the 1980s Vietnam that he portrayed so well in 2018’s Song Lang, reuniting with that film’s - [Hikiko-san vs. Kokkuri-san](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hikiko-san-vs-kokkuri-san/): Two Japanese urban legends clash after being summoned by bullied schoolgirls in this 2012 mashup... In finest schlock tradition Hikiko-san vs. Kokkuri-san takes the supernatural villains from two early 2000s J-horror franchises based on urban legends and pits them against each other. For the uninitiated, the antagonists here are Hikiko, the ghost of a bullied - [Exit 8](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/exit-8/): A man finds himself trapped in an endless subway corridor in this hit Japanese video game adaptation... Exit 8 is that rare thing indeed, a video game adaptation which has gone down well with critics and audiences alike. Directed by Genki Kawamura, a prolific producer known for his work with Kore-eda and on hit anime - [Dear You](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/dear-you/): A touching drama about diaspora memory and female solidarity: tender, flawed, yet genuinely moving... There are moments in Dear You when the script asks you to accept implausible narrative leaps that threaten to shatter the delicate emotional world it has so carefully built… and yet, Lan Hongchun manages to deliver a film about lost memory - [That Burning House](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/that-burning-house/): A timely child-welfare drama that asks who pays the price when society outsources its conscience... Inside the Home of Happiness, Tsai Renxing (Fandy Fan), an idealistic social worker several years in his job, is trying to investigate the case of a poisoned dog, to prevent a teenager from turning violent, to fend off a father - [The Thundering Sword](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-thundering-sword/): Cheng Pei-Pei leads this melodramatic wuxia film about two star-crossed lovers... The Thundering Sword is a 1967 Shaw Brothers wuxia film, directed by Hsu Tseng-Hung. It stars Cheng Pei-Pei, Chang Yi, Shu Pei-Pei, Lo Lieh, and Wu Ma. Hsu Tseng-Hung is perhaps most famous for his trilogy of films that helped kick off Shaw Brothers’ - [Garden Cinema celebrates the Golden Age of Hong Kong films, from 1985-1997](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/garden-cinema-celebrates-the-golden-age-of-hong-kong-films-from-1985-1997/): The season runs at the London venue from 9 July to 27 August... Following the Hong Kong New Wave 1979–1989 season in 2025, The Garden Cinema broadens its focus to the wider Golden Age of Hong Kong cinema, a remarkable era spanning the late 1970s through to the 1990s when the territory emerged as one of - [Last Hurrah for Chivalry](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/last-hurrah-for-chivalry/): John Woo delivers a wild wuxia filled with slapstick, stunning choreography, and narcoleptic swordsmen... Over a decade before John Woo became the king of "heroic bloodshed" classics like Hard Boiled and The Killer, he was busy carving out a niche in comedy and martial arts films. In the case of 1979's Last Hurrah for Chivalry - [A Better Tomorrow](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-better-tomorrow/): The true colours of heroes and the birth of a myth... Great films can define a genre, while others are able to create its core conventions. John Woo's A Better Tomorrow belongs to the latter category. Watching it today, you can still feel the seismic shockwaves it sent through Hong Kong cinema — the slow-motion - [The Storm Riders](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-storm-riders/): With the long-awaited sequel The Storm Warriors out next Monday, we look back at the original adaptation of Ma Wing-Shing's comic book Fung Wan, directed by Andrew Lau (Infernal Affairs)... In ancient China, the appropriately named evil Lord Conqueror (played by Sonny Chiba, The Streetfighter, Legend Of Eight Samurai, Kill Bill, on particularly fine raucous, - [Heroes Shed No Tears](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/heroes-shed-no-tears-alt/): Woo’s style reached a pivotal point in its evolution — for this anything-but-evolved mess of a mercenary movie... 1986 would be the year John Woo took not only Hong Kong but most of Asia by storm with A Better Tomorrow. But technically, his historic first foray into modern action cinema — and first significant use - [Red Cliff](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/red-cliff/): Yet another historical drama, over blown, over acted and over long – but it’s still easily the best thing John Woo has done in a long time...! Heralded for a several years as John Woo’s return to Chinese filmmaking since Hard Boiled, this troubled production took years to make it to the big screen, cost - [Red Cliff II](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/red-cliff-ii/): Say what? Another two hours to find out how the Battle of Red Cliff actually goes? Is it worth it? Oh yes, all you John Woo fans out there, it really is... For Asian audiences, the first part of John Woo’s epic Red Cliff was something of a teaser: over two hours running time and - [Bullets and Brotherhood: The Films of John Woo](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/bullets-and-brotherhood-the-films-of-john-woo/): A season of John Woo movies at the BFI Southbank this July... The BFI Southbank is offering the chance to catch up seeing some of John Woo's finest work on the big screen with a special dedicated season this July. It will dig into the Golden Princess catalogue, only recently available again thanks to Shout! - [The Woo-Xia in the Killer: John Woo’s Modern Cinematic Wuxia](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/the-modern-transposition-of-wuxia-in-john-woos-the-killer/): Exploring the film’s construction of jianghu, aesthetics of violence and dialogue with key wuxia themes... Xia (侠) is a concept that developed in the philosophies of the Warring States period. According to the court historian Sima Qian, who recorded the lives of real youxia (wandering errant swordsmen) and assassins, they were commoners and untenured warriors - [Sunset Warriors](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/sunset-warriors/): John Woo's long-awaited lost film's reemergence at last can make even heroes shed tears of joy... The original cut of the film better known as Heroes Shed No Tears is finally released! Note: Throughout this review when speaking in comparative terms, Sunset Warriors is simply referred to as “’84” and Heroes Shed No Tears as - [Peninsula](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/peninsula/): The eagerly awaited follow up to megahit Train to Busan finally arrives... One of the most eagerly awaited films from anywhere in Asia finally arrives in the form of Peninsula, director Yeon Sang-ho’s follow-up to his record-breaking 2016 smash hit Train to Busan. With its predecessor having been one of the few Korean films, and - [Ichi the Killer](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/ichi-the-killer-alt/): Takashi Miike’s blood-soaked 2001 manga adaptation remains a milestone in extreme Japanese cinema... Even now, twenty years after its original release, Ichi the Killer remains one of Japanese director Takashi Miike’s most controversial works, no mean feat considering that it sits on his CV alongside the likes of Visitor Q, Lesson of the Evil and - [Girlfriends](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/girlfriends/): Three timelines, three actresses, one woman searching for herself across Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau... Girlfriends, Macanese director Tracy Choi’s fourth feature, premiered at the 30th Busan International Festival and was first introduced to UK audiences in May as part of the Queer East Festival 2026. Without reading much about it beforehand, I assumed it - [New York Asian Film Festival returns for 25th edition!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/new-york-asian-film-festival-returns-for-25th-edition/): Serious classics, unmissable new releases, and a city-spanning lineup that has something for everyone... The best part of the summer is back, and it is coming big: the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) returns for its 25th edition with a 17-day programme running from 10 to 26 July across five New York venues. This - [Unchained](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/unchained/): Keisuke Yoshida charts similar territory to Himeanole, but with a surprising dash of humanity… It’s perhaps no coincidence that the opening titles of Unchained resemble those of Himeanole—when they finally came, some 40 odd minutes into the film. A shadowy figure, shot from behind, lurking the dimly lit streets. Ever since Keisuke Yoshida’s dark thriller - [NYAFF to open 25th edition with Yeon Sang-ho’s Colony](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/nyaff-to-open-25th-edition-with-yeon-sang-hos-colony/): The New York Asian Film Festival announces an opener worth feasting on... This year marks the 25th edition of the New York Asian Film Festival, running from July 10–26. The festival opens with an absolutely ghastly masterclass from undead expert Yeon Sang-ho. Yeon’s new, positively infectious horror film Colony will screen alongside a new 4K - [Shaolin Soccer](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/shaolin-soccer/): With the imminent release of Kung Fu Hustle on DVD, is there a better time to revisit this silly but fun classic?... Even before the release of Shaolin Soccer, writer, director and star Stephen Chow - revered in his home Hong Kong - had been causing a stir on the international scene. Despite the fact - [Initial D: Driftracer](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/initial-d-driftracer/): The Fast and The Furious gets the Hong Kong treatment, but will this appeal to anyone other than boy racers?... So many attempts to make live-action versions of Japanese manga seem to stall in first gear, it's difficult to understand why Hong Kong filmmakers find them such an attractive starting point. Let's look at the - [Seoul Station](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/seoul-station/): The latest animation from Yeon Sang-ho (King of Pigs) sees zombies running amok in Seoul... Having made a name for himself as the leading voice in Korean adult animation with his blistering 2011 debut The King of Pigs and his 2013 follow-up The Fake, the award-winning Yeon Sang-ho returns with Seoul Station. This time around, - [Train to Busan](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/train-to-busan-alt/): Yeon Sang-ho’s (King Of Pigs) first live-action film puts zombies at 300mph… Known for animated works such as The King Of Pigs and The Fake, Yeon Sang-ho’s first live-action film has been a runaway success both at home at the Korean box office – where it beat several records, including that previously held by The Admiral: - [Episode 14: All aboard for Peninsula!](https://www.easternkicks.com/podcast/episode-14-all-aboard-for-peninsula/): Does Yeon Song-ho's sequel reach its destination, or derail the franchise...? We climb aboard one of the eagerly awaited Asian film releases this Summer, Peninsula, looking back on the career of director Yeon Sang-ho, having made his name with animated films such as King Of Pigs, The Fake and Seoul Station before his breakthrough live-action global - [Human Resource](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/human-resource/): Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit returns to the workplace as a HR manager considers whether to bring a child into the world… However much we like to think of it as a thing of the past, the reality of the ‘toxic workplace’ is still very real. If anything, with petulant tech bro wannabes ruling the roust and most - [Ky Nam Inn](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/ky-nam-inn/): Forget In the Mood for Love, forget style over substance; A eulogy for Saigon, its people and their quiet endurance... Following Leon Lê’s debut feature Song Lang (2018), Ky Nam Inn is a deeply personal ode to a time gone by, not to be forgotten. What makes this film such a strong character and ensemble - [Secret in the Box](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/secret-in-the-box/): A murder conviction. A claim of innocence. A truth buried for twenty years... Based on the most infamous case among Hong Kong’s “Top Ten Notorious Criminal Cases,” Secret in the Box opens on the night of December 16, 1974—the exact date of the murder that shocked the city. On a rainy evening, a teenage girl - [Tokyo Species](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/tokyo-species/): AV actress Maria Ozawa headlines this 2012 Japanese take on the 1995 sci-fi horror Species... As the name suggests, Tokyo Species is a 2012 Japanese take on the enduringly popular 1995 Hollywood sci-fi horror Species, which basically revolved around the concept of a beautiful shapeshifting female alien coming to earth to have sex with men - [Demon of the Lute](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/demon-of-the-lute/): Tang Tak-cheung presents a wuxia film for children... Demon of the Lute is a 1983 Shaw Brothers film directed by Tang Tak-Cheung. It stars Phillip Kwok, Chin Siu-Ho, Kara Hui, Kei Kong-Hung and Jason Pai Piao. A wuxia movie with fantasy and magic, Demon of the Lute has an unusual tone that sets it apart - ["You don't like my rice? You don't like my rice?... Mama mia!"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/you-dont-like-my-rice-you-dont-like-my-rice-mama-mia/): Chow Yun-fat takes the lead in this scene from John Woo's patchy but occasionally brilliant follow up to his own A Better Tomorrow. Playing the twin brother of the character of the role he played in the original, we first meet him as the owner of a restaurant on New York. When a guy from - [Ring](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/ring/): The book that spawned the cult movie, not to mention the US remake, and led the tsunami of Asian horror movies in the last few years. But is it really that scary?... (Warning: this review contains spoilers for those who haven't either seen the movie or read the book!) The English language has such a - [Spiral](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/spiral/): A triumph of unpleasantness in the everyday, Suzuki’s unsettling sequel to Ring is creepier and superior in every way... (Warning: contains spoilers!) When the body of an old friend from medical school turns up on pathologist Ando’s slab ready for dissection his curiosity is naturally aroused. His marriage in tatters after the death of his - [Lone Wolf and Cub](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/lone-wolf-and-cub/): The groundbreaking manga that influenced generation upon generation of comic book creators and inspired the notorious 'Baby Cart' series... Most martial arts and kung fu movie fans fondly remember the Lone Wolf and Cub series from the early seventies, manga faithfully brought to the screen by Kenji Misumi, who also directed the original Zatoichi series - [The Hong Kong Filmography, 1977-1997](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-hong-kong-filmography/): The MUST-HAVE reference guide for the very serious Hong Kong movie fan... One for the nerds and hardcore fans. John Charles presents a guide to 1,100 films produced by British Hong Kong studios. Imagine a Halliwell or Leonard Maltin movie guide devoted entirely to Hong Kong products. Now that, despite what the cover may claim, - [Sex and Zen & A Bullet in the Head](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/sex-and-zen-a-bullet-in-the-head/): A solid, fun introduction to the mad world of Hong Kong cinema... There's an air of ladism about Sex and Zen. A definite readiness to discuss topics such as the size of Amy Yip's yams. Dig a little deeper, and you often find a far more sensitive side, well aware of cultural background. That there - [I Am Jackie Chan: My Life In Action](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/i-am-jackie-chan-my-life-in-action/): An insightful look into the life of Asia's biggest superstar, as likable and endearing as the man himself... Few could claim to be as much a part of Hong Kong cinema as Jackie Chan. From early appearances as a child actor in such films as King Hu's classic Touch of Zen, appearing alongside Bruce Lee - [Breaking The Silence](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/breaking-the-silence/): Gong Li stars in this moving drama about a mother bringing up her deaf child alone... Gong Li (Raise the Red Lantern, The Emperor and the Assassin, To Live, The Story of Qiu Ju) stars as Sun Liying, a single mother trying to bring her deaf child up the best she can. She teaches her - [Sex And Zen](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/sex-and-zen/): Not a lot of Zen, but really – what were you expecting?... Back in the early nineties few films were as synonymous with the Hong Kong film industry as Sex And Zen. It introduced a generation to the 'category III' movie - and boy, what an introduction! The sex scenes were shot with the same - [Ju-On: The Grudge](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/ju-on-the-grudge/): Scary and genuinely unsettling, presenting the latest cult Asian horror to get a Hollywood makeover... Rika (Megumi Okina) believes she's just doing a colleague a favour when she makes a house visit to an elderly mother living with a young couple, but she gets a lot more than she bargained for. The house itself is - [King Of Comedy](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/king-of-comedy/): A must see just for the John Woo spoofs, this is a great Stephen Chow (Shaolin Soccer, God of Cookery) vehicle with some unexpected darker turns... Few Hong Kong stars could even dare to lay claim to the title King of Comedy like writer, director and star of Shaolin Soccer and God of Cookery Stephen - [Oldboy](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/oldboy/): Director Park Chan-wook's follow-up to Sympathy for Mr Vengeance is an even better twisted tale of revenge... Ah, the vengeance flick, that fundamental building block of Asian films, and many Western ones too. A tired genre with nothing to offer? Well, if you'd made it through both volumes of Kill Bill that's probably what you'd - [A Tale of Two Sisters](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-tale-of-two-sisters/): Kim Jee-woon (The Foul King, The Quiet Family) directs this intelligent Asian shocker with more than a few surprises... When two sisters, Su-mi (Lim Su-jeong) and Su-yeon (Mun Geun-yeong), return home from a sanitarium to live with their father and stepmother, family life hardly becomes harmonious. The mental state of their stepmother Eun-joo (Yun Jung-ah) - [Kung Fu Hustle](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/kung-fu-hustle/): Shaolin Soccer's Stephen Chow is back and this time he's doin' the Hustle... Stephen Chow's triumphant return to the cinema some three years after Shaolin Soccer was originally released not only broke the record that film set of highest grossing Hong Kong made film at the HK box office, but also the Chinese box office - [Golden Swallow](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/golden-swallow/): Not the sequel to Come Drink with Me you might be expecting, but a damn fine tale of heroic chivalry from Chang Cheh... Director Chang Cheh had some novel ideas about courtship. You'd think, for instance, that slicing off the arm of the person you fancy is not the best way into their heart. (And in - [One-Armed Swordsman](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/one-armed-swordsman/): Chang Cheh directs Jimmy Wang Yu in the Shaw Brothers classic that made both their careers... For the film that crystallised director Chang Cheh's idea of the male-led, ultra macho chivalry stories of the late 60s and 70s, there's a surprising amount of humanity on show in One-Armed Swordsman. Chang favourite Jimmy Wang Yu (Tiger Boy, - [Days of Being Wild](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/days-of-being-wild/): Leslie Cheung leads an all-star cast in Wong Kar-wai's sophomore film... For many, this is the first 'proper' Wong Kai-wai movie, following his debut As Tears Go By, though he’d long established himself as a screenwriter in Hong Kong. Dropping any thought of concessions to commerciality this film has all the trademark style and themes - [Returner](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/returner/): Somewhat derivative but well played sci-fi action flick - a welcome alternative to the lame Matrix sequels... The Matrix, Terminator, E.T., Mission: Impossible 2, Independence Day. Okay, so it's hardly difficult to pick out the references for this derivative sci-fi fuelled action piece. However, let them wash over you and what you're left with is - [Infernal Affairs II](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/infernal-affairs-ii/): The beginnings of Superintendent Wong and Sam's feud are revealed in this solid, enjoyable prequel to a modern classic. It's far more than just a re-run of the original... It's difficult to say which was the smarter move for directors Andrew Lau and Alan Mak: capitalising on the success of Infernal Affairs by making a - [The Knight Of Knights](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-knight-of-knights/): An early Chang Cheh script with a typically macho bent - well what else would you expect?... As you might expect from a script by Chang Cheh, The Knight of Knights wastes no time dropping us straight into the action. No preamble. No plot even. Just six, muscle bound, heroic brothers from the Drayon School attempting to - [The 36th Chamber Of Shaolin](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-36th-chamber-of-shaolin/): Gordon Liu (Kill Bill Volume 1 and 2) stars in a kung fu classic that is so much more than your average revenge movie... Though Gordon Liu is better known as both the arse-kicking monk and Lucy Lui's Japanese henchman in Kill Bill, it was the 36th Chamber of Shaolin, directed by his adopted brother - [Zatoichi](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/zatoichi/): 'Beat' Takeshi's (Violent Cop, Battle Royale) reinvention of the popular 60s samurai b-movie character for the 21st century, the blind, gambling masseur who also happens to be a master swordsman... Quentin Tarentino isn't the only person who's been looking to old samurai b-movies for inspiration, 'Beat' Takeshi Kitano has brought the Zatoichi series radically up-to-date - [Infernal Affairs](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/infernal-affairs/): They don't come much slicker than this - Tony Leung and Andy Lau shine in this classy thriller... If the critics are right about the downtrend in Hong Kong movie industry then one film has done a great deal to combat it, Infernal Affairs. At a point when few home grown films are really making - [Buddha's Palm](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/buddhas-palm/): A fun filled pantomime from the Shaw Brothers - with super extending legs that can deliver a kick from a distance, dwarfs that squirt Alien-like acid puss from their spots and pet dragons... Buddha's Palm can make baffling viewing for the uninitiated, rushing along at break neck speed. Ku Han-hun (Alex Man Chi-leung) - upon - [2046](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/2046-movie/): A spell binding and often perplexing vision - it's Wong Kai-wai's much anticipated sequel to In the Mood for Love... 'Long-awaited' doesn't really cover it. First shown at Cannes in an incomplete cut, then pulled from the Edinburgh Film Festival as Wong Kar-wai still wasn't happy with it. It didn't look like we were ever - [Vengeance!](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/vengeance/): Chang Cheh's landmark film - a bitter tale of revenge and the template for every kung fu movie of the seventies... There's something rather nasty about Vengeance. It follows it's dogged protagonist with such fervour, such on-screen gritty, harsh and often plain malicious violence that the film becomes often both repellent and yet strangely fascinating. - [The Twins Effect](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-twins-effect/): A shameless cash in on Hong Kong pop phenomenon the Twins that lands them in Buffy territory... Meet Gypsy (Gillian Chung, Twin 'A'), she's just become new apprentice to Reeve (Ekin Cheng) - a lead vampire hunter in the Anti-Vampire League with an unfortunate habit of falling in love with his partners just before they - [Bichunmoo](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/bichunmoo/): This Korean Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon styled epic may have been top dog in it's homeland, but - with a liberal referencing of over thirty years of Hong Kong swordplay films - it's really more of a mongrel... With his moody, over the face hair style, Jinha (Shin Hyan-june) could have been an Asian pop - [The Blood Brothers](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-blood-brothers/): A morality tale from the master of the 'extreme close-up' Chang Cheh on why its best not to shag your best mate's wife... Based on a true scandal from the Qing Dynasty, Blood Brothers tells of two aimless bandits Chang Wen Hsiang (David Chang) and Huang Chang (Chen Kuan-tai) who attempt to rob Ma Hsin I - [Red Heroine](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/red-heroine/): Melodramatic over acting, sworn vengeance for the death of loved ones, scruffy looking tramps who kick arse, superfluous bucktoothed comedy characters and subtitles that don't make sense... maybe things haven't changed that much after all! Originally shown in the BFI's Heroic Grace season in 2004, Red Heroine – then subtitled Episode 6: Red Knight-errant, as it was one of - [Three / Three... Extremes](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/three-three-extremes/): The Peter Chan-produced horror anthology series makes a welcome return to home media… Looking back, it’s easy to see how the first of the Peter Chan-produced horror anthology series, Three, got lost in the crowd. By the time it arrived on home media in the UK and US, it had to contend with a market - [Double Vision](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/double-vision/): It's Seven meets Ring in a supernatural horror from Peony Pavilion director Chen Kuo-fu - starring Hong Kong's Tony Leung Ka-fai and America's David Morse... Ever since Hideo Nakata's Ringu series hit the screens at the turn of the decade, the popularity of the horror genre has really taken off in Asia. The same as - [Tower Of Death, aka Game of Death II](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/tower-of-death/): Don't fear the peacocks... Ng See-yuen takes the director's chair on this sometimes bizarre and often unintentionally funny Bruce Lee cash-in... Never let it be said producer/director Ng See-yuen ever looked a gift horse in the mouth. Or some unused Bruce Lee footage. The story goes 'N.G.' signed on to use the remaining footage of - [Three](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/three/): Solid horror anthology with three very different takes on life after death from three different countries and directors... Taking the interesting premise of a trio of short films by top Asian directors, Three is a strong if often unscary horror anthology. Frights aren't always the point though, especially in the impressive final segment Going Home. - [Golden Chicken](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/golden-chicken/): An entertaining trip through the social and economic ups and downs of nearly a quarter of a century in Hong Kong - as seen through the more literal ups and downs of a hooker... Nowhere in the world is a country more transparently depicted in its cinema than Hong Kong. Not even Hollywood so honestly - [The Avenging Fist](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-avenging-fist/): Andrew Lau and Corey Yuen direct this silly, fun sci-fi fight movie - but often messy, this is a bit 'choppy' in the wrong way... The pioneer of CGI effects in Hong Kong movies Andrew Lau (The Stormriders, The Duel, A Man Called Hero, Armed and Dangerous) and fight choreographer supremo Corey Yuen (Saviour Of - [Saviour Of The Soul](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/saviour-of-the-soul/): Corey Yuen and Daniel Lai co-direct this superb comic book nonsense... Eschewing any visible plot line whatsoever, Saviour Of The Soul is a lush production, beautifully filmed with great action. Just don't worry if it doesn't make a lot of sense. Surprisingly from the pen of Wong Kar-Wai (In The Mood For Love, Chungking Express, - [Snake In The Eagle's Shadow / Drunken Master](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/snake-in-the-eagles-shadow-drunken-master/): The ground breaking martial art films that broke Jackie Chan as a superstar... It's easy to forget what a breath of fresh air these two movies were to Hong Kong martial arts movies. After Bruce Lee's untimely death too many imitated the 'Little Dragons' formulaic plot, looks and even name. Humourless, revenge driven flicks that - [Barking Dogs Never Bite](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/barking-dogs-never-bite/): Biting social satire meets hilarious black comedy. Laugh or the dog gets it... Korea. Dogs. I know what you're thinking. And no, (In South Korea at least ) you're not allowed to eat dogs. (At least not other peoples.) Barking Dogs Never Bite centres around two occupants in the same set of apartment buildings, both - [High Risk aka Meltdown](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/high-risk-aka-meltdown/): A martial arts movie star famous for his stunts? Now who could Wong Jing be lampooning in this Jet Li vehicle?... Kit Li (Jet Li), once member of a crack special forces unit he left when a master terrorist known as 'The Doctor' (Kelvin Wong, Moon Warriors, Police Story 3, Triads: The Inside Story) killed - [The Foul King](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-foul-king/): Let's get ready to rumble! Song Kang-ho stars in Kim Ji-woon's (The Quiet Family, A Tale of Two Sisters) hilarious comedy about wrestling... Dao-ho (Song Kang-ho) dreams of escape from his mundane existence. His boring job as a bank clerk, unproductive, perpetually late and bullied into submission by his monster of a boss. An unrequited - [Fong Sai Yuk](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/fong-sai-yuk/): Bizarre, inspired fight scenes and farcical fun, Corey Yuen directs Jet Li in a silly but highly enjoyable movie... Jet Li plays Fong Sai Yuk, a young man extremely talented at martial arts but something of a tear away - always becoming involved in fights. It's a trait he gets directly from his mother (Josephine - [Zhou Yu's Train](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/zhou-yus-train/): Director Sun Zhou's second collaboration with Gong Li after Breaking The Silence, a drama about a aspiring poet, a ceramic artist and a vet is not unlike a love poem itself - beautiful, fleeting and sometimes a little flowery... Those expecting an erotic drama from the lead of Raise the Red Lantern and Story of - [Hero](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hero/): Nominated for an Oscar, Jet Li stars in director Zhang Yimou's first foray into the swordplay genre, and it's one of the most beautiful and offbeat yet... Such a luscious production was always going to garner comparisons to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, but the director of Raise The Red Lantern, The Road Home and Not - [So Close](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/so-close/): Three ass kicking babes in some of the best action sequences in ages - Charlie's Angels eat your heart out... Corey Yuen, director of Fong Sai Yuk, The Avenging Fist and Saviour of the Soul, and action choreographer on nearly every western Jet Li movie of late, including Kiss Of The Dragon, The One and - [The Eye](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-eye/): Unsettling and genuinely scary, the Pang brothers follow-up to Bangkok Dangerous is no pale Sixth Sense imitation... The Pang Brothers first commercial success, Bangkok Dangerous, set the standard pretty high. With so much to live up to this certainly doesn't disappoint! Blinded since the age of two, Mun (Angelica Lee) receives a successful operation to - [The Eye (Revisited)](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-eye-revisited/): The early Asian horror hit of the 2000s returns with a new 4K restoration… Can it really be nearly a quarter of a century since The Eye was originally released? One of the early hits of the Asian horror boom of the 2000s, it even made it to cinema screens across the globe within months - [Windtalkers](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/windtalkers/): An outdated and disappointing war movie from Hong Kong's most successful export John Woo... Even those who know John Woo's backgroundand previous work may have been a little taken aback by this passé, unabated flag waving testament to America's war effort. Even Saving Private Ryan wasn't this naive. Nicholas Cage plays Sergeant Joe Enders, injured - [Bangkok Dangerous](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/bangkok-dangerous/): This impressive debut by the Pang brothers is a heady mix of dazzling imagery and a violent tale of love, betrayal and redemption... A deadly accurate and efficient hitman, Kong (Pawalit Mongkolpisit) - deaf and mute since birth - has been detached from society due to his disability. His carries out his assignations with that - [Legend Of Zu](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/legend-of-zu/): Tsui Hark's follow-up to the classic Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain is a spell blinding feast for the eyes. The special effects are equal anything Hollywood has to offer, but sadly it's also just as hollow... Nearly twenty years on from ZU: WARRIORS FROM THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN, Tsui Hark returns to the mythical world - [The Touch (Revisited)](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-touch-revisited/): Michelle Yeoh’s fated passion project rather unexpectedly returns… Perhaps it shouldn’t be surprising for a site that’s been in existence for nearly a quarter of a century that we might get to revisit some unexpected films over that time. But maybe not… this? The same month we launched in August 2002, the ill-fated Michelle Yeoh - [Master of the Flying Guillotine](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-master-of-the-flying-guillotine/): Saturday night's all right for fightin' as Jimmy Wang Yu plays a one-armed warrior with a problem (again!)... Staying in tonight? Nothing on telly? Get the beers and takeaway in and invite the mates round, cos this is entertainment all the way... Fung Sheng Wu Chi (Kang Kam) is the Master of the Flying Guillotine, - [Wild Search](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/wild-search/): Chow Yun-fat gives one of the finest performances of his career in his third and best collaboration with director Ringo Lam... In the eighties and early nineties, Chow Yun-fat became as renowned for his collaborations with director Ringo Lam as he did with John Woo. In fact, it was his first film with Lam, City - [Law with Two Phases](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/law-with-two-phases/): Danny Lee (The Killer, City On Fire) in the film that made him a star... Best known for playing opposite Chow Yun Fat in the films The Killer and City On Fire, Danny Lee writes, directs and stars in this vehicle which both made him a star and cemented his role in Hong Kong cinema - [The Touch](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-touch/): Michelle Yeoh both produces and stars in this good looking, enjoyable action film by Peter Pau, the Oscar-winning cinematographer of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. But as possibly the first Hong Kong/Chinese production entirely in English, does it work?... The Touch is something of an intriguing gamble. Probably the first wholly Asian production (rather than co-produced - [Stoner](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/stoner/): A crazed 1970s Hong Kong martial arts thriller that went from Bruce Lee to Bond... For fans of martial arts and cult cinema, Stoner has a truly fascinating production history and cast, whether going under this or any one of its many other titles, which included The Shrine of Ultimate Bliss, Hong Kong Hitman and A Man - [Tai Chi Zero](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/tai-chi-zero-alt/): Stephen Fung brings steampunk and wild aesthetics to the wuxia genre... Tai Chi Zero is 2012 martial arts steampunk film directed by Stephen Fung. The first half of a duology*, it stars Jayden Yuan as Yang Luchan, the founder of Yang-Style Tai Chi. Born with a strange horn on his head called the Three Blossom - [The Gas Station Attendant](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-gas-station-attendant/): A heartfelt biographical documentary that transcends simple storytelling to become something incredibly moving... Karla Murthy began making feature-length documentaries after a career as a producer, shooter and correspondent for several news programmes on PBS. Her documentary work maintains her journalistic eye while allowing more cinematic artistry to seep through. Her latest work, The Gas Station - [Reign Of Assassins](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/reign-of-assassins/): All is not what it seems in love and wuxia... I like John Woo, let’s just get this out of the way. I’ve been watching his films since I was fourteen, and I’ve been aware to his skills as a filmmaker since I became an adult and began reading books and blogs about him. So - [The Fearless Hyena / Hand Of Death](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-fearless-hyena-hand-of-death/): Hong Kong Legends launch their 'Ultra-bit' tag with two formative films from the career of Jackie Chan... The Hong Kong Legends label launch to their new 'Ultra-bit' tag with a couple of Kung Fu crowd-pleasers that have often been overlooked, particularly when it comes to getting hold of a decent, widescreen, original language version of - [Manhunt](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/manhunt/): John Woo’s throwback to the 80s, complete with camp dialogue and saxophone driven soundtrack… John Woo’s Manhunt is massive departure from his previous two-part historical epics Red Cliff and The Crossing, and a return to the overblown action films that made him a household name in the late 80s and early 90s. Co-produced by Gordon - [Heroes Shed No Tears](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/heroes-shed-no-tears/): It's Woo at his most brutal and explosive, but fans beware - there was a reason this film stayed on the shelf for years... Chan Chung (Eddy Ko, The Postman Fights Back, Duel To The Death, PTU) leads a ragbag band of mercenaries into the Golden Triangle, where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand collide, to capture - [The Killer](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-killer-2024/): Guns à gogo light up the City of Light in John Woo’s chic pastiche of his own oeuvre... Voilà! When there was finally official, concrete news of “the” remake of John Woo’s The Killer (1989) deep into 2024, most fans — whether excited, alarmed or anything in between — were taken aback by how sudden - [Starting from Music: Rediscovering the Roots of Taiwan’s Lost Commercial Cinema](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/starting-from-music-rediscovering-the-roots-of-taiwans-lost-commercial-cinema/): Taiyupian returns for a new edition marking the 70th anniversary of Taiwanese-language cinema... In June 2026, audiences in Leicester, Cardiff, London and Sheffield have rare opportunities to watch a series of black-and-white films made more than seventy years ago. At first glance, the programme might appear to be a celebration of nostalgia: a commemoration of the - [Karla Murthy interview: "I wanted people to know this person so intimately that by the end they grieve for him"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/karla-murthy-interview/): The director discusses The Gas Station Attendant, her moving and deeply personal reflection on the immigrant experience... I had the pleasure of meeting Karla Murthy on a midweek morning to discuss her new documentary The Gas Station Attendant. Her background is in news media but her work combined journalistic analysis with heartfelt reflection beautifully. The - [Rewrite](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/rewrite/): A fantastic time travel ruined not by the twist but by the twist’s need to ignore its own rules... What would you do if you knew you were the one who changed the future? Would you do whatever was necessary to make the prophecy come true? Miyuki (Elaiza Ikeda) is a typical student, bright, cleans - [Screening of Zhang Lu's award-winning Mothertongue comes to London](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/screening-of-zhang-lus-award-winning-mothertongue-comes-to-london/): Winner of Best Director Award at 2025 Tokyo International Film Festival to screen at The Lexi Cinema... Presented by Green Ray, The Lexi Cinema will host the UK premiere of Zhang Lu's Mothertongue on Saturday 6 June at The Lexi Cinema, with an introduction Professor Chris Berry from King’s College London. The film was awarded Best - [Tokyo Taxi](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/tokyo-taxi/): Being driven from Tokyo to Yokohama sounds boring, but it’s sweet, kind, heartbreaking, and educating on this ride... The job is simple. Take an elderly lady from Tokyo to Yokohama, a long drive, and make sure she’s okay at either end. Koji Usami (Takuya Kimura) has just come off an all-nighter as an independent cab - [The System](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-system/): Peter Yung’s near lost crime drama makes a welcome return… Long unavailable to watch in any remotely decent format, Peter Yung’s The System finally returns to cinemas courtesy of Hong Kong museum M+’s new initiative, launched as a three-year partnership with CHANEL. Dedicated to uncovering and restoring hard-to-find classics from Hong Kong’s more experimental works, - [Line-up revealed: Nippon Connection 2026](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/line-up-revealed-nippon-connection-2026/): The world’s largest festival for Japanese cinema returns to Frankfurt, with 140+ films including 7 world premieres... From 2 to 7 June, the 26th Nippon Connection Film Festival will showcase more than 140 short and feature-length films across 13 venues, with around 100 Japanese filmmakers and artists attending the festival in Frankfurt. The selection ranges - [Blue Boy Trial](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/blue-boy-trial/): A crucial film exploring a crucial case in postwar Japanese queer history… The courtroom is stiff, fluorescent, almost airless. Men in dark suits debate definitions while the women whose lives are being defined sit quietly, waiting. Set in 1965, Kasho Iizuka’s Blue Boy Trial revisits a forgotten-to-time case that exposed Japan’s anxieties about gender and - [How Dare You?](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/how-dare-you/): The world’s in the hands of foolish adults but the kids are all right... How Dare You? asks the question of what do kids think of adults screwing up the planet? Having seen the American remake of Save The Green Planet, Bugonia, and its posit that adults will never solve the problems they create, I - [Kokuho](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/kokuho-alt/): Hypnotising Japanese tale of tradition, masks and desire for artistic perfection set in the universe of Kabuki theatre... “Does life imitate art or does art imitate life?” That’s one of the questions Japan’s fairy tale-like Oscar submission is asks, uncovering that they do not differ that much and rather are intertwined, slowly melting into one. - [ChaO](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/chao/): The Little Mermaid wears killer sneakers and just wants her husband to have a good day... What is love? As Haddaway in the 90’s proclaimed in the course of asking that a lady should not hurt him, oh no. But still, in the need to know, you may end up being hurt. Such is the - [Kokuho](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/kokuho/): Lee Sang-il's decade spanning epic from the world of kabuki... Director Lee Sang-il returns to the work of author Shuichi Yoshida for his third adaptation, following 2010’s Villain—the film that really established Lee internationally—and 2016’s Rage. Following the career of kabuki performer Kikuo Tachibana, played by Ryo Yoshizawa, over five decades. This celebration of the - [Hair Extension](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hair-extension/): Hair extensions of uncertain origin cause havoc in this low budget 2014 Japanese shocker... The first thing to note about Hair Extension, which also goes by Exte Girl The Movie, is that it’s most certainly not the same film as Exte or Exte: Hair Extensions, the absurdist 2007 Sion Sono offering, no matter how hard - [Hikiko: The Descent](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hikiko-the-descent/): After three friends meet at a school reunion they start a campaign taking revenge against those who wronged them... Hikiko: The Descent is a 2014 Japanese horror offering a twist on the Hikiko-san urban legend which had been around since the 1990s. Revolving around the story of a bullied young girl who took murderous revenge - [Class Reunion](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/class-reunion/): Attendees of a high school reunion find themselves trapped in the building and stalked by a mysterious killer in this dull 2018 Japanese shocker... High school-themed horrors have been popular in Japanese genre cinema since the early 1990s, providing a creepy setting that subverts childhood normalcy with sinister evils while tapping into themes like bullying - [Fan Bingbing extends her artistic legacy through a compelling performance in Mother Bhumi](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/fan-bingbing-extends-her-artistic-legacy-through-a-compelling-performance-in-mother-bhumi/): The actress wins Golden Mulberry Award on the 28th Far East Film Festival... The collaboration between Chong Keat Aun and Fan Bingbing on Mother Bhumi has led to further success and recognition for both acclaimed filmmakers. The Malaysian writer-director, whose credits include The Story of Southern Islet, Snow in Midsummer, and Pavane for an Infant, - [A Foggy Tale](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-foggy-tale/): A film that shifts perspective, approaching 1950s Taiwan with delicacy. Perhaps too much delicacy... When I saw A Foggy Tale on the Far East Film Festival programme, I was genuinely excited. As a student and enthusiast of history, I was eager to see a contemporary approach to representation of Taiwan’s White Terror on screen. As - [A Haunted School](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-haunted-school/): A horror manga-obsessed student is haunted by visions of a girl at her school in Norio Tsuruta’s influential 1996 chiller... Originally released back in 1996, A Haunted School marked the feature debut of Norio Tsuruta, who later helmed the likes of Ring 0: Birthday, Premonition and other key entries in the early 2000s wave of - [Kim Dong-ho interview: “It’s about constant discovery and desire to watch new things”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/kim-dong-ho-interview/): A conversation on theatres, film festivals, and the meaning of cinema... Kim Dong-ho is someone whose work has influenced every cinephile, whether they know it or not. He was born in 1937 in Hongcheon, Gangwon-do Province; studied law at the University of Seoul; and worked for the Ministry of Culture for about 30 years. But - [The Seoul Guardians](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-seoul-guardians/): A powerfully raw and direct documentary bearing witness to the unforeseen political upheaval in Korea... Few films cut through the filter of online news as directly as The Seoul Guardians, which forces us to reconsider what is really happening in a given moment and what it means. Beginning with an immediate impulse and unfolding into - [Blood Moon Rite 8](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/blood-moon-rite-8/): A melodrama director reconnects with his resentful daughter by making one big hit that is more than trashy drama... Blood Moon Rite 8 is a massive commercial swing from director Phan Gia Nhật Linh and his production crew. Adapted from Shinichiro Ueda’s cult hit One Cut of the Dead (2017), the comedy follows a hack television director (Vân - [No Time For Goodbye](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/no-time-for-goodbye/): A restrained look at asylum seekers in limbo, combining quiet performances with lived-in detail... No Time For Goodbye, the debut feature of journalist-turned-director Don Ng, foregrounds the bureaucratic limbo of asylum seeking in the UK, intertwining lives from different backgrounds to capture the experience of waiting and displacement. No Time For Goodbye follows Bosco (Lam - [A Useful Ghost](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-useful-ghost-alt/): Absurdist comedy with sharp social commentary... Combining social commentary and humour is not an easy task. It needs a delicate approach to successfully balance making people laugh but also carrying the larger point across. Make the wrong kinds of jokes and it will seem like the story is mocking its subjects, make the atmosphere too - [The World Of Love](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-world-of-love-alt/): Caught between popularity and attention, a 17-year-old girl rejects a school petition and gets mysterious notes... Expanding beyond the early adolescent settings of The World of Us and The House of Us, independent master Yoon Ga-eun’s latest film, The World of Love, also expands her youth universe and turns its attention to late adolescence within - [Push! Push!](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/push-push/): Women’s bodies are discovered, debated, and praised in a Korean satire directed by a man... The mint palette and pastel pinks of the nurses’ scrubs dominate the interiors of the obstetrics and gynaecology ward at Hye-sung Hospital in Seoul. A dynamic camera follows a crying woman on the verge of delivery; quick pan-zooms cut to - [Stoma](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/stoma/): A tale of courage, acceptance and affirmation as a photographer comes to terms with his refashioned body after life changing surgery... A young photographer, Alex Lim, struggling with acceptance of his sexual identity in conservative Hong Kong, is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer which necessitates the removal of part of his bowel and - [Himeanole](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hime-anole/): The latest from Keisuke Yoshida is a suspense-thriller manga adaption where V6 megastar Morita Go turns psycho slasher - [POV – A Cursed Film](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/pov-a-cursed-film/): Norio Tsuruta’s familiar found footager follows two high school girls wandering their haunted school with camcorders... Although Kôji Shiraishi is generally regarded as the master of Japanese found footage, other directors have also tried their hands at the form over the years with varying degrees of success. Norio Tsuruta, a horror expert himself who started - [Cloud/Charisma: Two Films By Kiyoshi Kurosawa](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/cloud-charisma-two-films-by-kiyoshi-kurosawa/): Two films, 25 years apart, confirm Kurosawa’s status of one of Japan finest directors of contemporary society and mores... Eureka has brought together two of Kurosawa’s films for this special release: Cloud (2024) and Charisma (1999). While Kurosawa is too often seen as purely a director of J-horror, mainly due to the global success of - [Ah Girl](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/ah-girl/): Crafts complex portraits of neglected kids about to become aware of the injustice seeping through the world... Making a film about childhood trauma demands a rare balance of emotional control and vulnerability. Creating an immersive and compelling piece that flows organically out of one’s trauma would have been an impossible feat if it hadn’t been - [CinemAsia On Tour Brings Festival Highlights Across the Netherlands](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/cinemasia-on-tour-brings-festival-highlights-across-the-netherlands/): 10 standout Asian films travel to four Dutch cities as CinemAsia continues beyond Amsterdam... Although the CinemAsia Film Festival concluded in Amsterdam on 15 April, the programme continues beyond the capital through CinemAsia On Tour. The touring programme brings ten films to four cities across the Netherlands, including eight festival favourites and two newly programmed - [We Are All Strangers](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/we-are-all-strangers/): An intimate look at how class and obligation shape love in modern Singapore... We Are All Strangers opens in a Singapore rarely foregrounded in global cinema. Behind the city’s façade of glamour and prosperity exist lives shaped by poverty. Set in contemporary Singapore, director, writer and producer Anthony Chen’s latest feature follows the intertwined lives - [Velociraptor Rampage](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/velociraptor-rampage/): A handful of dinosaurs do indeed go on the rampage in this 2020 Chinese Jurassic Park knock-off... Just as Hollywood continues to milk the ailing Jurassic Park franchise with a never-ending drip of Jurassic World films, China continues with its own relentless factory line of CGI-heavy, made for online dino carnage rip-offs. Originally released back - [A Good Child](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-good-child/): Heartfelt story about memory, identity, and second chances... Singaporean filmmaker Ong Kuo Sin returns to the cinema screen with his ninth feature film, A Good Child. Gathering around familiar cast members from his 2020 musical comedy Number 1, Ong presents a film about family, memory, and the importance of self-love, with a light-hearted yet genuine - [KENTARO and Yuya Yagira interview: "It’s about being a foreigner"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/kentaro-and-yuya-yagira-interview-its-about-being-a-foreigner/): We talk to the team behind Under the Turquoise Sky... This year as part of Japan Cuts 2023, Under the Turquoise Sky, is a remarkable multi-national production set in the gorgeous Mongolian Steppe. I showed up fairly early to The Japan Center, partially to sit in some much-needed AC, but also to admire its gorgeous - [The World of Love](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-world-of-love/): Newcomer Seo Su-bin shines in Yoon Ga-eun’s stunning teen drama… Newcomer Seo Su-bin shines in what could be a career-making role as Jooin, a spirited high school student, jubilantly full of life, but hiding her own demons. The third feature from writer director Yoon Ga-eun returns to similar territory as The World of Us and - [Resurrection](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/resurrection/): As visually stunning as you’d expect for Bi Gan, but its affectations may divide audiences… No one could deny writer director Bi Gan has a tendency to let the visual aspects of his films get away on him. His previous feature, the widely acclaimed and award-winning Long Day's Journey into Night from 2018, culminated in - [Farewell My Concubine](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/farewell-my-concubine-alt/): Love, jealousy and opera collide in a newly restored cinematic classic... Based on the Lilian Lee’s 1985 novel by the same name and adapted to the silver screen by the screenwriter Wei Lu and the author herself, Farewell My Concubine an epic glimpse to Chinese history from the perspective of Peking Opera and its stars. - [King Kong versus Giant Serpent](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/king-kong-versus-giant-serpent/): King Kong does not appear in this Snakes on a Plane rip-off 2023 Chinese creature feature... Even by the standards of low budget, made for streaming Chinese creature features King Kong versus Giant Serpent is a tough one to nail down, partly since it goes by a plethora of other titles including, but not limited - [Queer as Punk](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/queer-as-punk/): Joyful rebellion with Shh..Diam! Documentary filmmaker and journalist Yihwen Chen continues her exploration of social issues and fight for human rights, this time turning her gaze at the Malaysian LGBTQ+ community. Queer as Punk follows the punk band “Shh..Diam!” (Malay for “Shut up!”), as they navigate Malaysian underground music scene and the fight for LGBTQ+ - [Anthony Chen interview: “I see a kind of resilience and latent strength in women”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/anthony-chen-interview-2026/): The precocious Singaporean filmmaker reflects on the final chapter of his so-called “Growing Up Trilogy” journey... We Are All Strangers marks the final chapter of Singaporean director Anthony Chen’s “Growing Up Trilogy.” From Ilo Ilo (2013), to Wet Season (2019), and now this concluding work, the trilogy spans thirteen years. While the stories and characters - [Re:mind film festival launches in London](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/remind-film-festival-launches-in-london/): A new film festival launches showcasing the best in independent Asian and Diasporic Cinema... Re:Mind: A Film Festival on Healing is an exciting new film festival showcasing the best of independent films from Asia and the Asian diaspora which deal with social injustice, political crises, gender and sexual inequities and/or personal and familial traumas. Recent - [Akira](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/akira/): Katsuhiro Otomo’s groundbreaking and visually amazing Anime is back, and on Blu-ray for the first time! (For the UK at least)... - [Akira](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/akira-alt/): The gorgeous 4K remaster of Katushiro Otomo’s animated sci-fi classic hits UK screens... Originally released in Japan in 1988 and the UK in 1989, Akira gave film fans of a certain age one of their first glimpses at adult animation, whether on the big screen or through its many VHS or DVD releases over the - [Garden Cinema presents the UK’s first-ever comprehensive Jia Zhangke retrospective](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/garden-cinema-presents-the-uks-first-ever-comprehensive-jia-zhangke-retrospective/): From 8 March, this eight-week programme will include all 15 of Jia’s feature films... Starting in March and running for eight weeks, The Garden Cinema, London will present the UK’s first-ever comprehensive retrospective dedicated to Jia Zhangke, acclaimed by critics as one of the best and most important filmmakers in the world. Spanning three decades - [Japanese Film Festival Ireland returns for 2026](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/japanese-film-festival-ireland-returns-for-2026/): Back for its 17th year with ten locations across Ireland with fifteen films... The Japanese Film Festival returns to Ireland for another year. A collaboration of Access>Cinema and the Embassy of Japan in Ireland, the festival showcases the best of Japanese cinema, both old and new. This year’s lineup includes live action dramas, thrillers, animation, - [The Amsterdam Kill](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-amsterdam-kill/): Here’s one you probably weren’t expecting... If you can say anything about the surge of restored 70s, 80s and 90s Hong Kong films released onto home media in the last few years, it’s that it’s thrown up some unexpected and even forgotten entries from that era. Few more so than The Amsterdam Kill, a 1977 - [Beyond the Pure Girl](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/beyond-the-pure-girl/): Rethinking Brigitte Lin and the making of a female icon in Taiwanese cinema... In the popular imagination of Chinese-language cinema, Brigitte Lin (a.k.a. Lin Ching-Hsia or Lin Qingxia) is often remembered in extremes. On one end, she is the eternal “pure girl” of 1970s Taiwanese romantic melodrama—soft-spoken, emotionally restrained, and visually immaculate. On the other, - [The Many Faces of Sylvia Chang and Taiwan Cinema](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/the-many-faces-of-sylvia-chang-and-taiwan-cinema/): Ming-Yeh Rawnsley looks at how monumental the actress has been in a country's cinema... There are many interwoven reasons why women have long been overlooked in film historiography. A key factor lies in the dominance of auteur-centred approaches, which have tended—consciously or unconsciously—to privilege male filmmakers. By examining the career of Sylvia Chang Ai-chia, I - [Martial arts choreographer legend Yuen Woo-ping to receive Golden Mulberry Award for Lifetime Achievement!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/martial-arts-choreographer-legend-yuen-woo-ping-to-receive-golden-mulberry-award-for-lifetime-achievement/): Blades of the Guardians will also close the Far East Film Festival festival... Europe's biggest Asian film festival once again brings Hong Kong cinematic royalty to Udine with Yuen Woo-ping, the legendary martial arts choreographer and director responsible for some of action cinema's greatest and most treasured moments. From launching Jackie Chan's superstar status with - [Portrait in Crystal](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/portrait-in-crystal/): Hua Shan brings a crazy blend of horror and swordplay... Early 1980s Shaw Brothers movies are often the most bizarre in their catalogue. They feel like a doubling down on past success but shotgun style, like a blast of every hit trope from multiple genres. One such film of this period is Portrait in Crystal, - [Temurun](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/temurun/): Two siblings go to live with their estranged father, only to be confronted with a sinister family legacy... One of the real plus points with Netflix is that buried beneath all the standard content are an impressive number of East Asian horrors, including a good few from Indonesia, giving genre fans the chance to explore - [Queer East Festival announces 2026 programme](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/queer-east-festival-announces-2026-programme/): Queer East is back for its seventh year Queer East Festival returns to London cinema screens on 1 May to 6 June 2026, delighting festival fans with yet another captivating selection of queer cinema from all corners of Asia and diaspora communities. The five week long celebration includes feature films, shorts, moving image work, as - [Far East Film Festival returns for its 28th edition!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/far-east-film-festival-returns-for-its-28th-edition/): Fan Binging and Yakusho Koji to receive the Golden Mulberry Award for Lifetime Achievement... Europe's largest Asian film festival returns to Udine for its 28th edition, promising 76 titles (8 world premieres, 18 international premieres, 22 European premieres and 20 Italian premieres) from 12 countries. There's also an exhaustive list of guests, headlined by superstars - [Jang Joon-hwan Interview: “If the original is a bizarre cocktail, Bugonia felt more like a smoky cocktail”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/jang-joon-hwan-interview-2026/): With Save the Green Planet! released in 4K, we look back at the cult classic with its writer and director... Originally released back in 2003, Save the Green Planet! remains one of the most distinctive films produced during what was an incredibly exciting and dynamic time for South Korean cinema, a unpredictable mix of science - [Leslie Cheung: A Life on Stage and Screen](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/leslie-cheung-a-life-on-stage-and-screen/): We mark the 20th anniversary of his death with a look back at his career... As his continued popularity twenty years after his tragic death proves, Leslie Cheung is one of the very few stars to truly achieve immortality. Equally loved as an actor and singer, he featured in most of the iconic films of - [Video Cassette of 31 Degrees North Latitude](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/video-cassette-of-31-degrees-north-latitude/): A documentary crew go in search of a legendary wild man in this 2010 Chinese found footager... Video Cassette of 31 Degrees North Latitude is a 2010 Chinese found footage horror which comes with a bit of mystery in that various sources note it as being edited from actual tapes, with the director being credited - [The Enchanting Ghost](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-enchanting-ghost/): Chou Hsu-chiang delivers a character focused tale of horror with Chang Mei-yao as a vengeful spirit... The Enchanting Ghost is a 1970 Shaw Brothers horror film directed by Chou Hsu-Chiang, starring Chang Mei-Yao, Yang Lihua, Lui Ming, Li Hong and Julie Lee Chi-Lun. It is about a naïve but learned scholar named Yuzhu who loses - [Panda Plan 2: The Magical Tribe](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/panda-plan-2-the-magical-tribe/): Jackie Chan and the CGI panda return for more heartwarming and patriotic hijinks... After convincing fans he still had what it takes to headline action thrillers with The Shadow’s Edge, Jackie Chan returns with Panda Plan 2: The Magical Tribe, a sequel which at least some audiences must have been demanding given that it won - [Save the Green Planet!](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/save-the-green-planet/): Jang Joon-hwan’s 2003 cult classic gets a new 4K restoration courtesy of Arrow Video... The early 2000s were an incredibly exciting and dynamic time for Korean cinema, with the works of upcoming filmmakers like Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho winning a new generation of international fans. While perhaps not as well-known in the west, writer - [Agitator](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/agitator/): An artfully composed paean to the yakuza genre... The basics of this one follows the path of Kenzaki (Katō Masaya) and his internal conflict after the death of a paid troublemaker sparks an escalating conflict between rival Yakuza gangs. The machinations in the upper echelons of the gangs is offset by the sudden bursts of - [Deadly Parasite](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/deadly-parasite/): A low budget Chinese knock-off of The Faculty featuring lots of dodgy CGI tentacles and very little else... Like so many of the recent made for streaming Chinese genre films, Deadly Parasite, which also goes by Parasitic Doom, is a blatant rip-off of a bigger-budgeted Hollywood production, in this case the 1998 Robert Rodriguez teen - [CinemAsia Film Festival 2026 unveils lineup of 44 films](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/cinemasia-film-festival-2026-unveils-lineup-of-44-films/): Amsterdam-based festival is back for its 18th edition CimenAsia Film Festival is back for its 18th edition with a line-up of 44 films of Asian and diaspora cinema. Amongst this year’s selection are 28 feature films and16 shorts, with 23 film premieres, including one international and one European premier. Female filmmakers are particularly well represented - [The Blade](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-blade-alt/): A wild, ravishing revisionist wuxia... Tsui Hark’s The Blade, gritty spin on the story of the one-armed swordsman is a radical and scathing reappraisal of the code of masculinity that is so prominent in the wuxia genre. A rare commercial disappointment for Hark upon release in 1995 the film has since been reclaimed and now - [The Blade](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-blade/): Tsui Hark at his most experimental. A spellbinding mix of technique and captivating visuals... The Blade is the Shaw Brothers' One-Armed Swordsman if it were directed by Tsui Hark. Thrust in the Jimmy Wang Yu role is Vincent Zhao, best known as Jet Li's replacement for the fourth and fifth entries in the Once Upon - [Godzilla vs. Biollante](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/godzilla-vs-biollante/): Unhinged Kaiju action with strong environmental themes in GODZILLA VS. BIOLLANTE | Available on 4K+BR and BR from @Criterion - [Picture of a Nymph](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/picture-of-a-nymph/): Joey Wong is the highlight of a very pretty, but unimaginative fantasy... Wu Ma’s Picture of a Nymph was very obviously cashing in on the popularity of Tsui Hark’s A Chinese Ghost Story (released a year earlier) but it does have a lot to love going for it, even if it all feels familiar. A - [Helter Skelter](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/helter-skelter/): A nightmarish, hallucinogenic exploration of the excesses of the Japanese fashion industry... Quite possibly the best looking and most hysterical Japanese film of 2012, Helter Skelter marked the return of Japanese director and former fashion photographer Mika Ninagawa some 5 years after her colourful debut Sakuran. Based on a manga by Kyoko Okazaki, the film - [Helter Skelter](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/helter-skelter-alt/): Interesting but flawed exploration of celebrity culture... Based on Kyoko Okazaki’s manga by the same name, Mika Ninagawa’s 2012 film Helter Skelter plunges into a world where beauty is both currency and curse, and where the glossy surface of celebrity culture barely conceals the rot festering underneath. It is not without its flaws but offers - [Kazuya Shiraishi Interview: "I don't try to make dark films - they just turn out that way!"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/kazuya-shiraishi-interview-2025/): As full of surprises in conversation as career, Shiraishi talks all that makes him tick upon new theatrical and home releases of Bushido... As one of the most prolific genre movie directors in Japanese cinema today with a string of high-profile films and series that became any combination of hits, critical favorites and/or award winners - [The Bride from Hell](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-bride-from-hell-alt/): Chou Hsu-Chiang brings ghosts, magic and love... The Bride from Hell (1972) is included in the Shaw-Shock: Shaw Brothers Horror Collection Volume 2 boxed set, along with The Enchanting Shadow (1960) and The Ghost Lovers (1973/74). This is the last in a series of reviews I am doing for each movie in the set. Taken - [Lucky Lu](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/lucky-lu/): Chang Chen stars in this heartfelt drama about an immigrant delivery worker on the breadline... If there’s one thing Lu, it’s definitely not “Lucky”. On the eve of his long-anticipated reunion with his wife and daughter, finally immigrating from Taiwan, Lu (played by screen legend Chang Chen) has the worst day of his life, as - [Chicago's Asian Pop-Up Cinema returns for 20th Edition!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/chicagos-asian-pop-up-cinema-returns-for-20th-edition/): The Windy City's premiere Film Festival is back with a selection of the best new latest Asian films... Releasing its program on the first day of the Lunar New Year’s Fire Horse cycle, this 20th edition of the festival brings together acclaimed filmmakers and new voices from across Asia for a slate of North American - [Seaside Serendipity](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/seaside-serendipity/): A whimsy summer story in a coastal Japanese town… Seaside Serendipity, by Japanese director Satoko Yokohama and premiering worldwide at the Berlin International Film Festival, begins without introduction. No exposition, no easing in; just an abrupt immersion in the rhythms of a small Japanese coastal town. Names circulate before relationships settle; scenes drift before motives - [A Useful Ghost](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-useful-ghost/): An inventively whacky comic premise that turns to dark commentary… A Useful Ghost hoovers up its narrative with one of the whackiest appliance possessions since Shake, Rattle & Roll’s ‘Fridge’ segment: a deceased wife returns to possess a vacuum cleaner from factory owned by her mother-in-law. But that’s definitely not where Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke’s debut feature - [Yeo Siew Hua interview: "The history of cinema is sooooo obsessed with the voyeur!"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/yeo-siew-hua-interview-2025/): We talk to the Stranger Eyes director about his film, his philosophy as a filmmaker, and his filmmaking as philosophy... With his most recent film Stranger Eyes (2024), Yeo Siew Hua has cemented his reputation at the forefront of the Singapore New Wave and as perhaps Singapore’s most internationally recognised director of the 21st century, - [Last of the Wolves](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/last-of-the-wolves-alt/): A new rogue cop faces a new rogue yakuza amidst intrigue in both of their ranks for an ultraviolent sequel... For 2018, director Kazuya Shiraishi would briefly bring yakuza cinema back near the forefront with his movie The Blood of Wolves. While grossing a perfectly respectable $4 million-ish at the box office, in a turn - [Villain](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/villain/): Critically acclaimed and on UK DVD at last, Lee Sang-il’s (Hula Girls) complex portrayal of grief and murder where nothing is black and white... Yuichi (Satoshi Tsumabuki, Pandemic, Tokyo!, Dororo) is a construction worker who has lived his whole like in an unremarkable fishing village. No friends or lovers, he looks after his grandparents, who - [Sakuran](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/sakuran/): More is more in Mika Ninagawa’s debut feature... Mika Ninagawa’s debut feature, Sakuran, takes the setting of Edo‑period Yoshiwara and transforms it into a hyper-stylised dreamscape where reality feels secondary. Rather than striving for historical authenticity, the film leans fully into its own aesthetic world, inviting the viewer to surrender to spectacle before story. Kioha - [Shutter](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/shutter-2025/): A new Indonesian take on the 2004 Thai horror classic which leans more into melodrama than the supernatural... Shutter sees Indonesia taking a shot at remaking Banjong Pisanthanakun and Parkpoom Wongpoom’s 2004 Thai horror classic of the same name, arguably one of the best of the early 2000s post-Ringu East Asian ghost films. With it - [Re/Member](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/re-member/): A group of Japanese high school students find themselves trapped in a time loop and pursued by a murderous spirit... Deadly time loops continue to prove popular in the horror genre, following unfortunate characters doomed to die over and over again before they figure out a certain puzzle, usually accompanied by Final Destination-style creative carnage. - [Bi Gan interview: “Our lives go through ups and downs, but films will always be there”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/bi-gan-interview/): We talk to the acclaimed director about his latest feature Resurrection... Chinese filmmaker Bi Gan has skyrocketed to renown and acclaim over the past decade. His first theatrical feature Kaili Blues (2015) and his second, Long Day’s Journey Into Night (2018) were personal in their locale. His new feature, Resurrection, is less apparently personal, and - [Oscar nominee Kokuho comes to 28th Far East Film Festival](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/oscar-nominee-kokuho-comes-to-28th-far-east-film-festival/): Lee Sang-il's sumptuous film will follow to cinemas in Italy... Following its world premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, Kokuho, directed by Lee Sang-il and written by Satoko Okudera, is based on the 2018 novel of the same name by Shuichi Yoshida. Having grossed $125 million in Japan to date, Kokuho is now the all-time - [Episode 32 - Spotlight on... A Tale of Two Sisters](https://www.easternkicks.com/podcast/episode-32-spotlight-on-a-tale-of-two-sisters/): A look back at a Korean horror classic... This episode we look back on Kim Jee-woon's classic Korean horror more patterned wallpaper than John Lewis, A Tale Of Two Sisters, with help from Stephen Palmer and Yonah Sichrovsky. We also announce a new association with Gweilo Beer! Don't forget to get your discount! But most importantly, - [The Ghost Lovers](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-ghost-lovers/): Li Ching stars in this romantic ghostly tale... The Ghost Lovers, also known as A Woman with Half a Soul is a 1973/74 joint Shin Productions and Shaw Brothers horror film by South Korean director, Shin Sang-Ok. The movie stars Li Ching, Lin Wei-Tu, Kim Moo-Yeong, Joo Yong and Ko Seon-Ae. It is a restrained - [The Enchanting Shadow](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-enchanting-shadow-alt/): Li Han-Hsiang delivers a lyrical adaptation of a classic Pu Songling... Released in 1960 The Enchanting Shadow stars Chao Lei as the righteous scholar Ning Caichen and Betty Loh Tih as the seductive spirit Nie Xiaoqian. This highly atmospheric and lyrical adaptation directed by Li Han-Hsiang feels less dated than similar movies made a decade - [Angry Squad: The Civil Servant and the Seven Swindlers](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/angry-squad-the-civil-servant-and-the-seven-swindlers/): “One should swindle with morality…” Angry Squad, directed by Japanese filmmaker Shinichiro Ueda, opens with wounded pride. Jiro, a rigidly by-the-book tax office employee, is effortlessly outmanoeuvred by the charismatic con artist Makoto and relieved of a substantial sum. What begins as private humiliation mutates into reluctant collaboration. Confronted by Jiro and his detective friend, - [To the Roots of V-Cinema](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/to-the-roots-of-v-cinema/): Exploring the formative direct-to-video era of Japanese Cinema... This year’s edition of International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) invited two of the most influential Japanese filmmakers of the past decades, whose names are almost completely unknown even by lovers of Japanese cinema: Ōkawa Toshimichi and Tsuruta Norio. Chances are you’ve never heard of their films as - [Naoya Fujita interview: “I wanted it to be true to being that age”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/naoya-fujita-interview/): The first-time feature director of Confetti talks ambiguity and discovery in youth… Back in April 2024, I attended the Far East Film Festival in Udine for the first time. The biggest East Asia-specific film festival in Europe, it’s big on glitz and glamour; theatricality and celebration. At a big festival dedicated to popular cinema, it’s - [The Hitman: Blood Smells Like Roses](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-hitman-blood-smells-like-roses/): Ishii’s compositional flair ensures that this somewhat ‘familiar’ noirish revenge-story oozes with charm and coolness... “And soon, your balls will be mine.” In 1965, the king of Cult, as many Japanese critics tend to call Teruo Ishii, delivered Abashiri Prison. This film was not only a smash hit – Toei’s first in the Yakuza genre, - [Death Forest: Forbidden Forest](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/death-forest-forbidden-forest/): A group of students come up against a murderous giant floating head in this obscure 2014 Japanese shocker... Based on a popular video game, the Japanese Death Forest series saw five low-budget films being produced from 2014 to 2016, none of which have been officially released in the west or made available with proper English - [Mountains May Depart](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/mountains-may-depart-alt/): The diverging paths of three friends change dramatically over a tumultuous 26 year period... Making a film with distinct phases to it can have its benefits and pitfalls. On the one hand, it can provide a clear sense of structure to ensure that the film never moves too slowly, but it also means that the - [Ash is Purest White](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/ash-is-purest-white/): Bitter and sweet look at two lives unfulfilled... Selected to compete for the Palme D’or at Cannes this year, and losing out to Shoplifters, it demonstrates the high level of quality and how hard a time the judges must have in making a decision. This jianghu (gangster) drama, set in the small northern town of - [A film 22 years in production: Caught by the Tides](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/a-film-22-years-in-production-caught-by-the-tides/): JIA ZHANGKE strikes again capturing the ever so changing China in a new film – CAUGHT BY THE TIDES - that spans across a generation. #jiazhangke #zhaotao #xstreampictures #caughtbythetides - [Caught by the Tides](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/caught-by-the-tides/): Chinese Sixth Generation auteur Jia Zhangke at his most experimental and romantic… Ever the chronicler of the marginal downtrodden grassroots in China, the Sixth-Generation auteur Jia Zhangke returns to familiar subject matters and themes in his latest, Caught by the Tides. However, what makes this film stand out is how he does it, so much - [Xiao Wu: from underground film to restored cinema classic](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/xiao-wu-from-underground-film-to-restored-cinema-classic/): Bringing unique images Jia Zhangke's hometown to the world... In 1997, Chinese film director Jia Zhangke was still a student at the Beijing Film Academy. He returned to his hometown and shot his graduate film project Xiao Wu (“Pickpocket”), which later became one of his seminal works. According to one of his essays from the book Jia - [24 City](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/24-city/): Eight individuals reminisce their days at an old military factory, revealing the China of yesteryear... 24 City is a documentary style film that follows a group of former factory workers who recount their lives at ‘Factory 420’, which is now being torn down making way for luxury buildings known as ‘24 City’. Part documentary and - [A Touch Of Sin](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-touch-of-sin-alt/): Four apparently random acts of violence are explored in minute detail... It’s difficult to say how much modern audiences are truly desensitised to violence. We’re certainly used to violence as a concept; violence as a solution to an issue, whether committed by heroes or villains. It’s hard to say the exact purpose that the acts - [Jia Zhangke and Walter Salles interview: ‘I was struck by the universality… it somehow gave us a reflection of the times we are in’](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/jia-zhangke-and-walter-salles-interview/): We talk to acclaimed filmmakers Jia and Salles about their latest films, Mountains May Depart and Jia Zhangke, A Guy from Fenyang... Acclaimed Chinese independent director Jia Zhangke opened this year’s London Film Festival with his new feature Mountains May Depart. This screening was followed by Brazilian director Walter Salles’ documentary on the Chinese Mainland - [An exclusive interview with Jia Zhangke](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/an-exclusive-interview-with-jia-zhangke/): With A Touch Of Sin in cinemas this Friday, we were honoured to chat briefly to the director Jia Zhangke as part of the Chinese Visual Festival... As the only non-native Mandarin speaking media present that day, we had an amazing luck to be able to have a one-on-one interview with director Jia Zhangke, with - [Jia Zhangke in London: Q&As at the BFI and King’s College](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/jia-zhangke-in-london-qas-at-the-bfi-and-kings-college/): Only in London for his second time, London audiences get the chance to meet the director and ask questions about his work… As Tony Rayns mentioned in introduction, this is only the second time that Chinese director Jia Zhangke has come to London. The first time was way back in 2001, when he was invited - [Jia Zhangke short films selection](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/jia-zhangke-short-films-selection/): The Chinese Visual Festival and Filming East Festival presents some of Jia’s rarely seen short films… Since coming to the attention of the international stage, director Jia Zhangke’s work has be critically praised and awarded; in 2006 he was awarded the Golden Lion for Still Life, more recently picking Best Screenplay at the 2013 Cannes - [A Touch Of Sin](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-touch-of-sin/): Jia Zhangke’s powerful, violent and brilliant comment on modern China… It’s easy to see why Jia Zhangke’s A Touch Of Sin ruffled so many feathers back home in China. In a film industry dominated by compliance with the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of the People's Republic of China (SAPPRFT, formally SARFT), - [Mountains May Depart](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/mountains-may-depart/): Jia Zhangke’s latest is an ambitious three part tale charting change in China from the recent past to an imagined future... Jia Zhangke widens his scope with his latest work Mountains May Depart, following the Chinese-censor angering A Touch of Sin with something less controversial and angry, though no less thoughtful. A three part epic - [Ash Is Purest White](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/ash-is-purest-white-alt/): Zhao Tao plays one of the finest performances of her career so far, the return to form we’ve been waiting for from Jia Zhangke… Right from the opening shot of Ash Is Purest White, director Jia Zhangke falls on familiar ground with a 4:3 ratio shot of occupants of a bus that feels (and quite - [Jia Zhangke, A Guy from Fenyang](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/jia-zhangke-a-guy-from-fenyang/): An illuminating and intimate portrait of a filmmaker who continues to forge innovative paths through the everyday Chinese experience… It is not uncommon for filmmakers to make documentaries about other filmmakers. However, there is always the danger of a finished product transpiring into an uninspired mutual director-to-director flattery session. Much to my delight, Brazilian filmmaker - [Jia Zhangke, A Guy from Fenyang](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/jia-zhangke-a-guy-from-fenyang-alt/): This intelligent, enjoyable documentary provides an insightful portrait of Jia and the fast-changing China his films explore... From his early Fenyang-based films such as Xiao Wu to the recent Mountains May Depart which spans different times and countries, Jia Zhangke has consistently shown he is one of China’s most distinctive and talented contemporary filmmakers with - [Super Master vs. The Evil Dead](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/super-master-vs-the-evil-dead/): An awesome premise is let down by lack of zombies. And ninjas... Super Master vs. The Evil Dead (also known as Zombies vs. Ninjas) is another underseen film from the recent batch uploaded onto the Arrow Video Channel but while the idea seems like a lot of fun the result is only OK. After his - [Mint Chinese Film Festival returns for 4th edition](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/mint-chinese-film-festival-returns-for-4th-edition/): Kendal Brewery Arts becomes the new home for programme running from 6 to 9 March... Launched in 2023, the latest edition of the annual MINT Chinese Film Festival moves to Kendal Brewery Arts Cinema, located in the beautiful Lake District town of Kendal, Cumbria, where co-founders Yixiang Lin and Carol Rennie first crossed paths and - [Snake Fist of the Buddhist Dragon](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/snake-fist-of-the-buddhist-dragon/): An incoherent but still somehow fun little kung fu film... Arrow Video have released a slew of underseen martial arts films onto their popular streaming platform, The Arrow Video Channel, and Henry Cheung’s Snake Fist of a Buddhist Monk is often hard to follow but still has some moments worth seeing. In 1650 China the - [Peking Opera Blues](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/peking-opera-blues/): A masterful action comedy from the legendary Tsui Hark... After proving himself to be master of martial arts action with 1983’s Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain Tsui Hark adds comedy to his kinetic energy with Peking Opera Blues. The lives of three women in 1913 Beijing cross in the local Peking Opera house, where - [White Flowers and Fruits](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/white-flowers-and-fruits/): A dreamy look at grief in this debut film from a promising director… At first glance, Yukari Sakamoto’s White Flowers and Fruits seems to promise horror. A girl who sees ghosts transfers to a secluded Christian boarding school; a suicide unsettles the fragile order; a spirit lingers. Yet Sakamoto’s debut is far less interested in - [Haunted Changi](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/haunted-changi/): A documentary filmmaker and his crew visit a haunted hospital in this 2010 Singapore found footager... Although the found footage genre is far more common in the west, there have been a few notable examples from East Asia such as the 2018 Korean hit Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, the 2022 Taiwanese shocker Incantation and the mockumentary - [Flaming Brothers](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/flaming-brothers/): Sentimental Bloodshed!!! With a red-hot ensemble driven by Wong Kar-Wai, no less... If 1987 was in the heart of what’s widely regarded as the Golden Age of HK cinema in general, it’s the Golden Golden Age for Heroic Bloodshed marking exactly when such tales of triad bonds, betrayals and of course brotherhood burned up the - [The Cave of the Silken Web [Pan Si Dong]](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-cave-of-the-silken-web-pan-si-dong/): The root of Chinese martial arts-fantasy cinema as we know it can be found in this lively literary adaptation... The Journey to the West — and more specifically its heroic character Sun Wukong aka The Monkey King — is probably the most enduringly popular work in Chinese literature, the most prominent even among 四大奇书 The - [To Live](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/to-live-alt/): The quintessential Chinese film... Looking at the big picture or the raw numbers alike, the first 3 quarters of the 20th century for China were among the most gruelling and scarring collective experiences of any country’s modern history. The century kicked off with a World Record 8 countries invading them simultaneously and almost never let - [City on Fire](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/city-on-fire-alt/): Action and deception at every turn. Bullets and bloodshed on the streets. All in a week in Ringo Lam’s Hong Kong City nights... Football, as they say, is a game of two halves. In many ways, City on Fire is much the same. There is explosive action, thrilling moments, and Chow Yun-fat in the centre - [Ghost Train](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/ghost-train/): A Korean YouTuber investigates a haunted train station, only to find that its sinister urban legends are terrifyingly real... Horror anthologies have been a mainstay of South Korean genre cinema for the last couple of decades, from the likes of the popular Horror Stories franchise through to more recent examples such as Urban Myths and - [Politics of Time: The Films of Anocha Suwichakornpong](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/politics-of-time-the-films-of-anocha-suwichakornpong/): The varied and contemplative works of Thai director Anocha Suwichakornpong are coming to Metrograph... Starting February 21st, Metrograph will host a series of films by Thai writer-director Anocha Suwichakornpong. Anocha is known for her nuanced yet hard-hitting historical lens, using formal experimentation to explore Thailand’s evolving national identity. Her debut and graduation film, Graceland, premiered - [Anocha Suwichakornpong: "I was thinking not only about the life cycle of a person but of society"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/anocha-suwichakornpong-i-was-thinking-not-only-about-the-life-cycle-of-a-person-but-of-society/): We talk to director Anocha Suwichakornpong on her ruminative retrospective coming to Metrograph... This month Metrograph theaters will screen the works of Thai director Anocha Suwichakornpong. The series, Politics of Time, looks at the evolving identity of her home through her unique style of portraiture. I was spellbound immediately by her graduation piece Graceland, which - [Hidden Face](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hidden-face/): A captivatingly conducted and performed erotic thriller with an unlikely classical bent to its madness... I. Overture: Seong-jin (Song Seung-heon, So Close) rose from lowly roots to being a conductor — a struggling conductor trying to get his foot in the door, perhaps, but a certified conductor in a remarkable feat all the same. The - [Know thyself! The Japan Foundation’s annual Touring Film Programme returns for 2026](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/know-thyself-the-japan-foundations-annual-touring-film-programme-returns-for-2026/): This season’s programme hits 34 cinemas under the theme, “Knowing Me, Knowing You: The True Self in Japanese Cinema”... Understanding of the self, the nature of the self and/or the lack thereof has been a significant recurring theme in Japanese cinema, already brought to the forefront from some of its very first movies exposed to - [The Garden Cinema celebrates LGBT+ History Month](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/the-garden-cinema-celebrates-lgbt-history-month/): A curated season of queer classics includes Korean films co-presented by Queer East... This month, The Garden Cinema is marking LGBT+ History Month with a season of trailblazing landmark films that celebrate queer lives, desire and community on screen. Their curators threw down the gauntlet to our 20,000+ members, asking them to pick films that - [Over Your Dead Body](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/over-your-dead-body-alt2/): The evils of toxic relationships are conjured by a classic ghost story in Takeshi Miike’s underseen 2014 horror... Working with your spouse can be a real drag. You see too much of each other, you begin to see their work self more than their home self, you may even find them bringing home work with - [Over Your Dead Body](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/over-your-dead-body/): Black Swan meets Imprint in Takashi Miike’s lingering – and at times gruelling – take on *the* classic Japanese ghost story... Over Your Dead Body is Takashi Miike’s latest offering – I say latest, he’s directed four more movies since at the time of writing – the latest to be released in the UK at - [Over Your Dead Body](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/over-your-dead-body-alt/): Life, art and the supernatural combine in the latest offering from Miike Takashi... Over Your Dead Body was also reviewed by Anthony Gates. Nearly 200 years old and having been adapted for the screen some 30 times, kabuki play Yotsuya Kaidan is arguably the definitive and most influential Japanese ghost story. Such a history obviously - [12th FEFF Campus looks for cinema’s next generation](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/12th-feff-campus-looks-for-cinemas-next-generation/): The initiative returns for 2026!... The Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy, has launched its annual search for eager young film enthusiasts to join its ground-breaking FEFF Campus – an initiative that hosts 10 people (five from Europe and five from Asia) for 10 days (and nights) of festival living (and working …). “We - [A New Love in Tokyo](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-new-love-in-tokyo/): A rare and surprisingly grounded reflection on sex work by Pink Film legend Banmei Takahashi... Pink film master Banmei Takahashi reflects on the sex industry in this understated and emotionally rich erotic comedy. Rei, a dominatrix played by Sawa Suzuki (Scrap Heaven, Loft), befriends Ayumi, a call girl portrayed by Reiko Kataoka (Hush, Kamikaze Taxi). - [Grave Torture](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/grave-torture/): Joko Anwar’s 2024 shocker follows a woman obsessed with the religious fear of eternal torment after death... Expanded from his own 2012 short, Grave Torture is a 2024 offering from writer director Joko Anwar, one of the leading figures of the recent wave of Indonesian horror, having helmed the likes of Satan’s Slaves, The Queen - [Pandemic](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/pandemic/): A 2009 Japanese take on the usual Outbreak formula sees a virus threatening the country and staff of an overwhelmed hospital... Originally released back in 2009, Pandemic saw Japanese cinema again taking on the time honoured disaster movie formula, with another tale of a deadly virus threatening the country as various stars try to save - [Paper Marriage](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/paper-marriage/): Runnning on the spot from thugs, immigration, ex-partners, Maggie and Sammo are having a great, bad time of it... Sammo Hung is kind of a big deal. I don’t know how he’s perceived now but in his heyday, he could make any kind of film. Comedy, drama, horror, if it required him to jump around - [The Viral Factor](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-viral-factor/): Dante Lam’s 2012 thriller saw the director being given a considerably bigger budget to blow even more things up loudly... Originally released back in 2012 when Dante Lam was the current darling and great hope of Hong Kong action cinema, The Viral Factor saw the director serving up another slice of explosive, melodramatic mayhem. Following - [The Great Flood](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-great-flood/): A mother tries to save herself and her son when an apocalyptic flood strikes their apartment building... Writer director Kim Byung-woo returns with The Great Flood, pitched as an apocalyptic science fiction disaster film, though which part way through takes an unexpected turn into something very different. Featuring popular actress Kim Da-mi, best known to - [Posthouse](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/posthouse/): An editor restoring a lost silent Filipino horror film releases a demon in Nikolas Red’s directorial debut... Posthouse marks the directorial debut of Nikolas Red, brother of acclaimed Filipino director Mikhail Red, known for the likes of Birdshot, Eerie, Deleter and other genre hits. Having served as editor on a number of his brother’s productions, - [No Other Choice](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/no-other-choice/): Park Chan-wook returns with a comedy caper starring Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin… Despite the numerous instances of dark humour, comedy ‘per se’ isn’t something Park Chan-wook has dabbled with too much. Maybe Trio, his sophomore directing effort? But could you really label I'm a Cyborg completely that way? Park’s latest No Other Choice promises - [Saga of the Phoenix](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/saga-of-the-phoenix/): The goofier but still charming follow up to the wild spectacle of Peacock King... In the follow up to his 1988 hit Peacock King, Lam Nai-Choi and co-director Lau Shut Yue team up with star of the first film Yuen Biao as Peacock, with Hiroshi Abe (Still Walking, After the Storm) taking over from Hiroshi - [Triple Tap](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/triple-tap/): Derek Yee’s 2010 follow-up to Double Tap and One Nite in Mongkok offers more shootouts and hardboiled crime drama... Originally released back in 2010, Triple Tap saw acclaimed Hong Kong director Derek Yee following up the 2000 Leslie Cheung-starring Double Tap and the 2004 crime drama One Nite in Mongkok with a sequel of sorts - [Dead to Rights](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/dead-to-rights/): The war drama that became China’s Oscars submission… Chinese director Shen Ao’s Dead to Rights (2025) is a compelling war film centered on the Nanjing Massacre during World War II. Much of the action unfolds inside a photo studio, where images of war are staged, processed, and circulated at a measured distance from the battlefield - [1980s: The Lost Decade of Japanese Cinema season](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/1980s-the-lost-decade-of-japanese-cinema-season/): The Garden Cinema presents UK’s first-ever season of films from Japan’s ‘forgotten era’ of filmmaking... The UK’s first-ever season of films covering an often-overlooked period of Japanese film history is coming to The Garden Cinema, London, this January, featuring a selection of award-winning and highly acclaimed films. Running form 9th January to 7th March, their - [The Prosecutor](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-prosecutor/): Donnie Yen does double-double duty as director/producer/heroes in novel if overdone kung fu court drama... Officer Fok (Donnie Yen, Raging Fire) is head of the Narcotics Division, commanding partners Insp. Lee (MC Cheung Tin-Fu, Love Lies) and Leung (Sisley Choi, Keeper of Darkness). His squad’s raid against the violent gang of Cheung Man-Bing (Justin Cheung) - [Hiroshi Okuyama interview: “I don’t want a child actor like a toy where you press ‘play’ and they say the line”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/hiroshi-okuyama-interview/): We talk to the director about his acclaimed film My Sunshine and his varied career and influences across J-entertainment... Hiroshi Okuyama’s pleasant yet invigorating coming-of-age quasi-musical romantic drama, My Sunshine (2024) has already made waves from its debut at Cannes (Un Certain Regard section) in additional to several other film festivals before receiving new theatrical - [Jakoman and Tetsu](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/jakoman-and-tetsu-alt/): Kurosawa via Fukasaku?! It happened — and to surprising results for either’s adherents... For as massively as one’s recognition has risen in the past quarter-century and as enduringly synonymous with the medium itself the other’s has stayed globally (respectively), Kenji Fukasaku and Akira Kurosawa remain two names quite unlikely to be heard together for general - [Crime Hunter: Bullets of Rage](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/crime-hunter-bullets-of-rage/): A stylin’ modest milestone in Japanese crime cinema that birthed a franchise, a medium, and a movement with a smirk... The 1980s were rough seas for yakuza cinema; especially for its preeminent studio of the previous 17 years, Toei, who’d desperately made several big attempts to revive the genre to no avail. All the main - [Bat Without Wings](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/bat-without-wings/): Chor Yuen does what he does best while trying so much more for a wuxia mystery of grotesque beauty... Madam Lei Feng (Susanna Au, Crime Story) — acting head or “princess” of her father’s Zhenyuan Escort Agency — has ordered her procession to make a stop at a restaurant for rest and tea. It is - [The Town Within Reach](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-town-within-reach/): Recrimination doesn’t have to be bitter to hurt... Working within the framework of a country that has endured a civil war where the bigger conflict was never resolved, merely ended, a film about the conflict that came after it could be tricky to navigate. Ken Loach’s The Wind That Shakes the Barley or Akira Kurosawa’s - [Calif Chong interview: “A casting director might say that's ‘uncastable’ – lesson learned!”](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/calif-chong-interview/): We talk to the director of British film High Wire about her debut and career… Calif Chong’s journey to High Wire has hardly been linear. Racked with moments of self-doubt and working-class parents who would have much preferred her to get into a ‘proper job’ like being a doctor or solicitor, there have been plenty - [Bloody Parrot](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/bloody-parrot-alt/): Hua Shan presents a horror-infused wuxia tale with a touch of sex and gore... In the early 1980s, Shaw Brothers Studio was producing some of its most gonzo fare. These productions varied in tone and genre, but their wuxia films were truly odd and experimental, with compelling entries like the Killer Constable (1980) or Holy Flame - [Zhu Rikun interview: "Perhaps they think I’m a very dangerous person"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/zhu-rikun-interview/): A New York film festival organiser forced to cancel an event at the last minute... The sudden cancellation of the inaugural IndieChina Film Festival—scheduled to last eight days between Nov. 8 and 15 across two New York venues—shocked many, but none more than its organiser, Zhu Yikun. Zhu later said he never expected the majority - [The Case of the Spirit of Banana](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-case-of-the-spirit-of-banana/): A cop accidentally releases a ghost from a plantation, resulting in romance, melodrama and supernatural hijinks... The Case of the Spirit of Banana, a film which surely deserves some kind of award for its excellent, and in fact reasonably accurate title, was originally released back in 1994, and was a late entry into the popular - [Swordsman at Large](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/swordsman-at-large/): Wai Wang plays a hero with a broken heart and sullied reputation... Swordsman at Large is a 1971 wuxia film directed by Hsu Tseng-Hung, with a screenplay by Gu Long, which it seems he later adapted into The Eleventh Son novels. It stars Wai Wang as the titular hero, Xiao Shiyi Lang, Tina Chin Fei - [The Golden Sword](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-golden-sword/): Cheng Pei-Pei and Kao Yuen unravel a deadly mystery in this wuxia spectacle from Lo Wei... The worst thing about The Golden Sword is its title. It feels like the name of a less memorable film. So much so, I sometimes confuse it with more mediocre faire from the era. The name also does little - [Death Valley](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/death-valley/): A dark and gritty wuxia film from Lo Wei... Death Valley is a story of brotherhood and betrayal set against the backdrop of a martial sect’s internal power struggle. In it Yueh Hua and Chen Hung-Lieh play two heroes, Chiu Yu-Lung and Chin Hu, who find themselves at the centre of a martial storm, when - [The Black Butterfly](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-black-butterfly/): Lisa Chiao Chiao robs from the rich and gives to the poor in this wuxia film by Lo Wei... The Black Butterfly is a 1968 wuxia film directed by Lo Wei and produced by Shaw Brothers Studio. It stars Lisa Chiao Chiao, Yueh Hua, Tien Feng, Yang Chi-Ching, Ku Feng, Fan Mei-Sheng and Lo Wei. - [Vengeance of a Snowgirl](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/vengeance-of-a-snowgirl/): Creative fights and visuals, droll plotting, and a delightfully psychotic heroine surprisingly set this wuxia apart... As one of martial arts cinema’s best known directors overseas, Lo Wei was almost exclusively associated with the “realist” kung fu movie style of Golden Harvest led by Bruce Lee, then his not-so-successful run with Jackie Chan. However, Lo - [Vengeance of a Snowgirl](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/vengeance-of-a-snowgirl-alt/): Lo Wei delivers a spectacular adventure about revenge, love and redemption starring Li Ching and Yueh Hua... Vengeance of a Snowgirl is a 1971 Shaw Brother Studio release directed by Lo Wei, starring Li Ching and Yueh Hua. Lo Wei had a long and solid career as a Hong Kong actor and director making movies - [Shadow Girl](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/shadow-girl/): Lily Li plays a mischievous invisible swordswoman in this strange but entertaining wuxia... Directed by by Hsin Chi and released in 1971, Shadow Girl Stars Lily Li, An Ping, and Tsui Fu-Sheng. Lily Li had been with Shaw Brothers since 1966 but rose to prominence in Chang Cheh’s The Wandering Swordsman a year before in - [China White](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/china-white/): An early and controversial crime thriller from Ronny Yu, shot in Amsterdam’s Chinatown... Hong Kong crime thriller China White was originally released back in 1989 and was an early international film from director Ronny Yu, who in the late 90s went Hollywood with the likes of Bride of Chucky, The 51st State and Freddy vs. - [Tomb Watcher](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/tomb-watcher/): A cheating husband and his lover must care for the corpse of his rich wife for 100 days to inherit her fortune... Although they don’t tend to make it to cinemas in the west or even play festivals very often, the last few years have seen a real boom in horror films from around Southeast - [Legend Of the Eight Samurai](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/legend-of-the-eight-samurai-alt/): One of the best epic fantasy films Japan ever crafted... Most spectators will know Kinji Fukasaku for the brutal documentary-like yakuza films he made during the seventies and the cultural phenomenon he created with his Battle Royale (2000). Yet, they might not know that, as the seventies neared its end, he said the yakuza-genre farewell - [Stranger](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/stranger-1991/): A minimalist thriller that doesn’t quite hit the mark... Stranger is a different offering from Arrow’s V-Cinema Essentials, shifting the narrative away from the usual Yakuza violence to a female led Duel-esque thriller. After serving time for bank fraud, taxi driver Kiriko now lives a somewhat quiet life working night shifts. However, a relentless stalker - [Bi Gan's Resurrection voted 10th best film of 2025 by Sight & Sound critics](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/bi-gans-resurrection-voted-10th-best-film-of-2025-by-sight-sound-critics/): Park Chan-wook's No Other Choice and Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Cloud also feature prominently... BFI's International film magazine Sight & Sound announced the results of its annual Best Films of the Year poll 2025 on 5 December. The poll was topped, perhaps predictably, by Paul Thomas Anderson’s action comedy One Battle After Another, which continues to pick - [Heart of Dragon](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/heart-of-dragon-alt/): An overly sweet but a little mishandled effort... A team up between Hong Kong action legends Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung is usually something to look forward to, especially if you’ve seen Wheels on Meals and Dragons Forever. Much like these two this has Hung on directing duties and Chan taking the lead onscreen but - [The Captives](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-captives/): A Chinese special forces team are humanity’s last hope when CGI alien bugs launch a sneak attack... The Captives is another low budget, CGI-heavy Chinese online film, a mix of science fiction, action and horror which was released on the iQIYI and Youku platforms back in 2024. Borrowing heavily from a variety of Hollywood productions - [Ghost Mask: Scar](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/ghost-mask-scar/): A young Japanese woman travels to Seoul to search for her missing sister and crosses paths with a mysterious plastic surgeon... Originally released back in 2018, the Japanese horror Ghost Mask: Scar was directed by Takeshi Sone, also a prolific cinematographer who worked on the likes of indie sensation One Cut of the Dead. Though - [Splendid Outing](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/splendid-outing/): Haunting drama with surprisingly relevant social criticism... Directed by one of Korea’s most prolific filmmakers Kim Soo-yong, Splendid Outing (1978) is a daring psychological drama that blends social critique with surreal narrative. With an outstanding lead performance by Yoon Jeong-hee (Poetry), evocative cinematography, and layered storytelling, the film explores themes of gender roles, societal oppression, - [The Oily Maniac](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-oily-maniac/): Classic exploitation howler where a man transforms to enact revenge upon those who have unwisely wronged him... As well as their martial arts classics, the Shaw Brothers were responsible for some of the wildest exploitation jaw-droppers of the 1970s and 1980s, not only from Hong Kong but from anywhere else in the world, good taste - [The Seeding of a Ghost](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-seeding-of-a-ghost-alt/): One of the Shaw Brothers’ most infamous and sleazy shockers finally gets the rerelease it deserves... The crowning ghoulish jewel in the recent wave of Shaw Brothers horror releases is undoubtedly the notorious, long sought after Seeding of a Ghost. Directed by Richard Yeung Kuen (who also gave genre fans Hell Has No Boundary, a - [Bloody Parrot](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/bloody-parrot/): One of the crazier of the later Shaw Brothers films, mixing magic, martial arts and bloody madness... The oddly titled Bloody Parrot is a somewhat obscure Shaw Brothers re-release from 1981, the period when the studio was mainly known for churning out lots of gory and grotesque fantasises and tales of dark magic. The film - [Twinkle Twinkle Little Star](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/twinkle-twinkle-little-star/): Shaw Brothers oddity as sci fi meets comedy spoof in a car crash of a movie, but not one without merit… A rare Shaw Brothers foray into sci fi would turn out to be a disastrous move for director Alex Cheung, a founding member of the Hong Kong New Wave and one of the few - [The Super Inframan](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-super-inframan/): A joyful and frenetic cult classic take on the superhero movie... In the late 1960s / early 70s, a wave of Japanese takusatsu (literally, "special effects") films and TV shows, like Ultraman and Masked Rider, featuring transforming costumed superheroes fighting rubber-suit monsters, were finding success and making money. The Super Inframan was the Shaw Brothers - [The Seeding of a Ghost](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-seeding-of-a-ghost/): Spells, sorcery and copulation from beyond the grave; presenting another Shaw Brothers horror classic that’s as daft as it’s gory… A touch of necrophilia, check. A man vomiting up real worms, check, another buggered with a giant matchstick, check. A face-eating placenta, also check. Not the latest series of Help, I Used To Be Famous - [Hex](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hex/): A Shaw Bros curiosity that takes a classic French film, dips it in period drama, detours into comedy, before ending up in a Hammer Horror of the 70s... A late era Shaw Brothers curiosity that takes a classic French film, and proceeds to dip it in period drama, detours into dire comedy, before ending up - [Bewitched](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/bewitched/): Sleazy sorcery and gruesome black magic in another wild offering from the legendary Kuei Chih-hung... Fans of Shaw Brothers horror and indeed of wild exploitation cinema in general have a real reason to celebrate with the release of the long sought after Bewitched. Directed by the legendary Kuei Chih-hung, who gave the studio a number - [The Fantastic Magic Baby](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-fantastic-magic-baby/): Chang Cheh’s bold Peking Opera presentation of the Red Boy episode from Journey to the West... Chang Cheh is one of the most beloved and industrious martial arts directors, with a long career spanning distinct phases, working from 1949 to 1993. In the 1960s at Shaw Brothers, he helped pioneer the new school wuxia for - [Shaolin Martial Arts](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/shaolin-martial-arts/): More martial arts and bald geezers in the famous Chinese temple. But without the temple... “What’s this about then? Martial arts is it? Martial arts what’s at that famous Chinese temple, yeah, with the bald geezers?” Er, well yes actually. Except for the temple bit. Shaolin kung fu. Yes there were martial arts in China - [Rosa](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/rosa/): A middling showcase for the always charming Yuen Biao... While is does have Sammo Hung producing and Wong Kar-wai on co-writing duties the often-forgettable Rosa, recently restored by 88 Films, is probably a film for the Yuen Biao completists among us. After one humiliates the Chief Inspector during an arrest and the other accidentally causes - [Female Prisoner Scorpion: Death Threat](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/female-prisoner-scorpion-death-threat/): A satisfying continuation to an iconic exploitation franchise. - [Akira Emoto interview: “I hope more films are made about Japan from a different perspective”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/akira-emoto-interview-i-hope-more-films-are-made-about-japan-from-a-different-perspective/): A Japanese screen legend speaks with us about his English-language debut... Rental Family is the highest-profile Japan-set film of the year, but it’s an American studio picture. This is (thankfully) no Lost in Translation. The second feature from Osaka-born rising talent Hikari (37 Seconds (2019), episodes of Netflix series Beef), Rental Family follows struggling American - [Break Up the Chain](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/break-up-the-chain/): Lee Man-hee’s enjoyable caper recalled in The Good, The Bad, The Weird... From the prolific South Korean director of A Day Off, Road to Sampo and The Marines Who Never Returned, Lee Man-hee’s 1971 film Break Up the Chain transplants the backdrop of the American Civil War in Sergio Leonie’s The Good, The Bad and - [Jakoman and Tetsu](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/jakoman-and-tetsu/): Fukasaku impresses with a beautiful monochrome staging of a pre-modern Japan forever lost... At the age of eighteen, Ken Takakura fell in love with a Toho film directed by Senkichi Taniguchi and starring Toshiro Mifune. Many years later, on the verge of his breakthrough, his love for Jakoman and Tetsu (1949) made him approach Toei’s - [Rental Family](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/rental-family/): Brendan Fraser stars in Hikari’s film about Japan’s infamous ‘rental family’ services… All aboard for the latest entry in the Brendan Fraser comeback trail. Next stop: Japan, as we explore that Japanese phenomena of services that offer actors to play family, friends, co-workers and much more. Osaka-born, Japanese-American Hikari co-writes and directs her first feature - [Shinobi no Mono 4: Siege](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/shinobi-no-mono-4-siege/): A Ninja for All Seasons reboots the classic series, cementing the shinobi's tragic-heroic image for generations to come... 1615. Ieyasu Tokugawa (Ganjirō Nakamura II, Floating Weeds) — having already all but consolidated his position as ruler of Japan — is hellbent on eliminating the last vestiges of his predecessors, the Toyotomi Clan, who’ve been under - [Shinobi no Mono: Resurrection](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/shinobi-no-mono-resurrection-alt/): A satisfying conclusion to Goemon’s narrative and the thematic exploration of capitalistic thirst... The impact Japanese culture has had on pop-culture cannot be understated. Even people who do not actively seek out Japanese cultural productions can form an image of Godzilla, samurai, and the cat-like ninja. Yet, while the black-clad ninja are heroic in the - [Shogun’s Samurai](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/shoguns-samurai/): An all-star cast take part in battles without honour (or humanity) in Kinji Fukasaku’s genre-reviving samurai classic... There are few directors who proved to be as shocking a lightning rod as Kinji Fukasaku. The extremely prolific Japanese provocateur revitalised everything he touched, starting in noir and gangster dramas and adding grit and cynicism from the - [Angel’s Egg](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/angels-egg/): The cult avant-garde anime classic is back with a 4K remaster… Japanese director Mamoru Oshii’s cult classic Angel’s Egg (1985) returns to cinemas this year in a newly remastered print, marking the film's 40th anniversary and giving contemporary audiences the rare chance to experience one of the most distinctive works in Japanese animation on the - [In The Aftermath](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/in-the-aftermath/): Cheap live-action film copies surreal anime and both come away without a scratch... Have you ever watched a film that was weird or had an unusual construction and wondered: how did they put that film together like that? Further to that, have you ever found out and regretted it? This is In The Aftermath and - [The Black Enforcer](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-black-enforcer/): A wrongly convicted constable seeks revenge after 15 years in prison... Ho Meng-Hua is responsible for a slew of classic movies, from The Jade Raksha (1968) and The Lady Hermit (1971) to The Flying Guillotine (1975), Black Magic (1975), Shaolin Abbot (1979) and my personal favourite, The Vengeful Beauty (1978). He is famous for adapting - [Left-Handed Girl](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/left-handed-girl/): With Sean Baker co-writing the results are perhaps not unexpected, but still a joy… Only Taiwanese-American Shih-Ching Tsou’s second film as director, and first single-handed (no pun intended), Left-Handed Girl arrives having already received much acclaim, having had its world premiere at the Critics' Week section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. It’s already been - [Crazy Tsunami](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/crazy-tsunami/): Tsunami survivors find themselves hunted by a giant croc in this 2021 Chinese creature feature... It’s never much of a challenge to figure out the inspirations behind most of the recent wave of made for online Chinese creature features, with Crazy Tsunami clearly having been modelled on Alexandre Aja’s 2019 Crawl. The two films are - [Take Out](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/take-out/): A high-octane, high-stakes mockumentary that throws you between sympathy and stress... The American Dream – it’s a cruel fantasy dating back to the Great Depression, luring people into a myth of social mobility and freedom. Great literature, art and film has often captured the magnificent tragedy of that dream, but few have conveyed its unattainability quite - [The Good, The Bad, The Weird interviews, pt 2: Kim Jee-woon](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/the-good-the-bad-the-weird-interviews-pt-2-kim-jee-woon/): The director of A Bittersweet Life and A Tale Of Two Sisters talks about his latest movie, a homage to Sergio Leone’s The Good, The Bad & The Ugly... It’s an exceptionally mild November day, though you wouldn’t know it to look at Kim Jee-woon. In London to attend a premiere of his latest film - [Lured](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/lured/): Found footage horror following an American filmmaker travelling to a remote village to meet a girl he’s been chatting with online... Lured is another film from director Dawei Lee, who had previously dabbled in Chinese language horror with the likes of The Wilderness Hotel and Perfect Horror. Originally released online back in 2019, the film - [East Asian films at Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF)](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/east-asian-films-at-leeds-international-film-festival-liff/): Currently screening up to 16 November, here’s what to watch… For 18 days, the 39th edition of Leeds International Film Festival, LIFF 2025 will screen 260 films showing at more than 300 screenings at venues across Leeds including Vue in The Light, Everyman, Hyde Park Picture House, Cottage Road Cinema and Howard Assembly Room. LIFF - [High Wire](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/high-wire/): Isabella Wei stars as a young woman stuck in her family’s takeaway business who dreams of something more… Rising star Isabella Wei leads Calif Chong’s debut feature had its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival 2025. The cast also includes Hong Kong film veteran Dominic Lam Kar-wah (The Counterfeiter, Invisible Target), Jackie Lam - [Huge Shark](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/huge-shark/): A young woman fights for her life against an oversized shark in this 2021 Chinese creature feature... Given the global success of US-China co-production The Meg back in 2018, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that shark shockers have been a key part of the recent wave of CGI-heavy, made for streaming Chinese - [Peacock King](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/peacock-king-alt/): A wild but much sillier adventure from Lam Nai-Choi... Hong Kong’s Category III films were introduced in the late 1980s, providing audiences with more adult and unrestrained content that grim violence, sex and often politically loaded or supernatural stories as a selling point. Plenty were easily forgotten but the films by director Lam Nai-Choi (who - [East Asian films at BFI’s Too Much: Melodrama on Film season](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/east-asian-films-at-bfis-too-much-melodrama-on-film-season/): At BFI Southbank and across the country, plenty of classics to be seen… Through November and December, the BFI embarks on a celebration of melodrama with classics from the silent era right up to date. Often dismissed over the years by critics for its lack of restraint, appreciation has grown greatly in the last few - [Sine Screen in Focus: Kaori Oda](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/sine-screen-in-focus-kaori-oda/): A programme exploring the work of the experimental filmmaker and artist... Alongside their Whose Homeland series across various venues between November 2025 and March 2026, Sine Screen will also be presenting the first UK In Focus programme of Japanese filmmaker Kaori Oda. The programme, curated by Cici Peng, will be at London’s Institute of Contemporary - [Sadako Returned](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/sadako-returned/): Sadako haunts a projector instead of a videotape in this low-budget Chinese Ring knock-off... Since the publication of Koji Suzuki's Ring back in 1991 there have been no less than ten different film adaptations of the novel and its follow-ups in Japan, as well as several TV series, video games and manga, the evil goblin - [Sine Screen’s Whose Homeland film season returns](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/sine-screens-whose-homeland-film-season-returns/): The season explores shifting homelands and migrant narratives through a mix of cinematic forms... The screening collective Sine Screen’s upcoming film season will once again feature the Whose Homeland series, continuing the exploration of migration, displacement and marginalised lives via a mix of fiction and non-fiction cinema. The season features over 16 events and will - [The Holy Virgin Vs The Evil Dead](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-holy-virgin-vs-the-evil-dead/): Donnie Yen stars in this insanely fun schlockfest... The Holy Virgin Versus the Evil Dead (1991) is schlock of the highest order. Directed by Tony Lou Chun-Ku and starring Donnie Yen, it dives right into the horror and action, when a blood moon heralds the arrival of an undead sex maniac who attacks during a - [Sana](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/sana/): An enjoyable flashback to the 1990’s J-horror boom from Takashi Shimizu... Directed by horror legend Takashi Shimizu, Sana marks a return to the kind of atmospheric horror that defined Japan’s late-90s and early-2000s genre boom. This time, Shimizu enlists the real-life J-Pop sensation GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE to star in a supernatural mystery that blends - [Three... Extremes](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/three-extremes/): A solid follow-up to horror anthology Three features segments by Park Chan-wook, Takashi Miike and Fruit Chan… From the producers that brought us Three comes another trio of horror stories by well known Asian directors, this time featuring Fruit Chan, Park Chan-wook and the irrepressible Takashi Miike. Interweaving throughout out the tales is the subject - [Mistress Dispeller](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/mistress-dispeller/): A documentary that follows an unfolding, real-life case of infidelity through the lens of an undercover agent hired to banish the mistress... Elizabeth Lo’s second feature Mistress Dispeller is an intriguing documentary that follows an actual instance of infidelity and promises an intimate look at China’s marital crisis through the lens of a confidential agent who helps - [The Wilderness Hotel](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-wilderness-hotel/): Things get increasingly bizarre after a newlywed couple decide to stay the night in a remote hotel in this 2017 Mainland Chinese horror... With full-on horrors being pretty rare in Mainland Chinese cinema, any new genre films are at least of some interest, even ones as obscure as The Wilderness Hotel. Written and directed by - [Sana: Let Me Hear](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/sana-let-me-hear/): A horror sequel that outperforms its predecessor... Takashi Shimizu continues the story of ghostly Sana with Sana: Let Me Hear. With tighter pacing, more immediate scares, and a broader exploration of haunted memory, Let Me Hear demonstrates Shimizu’s evolving mastery of daylight horror and cyclical dread; hallmarks which continue to define his work. The film - [Episode 39 - The Sadness special](https://www.easternkicks.com/podcast/episode-39-the-sadness-special/): We interview director Rob Jabbaz exclusively... To celebrate the global release of gruesome horror The Sadness on Shudder, James and Andy chat through the film, with an exclusive interview with the films director, Rob Jabbaz. This episode’s handy timecodes 00:31 - Episode introduction 01:54 - The Sadness, a quick explainer 08:39 - Rob Jabbaz interview - [The Sadness](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-sadness/): A mutated virus leads to a pandemic of murder and perversion across Taiwan... Taiwan isn’t particularly known for full-blooded genre films, aside from the odd splatter opus like Joe Chien’s 2012 shocker Zombie 108 (ridiculously retitled Call of the Undead for some territories) or Wang I-fan’s more recent Get the Hell Out, which saw the - [The Draft](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-draft/): College students become aware they are just characters in a script in this inventive horror… Stop me if you’ve heard this before: a bunch of college students decide to head to a remote villa in a forest for a getaway… okay, okay, hang on! You’re not even letting me get the words out first! Director - [Witch from Nepal](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/witch-from-nepal/): Ching Siu-Tung’s genre bending action film... Witch from Nepal (1986) feels almost like Ching Siu-Tung’s dry run before making his masterpiece A Chinese Ghost Story (1987). Many of the key elements are there. It might be more uneven and modern, but there is a magical woman, a love story, a powerful supernatural threat, and an - [Ghost Killer](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/ghost-killer/): What’s a girl to do when possessed by a yakuza? What’s a yakuza to do when hosted by a girl? A zany one, this... One of the more fascinating — and you’d better believe, lucrative — partnerships in world pop cinema today is that of Yugo Sakamoto and Kensuke Sonomura. Sonomura has been a hidden - [Diamonds in the Sand](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/diamonds-in-the-sand/): DIAMONDS IN THE SAND stars LILY FRANKY in a tender tale of aging, loneliness & cross-cultural care ★★★★½ - [To a Land Unknown](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/to-a-land-unknown/): A stirringly topical gangster drama opens an unlikely new horizon for Palestinian cinema... Chatila (Mahmood Bakri, Alam) and his cousin Reda (Aram Sabbah) could barely have less in common; or at least they would have little in common if not for the shared refugee limbo status in Athens that binds them and their behavior more - [Escape](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/escape/): The Bad Boy Old Man of Japanese Cinema is back with all eyes on the nation’s Most Wanted Terrorist in a fiery biopic... Outside of more hardened Japanese film fans, perhaps most have never heard of Masao Adachi — the most prolific multi-hyphenate director/writer/actor/critic in pink/political cinema of the 60s-70s period — but most are - [London Korean Film Festival turns 20!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/london-korean-film-festival-turns-20/): Full festival programme is out now... Celebrating its 20th anniversary, London Korean Film Festival is back this autumn, captivating UK audiences with an intriguing lineup of Korean cinema. Organised by the Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK) and supported by the Korean Film Council, it is one of the longest running festivals focusing on Korean cinema - [Parasite (Black & White Version)](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/parasite-black-white-version/): With the Oscar-winner still in UK cinemas, a new version is already here, but do we really need it?... Even before Parasite was officially released in the UK, a new black & white version was teasingly announced to debut at the International Film Festival Rotterdam 2020. Since the film made history deservedly winning four Oscars - [Parasite](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/parasite/): Bong Joon-ho’s latest is a scathing, though uneven, take on the complexities of the modern class war... One of the keys to the success of Bong Joon-ho is the way he combines the commercial with the offbeat, working in social commentary while avoiding anything too pretentious or heavy-handed, films like The Host, Okja and others - [Parasite](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/parasite-alt/): A smart and snappy black comedy with a surprisingly dark denouement... The gap between the haves and have-nots is at the centre of this sharp and pacy Korean black comedy, written and directed by Bong Joon-ho (Okja, ‎Mother, Snowpiercer, Memories of Murder). Parasite focuses on the fortunes of the down-at-heel Kim family. They struggle to - [The Ugly](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-ugly/): Yeon Sang-ho returns to his roots with a dark drama exploring a family’s traumatic past... South Korean filmmaker Yeon Sang-ho has certainly had a varied career, and while best known for his 2016 zombie global blockbuster Train to Busan, he started off in animation, his first features being the dark dramas The King of Pigs - [Exclusive trailer reveal: City on Fire](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/exclusive-trailer-reveal-city-on-fire/): Coming to Limited Edition 4K UHD and Blu-ray on 1st December from Arrow Video... After the success of John Woo’s A Better Tomorrow, lead actor Chow Yun Fat cemented his reputation as Hong Kong’s hottest new action film megastar with his electrifying performance in Ringo Lam’s City on Fire, one of the most beloved examples of - [Long Day’s Journey Into Night](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/long-days-journey-into-night/): A sumptuous, meandering fever-dream of love, loss and regret... Returning to his hometown Kaili after the death of his father, brooding loner Luo Jongwu (Haung Jue) discovers a faded photograph of a woman hidden inside a broken old clock from his father’s restaurant and sets out to find out who she is. So far, so - [Exclusive trailer reveal: Proof of the Man](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/exclusive-trailer-reveal-proof-of-the-man/): Coming to Limited Edition Blu-ray from 8 September from Arrow Video... Movie mogul Haruki Kadokawa changed the landscape of Japanese cinema for good when he introduced the concept of the blockbuster to the country with this gripping crime drama featuring an all-star cast. Enjoy the new trailer from Arrow Video exclusively here... https://youtu.be/gP3L7mjqyiQ When mixed-raced - [Perfect Blue](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/perfect-blue/): The directorial debut for one of anime’s true visionaries, the late Satoshi Kon, and fantastic psychological thriller to boot… ‘This pop idol image is suffocating me.’ Mima Kirigoe (Junko Iwao) is the lead singer with a popular girl band CHAM, on the cusp of quitting them to concentrate on acting. Led more by her management, - [Perfect Blue](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/perfect-blue-alt/): Are you sure you’re you? Are you sure you’re good? Are you sure?... There are very few films that I can simply slot into without needing to work myself up, fewer still that I can love despite the subject matter. The one we’re talking about today, Perfect Blue, set me up for a lifetime of - [69th BFI London Film Festival announces full 2025 programme](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/69th-bfi-london-film-festival-announces-full-2025-programme/): We take a first look at the Asian titles coming up… The 69th BFI London Film Festival (LFF) returns this Autumn from 8 to 19 October. Presenting a captivating and diverse programme of 247 features, shorts, series and immersive works from 79 countries playing across the 12 days of the festival. It will include Screen - [731](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/731/): An ordinary man tries to escape the clutches of the Japanese army’s notorious Unit 731... The story of the infamous Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army and its bacterial experiments on Chinese, Russian and Korean prisoners in Northeast China during the Second World War remains one of the most horrific cases of inhumane cruelty - [Big Bee](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/big-bee/): Genetically modified giant bees go on the rampage in this shoddy Chinese CGI-heavy creature feature... Although the creature feature might not be the first genre that springs to mind when it comes to Chinese cinema, the country has been churning out a steady stream of them for the last decade or so. Most of these - [The Odyssey of Sinophone cinema opens with Four Trails](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/the-odyssey-of-sinophone-cinema-opens-with-four-trails/): Odyssey Film Festival begins with the award-winning documentary... I first met Dr Hiu Man Chan, the Director of UK China Film Collab, as a fellow panellist at the BFI, and have admired their project and goals ever since, so was delighted this week, to have the pleasure of attending the opening of one the NGO’s - [Queer East Festival Goes on the Road](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/queer-east-festival-goes-on-the-road/): Queer East touring program is back! The Queer East festival continues to delight UK audiences with its bold and varied selection of Asian queer cinema. This autumn, cinema-goers get to enjoy a part of the 2025 festival catalogue all over the country, as Queer East takes its selection on the road. Activism, community and the - [Peacock King](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-peacock-king/): Chaotic, genre defying mix of kung fu, dinosaurs, sci-fi, horror and claymation sequences and one of Takashi Miike's first outings as an assistant director? - [Sex Rider: Wet Highway](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/sex-rider-wet-highway/): Sex and death, love and lust, cigarettes and cars, and a heap of nudity kicks off the wildest bride to be’s weekend ever... The Roman Porno genre is one of the most embarrassing genres to describe. If I was speaking to my partner, I might describe it as “70’s violent film where the characters think - [The 14 Amazons](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-14-amazons/): A Shaw Brothers classic following the fighting fortunes of the women of the famous Yang clan... The 14 Amazons is a 1972 Shaw Brothers classic, directed by Cheng Gang, who also made the likes of The Sword of Swords and Flying Guillotine 2 for the famous studio. Although perhaps not as well known in the - [Floating Clouds](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/floating-clouds/): Beyond all doubt, Mikio Naruse’s masterpiece... Mikio Naruse is often neglected in conversations of Japanese masters of cinema – cinephiles fondly remember Akira Kurosawa’s magnificent period drama, Yasujiro Ozu’s explorations of intergenerational tensions and familial troubles, and Kenji Mizoguchi’s cinematic investigations of the oppression of women, yet often forget the refined shoshimin-eiga (proletarian film) of - [Godfather of Canton](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/godfather-of-canton/): Gordon Liu headlines Kuei Chih-hung’s violent 1982 Shaw Brothers crime thriller... Gordon Liu is one of the best known Shaw Brothers martial arts stars, having been in a long list of classics including The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Dirty Ho and The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter to name but a few, and was a regular collaborator - [The Snake Prince](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-snake-prince/): Monster mayhem and musical madness ensue in forgotten Shaw Brothers delight... - [The Black Tavern](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-black-tavern/): KU FENG is ferocious and terrifying in THE BLACK TAVERN ★★★★★ - [The Monkey Goes West](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-monkey-goes-west/): Whimsy and weirdness abound in the first of the Shaw Brothers’ mid-60s stab at Journey to the West... In the time it would take a single person to view every single screen adaptation of Wu Cheng'en’s Journey to the West, one might be able to read the original text in its one hundred chapter length - [Lady with a Sword](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/lady-with-a-sword/): Kao Pao-Shu’s directorial debut is a riveting tale of revenge... Lady with a Sword is a 1971 Shaw Brothers film directed by Kao Pao-Shu. It stars Lily Ho, James Nam Seok-Hoon, Meng Yuen-Man, Wang Hsieh, Chai No, and Lin Jing. Kao Pao-Shu was an actress in numerous movies during the 1950s and 1960s and this - [The Bells of Death](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-bells-of-death-alt/): A macabre and moody revenge tale inspired by Western and Samurai films. - [Lady of the Law](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/lady-of-the-law/): Shih Szu is brings evil to justice with a gathering of punchable faces and some solid action... - [Finger of Doom](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/finger-of-doom/): An intriguing blend of wuxia and horror – a must see!... Finger of Doom is a 1972 wuxia film presented in the style of a classic horror movie. Directed by Pao Hsueh-Li, it creates a sense of gothic atmosphere and leans into the martial arts genre’s more macabre tropes. The result, enhanced by the director’s - [The Web of Death](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-web-of-death/): Chor Yuen’s insanely entertaining THE WEB OF DEATH ★★★★½ - [Duel for Gold](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/duel-for-gold/): A heist goes awry in Chor Yuen's gritty wuxia film... Chor Yuen answers the question “can you put a price on love?” with silver ingots stained in blood. Released in 1971 with a great cast that includes Ivy Ling Po, Wang Ping, Lo Lieh, Chin Han, Tsung Hua and Richard Chen Chun, Duel for Gold - [The Lady Hermit](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-lady-hermit/): Cheng Pei-pei dazzles in Ho Meng-hua’s classic... Sadly Cheng Pei-Pei passed away in 2024 at the age of 78, but she left behind a very impressive body of work spanning decades. Many know her for her role as Jade Fox in Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000). But martial arts fans came to adore - [The 14 Amazons](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-14-amazons-alt/): A scintillating masterpiece from Cheng Kang where a cast of women warriors in the Song Dynasty take on the Western Xia... The 14 Amazons is a 1972 film directed and written by Cheng Kang, starring Ivy Ling Po, Lisa Lu Yan, Lily Ho, Wang Ping, Yueh Hua, Shu Pei-Pei, Tien Feng and Lo Lieh. The - [Siyou Tan interview: "I don't wanna make babies for the country!"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/siyou-tan-interview/): We talk to the director of Amoeba about her feature debut... After making 4 short films over the previous 5 years, the Singapore-born and raised, US-educated Siyou Tan has finally launched her feature debut Amoeba. Much like seeing her film — perhaps naturally so for how much of it draws from her own insider-gone-outside experience - [Wong Kar-wai classics at Riverside Studios in October with Focus Hong Kong intros and discounted tickets](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/wong-kar-wai-classics-at-riverside-studios-in-october-with-focus-hong-kong-intros-and-discounted-tickets/): Presenting three of the director’s most acclaimed works as part of the BFI’s Melodrama on Film programme... As part of the British Film Institute's nationwide Too Much: Melodrama on Film season, audiences have the chance to rediscover the works of master Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, London this October. Collecting - [XX: Beautiful Hunter](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/xx-beautiful-hunter/): A memorable, stylish often violent and erotically charged effort... Cult director Masaru Konuma, known for controversial S&M themed films like Flower and Snake, takes on the second instalment of the XX series with a story based on the novel Shion by Banjin Hanamura. The film follows Shion, the beautiful and deadly assassin who ends up - [Amoeba](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/amoeba/): High school girls under suffocating expectations seek solace in (what else?) gang brotherhood for unclassifiable fun... Going by all she’s been taught coming up, 16-year-old Choo (Ranice Tay) should only feel excited and proud upon being taken into the prestigious Confucian Girls’ Secondary School — the #1 girls’ school in Singapore!!! Celebrating its 100th anniversary!!! - [Dear Stranger](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/dear-stranger/): Hidetoshi Nishijima and Gwei Lun-Mei are parents caught in a New York nightmare in Tetsuya Mariko’s ambitious if plodding moral drama... If I had a nickel for every Japanese-inflected kidnapping drama set in New York City and released in September 2025, I’d have two nickels, which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened - [Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/strange-frequencies-taiwan-killer-hospital/): A Filipino take on Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum unsurprisingly offers more of the same... Pitched as the first ever found footage horror from the Philippines, Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital is based on Jung Bum-shik’s 2018 Korean film Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum. Even for audiences who haven’t seen Jung’s popular shaky-cam shocker this should give a pretty - [All Kaiju Attack: Earth SOS! at the Barbican, London](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/all-kaiju-attack-earth-sos-at-the-barbican-london/): Monster-sized film attractions from 20 September to 10 December... From the very first Godzilla film in 1954, with the most famous kaiju serving as a symbol of trauma and the unpredictable and uncontrollable force of nature, Japanese monster movies have engaged with environmental themes in different, complex ways. Behind the thrilling, fantastic scenes of monster - [Sin of a Family](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/sin-of-a-family/): A dark 2011 Korean mystery revolving around the murder of a child and the possible involvement of his family in the crime... Originally released back in 2011 and the first film from popular Korean actor Shin Hyun-joon’s production company, Sin of a Family is a dark detective mystery revolving around the tragic death of a - [Nobuhiro Yamashita interview: “This is the purest of all”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/nobuhiro-yamashita-interview/): Japan’s cult director talks about Linda Linda Linda on the film’s 20th anniversary… Twenty years after its release, Linda Linda Linda remains one of the most quietly enduring Japanese films of the 2000s that follows a high school band story that blends youthful hesitation with the catharsis of performance. Directed by Nobuhiro Yamashita and starring Bae - [Making Waves Montreal 2025: Discover Hong Kong Cinema in Montreal](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/making-waves-montreal-2025-discover-hong-kong-cinema-in-montreal/): Back for its third edition, from September 18 to 20... Following the success of its first two editions, MAKING WAVES MONTREAL (MWM) returns to the screens of the Cinéma Cineplex Forum et VIP for its third edition from September 18 to 20. The programme, which ranges from heart-wrenching family dramas to Muay Thai action, spotlights - [The Swordsman of All Swordsmen](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-swordsman-of-all-swordsmen-alt/): Bloody constraint, in fierce tempest, follows in Joseph Kuo’s classic mournful revenge flick... Clint Eastwood once remarked in a film: “It’s a hell of a thing, killing a man. You take away all he’s got, and all he’s ever gonna have.” The Swordsman of all Swordsmen is one such example. Our hero needs to kill - [The Mystery of Chess Boxing](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-mystery-of-chess-boxing/): Eureka's searching in film vaults has unearthed a rare gem in the kung fu revenge genre in Joseph Kuo’s, at times, irreverent and serious kung fu style versus style mop up flick. - [Wife! Be Like A Rose!](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/wife-be-like-a-rose/): While pedestrian for today's audiences, Naruse’s story powerfully attests ‘relational happiness’ as an invention of western modernity... Mikio Naruse is often neglected in conversations of Japanese masters of cinema – cinephiles fondly remember Akira Kurosawa’s magnificent period drama, Yasujiro Ozu’s explorations of intergenerational tensions and familial troubles, and Kenji Mizoguchi’s cinematic investigations of the oppression - [Worlds Apart](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/worlds-apart/): A teenager navigates loss and more in this tender Japanese drama… Japanese director Natsuki Seta’s Worlds Apart is a quiet, elliptical film about grief, estrangement, and the hesitant formation of new emotional bonds. Adapted from Tomoko Yamashita’s long-running manga, the film favors gestures and silences over overt drama. After losing her parents in a car - [Off Road](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/off-road/): Two men end up on a violent road trip in this taut 2007 Korean indie thriller... A great example of effective low-key, indie film making, the 2007 thriller Off Road marked the debut of Korean director Han Seung-ryong, who had previously worked as an editor on the likes of Bongja, Resurrection of the Little Match - [Yen and Ai-Lee interview: “We still want to keep making the stories we believe in”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/yen-and-ai-lee-interview/): Writer-director Tom Lin Shu-yu and actress-producer-writer Kimi Hsia discuss their latest film... It was a sunny afternoon in Amsterdam when easternKicks contributor Maja Korbecka met with writer-director Tom Lin Shu-yu and actress-producer-writer Kimi Hsia to discuss their latest film, Yen and Ai-Lee, following its screening at the 17th edition of CinemAsia. The film was hand-picked - [Ken’ichi Ugana interview: “I knew I had just one chance to film that scene”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/kenichi-ugana-interview/): Japan’s emerging genre director talks about his international debut and filming in the US… Japanese director Ken’ichi Ugana’s I Fell in Love with a Z-Grade Director in Brooklyn begins with a deceptively simple setup: Shina, a Japanese actress at a career crossroads, meets Jack, a Brooklyn-based horror film enthusiast who has never shot a feature - [Banjong Pisanthanakun interview: "This kind of ghostly story really scared us!"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/banjong-pisanthanakun-interview/): With more frighting features on the way, Banjong talks Shutter in 4K... I met Banjong Pisanthanakun on a sweltering afternoon in New York at the Elinor Bunin Film Center. The gorgeous theater sits just across the street from the prestigious Juilliard School for Performing Arts. Today’s maestro, Banjong, is a master of a different type - [The Scarlet Letter](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-scarlet-letter/): A dark and twisted 2004 South Korean murder mystery featuring the final performance from Lee Eun-ju... Originally released in 2004, Korean mystery The Scarlet Letter is sadly perhaps best known for having been the last film to feature actress Lee Eun-ju, who took her own life shortly after production had been completed. Bearing no relation - [Tokijiro: Lone Yakuza](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/tokijiro-lone-yakuza-alt/): An incredibly satisfying period-drama that effectively puts the jingi no michi, the strict moral calculator, into question... Shin Hasegawa (1884-1963) was a prolific novelist and playwright that was known as a master of the Matatabimono-genre - i.e. period dramas which focus on wandering gamblers and depicted their adventures throughout Edo Japan. His popularity led many - [Tokijiro: Lone Yakuza](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/tokijiro-lone-yakuza/): Old-fashioned yakuza melodrama presented with artful new-school techniques make for a distinct curiosity... From the plains to the beach sands, wandering gambler or bakutō Tokijiro (Kinnosuke Nakamura, Bushido: The Cruel Code of the Samurai) is on just another journey with his loyal traveling companion Asakichi (Kiyoshi Atsumi, Tora! Tora! Tora!; Tora-san’s Lullaby) to wherever they - [Maru](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/maru/): Circle back on the art industry absurdities in this engaging comedy drama… Japanese director Naoko Ogigami’s latest feature, Maru (2024), draws a quietly satirical circle around the art world, Zen philosophy, and the uncertain line between self-expression and commodification. At once absurd and meditative, the film utilises its minimalist aesthetic and cyclical structure to explore - [Taiwanese Cinema: Now and Then returns at The Garden Cinema!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/taiwanese-cinema-now-and-then-returns-at-the-garden-cinema/): The London venue brings more classic films from Taiwan... The Garden Cinema are once again bringing masterpieces from Taiwan to London with the return of Taiwanese Cinema: Now and Then, supported by the Ministry of Culture, Taiwan. As with their autumn programme from last year, they will be showcasing superlative work from filmmakers both old and new. - [Yuumi Kawai interview: “Cinema allows us to create a better future together”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/yuumi-kawai-interview-cinema-allows-us-to-create-a-better-future-together/): Japan’s rising star talks industry and internalisation... There's a moment in Yoko Yamanaka's singular, contemplative feature Desert of Namibia that sticks in my mind. The film's star, Yuumi Kawai – who plays drifting young woman Kana – is curled up on the floor, her lithe figure naked but for her underwear, sandwiched loosely between a - [Death Whisperer 2](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/death-whisperer-2/): The murmuring continues in the sequel to the Thai box office horror hit. - [11 Rebels](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/11-rebels/): Kazuya Shiraishi's back to his old ways in new ways with a frenetic frenzy of cutthroat, throat-cutting chanbara action... Summer 1868, the Boshin War: The reemerged Imperial Army’s Expeditionary Force is determined to finally bring a 2.5 centuries-stagnant Japan into the Modern Age by asserting full control over her. That leaves the remaining system of - [The Tattooed Dragon](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-tattooed-dragon/): Jimmy Wang Yu fights for a small town against a group of bandits who exploit the population... The Tattooed Dragon is a 1973 Golden Harvest production directed by Lo Wei, starring Jimmy Wang Yu. It was filmed in Thailand, a popular filming location for the company at the time and the site of Wei’s first - [BAUS: The Ship’s Voyage Continues](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/baus-the-ships-voyage-continues/): An ambitious but all-over-the-place drama on Japanese filmgoing experience history… Inspired by the autobiographical records of Japanese film exhibitionist Takuo Honda and his theater, Baus Town, Japanese director Sora Hokimoto’s BAUS: The Ship’s Voyage Continues (2024) is an ambitious, almost 2-hour-long drama, maybe even too ambitious for its own good. The story begins in 1927, - [Bel Ami](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/bel-ami/): A contemplative black comedy about a hidden gay community in freezing northeast China, shot in black and white... Geng Jun’s stark, satirical queer film Bel Ami takes a comical look at a hidden gay community in China’s frozen northeast. Shot in black and white and laced with humorous dialogue, the slow-paced 116-minute-long drama relates the painful encounters - [Possession Street](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/possession-street/): Not a comedic romp, but a well-paced piece of melodrama and horror. - [Kaiju Guy!](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/kaiju-guy/): A love letter to filmmaking, kaiju, pent-up anger, and everything in between… When talking about kaijus, people usually think of Godzilla, a tragic giant monster born out of nuclear anxiety who quickly became the symbol of Japan’s atomic postwar chaos. Many kaijus after him might have followed Godzilla’s example in depicting societal worries, but that - [Any Other Side](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/any-other-side/): Three tales of wacky terror make up this 2012 Chinese horror anthology - [I, The Song](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/i-the-song/): A subtle and melancholy drama that uses local cultures and attitudes to weave a mystery, yet remains relatable no matter where you are from. - [Tough as Iron](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/tough-as-iron/): A former gangster finds himself dragged back into the criminal underworld in this gritty but familiar 2013 Korean thriller - [Ziam](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/ziam/): A Muay Thai fighter battles his way through a hospital filled with zombies to save his girlfriend - [Blind](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/blind/): Kim Ha-neul shines as a blind woman being stalked by a killer in this award-winning 2011 Korean thriller - [Exclusive trailer reveal: V-Cinema Essentials: Bullets & Betrayal](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/exclusive-trailer-reveal-v-cinema-essentials-bullets-betrayal/): Watch the V-CINEMA ESSENTIALS: BULLETS & BETRAYAL trailer now EXCLUSIVELY on #easternKicks! coming to Blu-ray from @ArrowFilmsVideo - [Missing Child Videotape](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/missing-child-videotape/): The mysterious horror of analog nightmares on VHS returns in this bone-chilling journey into darkness from Ryota Kondo... There’s a reason VHS tapes are inseparable from Japanese horror. These monolithic slabs heralded the first time many people could bring entertainment into their own home: what a great convenience! Yet within their dark constricted innards could - [Vicissitude](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/vicissitude/): Beyond expectations and sorrows in rural Japan, Gaku tries to spread his wings into a promising future… Takuro Ijichi's feature debut, Vicissitude (2024), which had its world premiere at the 2024 Shanghai International Film Festival, unfolds like a delicate haiku, as each frame is deeply intimate, and each emotion is carefully measured. Set in rural - [Hotspring Shark Attack](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hotspring-shark-attack/): Meet Sharknado’s newest companion, hailing from Japanese onsen bathhouses… Japanese director Morito Inoue’s feature debut, Hotspring Shark Attack (2024), is a 77-minute-long comedy horror kaiju fusion where a small town depending on its onsen bathhouses for tourism revenue finds itself in a bloody mayhem of portal-hopping almost-Lovecraftian sharks attacking from the depths of onsens. If - [Troubleshooter](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/troubleshooter/): A private eye finds himself pulled into a murderous conspiracy in Kwon Hyeok-jae’s hardboiled 2010 thriller. - [Ravens](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/ravens/): Film based photography is all about processing light and darkness, can art and film process a life too?... Titled after photographer Masahisa Fukase’s most important work, Karasu, Japanese for Ravens, has a similar sound to curse. A fitting homophone for the all-consuming talent that Fukase had, one that was celebrated yet destructive. Even in its - [Armour of God 2: Operation Condor](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/armour-of-god-2-operation-condor/): Jackie Chan takes the sequel to his Indiana Jones style adventure to new heights. - [First Highlights Announced for the 25th Nippon Connection](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/first-highlights-announced-for-the-25th-nippon-connection/): First Highlights Announced for the 25th Nippon Connection - The world’s largest Japanese film festival reveals its first 2025 offerings @NipponFilmfest - [She is Me, I am Her](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/she-is-me-i-am-her/): A film that explores the themes of the pandemic through an original and unconventional female point of view... Three years have passed since COVID-19 first changed daily life forever, but not much has been said in the cinematic industry, let alone in Japan. Director Mayu Nakamura’s She is Me, I am Her rediscovers the themes - [Motion Picture: Choke](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/motion-picture-choke/): An exceptional dystopian film defying the medium of cinema and signalling the rise of a brand new auteur… Japanese director Gen Nagao’s second feature Motion Picture: Choke defies the limits of language quite literally. Shot in black and white, the film has virtually no dialogue other than some grunting, and it features minimal background music. - [The Box Man](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-box-man/): Gakuryu Ishii’s labour-of-love Kōbō Abe adaptation is a box full of sordid surprises. - [White Night](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/white-night/): The 2009 Korean take on Keigo Higashino’s novel makes for a dark and harrowing crime mystery.... - [Lilim](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/lilim/): A familiar but entertaining gothic tale from the director Mikhail Red. - [Yumeno Kyūsaku’s Girl Hell](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/girl-hell/): Trouble in Sapphic Paradise set up by heterosexual holy hell on crass yet cultured Roman Porno. - [The Stone interview: "Why cheat so much when you are playing with religious sacred stuff?"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/the-stone-interview/): THE STONE directors Arak Amornsupasiri & Vuthipong Sukhanindr on amulets, karma, and truth in Thai cinema. - [Last Song for You](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/last-song-for-you/): Ekin Cheng shines in this tender romance with a mighty twist. - [On The Front Line: an interview with Jang Hoon](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/the-front-line-jang-hoon-interview/): We speak to Jang Hoon, the talented director of The Front Line, Secret Reunion and Rough Cut, and one of many Korean filmmakers to have served with auteur Kim Ki-duk - [The Front Line (LKFF)](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-front-line/): Continuing the North and South themes that divide the country, Secret Reunion director Jang Hoon returns with a drama set during the end of the Korean War itself... (This review contains spoilers – sorry!) After some candid comments in front of his superiors, CIC officer Kang (Sin Ha-gyoon, Welcome to Dongmakgol, JSA: Joint Security Area, - [The Suspect](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-suspect/): An utterly ridiculous and over-the-top action movie from director Won Shin-yeon (Seven Days, A Bloody Aria), but at least it knows what it is... The suspect in question is Dong-cheol (Gong Yoo, Silenced, Finding Mr. Destiny, Coffee Prince), a North Korean defector accused of murdering Chairman Park, a businessman with connections with Pyongyang for whom - [The Stone](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-stone/): A dive into the secretive Thai amulet trade scene combines crime, action and unexpected drama in an entertaining debut. - [Commitment](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/commitment/): n engaging espionage movie that combines all the best of the genre, thumbs up on emotionality and yet remains relatively predictable - [Toshiaki Toyoda interview: “Each of my films has its own soul”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/toshiaki-toyoda-interview/): TOSHIAKI TOYODA talks spiritual filmmaking, collaboration and instinct in our exclusive interview from #IFFR | TRANSCENDING DIMENSIONS coming to @thirdwindow soon! - [9 Souls](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/9-souls/): Multi-toned and enigmatic, Toshiaki Toyoda's crime comedy... When I first heard of ‘9 Souls’ it was at the 2012 Terracotta film festival where the director Toshiaki Toyoda was giving a master class and talking about his work, so having a Blu-Ray release was great news to finally satisfy my curiosity. The narrative follows nine criminals - [Green Wave](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/green-wave/): A heartfelt father and son dramedy told through colours, challenging what we expect from life and cinema. - [Dollhouse](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/dollhouse-alt/): You’ve been warned about creepy dolls... - [Dollhouse](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/dollhouse/): After the tragic death of their child, a couple buy a doll to help them grieve. But the toy seems to have a mind of its own. - [Crime Story](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/crime-story/): Jackie Chan means business like never before or after in Kirk Wong’s tense and relevant police thriller... Among all major actors from the last few decades in the world, few if any have as dominating of an image and unique of a screen presence as Jackie Chan. No matter how much filmmakers may differ in - [Crime Story](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/crime-story-alt/): A gripping drama, crime thriller and stunt action, elevated by its acting – a rare gem in Jackie’s career... Jackie Chan is known for his action/martial arts comedy films and whenever he is in a strongly drama-oriented movie some eyebrows are being raised. Myself included. Years ago when I first watched Crime Story I absolutely - [NYAFF 2025 Has Arrived!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/nyaff-2025-has-arrived/): Full lineup and Uncaged Nominees revealed as “Cinema as Disruption” takes over New York. - [The Rapacious Jailbreaker](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-rapacious-jailbreaker/): The science, history and above all math of crime cumulate into ferocious fun for prison film fans: THE RAPACIOUS JAILBREAKER - [Yakuza Wives](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/yakuza-wives/): The defining yakuza movie of its decade also redefined the genre's aim, air and audience in style: YAKUZA WIVES ★★★★½ | Available now from @88_Films - [Crime Story](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/crime-story-alt-2/): Jackie Chan switches slapstick shenanigans for moody tones in a slick action drama. - [Japanese Avant-Garde Pioneers](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/japanese-avant-garde-pioneers/): A fascinating insight into the birth of the Japanese avant-garde movement. - [Japanese Film Club launches with Yokimono Market and Tampopo screening!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/japanese-film-club-launches-with-yokimono-market-and-tampopo-screening/): Taking place at The Factory and Rio Cinema in Dalston on 28th June! - [Future X-Cops](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/future-x-cops/): Wong Jing’s 2010 follow-up to Future Cops ditches the Streetfighter madness for cyborg shenanigans - [A Dirty Carnival](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-dirty-carnival/): A lowly gangster finds his propensity for violence growing as he climbs the ladder in this 2006 Korean thriller. - [Hong Kong 1941](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hong-kong-1941/): A love story and piece of history that still feels relevant today: HONG KONG 1941 ★★★★★ - [The Loot](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-loot/): An all-star cast boost Eric Tsang’s 1980 kung fu comedy THE LOOT ★★★★ - [Shake, Rattle & Roll](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/shake-rattle-roll/): The first of the long-running Filipino cult classic horror anthologies - [Welcome to the Village](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/welcome-to-the-village/): A couple’s escape to the country proves more of a trap, in Hideo Jojo's WELCOME TO THE VILLAGE ★★★★ - [A Million](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-million/): Contestants in a reality TV show set in the Australian outback realise their director has sinister intentions in this 2009 Korean thriller. - [The Magnificent Chang Cheh (Magnificent Trio and Magnificent Wanderers)](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-magnificent-chang-cheh-magnificent-trio-and-magnificent-wanderers/): Two interesting outliers in Shawscope godfather Chang Cheh’s illustrious career are brought back into focus by Eureka. - [A Company Man](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-company-man/): A hitman finds himself up against his employers after he falls in love in violent but predictable 2012 Korean thriller A COMPANY MAN - [July Jung interview: ‘I was exploring things that I couldn't understand’](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/july-jung-interview-2024/): We talk to the Director of Next Sohee about complicity and working with Bae Doona... After the critically acclaimed A Girl At My Door, July Jung returns to the big screen after 7 years with her sophomore feature Next Sohee. The titular Sohee (Kim Si-eun) is a high school student turned call centre intern whose - [Next Sohee (Fantasia 2022)](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/next-sohee/): July Jung returns with another scathing look at Korean society and the exploitation of its youth... South Korean writer director July Jung returns with Next Sohee, nearly a decade after her feature debut A Girl at My Door won awards and acclaim around the world. Her follow-up is another searing piece of socially-conscious drama, this - [Next Sohee](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/next-sohee-alt/): Compelling examination of systemic negligence falls flat in the second act... My mother would always tell me that I should study hard if I didn't want to end up cleaning toilets. What she didn’t know was that there are roles far worse than cleaning toilets, the ever shape-shifting monster of capitalism churning out jobs that - [Doona Bae interview: “As an actor, I look beyond borders”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/doona-bae-interview-2025/): DOONA BAE talks her transnational collaborations and the mirrors between NEXT SOHEE and July Jung’s previous film in our exclusive interview | Released in US cinemas this May from @EchelonStudios - [Down the Yokai Rabbit Hole](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/down-the-yokai-rabbit-hole/): Far East Film Festival coupled their retrospective with an exhibition on Mizuki Shigeru, both focusing on the world of ‘yokai’. - [Love in the Big City](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/love-in-the-big-city/): A bright, offbeat portrait of friendship and survival, wrapped in the deceptive warmth of a romantic comedy. - [Upstream](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/upstream/): Xu Zheng tackles food delivery worker struggles—but turns hardship into hollow spectacle: UPSTREAM - [Lost in the Stars](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/lost-in-the-stars/): A faulty yet entertaining thrill ride... Cui Rui and Liu Xiang’s 2022 thriller Lost in the Stars (Xiao shi de ta) offers a sleek looking thrill ride, for those looking for more action-packed side of the thriller genre. Based on 1990 Soviet film called A Trap for Lonely Man (Lovushka dlya odinokogo muzhchiny), which in - [Pained](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/pained/): A man who can’t feel pain tries to look after a frail young woman in 2011 Korean melodrama PAINED. - [Miracles](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/miracles/): Jackie Chan’s lavish, raucous remake of Frank Capra’s ‘Pocketful of Miracles’. - [Teki Cometh](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/teki-cometh-alt/): Yoshiba Daihaici portrays the insecurities of an old man in Teki Cometh, but fails to give his film depth and nuance. - [FEFF27 line up revealed!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/feff27-line-up-revealed/): FEFF27 line up revealed! Sylvia Chang to be awarded the Golden Mulberry for Lifetime Achievement as Europe's biggest East Asian film festival returns for 2025! @fareastfilm #FEFF27 - [The Land of Morning Calm](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-land-of-morning-calm/): A fisherman’s faked death unravels buried truths in a coastal village gripped by loss, silence, and fading hope ★★★★½ - [The Challenger](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-challenger/): An old school late 70s kung fu film which marked the directorial debut of Eric Tsang: THE CHALLENGER ★★★★ - [Teki Cometh](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/teki-cometh/): An existentially stirring, absurdist, but entertaining look at ageing, historical guilt, and tragedy heralds a modern masterpiece - [Crazy Love](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/crazy-love/): An evocative sketch of the avant-garde zeitgeist that will make the spectator question the (demands of the) societal Other: CRAZY LOVE ★★★★½ - [Pierce](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/pierce/): An Asian fencing thriller with a Polish look — PIERCE ★★★★, the debut of Nelicia Low, delivers a masterfully crafted story that tackles a hot topic: codependent relationships. - [The Bells Of Death](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-bells-of-death/): An impressive Shaw Brothers production of a dark and grisly tale of revenge with a real Spaghetti Western flavour… Innocent young farmer Chang Wei Fu (Chang I, The Silent Swordsman, Zatoichi and the One-Armed Swordsman, Lady Whirlwind, The Moon Warriors) returns home after being attacked by a trio of idiosyncratic villains – the longbow-sporting Zuo - [Dark Forest](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/dark-forest/): A group of friends venture into a restricted forest area where they fall foul of a demonic curse: DARK FOREST ★★★★ - [The Invincible Eight](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-invincible-eight/): An early Golden Harvest production saw the new studio attempting a Shaw Brothers style wuxia: THE INVINCIBLE EIGHT ★★★★ - [Watcher In The Attic](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/watcher-in-the-attic/): Isao Fujisawa delivers a true classic of political cinema: WATCHER IN THE ATTIC ★★★★ - [Nomad](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/nomad-alt/): With great characters and fantastic cinematography, this classic Hong Kong film flows from one energetic scene to the next... A bored housewife who sits without talking and practices piano for hours each day. A weary old hotel receptionist who watches with bemusement as young couples check in to make love. A geeky young man who - [Under the Moonlight](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/under-the-moonlight/): A simple, joyous look at transgender issues and community resilience in Indonesia: UNDER THE MOONLIGHT ★★★★ - [Mikio Naruse: The World Betrays Us](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/mikio-naruse-the-world-betrays-us/): MIKIO NARUSE: THE WORLD BETRAYS US - Metrograph and Japan Society unveil massive retrospective celebrating Mikio Naruse - [Megumi interview: “It’s a moment of great opportunity for Japan”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/megumi-interview/): FEFF 2025’s multi-hyphenate juror talks Japan Night and beyond… Of all the guests at this year's Far East Film Festival in Udine, it’s Megumi that I find myself most excited to speak with. The Japanese film industry is at a turning point. #MeToo has shaken up the old guard, new female directing and producing voices - [Love and Crime](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/love-and-crime/): Teruo Ishii alternately assembles, crafts, patches and jams together true tales of Japan’s most scandalous crimes of passion: LOVE AND CRIME | Available now on Blu-ray from @88_Films - [Her Story](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/her-story/): In today’s Shanghai, two women weave a deep bond of solidarity and shared growth in the film HER STORY. Starring SONG JIA and ZHONG CHUXI - [My Friend An Delie](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/my-friend-an-delie/): MY FRIEND AN DELIE is DONG ZIJIAN’s directorial debut, starring LIU HAORAN and DONG ZIJIAN. A journey through childhood friendship and unresolved trauma. - [The Adventurers](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-adventurers/): Heroic Bloodshed? Hah! Ringo Lam lifts the veil from the label with a whirlwind tour of deception and betrayal... - [Award winners announced for FEFF27!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/award-winners-announced-for-feff27/): Award winners announced for FEFF27! Shao Yihui’s Her Story picks up top Audience prize - [Wolves, Pigs and Men](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/wolves-pigs-and-men/): The (thorny, poisonous) flowering of Fukasaku’s style and a Takakura we’d never see again made in full display... There once was a town in Japan called… “a pigsty”; or occasionally, “this dump”; or alternately, “the town occupied by pigs that failed to escape and were left behind.” Whatever one’s preference, the one thing agreed upon - [Cloud](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/cloud/): New ways of making money lead to new ways of putting a target on your head in Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s unsettling psychological thriller - [FOCUS ASIA 2025 unveils selected projects & works in progress!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/focus-asia-2025-unveils-selected-projects-works-in-progress/): FOCUS ASIA 2025 unveils selected projects & works in progress! FEFF announces the market for projects with an Asian and European co-production potential @fareastfilm #FEFF27 - [Roommates](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/roommates/): Life becomes even more stressful for four roommates cramming for exams when they realise their school is haunted: ROOMMATES ★★★★ | This week's #cineXtremes entry... - [February 29](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/february-29/): A tollgate worker is haunted by a mysterious black car which appears at the scene of a grisly accident: FEBRUARY 29 | This week's #cineXtremes entry... - [Tsui Hark to be awarded Lifetime Achievement at FEFF](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/tsui-hark-to-be-awarded-lifetime-achievement-at-feff/): Tsui Hark to be awarded Lifetime Achievement at FEFF - The filmmaking legend comes to Udine, Italy! @fareastfilm #FEFF27 - [Legend of the Eight Samurai](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/legend-of-the-eight-samurai/): A princess must find eight legendary warriors to help lift her family's curse in Kinji Fukasaku's box office sensation: LEGEND OF THE 8 SAMURAI ★★★★ " Available now from @Eurekavideo - [Sylvanian Families: The Movie](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/sylvanian-families-the-movie/): There is wholesome springtime fun abound (especially for very small ones) in adaptation of the beloved @SylvanianUK toy range, currently in theatres from @DazzlerMedia . Happy Easter!!!! - [Forbidden Floor](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/forbidden-floor/): Part of the 2006 Korean 4 Horror Tales collection, following a young mother who moves into a haunted apartment: FORBIDDEN FLOOR | This week's #cineXtremes enrty - [Japanese Film Festival Ireland is back until 26 April!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/japanese-film-festival-ireland-is-back-until-26-april/): Japanese Film Festival Ireland is back until 26 April! The ironic film festival is back for its 16th edition in Ireland with new and classic Japanese films @JFF_Ireland - [AUM: “The story of Aum’s rise is relevant to the world today”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/aum-interview/): “The story of Aum’s rise is relevant to the world today.” The directors of daring new documentary AUM: THE CULT AT THE END OF THE WORLD, examine the cult’s impact past and present - [Full programme for Queer East Festival 2025 announced...](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/full-programme-for-queer-east-festival-2025-announced/): Full programme for Queer East Festival 2025 announced, with films and performing arts, and Takeshi Kitano's Kubi! #queereast2025 - [A Better Tomorrow](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-better-tomorrow-2010/): The 2010 remake of John Woo’s classic predictably ups the tears as well as the gun battles: A BETTER TOMORROW | This week's #cineXtremes entry - [Show the world your passion for Asian film!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/show-the-world-your-passion-for-asian-film/): Callout begins for this year's FEFF Campus applicants... The Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy, is ready to launch the 11th edition of our ground-breaking FEFF Campus initiative as we continue to connect rising generations of young movie industry hopefuls (and Asian film fanatics) from across the globe for 10 hosted days (and nights) - [Lee Tae-woong interview: "I prefer to make the viewer think for themselves"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/lee-tae-woong-interview-i-prefer-to-make-the-viewer-think-for-themselves/): We talk to director LEE TAE-WOONG on his KBS Modern Korea documentary series and his latest film KOREAN DREAM: THE NAMA-JINHEUNG MIXTAPE which premiered at #IFFR - [The Wedding Banquet](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-wedding-banquet-2025/): Andrew Ahn’s reimagining of THE WEDDING BANQUET is a much-needed update to queer classic that’s just as messy, and even funnier than Ang Lee’s 1993 original ★★★★ | Screened as part of #BFIFlare - [Manok](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/manok/): MANOK is a truly wild ride – a hilarious, if a little over-the-top, romp that isn’t afraid to use a little brashness to get its point across ★★★★ | Screened as part of #BFIFlare - [The Chaser](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-chaser/): Brutal and uncompromising thriller set amongst the seething underbelly of Korean society: THE CHASER ★★★★½ - [Bye Bye Love](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/bye-bye-love/): Isao Fujisawa delivers a true classic of political cinema: BYE BYE LOVE ★★★★ | Screened at @Metrograph - [Stranger Eyes](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/stranger-eyes/): A 21st century take on Rear Window finds a young couple desperate to find their missing child: STRANGER EYES ★★★★★ | Screening as part of Asian Pop-Up Cinema 2025 @asianpopupcine - [An Unfinished Film](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/an-unfinished-film/): A Chinese film crew caught in a hotel lockdown during Covid must decide how to move forward as the pandemic rages on: Lou Ye's AN UNFINISHED FILM ★★★★ - [In the Pinku: The Return of the Roman Porno at Metrograph](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/in-the-pinku-the-return-of-the-roman-porno-at-metrograph/): In the Pinku: The Return of the Roman Porno at Metrograph: bringing the heat with six saucy films including a newly restored Love Hotel #Metrograph - [Assault! Jack the Ripper](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/assault-jack-the-ripper/): Stylish Pink Violence from the director Yasuharu Hasebe: ASSAULT! JACK THE RIPPER | Available now from @88_Films - [Joseph Koo's 10 Finest Soundtrack Spots](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/joseph-koos-10-finest-soundtrack-spots/): The man we heard over many of HK cinema’s most unforgettable moments also helped make them... Music altogether but cinema music especially took a devastating blow in 2023. In the coming weeks we'll pay tribute to film figures who made soothing impacts on our ears; whether as composers, or with memorably music-themed movies or performances. - [The Saviour](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-saviour/): Ronny Yu’s second film is a gritty New Wave-influenced take on the Hong Kong crime thriller: THE SAVIOUR ★★★★ | This week's #cineXtremes entry - [Summer’s Camera](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/summers-camera/): Divine Sung’s directorial debut SUMMER’S CAMERA is a tender, healing and heartbreaking love letter to teenage crushes and the romantic act of photography | Screened as part of #BFIFlare - [Yukiko](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/yukiko/): Hip-hop as introspection, cure/cause of anxiety, and maybe even a little fun in an unusual music indie: YUKIKO | Screening as part of Asian Pop-Up Cinema 2025 @asianpopupcine - [Secret Love](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/secret-love/): A woman starts to wonder if she’s married the right twin in increasingly odd 2010 Korean mystery SECRET LOVE | This week's #cineXtremes - [Some Nights I Feel Like Walking](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/some-nights-i-feel-like-walking/): Miguel Odron leads an ensemble of young male sex workers as they embark on a journey to fulfil their friend’s dying wish in SOME NIGHTS I FEEL LIKE WALKING @BFIFlare - [Hong Kong New Wave: 1979–1989 at The Garden Cinema with special guest Ann Hui](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/hong-kong-new-wave-1979-1989-at-the-garden-cinema-with-special-guest-ann-hui/): Hong Kong New Wave: 1979 – 1989 at The Garden Cinema with special guest Ann Hui. The first comprehensive season dedicated to the New Wave screens from April to May in partnership with Focus Hong Kong and the Chinese Cinema Project @TheGardenCinema - [Yokohama BJ Blues](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/yokohama-bj-blues/): A strangely satisfying narrative exploring desire as tainted by societal corruption and criminal appropriation... While it is quite common for films to be passion projects for their respective directors, it is less heard of that an actor is the creative force behind a film. Yokohama BJ Blues is an example of the latter. Yusaku Matsuda, - [Hit N Fun](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hit-n-fun/): An ensemble cast deal with life, love and Muay Thai in this Hong Kong Lunar New Year comedy... Following in the footsteps of hit ensemble Hong Kong comedies like Table for Six and its sequel is Hit N Fun, with a big name cast headlined by Louis Koo, Gigi Leung, Louise Wong, Chrissie Chau and - [Tracing Shadow](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/tracing-shadow/): Francis Ng and Marco Mak’s 2009 genre throwback is a mixed bag of wuxia wackiness... Released back in 2009, Tracing Shadow marked the fourth directorial outing for popular Hong Kong Star Francis Ng, and saw him again co-helming with Marco Mak, who he’d previously worked with on Dancing Lion. The film itself is somewhat of - [Brief History of a Family](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/brief-history-of-a-family/): Lin Jianjie’s impressive debut about a school friend who threatens to turn a family’s life upside down… The legacy of the one-child policy weighs heavy in writer director Lin Jianjie’s (often stylised as JJ Lin) impressive debut feature, as an enigmatic loner ingratiates himself with an upper middle-class family. An international co-production, the film had - [The Kung Fu Instructor](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-kung-fu-instructor/): A Ti Lung kung fu classic from 1979, and the first Shaw Brothers production to use a stedicam... The Kung Fu Instructor is a 1979 Shaw Brothers production from Taiwanese director Sun Chung, who helmed a good number of films for the studio, including The Deadly Breaking Sword, The Avenging Eagle and the notorious Human - [Human Lanterns](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/human-lanterns/): One of the most famous Shaw Brothers shockers, in which a ghoulish maniac does indeed make lanterns from human skin... Human Lanterns, one of the most controversial and infamous Shaw Brothers titles gets another airing on DVD thanks to Image Entertainment. Directed by Sun Chung (who made a number of hits for the studio, including - [Five Element Ninjas](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/five-element-ninjas/): Far-out martial arts action from Chang Cheh that packs in everything a kung fu fan could ever want!... By the 1980s, having already filmed almost every martial arts story imaginable and facing increasing competition from other studios such as Golden Harvest, the Shaw Brothers were getting a little desperate. The continuing search for innovation took - [The Five Venoms](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-five-venoms/): Cult? Sure. Legendary? Definitely. Kick-ass? Mostly. Any good? Depends on how cool you think venomous reptiles and stick-on beards are? Thought so... The dying master of the notorious Venom clan, who sits, straining, in a giant steaming cauldron (no that’s not a metaphor) sends his youngest and only remaining student, Yang (Chiang Sheng) on a - [The Kid with the Golden Arm](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-kid-with-the-golden-arm/): Excellent action is marred by a simple plot, too many characters and a twist that doesn’t hold up under scrutiny... The Venom Mob star in this fight-heavy 1979 Shaw Bros. entry from director Chang Cheh. Excellent action is marred by a simple plot, too many characters and a twist that doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. - [Disciples of the 36th Chamber](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/disciples-of-the-36-chamber/): Reliable, yet underwhelming, fun and games from the tail end of the Shaw Brothers martial arts catalogue... After a wonderful title sequence that plays with the conventions of the familiar ‘martial art showcase’; the cast demonstrate their skills against a plain background behind titles, Fong Shiyu (Hsiao Ho) wakes from his daydream. He’s in class - [Killer Constable](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/killer-constable/): A dark and occasionally gory film that delivers a real punch in terms of action and storyline. An unexpected gem... In Qing dynasty China the treasury of Empress Dowager Cixi has been plundered to the tune of 2 million taels. Chief constable Ling (Chen Kuan-tai) is assigned the task of apprehending the culprits in 10 - [House Of Traps](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/house-of-traps/): Chang Cheh’s action packed, and completely impractical, solution to simple home security! Definitely not sponsored by Ikea... House Of Traps opens with a gory montage of betrayal and murder, introducing us to a generation of royalty backstabbing (axing) their way to power. Enter the current (dodgy) prince of the realm and a paper-thin plan to - [Heroes of the East](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/heroes-of-the-east/): A softer version of the Chinese vs Japanese theme in this classic from director Lau Kar-Leung... Nationalism is writ large in the history of Hong Kong cinema. And a big part of all this YAY China-ness was an expression of the ‘other’ – an enemy that was evil and treacherous and wanted to take away - [The Killer Snakes](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-killer-snakes/): A downtrodden young man finds he can communicate with snakes, and uses them to take gruesome revenge... Although the famous Shaw Bros. studio is primarily associated with its output of martial arts films, it has also been responsible for a fair number of sleazy exploitation howlers. The Killer Snakes is an excellent case in point, - [Five Superfighters](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/five-superfighters/): Clash of the Titans kung fu style or a Hong Kong Dirty Almost half-a-dozen... I really wanted the first movie I reviewed to be a special one in my mind and heart, and here it is - Shaw Brothers' Five Superfighters. A tale of bravery and vengeance, learning and progressing, skills and wisdom, and good - [Five Shaolin Masters](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/five-shaolin-masters/): Chang Cheh’s manly kung fu extravaganza is as sure to please aficionados as it is to turn off genre skeptics... Is Shaolin burning? Of course it is. Over and over again. It’s been getting burned down at least ever since 1939’s Burning of the Shaolin Temple (I haven’t seen that movie and it may not - [Executioners from Shaolin](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/executioners-from-shaolin/): A Shaw Brothers nutzoid classic – with a bit more underneath the hood... On one level, Executioners from Shaolin is a film in which the main bad guy is able to suck his opponent’s foot into a void in his crotch before pounding him into submission. He may be a eunuch, but he may also - [Dirty Ho](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/dirty-ho/): Another Shaw Brothers martial arts classic from Lau Kar-leung and Gordon Liu, this time on the comedic side... Lau Kar-leung, who passed away 2013, was unquestionably one of the most important and influential directors and action choreographers to have worked in Hong Kong, with a career that began in the 1950s and spanned over 60 - [The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-eight-diagram-pole-fighter/): The swansong of Shaw Brothers is a true martial arts masterpiece... A few years ago I had a DVD copy of The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter and I was wondering whether to put it on or not, having less experience with Shaw Brothers’ titles (I watched few of them, the highlight being Five Superfighters) than - [Mercenaries from Hong Kong](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/mercenaries-from-hong-kong/): Wong Jing’s best movie?...And how much is it actually worth to ask, “Wong Jing’s best movie”?... As little as many really think about it, the Hong Kong movie industry has historically undergone more (non-politically driven) dramatic changes than any of the other big ones of the late 20th century. Not only were entire decades/half-decades utterly - [The Pirate](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-pirate/): A sea-faring Shaw Brothers classic from three of the studio’s powerhouse directors... The pirate-themed swashbuckler, though a perennial Hollywood favourite, has been rather neglected in Hong Kong cinema, with only a handful of films such as Jackie Chan's Project A tackling the genre. Helping to right this wrong is the re-release of the 1973 Shaw - [The Lady Assassin (1983)](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-lady-assassin-1983/): A lesser-known gem, with non-stop action that combines swordplay and director Lu Chin-Ku’s signature wirework… Director Lu Chin-Ku is best known for his creations Holy Flame Of The Martial World and Bastard Swordsman, phantasmagorical combinations of fantasy and wire-fu that lit up the world of early 80’s Shaw Brothers flicks. He began as an actor - [Brand new trailer for Arrow Video's Shawscope Volume Three Boxset!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/brand-new-trailer-for-arrow-videos-shawscope-volume-three-boxset/): We exclusively reveal the trailer... Coming soon – the latest volume of Arrow's Shaw fire selections from Hong Kong's infamous Shaw Brothers Studio: the Shawscope Volume Three on limited edition boxset. The latest edition (finally) includes the One-Armed Swordsman trilogy; the late great Cheng Pei-pei in The Lady Hermit; the wacky Buddha's Palm; Chor Yuen's Gu - [Haemoo](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/haemoo/): Tragedy and the very worst in human nature on the high seas in this Bong Joon-ho production... Another of the maritime-themed Korean 2014 releases, Haemoo (a.k.a. Sea Fog) marks the directorial debut of Shim Sung-bo, screenwriter of the acclaimed Memories of Murder, whose director Bong Joon-ho returns the favour by serving here as producer and - [Bong Joon-ho interview: "I'm fascinated by groups of people trapped inside of a space. In that sense Haemoo is like Snowpiercer"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/bong-joon-ho-interview/): The Korean director talks about Snowpiercer, Haemoo and influences including Alan Moore... To kick-off the month of April, The Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, New York invited Korean powerhouse director Bong Joon-ho to screen some of his films, and conduct a series of lectures, in an extensive retrospective. Bong, not only possesses a plethora - [Ahn Seo-hyun interview: “Tilda took me to see a film with her daughter!”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/an-seo-hyeon-interview/): We talk to the young lead of Bong Joon-ho’s Okja, debuting on Netflix and cinemas in South Korea, US and UK this week… At just 13-years-old, Ahn Seo-hyun already has an impressive filmography that would put actors of twice her age to shame. Having debuted in Korean TV dramas Love Marriage and Terroir at the - [An Ethics Lesson](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/an-ethics-lesson/): Four men connected to the murder of a college student turn violently against each other in this 2013 Korean thriller... Though its title might sound a little dry and academic, An Ethics Lesson (the literal English translation, Ethics of Anger might have been more suitable), is thankfully anything but. Marking the debut of writer director - [Kung Fu Super Sounds](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/kung-fu-super-sounds/): Fancy a bit of kitsch to kick-off the year? Then look no further than this collection of previously unreleased soundtracks to Shaw Brothers movies from the De Wolfe music library… In the late 70s and early 80s, De Wolfe came to dominate the market for music library companies, supplying what is often referred to as - [Line Walker](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/line-walker/): Jazz Boon brings his hugely successful TV series to the big screen… Television producer and director Jazz Boon (Man Wai-hung) brings his enormously successful 2014 TVB series Line Walker to the big screen for his feature film debut. Combining stars of the original series like Charmaine Sheh (Triumph in the Skies) and Hui Siu-Hung (From - [Mother](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/mother/): A masterful piece of cinema from Bong Joon-ho, director of The Host and Memories Of Murder... A single mother and practitioner of alternative medicines, Hye-je’s (Kim Hye-je, Mayonnaise, Late Autumn) world revolves around her son, Do-Joon (Won Bin, Taegukgi, My Brother) a naïve and gullible young man with the mind of a child. When the - [Okja](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/okja/): Bong Joon-ho returns with a magical, sweary fable and international cast… Bong Joon-ho’s long-awaited follow up to Snowpiercer premiered to much controversy in competition at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival after French industry body CNC protested against including Netflix-produced films headed towards home streaming platforms without a local cinema release planned. It also had the - [Memories of Murder](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/memories-of-murder/): A masterful crime thriller based on one of the most shocking incidents in the contemporary history of Korea... Based on the true incident of the first serial killer ever to appear in South Korea, the film begins on October 1986, when the deceased body of a raped woman is discovered in a ditch next to - [Bong Joon-ho at BAFTA Screenwriters’ Lecture Series: “I first saw Hitchcock’s Psycho when I was 8”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/bong-joon-ho-at-bafta-screenwriters-lecture-series/): The award-winning Korean filmmaker discusses screenwriting at Curzon Mayfair, London With his Cannes Palme d'Or winner Parasite continuing to prove a breakout hit around the world, Korean writer-director Bong Joon-ho is very much the man of the moment, picking up multiple awards, topping end of year top ten lists and even appearing on The Tonight - [Song Kang-ho interview: "It'd be amazing to work with Ken Loach!"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/song-kang-ho-interview/): We talk to Korea’s biggest actor about Korea’s biggest film, Parasite… It’s hardly as if either Song Kang-ho or Parasite need an introduction. From his earliest appearances in the mid-90s films like Shiri, Song quickly became one of the most recognisable faces in South Korean cinema. Thanks largely to his work with a generation of - [Episode 2: A Parasite special](https://www.easternkicks.com/podcast/the-easternkicks-podcast-episode-2-a-parasite-special/): In a special episode, we look at the film on everyone's lips... For our second episode, Andrew and James are joined by Tania Hall to discuss Bong Joon-ho's Parasite in detail. Will he get an Oscar? Will the film's phenomenal success thrust Korean cinema into the mainstream? Listen and find out what we think. We - [Snowpiercer](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/snowpiercer-alt/): Bong Joon-ho’s 2013 fantasy sci-fi thriller finally receives a proper UK Blu Ray release through Lionsgate... For many years before the breakthrough mainstream success of his all-conquering Parasite, Korean director Bong Joon-ho was already a firm favourite with Asian film fans around the world following the likes of Memories of Murder, The Host and Mother. - [Okja](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/okja-alt/): This super pig of a Criterion releases is packed full of meaty and fulfilling extras to gorge on... The new Criterion release of Okja is not a blu-ray or 4k, but a buffet. This release has so many extra features I think I spent the entire weekend watching them. The film itself stands the test - [Myriad Voices: Reframing Taiwan New Cinema](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/myriad-voices-reframing-taiwan-new-cinema/): The transformative era of 1980s Taiwanese cinema comes to BFI Southbank... ‘We worked together on the project and what mattered most wasn’t whether we made something successful. It was the team spirit and the strength we put together then. Something we don’t see today.’– Sylvia Chang Myriad Voices: Reframing Taiwan New Cinema is a season - [How to renegotiate collective memory through an ‘Opera Mondo’](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/a-brighter-summer-day-or-how-to-renegotiate-collective-memory-through-an-opera-mondo/): A look back on Edward Yang’s masterpiece A Brighter Summer Day... Largely acknowledged as Edward Yang’s masterpiece, A Brighter Summer Day’s 4-hour long-theatrical release in 1991 came filling in the gap between Golden Lion-awarded Hou Hsiao-hsien’s A City of Sadness (1989), arguably the most accurate and dramatically intense film narrative of the early White Terror - [Agent of Happiness](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/agent-of-happiness/): A charming and philosophical documentary... 148 questions in 9 categories, 75 agents and a mission of national importance, especially when you are a kingdom defined by the rest of the world for the unique Gross national happiness index. Bhutan prides itself on being the happiest nation on earth and Government policy is all set up - [Lily Franky interview: “I’m always thinking from the audience’s perspective”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/lily-franky-interview/): One of Japan’s most beloved character actors talks process, collaboration, and Cottontail... You may not know Lily Franky by name, but you’ll know him by face. Some smile with their eyes — Lily Franky does so with his entire screen presence, conveying complex emotion through every crease and fold, glance, and gesture. Patrick Dickinson, director - [Bong Joon Ho: Power and Paradox](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/bong-joon-ho-power-and-paradox/): With Mickey 17 coming to cinemas, the BFI announces a season celebrating the director's work... Following on from the filmmakers recent visit to the BFI Southbank and a chance to hear him discuss his career in detail, the BFI Soithbank brings us Bong Joon Ho: Power and Paradox. Charting the ascendancy of Korea’s most successful - [Asian Pop-Up Cinema announces full programme for 19th edition](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/asian-pop-up-cinema-announces-full-programme-for-19th-edition/): World premieres, special guests and new jury come to Chicago... Asian Pop-Up Cinema has announced the full programme for its 19th edition, running March 20 - April 13, 2025. The festival is dedicated to showing works from regions throughout Asia, with films screened at the AMC NEWCITY 14 (1500 N. Clybourn Ave.), and select presentations - [Episode 58 - Spotlight on Mongolian Cinema](https://www.easternkicks.com/podcast/episode-58-spotlight-on-mongolian-cinema/): With If Only I Could Hibernate in UK cinemas, we talk to director Zoljargal Purevdash... This week Andy and James take a look at Mongolian cinema. With If Only I Could Hibernate in UK cinemas, Andy chat's to the director Zoljargal Purevdash. Meanwhile regular easternKicks contributor Amarsanaa Battulga joins us to chat about Mongolian cinema in - [Zoljargal Purevdash interview: “It’s about keeping hope burning, even when you’ve no wood to burn!”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/zoljargal-purevdash-interview/): We talk to the director of If Only I Could Hibernate about her debut feature… Zoljargal Purevdash’s debut feature If Only I Could Hibernate made history last year as the first Mongolian film officially selected for the Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival. A wonderfully humanist film, it tells of a young boy - [Old Fox](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/old-fox/): Generations meet during a time of change for Taiwan and its people... Spoiler alert: In the film Old Fox, the old fox imparts three life lessons to 11-year-old Liao Jie: Always drink ice water, close your eyes, and it's none of your business. Liao Jie, an 11-year-old half-orphan, yearns to his late mother's dream of - [If Only I Could Hibernate](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/if-only-i-could-hibernate/): A teenager prodigy in physics living in Ulan Bator, struggling with extreme poverty... The first mongolian feature film presented at the Cannes Film Festival is a warm, optimistic coming-of-age. While technically and narratively it is not too original, it sheds light on a reality virtually never seen in cinema. “If only I could hibernate” is - [Wolves, Pigs and Men](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/wolves-pigs-and-men-alt/): Fukasaku and Junya Sato gave birth to a shockingly beautiful experience that is as relevant today as it was in the sixties... Kinji Fukasaku is one of the most beloved Japanese directors, yet the admiration cinephiles have for his work is determined by a limited slice of his oeuvre, the five-part series Battles Without Honor - [Confession of Murder](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/confession-of-murder/): A man confesses to a string of murders in his memoirs in Jung Byung-gil’s action-packed 2012 thriller... Korean writer director Jung Byung-gil, best known for his hi-octane 2017 actioner The Villainess made his commercial feature debut back in 2012 with Confession of Murder, following up on his acclaimed 2008 stuntmen documentary Action Boys. The film - [Nomad](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/nomad/): A captivatingly dynamic postmodern pastiche of a city and its cinema; just as fun and wild as it is sophisticated... Who is Patrick Tam? Nothing more than one of the most talented figures in Hong Kong cinema of his generation, and that much less arguably among the most important contributors to one of the most - [Kamay](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/kamay/): A filmmaker's quest for truth unveils Zahra’s tragic story—an intimate fight for justice, identity, and resilience in Afghanistan... In a striking and deeply personal documentary, the filmmaker Ilyas Yourish, alongside his co-director Shahrokh Bikaran, embarks on a six-year journey to tell the story of Zahra, a young Hazara woman who took her own life in - [Runaway Blues](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/runaway-blues/): Andy Lau headlines a Category III rated late 80s Triad thriller... Runaway Blues was originally released in Hong Kong back in 1989 and was directed by David Lai, who was also responsible for the solid wuxia Saviour of the Soul and its sequel, as well as a number of 1980s Hong Kong genre favourites such - [Introducing Martin...](https://www.easternkicks.com/about/introducing-martin/): We've very happy to introduce Martin Sandison to the team!... “Hi there! “As a kid my love for Hong Kong cinema began when I rented Project A, and from then on I never looked back. From Jackie Chan I was introduced to Sammo Hung, my favourite Martial Arts film maker, and on to Lau Kar Leung - [The Train of Death](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-train-of-death/): Get on board Rizal Mantovani’s fun horror… There’s something about the thought of being trapped on a vehicle you can’t escape from that brings out the some of the best in drama. From the murder mysteries of Hitchcock’s The Lady Vanishes and various versions of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express; through to the - [Doctor Vampire](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/doctor-vampire-alt/): Doctor, there is a vampire in the hospital!?... The Chinese vampire/zombie, known as the jiangshi or hopping corpse, was the popular form of the vampire in 1980s and 1990s Hong Kong horror Cinema. These undead creatures, depicted as living corpses, controlled by Taoist Priests whose job it was to ensure that the dead were reunited - [Doctor Vampire](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/doctor-vampire/): A Hong Kong doctor is turned into a vampire in this whacky early 90s classic... Following on from the success of Mr Vampire in 1985, the Hong Kong film industry as usual churned out all manner of knock offs covering pretty much every variation on the theme. By the early 90s, pickings were getting a - [Cottontail](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/cottontail/): The worlds of Hirokazu Kore-eda and Beatrix Potter meet in Patrick Dickinson’s gentle, unassuming tale of love and loss... Love and loss are in the air of Cottontail, a tender East-meets-West drama from British-Irish documentary maker Patrick Dickinson, whose move into fiction feature filmmaking cues up another beautifully low-key performance from Hirokazu Kore-eda collaborator Lily - [CinemAsia Film Festival is back!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/cinemasia-film-festival-is-back/): The Amsterdam based festival kicks off with Neo Sora's latest feature. CinemAsia Film Festival is back for its 17th edition! The festival will kick off on Thursday, 6th March, at EYE Filmmuseum in Amsterdam with the Duch premier of Neo Sora’s drama Happyend, with the director in attendance. The festival runs from March 6th March - [Chinese Animated Sequel Nezha 2 Is officially the most successful Chinese film ever!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/chinese-animated-sequel-nezha-2-is-officially-the-most-successful-chinese-film-ever/): Congratulations to Nezha 2 for becoming the most popular Chinese film ever and the first Chinese film to surpass 1.5billion USD worldwide! A sequel five years in the making, director Jizozi once again broke all kinds of records by directing the most popular Chinese film ever. Nezha 2 has surpassed the previous record of 742 - [Sasha Chuk & Heiward Mak interview: Filmmaking as a Cross-Generational Dialogue](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/sasha-chuk-heiward-mak-interview/): The pair discuss their feature films, mentorship, and the current state of Hong Kong cinema.... Cinergy and Filmasia invite you to a panel debate with three great filmmaking talents that every fan of Asian films should be following: Sasha Chuck and Heiward Mak (Hong Kong). At the debate, moderated by film publicist Pavel Sladký, the - [The Wild, Wild Rose](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-wild-wild-rose/): The matchless Grace Chang stars in one of the greatest films of Hong Kong cinema… A vivacious, noir-esque reimaging of Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen into the racy night clubs of the Wanchai district, its immediately apparent as to why The Wild, Wild Rose is held in such high regard as one of the greatest Hong - [Conspirators](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/conspirators/): The third instalment in Oxide Pang’s Detective series follows Aaron Kwok sleuthing his way round Southeast Asia... Despite its English language title, Conspirators is actually the third film in Oxide Pang’s The Detective franchise, following up on the 2007 original and 2011 sequel. Somewhat o an unlikely series, given that none of the films have - [New Japan Film Touring Programme for 2025](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/new-japan-film-touring-programme-for-2025/): A range of Japanese films tour the UK from 7 February to 31 March... The UK’s biggest festival of Japanese cinema, the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme, is back for its latest entertaining and thought-provoking instalment, presenting a packed programme on the theme of ‘Justice, Justification and Judgement in Japanese Cinema’. This year’s programme features - [Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/creation-of-the-gods-ii-demon-force/): Wuershan’s epic second chapter in beloved fantasy adaptation goes from strength to strength… The world should be grateful for blockbusters like the Creation of the Gods franchise. Chinese mega-hit maker Wuershan’s ambitious undertaking to adapt Xu Zhonglin and Lu Xixing’s beloved vernacular novel from the 16th century is a colossal one, requiring three films in - [Message From Space](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/message-from-space/): A sci-fi poem that is not up to scratch... When Fukasaku’s Message From Space was released in the United States, it was not well received. Many western critics, perceiving the similarities with Star Wars (1977), George Lucas’ loose sci-fi ‘retelling’ of Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress, dismissed Fukasaku’s film as a mere indolent attempt to capitalize - [Dasepo Naughty Girls](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/dasepo-naughty-girls/): A surreal 2006 Korean musical comedy following the strange lives of a group of high school students... Originally released back in 2006, Dasepo Naughty Girls is based upon a sexually explicit online Korean comic called Multi-Cell Girl. The film was directed by E J-yong, known for the likes of Asako in Ruby Shoes and The - [Obituary: 10 ways Monkey Punch made the world a better, weirder, crazier place](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/obituary-10-ways-monkey-punch-made-the-world-a-better-weirder-crazier-place/): How Lupin III and a modest manga morphed into a multifaceted mass media mammoth... Of all the major figures in Japanese culture and disseminating it throughout the world we lost in 2019 — including Machiko Kyo, Kaoru Yachigusa and Donald Keene — the odd one out was not actually the latter gaijin but would have - [Marui Video](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/marui-video/): A producer and his team investigate the cursed video of a brutal murder, with predictably dire consequences... Although South Korea doesn’t make many found footage horror films, those it does tend to be fairly well-regarded, like Jung Bum-shik’s 2018 Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum or Na Hong-jin’s 2021 The Medium – and for braver viewers there’s Kim - [Punished](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/punished/): Anthony Wong is a father out for justice in his tough 2011 revenge thriller, produced by Johnnie To... Produced by the legendary Johnnie To, tough 2011 revenge drama Punished is another from his Milkyway Image studio, which as usual means an emphasis on character and writing along with action and thrills. The film was directed - [Bye Bye Love at Metrograph](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/bye-bye-love-at-metrograph/): Fujisawa Isao’s Japanese New Wave rarity is screening this month... Newly Resurfaced Japanese New Wave Film "Bye Bye Love" Opens January 17 at Metrograph. Kicking off the new year, Metrograph presents the U.S. theatrical premiere of Bye Bye Love. This pioneering 1974 debut by Fujisawa Isao was thought lost until its rediscovery in 2018. While - [Yin Yang Master Zero](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/yin-yang-master-zero/): A mystical folk hero is brought to extra-extragavant life in a landmark success among Japanese female directors... The thematic face of Japan’s cinema to the outside world — perhaps altogether but for jidaigeki in particular — has always been dominated by the Warring States and Tokugawa periods as the heyday of the samurai, ninja, geisha - [The Bride from Hades](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-bride-from-hades/): Offbeat socialist horror unveils an ambivalently tender, vengeful bride vowing love till death do them join... Hagiwara family scion Shinzaburō (Kōjirō Hongō, Gamera series) has been called to a special gathering for the occasion of the Obōn festival, when the deceased including his older brother are ritually honoured. The gathering’s de facto purpose, however, turns - [Tomie](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/tomie/): The first in the long-running Japanese horror series, based on the manga by Junji Ito... Tomie is based on a Japanese manga by popular artist Junji Ito, who was also responsible for the material that inspired Kakashi, Uzumaki and many other genre films. For those unfamiliar with Junji’s work, and given that it was originally - [Noroi: The Curse / Occult](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/noroi-the-curse-occult/): Director Koji Shiraishi delivers two memorable ‘found footage’ films (one terrifying, one just plain strange) and proves there’s still more in the tube if you squeeze a little bit harder... First off a confession. I have a weakness for the ‘found footage’, or ‘fake footage’ as I prefer to call it, genre. From Cannibal Holocaust - [Tomie](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/tomie-alt/): A slow burning adaptation of Junji Ito's classic manga from Ataru Oikawa... Over the decades, mangaka Junji Ito has brought the world many wondrous horrors, from mutated sea creatures, to planet eating monsters, and cursed seaside towns spiralling down to madness. However, amongst these, one monstrous creation shines above the rest: the ageless, undying, merciless - [Days (Rizi)](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/days-rizi-2/): Two near silent hours with two lonely people. Essential Tsai Ming-liang... If I was to tell you about a movie that was near silent, and was constructed from 46 scenes all observed by a static camera, would you stay to hear more? Or would you simply smile and nod, and say you were aware of - [Win Days (Rìzi) / Afternoon (Na ri xia wu) on two-disc blu-ray!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/win-days-rizi-afternoon-na-ri-xia-wu-on-two-disc-blu-ray/): Two films by Tsai Ming-liang, courtesy of Second Run... “Tsai Ming-­Liang has been among the most profound voices in world cinema over the past quarter century” Village Voice Tsai Ming-Liang, director of the exquisite Goodbye, Dragon Inn, has emerged as one of the most profound voices in world cinema. This 2-disc Blu-ray Special Edition brings - [On the Edge](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/on-the-edge/): A former undercover cop struggles to adjust to normal life in Herman Yau’s gritty 2006 thriller... Although viewers might be forgiven for an initial lack of excitement at the thought of yet another early 2000s Hong Kong film revolving around the angst-ridden life of an undercover policeman, the fact that On the Edge features a - [Blood Ties](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/blood-ties/): The spirit of a murdered policeman possesses the body of his younger sister and takes gruesome revenge on his killers... Although not the first place which comes to mind for horror films, in the early 2000s Singapore produced a number of effective supernatural outings which received international releases, including the likes of Kelvin Tong’s The - [Japan Organized Crime Boss](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/japan-organized-crime-boss/): A who’s who not of yakuza cinema but boss cinema, taking us on a wild ride out of one era towards another... With a new, prosperous Japan having emerged beyond any last doubt upon her Economic Miracle and new assertion into world politics, yakuza bosses are struggling to catch up with it. Japan’s most powerful - [The Sword](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-sword/): The weight of fame and honour crushes the winner and loser... Believing that he is in possession of a cursed blade, the legendary swordsman Fa Chin-shu (Tien Feng, King Boxer) has retreated from the martial arts world to live in peaceful seclusion. However, his retirement has done nothing to dampen his reputation; a young warrior, - [Red Peony Gambler: Flower Cards Game](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/red-peony-gambler-flower-cards-game/): Tai Kato’s classic delivers a more emotionally subdued exploration of the importance of ninjo... In the late sixties, the ninkyo genre began losing its appeal for audiences as the political turmoil that swept the world problematised the nostalgic idealization of patriarchal values. Audiences began to see the patriarchal ideals - e.g. ‘giri’ and ‘inase’ - - [St. John’s Wort](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/st-johns-wort/): A young woman inherits a creepy abandoned mansion in this 2001 Japanese video game adaptation... Although video game adaptations don’t tend to work well, the 2001 Japanese horror St. John’s Wort, based on a popular 1990s Super Famicom ‘visual novel’, does at least try something a little different, not only staying faithful to its source - [Shikoku](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/shikoku/): A woman returns to her rural hometown where she encounters the ghost of a childhood friend in this familiar 1999 J-Horror... Originally released back in 1999, Shikoku was another in a long line of J-Horror films which found international distribution thanks in no small part to the huge success of Ring. Directed by Shunichi Nagasaki - [Isola: Multiple Personality Girl](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/isola-multiple-personality-girl/): A psychic woman travels to Kobe to help victims of the 1995 earthquake, where she meets a troubled girl... Although by 2000 a high proportion of the Japanese genre films being released around the world tended to be Ring sequels or rip-offs, the J-Horror wave also saw a number of stranger and more interesting takes - [The Snow Woman](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-snow-woman/): Tokuzo Tanaka’s film remains, to this day, an incredibly satisfying tragic romance-horror... Only in the late nineties and early 2000’s, Japanese horror succeeded in capturing the imagination of international audiences, yet the directors of these horror classics (e.g. Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Hideo Nakata, Takashi Shimizu and Takashi Miike) could only deliver such mesmerizing experiences by standing - [The Second Woman](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-second-woman/): Shu Qi plays twin sisters in Carol Lai’s 2012 Mainland Chinese suspense mystery... Award-winning Hong Kong writer director Carol Lai returned in 2012 with The Second Woman, a Mainland suspense drama revolving around the ever popular theme of sinister twins. The film receives a real boost from having popular actress Shu Qi in the two - [Bona](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/bona/): Lino Brocka’s timeless Neo-realist gem has finally resurfaced in a gorgeous 4K restoration... Metrograph is bringing back a true rarity in Bona, for an exclusive one week run, and doing it in a gorgeous 4k restoration. The director, Lino Brocka, is an enormous figure in the history of cinema, and a pioneer of Filipino and - [Plastic](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/plastic/): A dreamy musical delight, asking whether love can last like obsessions can... The story of how Plastic was born starts with a musician and a producer feeling nostalgic. Ide Kensuke and his producer Hiroshi Ishihara wanted to pay tribute to their musical heroes, acts like T. Rex and David Bowie. Much like Bowie, Ide Kensuke - [To Live and Die in Mongkok](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/to-live-and-die-in-mongkok/): Nick Cheung headlines this 2009 Wong Jing Triad thriller about a damaged man trying to go straight... With its familiar sounding title and ex-con trying to go straight premise, To Live and Die in Mongkok is not immediately a particularly appealing prospect. However, the acclaimed cast should certainly arouse the interest, given that it includes - [Yukihiko Tsutsumi interview: “The Killer Goldfish is a new approach to Japanese filmmaking”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/yukihiko-tsutsumi-interview/): As LIFFF prepares to welcome a Japanese box office giant to London, we look back on his wide-ranging career… The London International Fantastic Film Festival (LIFFF) embarks upon its inaugural edition next week, and its opening night is one for the books. Storied director of domestic blockbuster hits Yukihiko Tsutsumi (2LDK, Egg, 20th Century Boys) - [First edition of London International Fantastic Film Festival’s programme announced!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/first-edition-of-london-international-fantastic-film-festivals-programme-announced/): Running from 26th November to 1st December... The London International Fantastic Film Festival (LIFFF) celebrates its inaugural edition this year, showcasing dynamic features and shorts from around the globe. With a focus on science fiction, fantasy, horror, the experimental and surreal, this diverse programme includes some notable Japanese titles. The festival opens on the 26th - [Red Peony Gambler: Gambler’s Obligation](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/red-peony-gambler-gamblers-obligation/): Suzuki effectively transforms the thematical thread of Ninkyo into the nature of desire... In the late sixties, the ninkyo genre began losing its appeal for audiences as the political turmoil that swept the world problematized the nostalgic idealization of patriarchal values. Audiences began to see the patriarchal ideals - e.g. giri and inase - staged - [Win Kim Jee-woon’s A Bittersweet Life on Dual UHD and Blu-ray Box Set!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/win-kim-jee-woons-a-bittersweet-life-on-dual-uhd-and-blu-ray-box-set/): Enter now to win a copy!... Multi-award-winning director Kim Jee-woon’s (The Good, The Bad, The Weird, I Saw The Devil) ultra-violent Korean neo-noir A Bittersweet Life gets an all-guns-blazing Limited Edition Dual UHD and Blu-ray release this summer courtesy of Second Sight Films. The brand-new set promises an extensive array of fascinating special features and - [Tsai Ming-liang on Abiding Nowhere: “It is to live in a chaotic world but remain unaffected by it”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/tsai-ming-liang-on-abiding-nowhere-it-is-to-live-in-a-chaotic-world-but-remain-unaffected-by-it/): The master of screen temporality talks slowness, place, and exhibition space… A man in a monk’s robe stands by a stream and begins, slowly, to move. The camera’s gaze holds on him, in static close-up, then in gradually tracking wide shots. The subject is Lee Kang-sheng, and his director is Tsai Ming-liang. To many readers - [The Vampire Doll / Lake Of Dracula](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-vampire-doll-lake-of-dracula/): Vampirism, hypnotism and even more inept-ism. The first two eastern oddities from Arrow’s Bloodthirsty Trilogy... Presenting the first two films on Arrow’s Bloodthirsty Trilogy. A trilogy so named because if you aim to watch all three features in one go, you’ll need a drink or two (or three) to keep you awake. I managed to - [Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/carved-the-slit-mouthed-woman/): A disfigured supernatural murderess stalks children in this 2007 J-horror drawn from an urban legend... Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman originally came out back in 2007, when the J-Horror boom was on the wane internationally, with audiences having been deluged for years by sequels, remakes and rip-offs of Ring and The Grudge. Despite this, Kōji Shiraishi’s - [Young Jin Eric Choi and Goran Topalovic interview: “Programming a film is an extension of that love”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/young-jin-eric-choi-and-goran-topalovic-interview/): The programmers of BFI Southbank’s major new Korean season talk international reception and hidden gems… A major new season at BFI Southbank, Echoes in Time highlights films both storied and undersung from two major periods in Korean cinema: the 'Golden Age' of the '60s, and the New Korean Cinema movement of the late ‘90s and - [Penalty Loop](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/penalty-loop/): A man wanting simple revenge, stuck in a time loop where he must repeat the mundane monotony of murder… Not even out of bed, Jun (Wakaba Ryuuya Call Me Chihiro) is playfully relaxing on a serene morning with his significant other Yui (Rio Yamashita, Asako I & II), before she’s on her way off on - [Youth: Spring](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/youth-spring/): Wang Bing’s masterful eye brings us an intimate and challenging look at the world of textile industry... Chinese director Wang Bing has become, as per his Wikipedia, “one the foremost figures in documentary filmmaking.” A deserved descriptor, as Wang has been competing successfully against narrative work in renown festivals and winning numerous awards for his - [Fatal Move](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/fatal-move/): Dennis Law’s all-star 2008 triad actioner follows hot on the heels of SPL, Flash Point and other 2000s Hong Kong thrillers... With the awesome SPL then still fresh in the memory, it’s hard to imagine any Hong Kong action fan not having been excited at the prospect of Fatal Move a few years later in - [Yoon Eun-kyoung interview: "The real hell is alienation from yourself"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/yoon-eun-kyoung-interview/): We talk to the Director of The Tenants about subletting and burnout... The Tenants opens on a pristine beach, zooming out to reveal that it’s in fact a postcard on a wall. Over the course of its lithe runtime, the film’s thin veneer of banality is similarly stripped back, unveiling the unbearable realities of Korea’s - [Red Peony Gambler](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/red-peony-gambler/): Junko Fuji’s performance turns this tale of revenge into a classic ninkyo narrative and a must-see for any cinephile... In the late sixties, the ninkyo genre began losing its appeal for audiences as the political turmoil that swept the world problematized the nostalgic idealization of patriarchal values. Audiences began to see the patriarchal ideals - - [Youth: Hard Times](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/youth-hard-times/): Wang Bing’s middle chapter in his series is a scattered but meaningful look at young textile workers’ struggle for fair pay... Independent documentary heavyweight Wang Bing’s 2024 film Hard Times is the second part of his astounding, three-part, 10-hour-long Youth. The series follows the love and work life of several groups of Chinese textile industry - [Two Taoist Tales: Taoism Drunkard and The Young Taoism Fighter](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/two-taoist-tales-taoism-drunkard-and-the-young-taoism-fighter/): Fantastical double feature of unhinged kung fu action... Following the smash hit that was Sammo Kam-Bo Hung’s Encounter of the Spooky Kind (1980), the Hong Kong film scene was flooded with similar projects, combining kung fu with fantasy, humour, and horror. Eureka Classics has brought out two of these tales from the more outrageous end - [The Devil’s Game (AKA The Game)](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-devils-game-aka-the-game/): After losing a bet, a young man finds his brain transplanted into the body of a dying billionaire... Body swapping has always been a popular cinematic theme, with the idea of becoming someone else offering the chance for escapist wish fulfilment and fantastic thrills. While The Devil’s Game from Korean director Yoon In-ho, who’d previously - [Shun Nakagawa interview: “Once you leave that world, you can never return”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/shun-nakagawa-interview/): The rising star of Japanese youth dramas discusses discrimination, graduation, and death… I've become quite the fan of streaming platform SAKKA over the past months. A relatively new-on-the-scene streaming service with a penchant for considered, human stories, they've been giving some of the most exciting Japanese films on the festival circuit a life beyond that - [Shiori Itō interview: “Cinema is a safe place”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/shiori-ito-interview/): The director and subject of acclaimed documentary Black Box Diaries speaks candidly about the landscapes it enters into… The allegation is this. On April 4th 2015, journalist Shiori Itō was raped by Noriyuki Yamaguchi, a prominent TV journalist and later the biographer for former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe. It’s a story that she’s found - [Abashiri Prison](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/abashiri-prison/): Teruo Ishii's extremely influential initial film in the series offers 93 minutes of action-packed entertainment... Today, Teruo Ishii is mostly known for his exploitation films of the late 1960s and 1970s bordering between artsy style-over-substance and trashy entertainment. However, his greatest commercial success he achieved with the 10 films he directed for the Abashiri Prison - [Another Abashiri Prison Story](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/another-abashiri-prison-story/): An enjoyable yakuza thriller, but not the sequel the first deserved... The concept of prison, whether literal or metaphorical, has haunted the art of cinema from the time of the early talkies. George Hill’s The Big House (1930) stands out as an influential prison narrative and 1958 American film The Defiant Ones put the sub-genre - [Abashiri Prison 3: Love for the Homeland](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/abashiri-prison-3-love-for-the-homeland/): Ken Takakura is tougher and kinder than ever in an indulgently macho yet warmly (sort of) progressive sequel... There are many different things to many different people, audiences and even countries that Ken Takakura came to represent, on a scale second only to Toshiro Mifune among Japanese actors globally. So unlike with most other famous - [Abashiri Prison: Saga of Homesickness](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/abashiri-prison-saga-of-homesickness/): An engaging story illustrating the imprisoning impact of the image of the father for the subject... What happens when a studio grants one of his directors his wish to remake a foreign film, but subsequently forces him, due to the film’s success, to craft sequels? Any spectator will rightly assume that such forcing douses the - [Wally's Top 25 Asian Films of 2023 — Part I](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/wallys-top-25-asian-films-of-2023-part-i/): Wally Adams runs down the top asian films for 2023!... 2023 in Asian cinema will not be able to help but be remembered as a year of surprises from the screens to the box offices. It was an unbelievably bad year for Korean cinema yet a quite good year when looking deeper than the numbers; - [Nakano Spy School](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/nakano-spy-school/): Masumura strips the spy movie of its glamour for deepened personal and ideological intrigue... Even with Japan deep at war in China and a very probable clash with the West imminent — or perhaps because of it — future prospects couldn’t look brighter for Jiro (Raizō Ichikawa, A Samurai Never Tells a Lie). He has - [Friendly Fire](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/friendly-fire/): Mikhail Red (Deleter, Birdshot) returns with something really unexpected: a ‘family-friendly’ esports drama… Filipino filmmaker Mikhail Red’s filmography has touched on various genres, from the noir of Neomanila, to the horror of Eerie and Deleter and thrillers like Dead Kids and Birdshot. None are what you’d call light, often blending social and political commentary with - [Heartbeat](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/heartbeat/): The battle over a heart transplant becomes increasingly desperate and violent in this 2011 Korean thriller... Another Korean organ transplant themed thriller arrived in 2011 in the form of Heartbeat, marking the directorial debut of Hello Schoolgirl and My New Partner scriptwriter Yoon Jae-keun, who later went on to helm the genre-blending Spiritwalker in 2021. - [Black Dog](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/black-dog-alt/): Everyone loves a good doggy story right?... Set in declining town Chixia just before the Beijing Olympics of August 2008, Lang (Eddie Peng) is returning to his home town after a decade in prison. Once a famed motorcycle performer and now very much an outsider, he is estranged from his family and society. There are - [Wang Bing at Metrograph](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/wang-bing-at-metrograph/): Wang Bing’s brilliant Youth Trilogy about China’s youth at work comes to Metrograph, with him in person... This month (October 12th and 20th), renown Chinese documentarian Wang Bing is making an appearance at New York’s Metrograph theater. He will be discussing his highly acclaimed Youth trilogy. The director will accompany the first films Youth (Spring) - [Daisuke Miyazaki and Ide Kensuke interview: “It’s like jumping out of the human being and becoming an alien"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/filmmakers/daisuke-miyazaki-and-ide-kensuke-interview-its-like-jumping-out-of-the-human-being-and-becoming-an-alien/): The pair discuss their unique and iconic ode to pop, Plastic... Tonight I am off to Metrograph, a sophisticated, sexy, and often very fun independent theater tucked away beneath Manhattan’s Chinatown. They offer staff in tuxedos, delicious Japanese snacks, and an elegant bar area upstairs. I was just there a week before to watch, Lilo - [The Foul King](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-foul-king-alt/): Kim Jee-woon and Song Kang-ho combine to create absolute hilarity in this sports comedy classic... On 8th April Kim Jee-woon (I Saw the Devil, A Tale of Two Sisters, The Good, The Bad, the Weird) and Song Kang-ho’s (Parasite, Broker, A Taxi Driver) wrestling sports comedy masterclass finally comes to streaming platforms. This sports comedy - [This week Metrograph is screening Daisuke Miyazaki’s Plastic](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/this-week-metrograph-is-screening-daisuke-miyazakis-plastic/): For one week only see the pop romance exclusively at Metrograph... This upcoming week metrograph is offering an exclusive screening of Daisuke Miyazaki’s Plastic. A story about the power of pop and its ability to bring about romance. The film follows two obsessive fans of a fictional Prog-rock band who find themselves falling for eachother as - [Howling](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/howling/): Song Kang-ho and Lee Na-young headline this killer dog-themed 2012 Korean crime mystery... Despite its title and killer canine premise, Howling isn’t a werewolf horror, but a 2012 South Korean crime mystery based upon the award-winning novel The Hunter by Japanese author Asa Nonami. The film was directed by Korean poet turned director Yoo Ha, - [Marc Marriott and Dave Boyle interview: “We have more in common with people than we have differences”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/marc-marriott-and-dave-boyle-interview/): The creatives behind Tokyo Cowboy elaborate their cross-cultural adventure…. A Japanese businessman (Arata Iura) finds himself far from home and needing to adapt fast when his employer sends him to an American cattle ranch to pitch the virtues of Wagyu beef, in Marc Marriott’s charmingly understated debut fiction feature, Tokyo Cowboy. Marriott, in Japan on - [London Korean Film Festival 2024 Returns with a Stellar Lineup](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/london-korean-film-festival-2024-returns-with-a-stellar-lineup/): The film festival will run from 1st to 13th November across London The highly anticipated 19th edition of the London Korean Film Festival, organised by the Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK) and supported by the Korean Film Council, unveiled its exciting programme for 2024. This year’s event will take place at from 1st to 13th - [Sonatine](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/sonatine/): A peek into a Kitano’s psyche through the leisure and confusion of Yakuza on an Okinawa beach... Takeshi Kitano (Hana-bi, Dolls, Outrage) is one of the most astonishing figures in modern media. His career has spanned every form of expression, including painting, novels, radio shows, magazine columns, game shows, stand-up and of course film. He - [Black Box Diaries](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/black-box-diaries/): Japanese journalist Shiori Itō’s courageous self-documented journey to seek justice... “You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both.” - Brene Brown Like the writing of a memoir, film and its creation are a cathartic way of dealing with trauma, taking a step back from it, analysing it and editing - [Việt and Nam](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/viet-and-nam/): Bittersweet and languid narrative that has depth and feeling... The Vietnamese title translates as “The Heart Of The Earth”, an interesting play between the jobs and the intimate, romantic relationship of the two miners - Viet and Nam. Nam is wanting to move abroad for better opportunities while Viet remains, their parting delayed as Nam - [Lets Go Karaoke](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/lets-go-karaoke/): A yakuza movie for kids?!? And not bad for one at all, while still throwing extra treats to yakuza and music fans... For all the inroads it’s made in the West in the past couple of decades, karaoke — even if a household name and somewhere in every city now — remains in the minds - [World Exclusive! Production stills reveal from Mikhail Red's Friendly Fire](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/world-exclusive-production-stills-reveal-from-mikhail-reds-friendly-fire/): Coleen Garcia and Loisa Andalio set to star in this E-Sports drama... Filpino writer director Mikhail Red has been kind enough to share some exclusive production stills from his latest film Friendly Fire with easternKicks.com. Announced in Variety in March, the film signals a gear shift into (e)sports drama for the filmmaker as it joins - [All Shall be Well](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/all-shall-be-well/): The sudden death of a partner of thirty years leaves a lesbian increasingly at odds with her previously supportive family... Writer director Ray Yeung follows up his multiple award-winning 2019 drama Suk Suk with All Shall be Well, another look at the lives of older queer characters in Hong Kong. Also tackling a variety of - [Fly Me to the Moon](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/fly-me-to-the-moon/): Sasha Chuk’s debut goes beyond an immigrant’s story to focus on the universal identity crisis experienced in life... Between the steel-barred window, a father and his daughter face each other. Following that, inside a rattling train, the shadow falls upon the girl's face. Watching the opening scene of Fly Me to the Moon , I anticipated - [BFI London Film Festival unveils the full 2024 programme](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/bfi-london-film-festival-unveils-the-full-2024-programme/): We take a look at the East Asian offerings this year at London’s biggest film festival… The BFI London Film Festival have unveiled their 2024 programme in full, and this year's edition boasts an impressively diverse crop of East Asian films, with many surprising, welcome inclusions. Japan is well represented. Leading the charge here is - [Don’t Cry, Butterfly](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/dont-cry-butterfly/): Dương Diệu Linh’s scathing satire on gender conventions in Vietnam… Social satire blends with magical realism and horror in writer director Dương Diệu Linh’s debut feature, which premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival as part of the International Critics' Week – where it picked up the Best Film award. Expands on a series - [Black Dog](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/black-dog/): Far more than a shaggy dog story, Eddie Peng and four-legged Xin bond in Guan Hu’s Un Certain Regard winning film… After the big budget spectacle of war epic The Eight Hundred – some of it unintentional – and contributing to anthologies My People, My Country and The Sacrifice, acclaimed sixth generation director Guan Hu - [Rusted Body](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/rusted-body/): The third entry in Gaira’s notorious Guts Trilogy dumps the gonzo horror in favour of sex... Following on the heels of Guts of a Virgin and Guts of a Beauty came Rusted Body in 1987, the third film in Kazuo ‘Gaira’ Komizu’s Guts Trilogy, now available as part of a new Blu-ray boxset from 88 - [Rainbow Eyes](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/rainbow-eyes/): A cop on the edge investigates brutal murders connected to a case of sexual assault in the army... The early 2000s renaissance of Korean mystery thrillers continued in 2007 with the cryptically titled Rainbow Eyes from director Yang Yun-ho, who previously gave viewers the melancholy Holiday and martial arts drama Fighter In The Wind. Here, - [Guts of a Beauty](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/guts-of-a-beauty/): The second film in Gaira’s Guts trilogy offers more softcore sex, misogyny and violence... How do you follow a film like Guts of a Virgin? Surprising no one, Japanese writer director Kazuo ‘Gaira’ Komizu took the logical route and came up with Guts of a Beauty, which also went by the equally-charming Entrails of a - [Queer East Festival On The Road announced!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/queer-east-festival-on-the-road-announced/): Back for a UK wide tour from September to December 2024, showcasing a remarkable line-up of contemporary feature films, documentaries and shorts! Queer East Festival was formed in 2020 due to the lack of East and Southeast Asian representation on stage, screen and behind the scenes, making its mark across the UK with its bold - [Yugo Sakamoto interview: “I thought only Japan would understand it”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/yugo-sakamoto-interview-i-thought-only-japan-would-understand-it/): The mind behind Baby Assassins shares the thinking behind his greatest hits... All work and no play certainly doesn’t make young professional assassins Chisato (Akari Takaishi) and Mahiro (Saori Izawa) dull girls, but their work-life balance needs addressing. If you’ve hung around online in action cinema circles over the past year or two, the title - [The Cult of The Killer](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/the-cult-of-the-killer/): How John Woo’s remake of his 1989 classic inspired fan wars, culture wars and legacy wars... I’m really not sure what to think about John Woo’s upcoming remake of The Killer… And that’s kind of the point. Such an apparently natural, plain and obvious assessment could never be much of a point - [The Ghost of Yotsuya](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-ghost-of-yotsuya/): Kenji Misumi’s serves a unique take on a classic ghost story... Tokaido Yotsuya Kaidan, Yotsuya Kaidan, Ghost story of Yotsuya, The Ghost of Yotsuya. This famous tale of terror has gone under many titles over the decades, but no matter the title, it undoubtedly remains one of the best known and best loved ghost stories - [Guts of a Virgin](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/guts-of-a-virgin/): The infamous Japanese ero-splatter shocker gets a new Blu-ray as part of the Guts Trilogy box set from 88 Films... Fans of the transgressive, extreme, or just plain bizarre have something to celebrate with the first ever UK Blu-ray release of the Guts Trilogy from Japanese director Kazuo ‘Gaira’ Komizu, comprising the delightfully-titled Guts of - [Ae Watan Mere Watan](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/ae-watan-mere-watan/): An unlikely companion piece and converse to The King’s Speech honours a unique manifestation of guerrilla radio... College student Usha (Sara Ali Khan, Atrangi Re) lives a comfortable life in the lavish home of one of the most distinguished families in Bombay headed by her father, The Honourable Judge Hariprasad Mehta (Sachin Khedekar). With her - [Sympathy for the Underdog](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/sympathy-for-the-underdog/): Fukasaku doesn't merely deliver a yakuza classic, but a masterpiece of Japanese cinema... While the outlaw and the societal misfit haunted the visual field of Japanese cinema well before the second world war (e.g. the image of the image of the drifter within the Matatabi-mono), it was only in the early sixties that these various - [Taiwanese Cinema: Now and Then at The Garden Cinema](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/taiwanese-cinema-now-and-then-at-the-garden-cinema/): Another season of cinema from Taiwan at the London venue... Following the success of their New Taiwanese Cinema season in Autumn 2023, The Garden Cinema are launching a new strand, supported by the Ministry of Culture, Taiwan, to showcase the best of classic and contemporary filmmaking from the region. Join them throughout September for a - [I Miss U](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/i-miss-u/): A woman finds herself haunted by the ghost of her new beau’s ex-girlfriend in this familiar Thai horror romance... Despite its title, I Miss U is actually a Thai horror film from back in 2012, albeit one with a decidedly romantic and wistful bent, director Monthon Arayangkoon, combining the love story of his 2010 Big - [Million Dollar Crocodile](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/million-dollar-crocodile/): A giant crocodile goes on a strictly mid-level rampage in this early Chinese creature feature... Originally unleashed back in 2012, Million Dollar Crocodile marked a genuine cinematic milestone of sorts as China’s first proper foray into the CGI creature feature genre. As the title suggests, director Lin Lisheng’s film follows the exploits and adventures of - [Lim Kah Wai interview: “I think normal people wouldn’t do it without advance notice”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/lim-kah-wai-interview/): We speak with the Your Lovely Smile director about coincidence, challenge and comedy... You might not have heard of Hirobumi Watanabe, the loveable independent filmmaker that stars in Lim Kah-wai’s metafictional comedy Your Lovely Smile. Watanabe has been making staunchly independent films with his brother Yūji since 2013, under the brand Foolish Piggies. Hardcore Third - [Guan Hu interview: “Life is very changeable”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/guan-hu-interview/): We speak to the Black Dog director about realism, landscapes, and healing… Dogs: man's best friend. And increasingly that of arthouse film fans. Established in 2001, the 'Palm Dog' award at Cannes has bestowed honour on the most notable canine companions of that year's crop. There have been some great picks in recent years, Anatomy - [2024’s Fantastic Fest boasts an extravaganza of East Asian genre delights](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/2024s-fantastic-fest-boasts-an-extravaganza-of-east-asian-genre-delights/): We take a look at the offerings in Austin, Texas as the full programme is unveiled… Austin’s Fantastic Fest have unveiled their full line-up for this year’s edition, which runs from September 19th - 26th at the Alamo Drafthouse. East Asian genre film fans are in for a real treat. Leading the charge guns-blazing is - [Body Parts](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/body-parts/): A reporter infiltrates a strange religious sect and hears five disturbing stories of death and sacrifice... Korea has a fine history of horror anthology films, from the popular Horror Stories series, which has run for three instalments to date, through to the likes of Epitaph, Tarot, Ghost Mansion and others. Recent addition to the form - [Chin Chia-Hua interview: “We need people to be different”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/chin-chia-hua-interview/): We speak to the writer-director of Trouble Girl about taking a different approach to ADHD representation… In the opening scene of Trouble Girl, Xiao-xiao and her mother are both swimming, but, as in life, they're in different lanes. [contnet-widget] Xiao-xiao has ADHD, and it’s a facet of her life that she and her mother struggle - [Eighteen Years in Prison](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/eighteen-years-in-prison/): Duty, loyalty, and emotion clash from the battlefield to the streets to prison in an engrossing yakuza saga... In the chaos of the Pacific War’s immediate aftermath, Kawada (Noboru Andō, Violent Streets) — make no mistake, still Captain Kawada to those who served under his flight squadron — now “commands” a small Robin Hood-esque gang - [Shinya Tsukamoto interview: “War should not be started in the first place”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/shinya-tsukamoto-interview-war-should-not-be-started-in-the-first-place/): The independent filmmaker talks about his latest, Shadow of Fire, an intimate postwar drama in two halves... The eyes speak volumes in Shinya Tsukamoto’s cinema, alight with rage, grief, lust, or fear. Tsukamoto has spent four decades crafting rich character studies with short runtimes, limited budgets, and intimate sets. In this past decade, he’s turned - [Wei Shujun interview: “I always describe it as an apple”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/wei-shujun-interview-2023/): The indie Chinese director talks about thriller Only the River Flows... Chinese director Wei Shujun made quite an impact on the festival scene with Striding Into The Wind. A tale of a rather hapless pair of wannabe filmmakers with more than a whiff of 90s American indie films. Ripples of Life followed a rather irreverent - [City of Darkness](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/city-of-darkness/): Donnie Yen makes an appearance in this wacky Taiwanese thriller... As Donnie Yen’s star continued to rise in the early 2000s, pretty much every film in his back catalogue inevitably got re-released, usually with DVD covers unsubtly manufactured to suggest that he was the lead. This was certainly the case with City of Darkness, a - [Shinobi no Mono: Resurrection](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/shinobi-no-mono-resurrection/): Ninja make the world go round in a positively stirring synthesis of history and legend... After a full century and a half of raging civil war, Japan is finally united with the astonishing ascension of Hideyoshi Toyotomi (Eijirō Tōno, Zatoichi’s Cane Sword): once just a peasant, more recently just another warlord but now Kampaku or - [Abashiri Prison](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/abashiri-prison-alt/): Ishii delivers an exciting exploration of the frailty of the social bond between criminals... The concept of prison, whether literal or metaphorical, has haunted the art of cinema from the time of the early talkies. As with other genres, one can easily pinpoint one narrative that made the genre blossom in popularity and, as a - [Days of Wrath](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/days-of-wrath/): A man whose life has been ruined by the bullying he suffered at school takes revenge on his former tormentor... Best known early in his career for hit comedies like 100 Days with Mr. Arrogant and Wedding Scandal, Korean director Shin Jai-ho in 2013 tried something very different with violent thriller Days of Wrath. Revolving - [Maggie Cheung season at BFI Southbank](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/maggie-cheung-season-at-bfi-southbank/): The Hong Kong actor finally gets the spotlight this September and October... Billed as 'one of cinema’s most luminous stars' by season programmer Kimberley Sheehan, the Hong Kong star finally gets the spotlight in an upcoming season at BFI Southbank this September and October, including the 4K restoration of Tsui Hark's Green Snake. From the - [Daisuke Sato interview: “We want to pass down tokusatsu to the next generation”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/daisuke-sato-interview/): We talk with a kaiju legend about Brush of the God, a charming meta-reminder that the legacy of tokusatsu is still going strong... Even the littlest things can excite and beguile us in our youths, so full of wide-eyed wonder are we. But often it’s the biggest things that truly inspire awe and amazement. For - [Kazuya Shiraishi interview: “What is being human about?”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/kazuya-shiraishi-interview/): We talk to the ever-versatile director about his stylish new jidaigeki feature Bushido... Prolific over the last decade, Kazuya Shiraishi has become a much-loved name to fans of genre cinemas, his work spanning many – from yakuza drama The Blood of Wolves to Netflix serial Hibana: Spark. At Far East Film Festival this year, he - [Cha-Cha](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/cha-cha/): The rom-com sways far off into LOCO territory 3 steps at a time with a neo-Nipponese twist... Do you like cha-cha? More importantly, does Cha-Cha (Marika Itō of Nogizaka46, It’s a Summer Film!) like you? That’s what everyone at the design office wants from the mysterious new girl who shakes things up like a cha-cha. - [Undercover](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/undercover/): An undercover cop spirals out of control in this 2007 post-Infernal Affairs Hong Kong crime thriller... Just in case there were any viewers left by 2007 who still hadn’t quite gotten the point that life for undercover cops in Hong Kong is hazardous and generally depressing came the cunningly titled Undercover, one of the many - [Masakazu Kaneko interview: “The world is made with something much bigger”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/masakazu-kaneko-interview/): As SAKKA release The Albino’s Trees internationally, we enjoy a career-spanning conversation with its undersung auteur... Like many of the most beautiful natural spaces in our world, Masakazu Kaneko’s film The Albino’s Trees has gone for the most part undiscovered. Released in 2016 to moderate domestic success, it’s an early film credit of multi-instrumentalist Eiko - [July Rhapsody](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/july-rhapsody/): Can living a lie with passion and sincerity make it true? A question richly confronted from many angles... In raw terms, turn-of-century Hong Kong (1997-2002) saw some of the most uncertain times the modern industry ever endured. Evidently, that was not resultant of any imminent political changes that most fears had hinged upon, but a - [A Bittersweet Life](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-bittersweet-life-alt/): Kim Jee-woon’s 2005 gangster noir classic gets a new 4K Blu-ray release... Likely one of the first Korean gangster films fans of a certain age will have seen, A Bittersweet Life was originally released back in 2005, Kim Jee-woon’s follow-up to his horror hit A Tale of Two Sisters. Coming with a great deal of - [A Bittersweet Life](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-bittersweet-life/): The latest from Kim Jee-woon (A Tale of Two Sisters, The Quiet Family), a slick tale of that revenge resounds with amazing style and wit, but ultimately do we really care?... It only takes one mistake... Sun-woo (Lee Byeong-heon, 3 Iron, Three... Extremes, JSA) has a perfect life. An ambitious but loyal member of a - [Gakuryu Ishii interview: “My desire is to explore deep within my consciousness”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/gakuryu-ishii-interview/): The cult punk filmmaker on his decades-long journey to adapt The Box Man, an idiosyncratic Japanese literary classic... The desire to ‘become the box man’ is something the characters found within the pages of Abe Kobo’s eponymous 1973 novel can never manage to shake, it’s all-consuming. Gratifyingly, a similar dedication gripped iconoclastic punk auteur Gakuryu - [Hitman aka Contract Killer](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hitman-aka-contract-killer/): Kindly killer Jet Li navigates the surprisingly unkind treacherous world of contract killing in an absurdist action film... During the brief, somewhat chaotic turn of the century Hong Kong Invasion of the US film industry, Jackie Chan became universal and Chow Yun-Fat went through the “standard” higher-level Hollywood circuit with Mira Sorvino and Jodie Foster. - [For Alice](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/for-alice/): A rare realist, down-home indie triad movie with added teen spirit centred on HK’s hidden hotspot... Despite being one the world’s most powerful economies relative to its size, the majority of people living in Hong Kong live what would be thought in most other places in the world as a class or two or more - [Zhang Yimou at The Garden Cinema](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/zhang-yimou-at-the-garden-cinema/): A rare retrospective of the acclaimed filmmaker, running till 2nd September... From 19 July to 2 September, The Garden Cinema will present a rare selection of masterpieces from Fifth Generation filmmaker Zhang Yimou’s early career, many of which have long been unavailable to screen in Europe. The result of four years of curatorial work, this - [Hand](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hand/): Roman Porno is back with a soft, feely, tickly vengeance... “Romantic Porno” — having celebrated its 50th anniversary!!! — played a bigger and more influential part in Japanese cinema history than most are aware of. It’s a legacy that commands at least some respect even from those who aren’t fans of the genre (which includes - [Triad Story](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/triad-story/): Stephen Chow has an early role in this familiar but gritty Category III 1990 Triad thriller... Although Stephen Chow is obviously best known for his comedic genius and hits such as Kung Fu Hustle and Shaolin Soccer, as a young actor he paid his dues in a variety of genres. Inevitably, as with pretty much - [Invisible Nation](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/invisible-nation/): A brisk guide to Taiwan’s plight and progress... Charting Taiwan’s journey from authoritarianism to democracy with punchy momentum, Vanessa Hope crafts a tightly-focused primer on the precariously positioned east Asian nation. She pulls in an extensive raft of persuasive talking heads, both Taiwanese and international, to present both a gripping potted history and predictions for - [Vegetarian](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/vegetarian/): Based on the award-winning novel, a young woman takes the first step on a bizarre, transformative journey... Vegetarian marked the debut of Korean arthouse director Lim Woo-seong back in 2009, adapted from the 2007 novel of the same name by Han Kang, which was later translated into English in 2016, winning the Booker International Prize - [Lumberjack the Monster](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/lumberjack-the-monster/): A mask-wearing serial killer is hunted by an equally vicious lawyer in the latest from Takashi Miike... Although his name might not carry the same weight it did around the time of cult hits like Audition and Ichi the Killer, anything new from Takashi Miike is always going to generate a fair amount of interest, - [NZIFF 2024 lineup revealed!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/nziff-2024-lineup-revealed/): Quality not quantity in this year’s selection of Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival 2024... I hit refresh on my browser through most of Monday, waiting for that full list to update with hopefully more Asian cinema than the initial listing. Of the Cannes selection currently on offer, the one I’m most excited about is - [Gift](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/gift/): Eiko Ishibashi performs live on stage accompanying a silent reworking of Ryūsuke Hamaguchi's Evil Does Not Exist... According to Ryūsuke Hamaguchi, every film is a documentary because everything in front of the camera happens only once. In the case of Gift, a music-led reworking of his award-winning Evil Does Not Exist, everything in front of - [Only The River Flows UK trailer and poster reveal!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/only-the-river-flows-uk-trailer-and-poster-reveal/): easternKicks exclusively reveals the poster and trailer for the UK release... https://youtu.be/LbgUJvkkxgg Dedicated police detective Ma Zhe (Zhu Yilong) is assigned the case of a series of horrific murders in a rural Chinese town. As the investigation progresses, pressure from his superiors to find the suspected serial killer mounts, leading to a hasty arrest. But - [Only the River Flows](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/only-the-river-flows/): An impressive slice of noir from Striding Into The Wind director Wei Shujun… One of the few contemporary Chinese directors whose work still regularly participates in international festivals, writer director Wei Shujun has delighted audiences with his tales of beleaguered filmmakers. From the self-confessed autobiographical Striding Into The Wind to the equally meta satire of - [Tsugaru Lacquer Girl](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/tsugaru-lacquer-girl/): Father and daughter see eye to eye on everything except her taking over his life’s work... Aoki Miyako, a young woman from Hirosaki, helps her father in his Tsugaru lacquer-ware workshop. The industry is in decline, but Miyako is determined to revive it. Ever obsessed with something as a child where you just had to - [There Was A Father](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/there-was-a-father/): An important cinematic historical document that can still be enjoyed by the contemporary spectator... In 1909, Sigmund Freud wrote in a short article titled Family Romances that every child, as he grows up, must deal with the sudden dissatisfaction in his parental figures. He relies on the belief that other parents are in some respects - [Ryutaro Ninomiya interview: “Life is about destroying, building, and repairing”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/ryutaro-ninomiya-interview/): The director of new indie youth drama Wakamusha talks with us about reality, cinema, dialogue, and death... Ryutaro Ninomiya’s films have played Locarno and Cannes in recent years, but you might not have heard of them. Word of Japanese independent films from relatively new directors often takes distribution for it to travel, and those films - [Qualia](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/qualia/): Fowl play on the farm in Ryo Ushimaru’s darkly comic feature debut... ‘Qualia’, from the Latin, refers to the subjective experience one might personally have in a specific instance. For example, what it is like to watch this film. It’s a hard word to pin down in layman’s terms, and, fittingly, so is Ryo Ushimaru’s - [Vice Squad 633](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/vice-squad-633/): A hardboiled 70s Hong Kong cop thriller following a squad dedicated to wiping out drugs and sleaze... Vice Squad 633 is a slice of hardboiled Hong Kong cop action which was originally released back in 1979, when the new wave was starting to break and the genre was shifting to favour gritty realism over black - [Moving](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/moving/): Sad over her parents' decision to separate, Renko realises what it’s like to be an adult... Renko is in the middle of a family crisis. Father is moving out and mother is drawing up a plan for her new life. And they are not on speaking terms, talking through their daughter even when at the - [China O’Brien](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/china-obrien/): Retired cop Cynthia Rothrock comes home to lay waste to the bad guys... Robert Clouse is either the most opportunistic director or the smartest guy in the room. Having worked on the most Western of martial arts movies, Enter The Dragon, he really couldn’t go back to standard fare. Having cut his teeth on TV - [23rd edition of New York Asian Film Festival announced for July!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/23rd-edition-of-new-york-asian-film-festival-announced-for-july/): NYAFF returns in July with a record 90 world, international and North American premieres, celebrated industry guests and 20 feature debuts... The New York Asian Film Foundation Inc. is America’s leading nonprofit organisation dedicated to the exhibition and appreciation of Asian film culture in all its forms with year-round festivals and screenings and a view - [Oppai Volleyball](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/oppai-volleyball/): A school teacher promises to show her sex-obsessed students her breasts if they manage to win a volleyball game... The 2009 Japanese comedy Oppai Volleyball, which translates as ‘breast volleyball’ is certainly a high-concept offering, revolving around Haruka Ayase as a teacher who tries to inspire a young school boy volleyball team by promising she’ll - [Bounty Hunter Trilogy: Killer's Mission](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/bounty-hunter-trilogy-killers-mission/): A novel, genre-hopping collaboration between who’d soon be J-cinema’s most internationally notorious figures... The year is 1751, when the maritime power of the Netherlands — the only remaining window to the outside world for the socially frozen, administratively paranoid society of Tokugawa Japan — is finding colder reception from the Shogunate as they push for - [Japan Society unveils the full line-up for the 17th edition of JAPAN CUTS festival](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/japan-society-unveils-the-full-line-up-for-the-17th-edition-of-japan-cuts-festival/): North America’s largest Japanese film festival returns, boasting auteurs’ latest, fresh faces, and long-awaited restorations... Taking place from July 10th to August 21st in New York City, this year’s Japan Cuts presents 31 films, including 5 international premieres, 10 North American premieres, 4 U.S. premieres, and 7 New York Premieres. The festival will also host - [Akihiro Toda interview: “It’s up to the audience to judge Ichiko for themselves”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/akihiro-toda-interview/): We talk to the director and original playwright of Ichiko about adaptation and absence... A filmmaker with an education in theatre, Akihiro Toda has a great instinct for foregrounding what’s present on his stages and what is not. In the case of Ichiko, it’s who is not. Toda’s latest film, adapted from his award-winning 2015 - [Yoshiyuki Kishi interview: “We have a society where people can't express their true selves”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/yoshiyuki-kishi-interview/): We talk to the director of (Ab)normal Desire about the sides of us that we keep hidden... Having gotten his start in television production, director Yoshiyuki Kishi is perhaps more aware of connecting with the everyday citizen than most filmmakers. Over the past decade, his subsequent film work has focused on relationships and the double - [Young Gun in the Time](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/young-gun-in-the-time/): A Hawaiian shirt wearing private eye gets caught up in a mind-bending mystery involving time travel... How do you follow a film boasting the amazing title Invasion of Alien Bikini? For Korean indie writer director Oh Young-doo, who also worked on the fantastic The Neighbor Zombie, the answer back in 2012 was to keep things - [I Love You, Beksman](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/i-love-you-beksman/): What’s in a label? A colourful quasi-LGBTQ comedy gives all the straight answers with gay abandon... (Note: For the sake of brevity, the fact the movie does similar, and personal bastardly convenience, “gay” shall hereby be used as an LGBTQ umbrella term [among other things].) When it comes to societal constructs over the - [By a Man's Face Shall You Know Him](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/by-a-mans-face-shall-you-know-him/): Yakuza/doctor Noboru Ando has a forceful yet poignant 2nd opinion on the racial gang war question... I’ve said before that Tai Katō was one of the only few directors who excelled at both chanbara and yakuza films — as well as some straddling the two. Yet he’s stayed best known (or best overshadowed) in the - [Typhoon Club](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/typhoon-club-alt/): In the eye of a storm, childhood’s end fast approaches... I’m trying to put into words the experience of watching Typhoon Club. Even now, I struggle to remember names, seeing only faces in my memory. It’s such a tour-de-force of a performance, both as a film and with the cast itself, that you just feel - [Austin Asian American Film Festival 2024 Announced!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/austin-asian-american-film-festival-2024-announced/): Thefestival returns this summer from June 26th-30th at the AFS Cinema in Austin! Austin Asian American Film Festival (AAAFF) is a yearly run Asian film festival that champions Asian and Asian American stories via media arts and it empowers Asian Americans to explore opportunities in cinema. Celebrating its 16th year, the Austin Asian American Film - [The Swordsman of All Swordsmen](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-swordsman-of-all-swordsmen/): A young man seeks revenge on the murders of his family in this lesser known Taiwanese wuxia… Taiwanese director Joseph Kuo Nan-Hong (18 Bronzemen, The 36 Deadly Styles) follows the burgeoning trend for wuxia in the late 60s with this impressively shot tale of one young mans revenge on the murders of his family. The - [The Valiant Ones](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-valiant-ones/): King Hu’s vibrant, action-packed wuxia finally restored to full glory… Perhaps the rarest of King Hu’s wuxia output, The Valiant Ones finally makes it to a newly restored version from the Hong Kong Film Archive taken from reels he bequeathed to them in the early 1990s, funded by the King Hu Foundation, and scanned and - [Line-up Revealed: Nippon Connection 2024](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/line-up-revealed-nippon-connection-2024/): The full programme announced with 100+ films and 60+ special guests... Frankfurt’s Japanese Film Festival Nippon Connection returns for its 24th edition from 28th May to 2nd June, boasting around 100 short and feature films across eight venues, and over 60 filmmaker and artist guests from Japan. This year’s thematic focus, Crossing Borders, shines a - [Nakdong River](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/nakdong-river/): A Korean classic beyond classification... Being one of the most recently restored 1950s films under the Korean Film Archives restoration initiatives, Nakdong River (1952), had its European Premiere at this year’s Far East Film Festival. Among several of the most important titles from the aforementioned period Nakdong River is the only one recently rediscovered, making - [The Second Sight](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-second-sight/): A lawyer who can see ghosts gets mixed up with a young woman involved in a mysterious car crash... It’s time to spot the dead people again in The Second Sight, a 2013 Thai horror with the not exactly original premise of a man cursed with the ability to see ghosts, in this case a - [Virtual Recall](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/virtual-recall/): Romance, drama, action, wormholes and a dreadlocked killer combine in this bizarre 2010 Hong Kong schlocker... Originally released in 2010, Virtual Recall is a mind-bending, genre-blending thriller that combines romance, psychological drama and ambitious science fiction elements in an attempt to explore the theme of parallel universes. Adapted from the popular novel Symbiosis by Lam - [Shinobi no Mono: Revenge](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/shinobi-no-mono-revenge/): Yamamoto delivers a fascinating continuation of the conflict between religious traditionalism and capitalistic pleasure... The impact Japanese culture has had on pop-culture cannot be understated. Even people who do not actively seek out Japanese cultural productions can form an image of Godzilla, samurai, and the cat-like ninja. Yet, while the black-clad ninja are heroic in - [An Experience to Die For](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/an-experience-to-die-for/): Kim Ki-young goes out with a frenetic bang in this posthumous work... You can’t claim that Kim Ki-Young doesn’t have a style all his own. Emerging in 1960 with the bizarre psychosexual masterwork The Housemaid, he would go on to be a key influence on Korean cinema of the 1960s and 70s, including the most - [Lan Kwai Fong 3](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/lan-kwai-fong-3/): The third and final entry in the Lan Kwai Fong series offers yet more trashy bed-hopping and soap opera shenanigans... Wilson Chin took a final trip back to Hong Kong’s hottest nightlife district (apparently) in 2014 with Lan Kwai Fong 3, completing an unlikely but extremely popular trilogy about the lives and lusts of good - [I Was Born, But…](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/i-was-born-but/): An important cinematic historical document that can still be enjoyed now... In 1909, Sigmund Freud wrote in a short article titled Family Romances that every child, as he grows up, must deal with the sudden dissatisfaction in his parental figures. He relies on the belief that other parents are in some respects preferable to harshly - [Dislocation](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/dislocation/): Scientist Zhao Shuxin creates an intelligent clone to attend meetings, resulting in quirky situations... Born and raised in Europe, I've always been fascinated by Asian film titles. In Europe, film titles are often glossy, sassy, ironic, or metaphorical, but rarely straightforward. So, when I attended a screening of Huang Jianxin's newly restored avant-garde film Dislocation - [Yudo: The Way of the Bath](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/yudo-the-way-of-the-bath/): Soak in the creature comforts with this Kundo Koyama (Departures) scripted comedy drama… It feels like one thing Japanese cinema has excelled at is bestowing their own creature comforts. Thirty years before Midnight Diner became a global streaming hit, Juzo Itami’s comedy Tampopo presented the unashamed pleasure and unexpected complexity of creating the sort of - [Blue Giant](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/blue-giant/): A solid but familiar tale of a young band finding success… Blue Giant brings to life the award-winning and popular manga of the same name by Shin'ichi Ishizuka. Originally published by Shogakukan's Big Comic from 2013 to 2016, with a sequel beginning later that year, it detailed the aspiration of high school student Dai to - [Typhoon Club](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/typhoon-club/): An act of nature blows away the veneer of the school, the society and the self in a genre milestone... Many throughout the world have never had (or wanted) the chance to take in the true experience of a typhoon before. Not on the subject of ones so powerful as to be natural disasters but - [Remembering Every Night](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/remembering-every-night-alt/): Can a film look into the unexamined life without doing the actual exam?... I really know when I don’t like something. I also know when I don’t like a film. I get angry at the effort, the lack of vision, or the filmmakers having no idea how to end it. Watching Remembering Every Night is - [Lan Kwai Fong 2](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/lan-kwai-fong-2/): The 2012 sequel offers more in the way of sweaty nightclubs, bed-hopping shenanigans and hysterical soap opera... In 2012 viewers were cordially invited to take a trip back to Hong Kong’s heaving, bump and grind nightlife centre in Lan Kwai Fong 2, the sequel to one of the surprise hits of summer 2011. Wilson Chin - [Shinobi no Mono: Band of Assassins](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/shinobi-no-mono-band-of-assassins/): An exquisitely crafted allegorical tale of the post-war subject’s conundrum... The impact Japanese culture has had on pop-culture cannot be understated. Even people who do not actively seek out Japanese cultural productions can form an image of Godzilla, samurai, and the cat-like ninja. Yet, while the black-clad ninja are heroic in the collective consciousness, it - [Mimang](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/mimang/): Walk on by with the past running through your mind... They walk, talk, and linger. They depart. Not because they want to, but because they must. The conversation has ebbed before the last uttered sentence. Maybe next time, but never in the same way again. Farewell. When alone, they can’t resist ambling further through the - [The Roundup: Punishment](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-roundup-punishment/): Don Lee punches his way back onto screens in the fourth instalment of the popular franchise... Don Lee returns for The Roundup: Punishment, the fourth in the incredibly popular Korean film franchise which kicked off back in 2017 with The Outlaws. This time Heo Myung-haeng takes up the reins as director, a former stunt co-ordinator - [Siska Neraka](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/siska-neraka/): A group of Indonesian youngsters are punished for their worldly sins after they wake up in hell... Indonesian cinema goes to hell with Siska Neraka, following an unfortunate group of youngsters who find themselves in the afterlife and being hideously tortured for their worldly sins. Based on an infamous comic by M.B. Rahimsyah, the gory - [Zhang Yimou leads guests at 26th Far East Film Festival](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/zhang-yimou-leads-guests-at-26th-far-east-film-festival/): 75 titles from 12 countries and guests galore, as Europe's premier Asian film festival returns from 24 April to 2 May... Once again, Europe's premier Asian film festival returns to Udine with big guests and a big programme – including 11 world premieres! Zhang Yimou will be receiving the Golden Mulberry Award for Lifetime Achievement - [Eiko Ishibashi to perform live at Udine Far East Film Festival](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/eiko-ishibashi-to-perform-live-at-udine-far-east-film-festival/): The composer to perform Gift, her collaboration with Ryusuke Hamaguchi that spawned Evil Does Not Exist... The Japanese multi-instrumentalist may be best known to Asian film audiences for her work with Ryusuke Hamaguchi, composing the scores for the Oscar-winning Drive My Car and recently acclaimed Evil Does Not Exist, but for nearly two decades the - [Alienoid 1 and 2 to descend on Udine Far East Film Festival](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/alienoid-1-and-2-to-descend-on-udine-far-east-film-festival/): Choi Dong-hoon's latest to screen in marathon double bill!... With the second film in the series, Alienoid: Return to the Future, currently the second most home-grown popular film of 2024 at the Korean box office, it will screen with the Alienoid as part of a double bill at the 26th Udine Far East Film Festival - [FEFF Campus initiative set for its 10th edition](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/feff-campus-initiative-set-for-its-10th-edition/): Callout issued for 5 young film lovers from Asia and 5 from Europe... The callout has been issued for this year’s Far East Film Festival Campus as the initiative prepares to host its 10th edition from April 24 to May 2. Since being launched back in 2015, the FEFF Campus has hosted 85 young film - [Shape of Night](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/shape-of-night/): Noboru Nakamura’s film needs to be counted among the classics of Japanese cinema... If one were to ask a group of people to define love and desire, many people would struggle to separate the one from the other. Yet, if one were to take the place in the psychoanalyst’s chair, one would, after some time, - [Time Still Turns the Pages](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/time-still-turns-the-pages/): Chuck's striking debut film spotlights the lives of those lost to the turmoil of Hong Kong's education sector... Walking out of the cinema after watching Time Still Turns the Pages, my mind was still reeling, struggling to find the right vocabulary to process the film's impactful scenes that were already deeply etched into my memory. - [Trio](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/trio/): Two women stare down the barrel of a gun, in Park Chan-wook’s largely forgotten Trio... “What do you think of when you look at the sea?” The man holding the gun asks. “Endless… forgiveness,” says the man being held at gunpoint. The turn of genius in director Park Chan-wook’s career is largely attributed to Oldboy - [Ripples](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/ripples/): Matriarchal head of the family picks up her life after her husband flees the 2011 tsunami. But the cat came back… Yuriko, a fifty-something wife in Tokyo, is stunned one day when her husband Osamu runs away in the face of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Leaving no trace, she tries to put her - [Japanese Film Festival lineup announced](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/japanese-film-festival-lineup-announced/): The venerable film festival returns to Ireland across a host of towns and cities... Japanese Film Festival kicks off in April with eighteen films ranging from classics to modern, live action to anime. Spread across ten venues and eight counties, the festival returns for its sixteenth iteration, with several new and old titles for viewers - [Asog](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/asog/): Heart-warming road movie with an important message... In November 2013 Super Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines. It was the strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded, and upon making landfall left devastation in its wake. In Philippines Yolanda killed estimated 6300 people and caused large scale destruction, wiping some towns and cities almost completely off the map. - [Hit Me Anyone One More Time](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hit-me-anyone-one-more-time/): The Worst Prime Minister of All Time is forced to confront past failures, corruption, antics etc in a wacky satire... “Even if you succeed in study and business, if your nation collapses what good is it all for?” — original Prime Minister Itō Hirobumi Japanese pedestrians are looking as if they just saw a ghost - [Nightfall](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/nightfall/): A recently-released killer stalks the sister of his victim in this Hong Kong thriller from the makers of Murderer... Fans of the good/bad/insane 2009 Aaron Kwok-starring psycho mystery Murderer were promised another dose of madness in 2012 when director Roy Chow and writer Christine To reunited for more homicidal intrigue in the form of Nightfall. - [Parasyte: The Grey](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/parasyte-the-grey/): Yeon Sang-ho returns with a new live-action Parasyte spin-off series for Netflix... Since his breakthrough international zombie hit Train to Busan back in 2016, Yeon Sang-ho’s filmic output has been somewhat sporadic, and the Korean writer director has arguably become just as well-known for his TV work, including the likes of Hellbound and The Bequeathed. - [Daydream Fantasy Youth Film Festival Comes To Glasgow!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/daydream-fantasy-youth-film-festival-comes-to-glasgow/): Screening in Glasgow on April 14th, audiences can expect a showcase of imaginative endeavours from young filmmakers The Daydream Fantasy Youth Film Festival (Daydream FYFF), a celebration dedicated to showcasing the imaginative endeavors of young filmmakers, is scheduled to be held in Glasgow, United Kingdom, on April 14, 2024. The event will feature a series - [No Mercy for the Rude](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/no-mercy-for-the-rude/): A mute hitman decides only to kill rude people as he tries to save money for an operation... Originally released back in 2006, No Mercy for the Rude marked the directorial debut of Park Chul-hee, who had previously worked with other directors such as Lee Jang-ho and Jang Sun-woo, and who had written the above-average - [Bodyguard Kiba](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/bodyguard-kiba/): A genre milestone (believe it or not!) that shaped more of the popular cultural landscape than we ever knew... Once upon a time in a land called Nippon — a happy, happy land whose people lived inside of a giant bubble — in the sunny, wondrous kingdom of Toei, there lived a boy named Shinichi - [Poetry](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/poetry-alt/): Lee Chang-dong’s sensitive master class hits even harder in this new restoration... This year Metrograph is featuring Film Movement’s must-see 4k restorations of Lee Chang Dong’s film’s Poetry, Peppermint Candy, Green Fish, and Oasis. These hard-hitting, often hard-to-watch, Korean Drama classics look stunning and can be seen on the big screen this April at Metrograph. - [A Girl At My Door](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-girl-at-my-door/): A career-defining performance from lead Bae Doona in July Jung’s feature debut… Selected to compete in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, the stunning, if otherworldly, Bae Doona (Air Doll, The Host, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Barking Dogs Never Bite) takes the central role in writer/director July Jung’s debut feature - [Peppermint Candy](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/peppermint-candy-alt/): This infinitely complex classic is as challenging as it is rewarding... This film is Lee Chang-dong’s second feature-length film and his introduction to global audiences as a master craftsman of the subtle drama. Korean cinema had only just lifted their strict censorship laws around three years earlier, marking this film one of the first major - [Secret Sunshine](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/secret-sunshine/): Lee Chang-dong and Jeon Do-yeon create magic... The films of Lee Chang-dong are never just one thing. In three decades, the legendary director has produced six feature length films, far fewer than many of his counterparts who have been working for the same length of time. Upon watching any of his films, though, they reveal - [Top 10 Films of 2018: 3 - Burning 버닝](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/top-10-films-of-2018-3-burning-버닝/): Stealing the #3 slot in our Easternkicks Top 10 Films of 2018 is the award-winning, sublime BURNING 버닝 ★★★★★ - [Burning](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/burning-alt/): Nothing short of a spectacularly shot psychological drama, lavishly stoking the frustrated rage of Korea’s entitled beta males... Set in a modern age of subtle class tension that’s barely buried beneath the surfaces; playing off the lingering feeling of alienation in Korea’s youth and the psychological clashing between rich and poor lifestyles, Burning is a - [Burning](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/burning/): A layered crime drama that is intriguing and thoughtful, Lee Chang-Dong's first film since Poetry... Based on the short story Barn Burning by Haruki Murakami, this Korean adaptation by Lee Chang-Dong was given a serious round of applause at the NZIFF showing, the only one I heard through the whole festival, though perhaps unsurprising at a - [Green Fish](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/green-fish/): Fire, grit and powerful visuals fuel one of the first Korean Noir films… Two very important films were released in 1997, that changed the face of Asian cinema. One was Fruit Chan’s hyperrealistic masterpiece Made In Hong Kong, the other heralded a new style for South Korean film, Lee Chang Dong’s Green Fish. Ostensibly a - [July Jung interview: 'Ever since I was young I wanted to be a film director'](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/july-jung-interview/): We chat to the director of A Girl At My Door in the first of a two-part interview collaboration with Hangul Celluloid… July Jung’s debut feature film A Girl At My Door has already made quite a stir, having been nominated for Un Certain Regard Award at Cannes and performed well at the Korean box - [A Girl At My Door](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-girl-at-my-door-alt/): Alcoholism, abuse and outsiders in one of the best Korean films of 2014... This film was previously reviewed on easternKicks by Andrew Heskins. Writer director July Jung makes a stunning debut with drama A Girl At My Door, starring acclaimed Korean actress Bae Doo-na (Cloud Atlas) as a police officer who forms an uneasy relationship - [Oasis](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/oasis/): Lee Chang-dong's poignant, funny and challenging look at an unlikely romance between a mentally challenged ex-con and a woman suffering from cerebral palsy... Released out of prison in the same summer clothing he was locked up in, the real world isn’t particularly kind to ex-con Jong-du (Sol Kyung-gu, Voice Of A Murderer, Public Enemy). His - [Peppermint Candy](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/peppermint-candy/): Lee Chang-dong’s striking follow up to his debut Green Fish, running the life of Kim Yong-ho in reverse… Kim Yong-ho (Sol Kyung-gu, Oasis, Public Enemy, The Spy: Undercover Operation aka Mister K, The Tower) wanders into a reunion of his old student friends, reviving their days spent singing on the banks of a river by - [Episode 10: Bae Doona – In Focus](https://www.easternkicks.com/podcast/episode-10-bae-doona-in-focus/): A profile on one of South Korea's greatest actors... This episode we profile actor Bae Doona, focusing on career highlights with exclusive audio from an interview with the actor herself. Meanwhile film critic, producer and KoBiz English editor Pierce Conran tells us How he got into easternFlicks! This episode's timecodes 00:32 - Introduction 02:20 - Beginnings 02:57 - [Kungfu Cyborg: Metallic Attraction](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/kungfu-cyborg-metallic-attraction/): A Hong Kong-China take on Transformers from 2009 that’s every bit as daft as expected... Given the glut of Hong Kong and Mainland films in the early 2000s having ‘kung fu’ inserted into their English language titles, and with the massive global success of Michael Bay’s blockbuster Transformers franchise, the 2009 Kungfu Cyborg: Metallic Attraction - [Concrete Utopia](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/concrete-utopia/): After a natural disaster, the inhabitants of one of the few buildings still standing band together to survive... One of the biggest Korean hits of 2023 and the country’s submission for the Best International Feature Film Oscar, Concrete Utopia is a hard-hitting disaster film exploring the lengths people will go to survive. Based on the - [Lan Kwai Fong](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/lan-kwai-fong/): The first of three films revolving around hedonistic soap opera sex lives of young people in the famous nightlife district... For the uninitiated, Lan Kwai Fong, or LKF as it often goes by, is one of Hong Kong’s most popular drinking areas, a nightlife beacon packed with bars and clubs and populated by young people - [Queer East Festival Returns to London Cinemas from 17 to 28 April](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/queer-east-festival-returns-to-london-cinemas-from-17-to-28-april/): The celebration of Asian queer cinema is back for its 5th edition Founded in 2020 in response to the lack of East and Southeast Asian representation on stage, screen and behind the scenes, Queer East Festival has gone from strength to strength in the past four years. Now back for the fifth time, the festival - [Season 18 of Asian Pop-Up Cinema Is Announced!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/season-18-of-asian-pop-up-cinema-is-announced/): The 18th season of Asian Pop-Up Cinema opens on March 20, 2024 with an award-winning selection Returning for the APC's 18th season, starting on March 20th, audiences can expect to see it open with the Chicago Premiere of Charles-Olivier Michaud’s RU, the story of a young Vietnamese girl adapting to life in Quebec and featuring an in-person - [Nippon Connection Film Festival Is Back!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/nippon-connection-film-festival-is-back/): Frankfurt based festival returns for its 24th edition... World’s largest festival of Japanese cinema, Nippon Connection Film Festival is returning to the cinema venues of Frankfurt on May 28th, 2024. On its 24th year, the festival thematic focus will be “Crossing Borders”, exploring the relationships between Japanese cinema and the world outside of Japan. Alongside - [A Story Written With Water](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-story-written-with-water/): Yoshida’s exquisitely layered psychological drama is simply a masterpiece... It is an indisputable fact that psychoanalytic theory has fallen out of grace in the world of psychiatry and film-theory. Yet, the indestructibly of Freud’s invention of the talking cure and the inability to erase the body of psychoanalytic theory from universities and the wider societal - [Muzan-E](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/muzan-e/): An intrepid reporter tracks down a missing AV actress in one of the most notorious Japanese shockers of all time... 1999 was quite the year for writer director Daisuke Yamanouchi, in which he churned out three of the most shocking, and arguably of three of the best examples of Japanese direct to video extremity in - [Home for Rent](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/home-for-rent/): A landlady starts to suspect that her seemingly-normal new tenants may be part of a cult... Sopon Sukdapisit has been one of the key figures of contemporary Thai horror, having worked on the scripts for a long list of genre hits including Shutter, Alone and Phobia, and having directed the likes of Coming Soon, Ladda - [Exhuma](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/exhuma/): Shamans agree to help a cursed wealthy family by moving an ancestral grave, only to unleash evil forces... Korean writer director Jang Jae-hyun returns with Exhuma, another exploration of shamanism and the occult that continues some of the same themes he tackled in his previous works The Priests and Svaha: The Sixth Finger. Bolstered by - [Episode 57 - ek Picks for March 2024](https://www.easternkicks.com/podcast/episode-57-ek-picks-for-march-2024/): Our guide to what to watch on streamers and in cinemas in February... James and Andy are back with another look at the latest releases on streamers and in cinemas for February. This episode’s handy timecodes 00:19 - Introduction 02:33 - Shudder, with Dain Said's Blood Flower 06:53 - Netflix, including Badland Hunters, Home for - [Afwaah](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/afwaah/): The business of hate, love and polarisation is crafted into a mighty pertinent political drama-thriller... Despite having just come out of an unpleasant breakup, things could barely be looking any more auspiciously for Nivedita “Nivi” Singh (Bhumi Pednekar). Her prominent politician papa, Gyan — who’s the spiritual head of sorts to their beloved [fictional] city - [Wally's Top 25 Asian Films of 2023 — Part II](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/wallys-top-25-asian-films-of-2023-part-ii/): Rounding out the best of the best is where having to choose gets excruciating... Following on from Part I of the Top Ten Films of 2023... 12. Drive 드라이브 If you haven’t seen many movies in the social media trunk thriller genre before, there’s no better place you can possibly start than Drive. A handily - [When Taekwondo Strikes](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/when-taekwondo-strikes-alt/): Angela Mao is the draw in this solid martial arts fest but she really shouldn’t be… Ahhh, Golden Harvest. Even when their biggest draws like Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee are not around, they just have this ability to churn out a good, solid martial arts movie. And so it is with 1973’s When Taekwondo - [When Taekwondo Strikes](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/when-taekwondo-strikes/): An Angela Mao kung-fu classic from the heyday of the genre which improves upon the Shaw Bros productions of the same period... When Taekwondo Strikes is another classic martial arts film re-released on DVD by Joy Sales, this time from back in 1973. The film is a real treat for martial arts fans, serving up - [Kung Fu Cult Master](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/kung-fu-cult-master/): Wong Jing’s 1993 Jet Li and Sammo Hung-starring Jin Yong adaptation gets a new remastered Blu-ray release... The novels of Jin Yong (the pen name used by Louis Cha) are incredibly popular, though are also incredibly difficult to translate to the screen, being vast, sprawling multi-volume wuxia tomes with huge casts of heroes and villains, - [The Bequeathed](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-bequeathed/): Dark family secrets are uncovered in the latest series from Yeon Sang-ho... Yeon Sang-ho, best known for mega-hit Train to Busan, returns with his latest TV project The Bequeathed, based on Kang Tae-kyung’s popular webtoon of the same name. Though not the second season of Hellbound which many will have been hoping for, the six-part - [Kimi Takesue Interview: “Anyone can be turned into a spectacle! It’s about the shifting gaze”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/kimi-takesue-interview-anyone-can-be-turned-into-a-spectacle-its-about-the-shifting-gaze/): We talk to the director of Onlookers about her work... Kimi Takesue is usually categorized as an experimental filmmaker, but is not an abstract one. In fact, despite those categories often being thought of as deeply connected if not synonymous, her three feature-length documentaries are closer to the opposite in bringing about very plainly seen - [CinemAsia Film Festival 2024 line up announced!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/cinemasia-film-festival-2024-line-up-announced/): From March 5 to 10, CinemAsia Film Festival returns to Amsterdam CinemAsia started in 2004 and those 20 years were a bumpy but gratifying road. Tackling difficulty with securing institutional or private funding, the festival organisers put a lot of energy and heart into the film festival that defies clean-cut labels and goes outside of - [Black Milk](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/black-milk/): An emotional auto-biography examining identity... There is a running motif through Black Milk of the battle between modern and traditional, the West and the East, be it through objects and technology or values and attitudes. There is a simplicity in life as a nomad in the vast stretches of the steppes, herding animals, healing them - [The Bridge Curse: Ritual](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-bridge-curse-ritual/): Students make a smart decision to test out a new AR game in a haunted school... It has to be said that by this point viewers would be forgiven for getting the presumably popular Taiwanese Bridge Curse and Rope Curse series mixed up, both of which have churned out several instalments over the last few - [Do Unto Others](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/do-unto-others/): Crime and punishment: the ethics of reciprocity... After the bodies of a care agency owner and one of his clients are discovered in what appears to be a double homicide, Prosecutor Otomo Hidemi (Nagasawa Masami) is determined to solve the double crime and bring the culprit to justice. While, given the nature of these crimes, - [Black Tight Killers](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/black-tight-killers/): A stylish and visually dazzling romp with lots of action and sensuality... The figure of the spy has haunted the cinematic field ever since the release of the propaganda piece The German Spy Peril in 1914 and Fritz Lang’s genre-defining Spies in 1928. Yet, the director who popularized the spy film and cemented it as - [The Moon](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-moon/): A Korean mission to the moon ends in disaster, stranding a young astronaut in space... South Korea doesn’t produce too many science fiction blockbusters, and so it’s always a matter of interest when one does turn up, like The Moon, the latest offering from writer director Kim Yong-hwa. A big-budget mishmash of familiar genre ideas, - [Day Zero](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/day-zero/): Former MMA champion Brandon Vera continues his shift to action star in this solid but by-the-numbers zombie flick... Brandon Vera, the MMA champion better known by his ring name ‘The Truth’, continues his metamorphosis into action star with his first leading role, following his appearance in Erik Matti’s BuyBust. Here he plays a similar role, - [The Moon Thieves](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-moon-thieves/): An electric bunch of crooks plan to steal a legendary watch in this comedy featuring members of MIRROR... Though not as well-known in the West as K-pop boybands like BTS, the Cantopop group MIRROR are massive in Hong Kong, having been incredibly popular since they were formed as part of a TV talent contest back - [Missing Person](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/missing-person/): Violence and abuse spiral out of control in a small Korean town in this grim 2009 indie... Missing Person is another slice of quality Korean independent cinema, which was written, produced and directed in 2009 by debut helmer Lee Seo, who had previously worked as an assistant on Jeong Yun-cheol's Marathon. A dark, disturbing and - [From The End of the World](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/from-the-end-of-the-world/): If you had two weeks to save the world, would you?... Kazuaki Kiriya is without doubt one of the most interesting contemporary Japanese directors. While his filmography is not extensive, consisting of just four films – Casshern (2004), Goemon (2009), The Last Knights (2013) and his latest, From The End of the World (2023) – - [Yoko](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/yoko/): Kazuyoshi Kumakiri offers a complex experience that cannot fail to stir emotions... Everyone who has any kind of interest in Japanese society will have heard of the term Hikikomori and subjects who, due to a certain mental dynamic, end up withdrawing themselves from society, avoiding the presence of others. 42-year-old Yoko (Rinko Kikuchi), the titular - [The Inerasable](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-inerasable-alt/): As the author Ono says, “It’s not really about the monster”... Based upon the best-selling novel by Fuyumi Ono, noted for her light novel series including The Ghost Hunt and The Twelve Kingdoms, The Inerasable continues the tradition of J-horror in that emphasis is placed on the unsettling and creepy, or the scary, rather than - [Undercurrent](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/undercurrent/): An engaging and emotional experience... Rikiya Imaizumi has, in recent years, established himself as a director who concentrates on exploring the dimension of love from different viewpoints. It is therefore not surprising that Undercurrent, a film based on Tetsuya Toyoda’s manga, deals with love as well. Yet, while many of his previous narratives dealt with - [Ice Cream Fever](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/ice-cream-fever/): A whimsical scoop-of-life about four women finding connection and purpose in Tokyo... ‘This is not a film,’ announces Ice Cream Fever’s opening sequence in a quirky typeface. It’s the same as graphic designer-turned-director Tetsuya Chihara’s company motto ‘This is not design’, a way to see beyond the existing conventions and make more ambitious art. The - [Lonely Castle in the Mirror](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/lonely-castle-in-the-mirror/): A worthy adaptation of the smash-hit novel... Publishing moves in trends: dark academia wasn’t in the regular person’s lexicon ten years ago, and a certain boy wizard meant that magical schools were a dime a dozen looking back two decades. The same can be said of what is translated, and in the same way it - [Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme Returns!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/japan-foundation-touring-film-programme-returns/): The largest UK festival of Japanese cinema returns, from 2 February to 31 March 2024... The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme (JFTFP24) is back with even more anticipated films. This programme will be visiting 30 cities in the UK, including Oxford, Lancaster, Chichester, Liverpool, and new stopovers, including Orkney. This year’s theme “Unforgettable: Memories, Times - [Tokyo Twilight](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/tokyo-twilight/): Even in the bleakest of nights, Yasujiro Ozu can still find dignity and life in pure tragedy... Yasujiro Ozu knows where to place a camera. Whether it’s a long shot of a random building or a very tight close-up on a person’s face, he knows this is exactly where it’s supposed to be. Such a - [Asian Pop-Up Cinema returns March 20 to April 21, 2024](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/asian-pop-up-cinema-returns-march-20-to-april-21-2024/): Sneak peek presentations lead up to 18th Season... The Asian Pop-Up Cinema film festival has revealed a look at its upcoming 18th edition, running March 20 - April 21, 2024. Each week throughout the festival is dedicated to works from a different region, with films available via streaming during the week and in-person presentations at - [Japanese Golden Age at The Garden Cinema](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/japanese-golden-age-at-the-garden-cinema/): Running from 22nd February to 1st May 2024... The Garden Cinema presents, for the first time in the UK, an in-depth exploration of Japanese filmmaking from the late 1940s to the early 1960s. A span of time that brought together legendary directors and actors, and produced a body of enduring masterpieces: Japanese cinema’s Golden Age. - [Episode 56 - eK Picks for February 2024](https://www.easternkicks.com/podcast/episode-56-ek-picks-for-january-2024/): Our guide to what to watch on streamers and in cinemas in February... James and Andy are back with another look at the latest releases on streamers and in cinemas for February. This episode’s handy timecodes 00:19 - Introduction 02:33 - Shudder, with Dain Said's Blood Flower 06:53 - Netflix, including Badland Hunters, Home for - [The Rope Curse 3](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-rope-curse-3/): A young influencer from a family of exorcists gets caught up in spooky shenanigans at a haunted hotel... Popular Taiwanese occult horror franchise The Rope Curse returns with its third instalment, serving up more rituals, folklore and ghostly-goings on, directed again by Shih-han Liao. Writers Keng-ming Chang and Tzu-ming Ma return as well, with Chang - [Slaughter In San Francisco](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/slaughter-in-san-francisco/): Chuck Norris gets an early role in this 1974 kung fu trash classic... Originally unleased back in 1974, Slaughter in San Francisco was one of a wave of kung fu films which took a more international approach, trying to cash-in on the growing popularity of martial arts cinema in the West by incorporating American actors - [Queer East celebrates LGTBQ+ History Month](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/queer-east-celebrates-lgtbq-history-month/): We are always Here – documentary series offers screenings of five essential documentaries... The Queer East Festival is marking the LGTBQ+ history month with a series of documentary screenings that celebrate and explore the lives of queer Asian women and non-binary people around the world. Taking a look at the connection between politics and people’s - [Samurai Wolf I & II](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/samurai-wolf-i-ii/): The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, the Insane & the Who Even Cares violently converge in spaghetti-slicing chanbara fun... During the 1960s-70s period when TV was decimating Japan’s previously comfortably dominant cinema landscape, there was an ever-thinning middle ground between blockbusters/legacy series and cheap exploitation to keep audiences coming to it. One of the shrewdest - [Yi Yi](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/yi-yi/): A classic of modern Taiwanese cinema... Edward Yang, a pioneer of Taiwanese New Wave and one Taiwan’s most celebrated filmmakers, came to filmmaking relatively late in life. While always having an interest in film, he put his aspirations to one side in favour of a career in engineering. However, the call of the silver screen - [Snow Leopard](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/snow-leopard/): Late Pema Tseden’s penultimate film is an allegorical tale of human-animal relationship… The death of renowned filmmaker and author Pema Tseden on May 8, 2023 was a terrible loss for the international film community. His oeuvre tackles Tibetan identity and tradition and constitutes much of modern Tibetan cinema, a feat he achieved, according to The - [Ann Hui interviewed: "No matter how we wanted to be, we couldn’t be very serious!"](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/ann-hui-interviewed/): We talk to Ann Hui about her long film career and latest work, The Golden Era... I’m on the Southbank to interview legendary Hong Kong filmmaker Ann Hui at the BFI, on a short visit to London as part of the Century Of Chinese Cinema season before heading off to the Venice Film Festival where - [Hail to Hell](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hail-to-hell/): Two girls embark on a winningly whimsical suicide-revenge journey for an irresistible indie... Upon finding her teenage daughter Song Na-mi (Oh Woo-ri, MY HEART IS GOING TO EXPLODE!) screwing around trying to commit suicide again when she should be studying — only this time as a permanent diversion to avoid having to take the scheduled - [The Sting of Death](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-sting-of-death/): The home drama is given a captivatingly cold, caustic makeover courtesy of unsung, unorthodox creative minds... It’s odd sometimes how the cycles of international recognition for Japanese cinema play out. Kōhei Ohguri seemed to be doing well from the start, when his 1981 Muddy River won him high awards domestically and internationally including a nomination - [Casino Raiders](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/casino-raiders/): Golden Age HK’s gambling craze reaches its apex before it even really starts with a buddy criminal classic... It’s hard to argue that the most successful gambler in the Hong Kong movie industry’s modern history is anyone other than Wong Jing — at least as an aggregate of every possible angle. The simple part of - [MINT Chinese Film Festival is back for its 2nd edition](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/mint-chinese-film-festival-is-back-for-its-2nd-edition/): Keswick based film festival returns on February 2nd, 2024 MINT Chinese Film Festival is back with more female-led Chinese cinema. Founded by Chinese film curator Yixiang Shirley Lin and Dr. Carol Rennie, MINT focuses on cross-cultural communication and representing female voices in cinema and arts. The festival's second edition will take place in Keswick Alhambra - [The Childe](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-childe/): An amateur boxer searching for his father finds himself pursued by a sinister corporation and a mysterious assassin... Although his name might not be too familiar to western audiences, writer director Park Hoon-jung is arguably one of the most popular and important Korean genre filmmakers of the last decade, his career having taken him from - [Blood Flower](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/blood-flower/): A young exorcist is forced to use the powers which torment him to save his family from a demon... Although horror from around Southeast Asia has become increasingly popular in recent years, there haven’t been many films from Malaysia. This immediately makes Blood Flower of interest, as does the fact that it offers a different - [Badland Hunters](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/badland-hunters/): Don Lee takes on wasteland gangs and mad scientists in a bloody post-apocalyptic thrill-ride... All viewers really need to know about Badland Hunters is that it kicks off with star Don Lee, aka Ma Dong-seok, fighting a crocodile. The post-apocalyptic Netflix production certainly starts as it means to continue, with stunt coordinator turned director Heo - [Mantra Surugana](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/mantra-surugana/): A student investigates a series of disappearances in her university dorm seemingly connected to a demonic spirit... Indonesian horror has continued to be popular on the international circuit over the last few years, with films from directors Joko Anwar, Timo Tjahjanto and Kimo Stamboel enjoying great success at festivals and online. This doesn’t necessarily provide - [Gyeongseong Creature](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/gyeongseong-creature/): During the Japanese Occupation of Korea, a team of sleuths are led to a hospital where unimaginable horror awaits... It sounded so promising, the perfect backdrop. A horror story, a drama set in the spring of 1945 during the final months of the Japanese Occupation of Korea. Unbeknownst to the characters, Hiroshima and Nagasaki will - [The Sting of Death](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-sting-of-death-alt/): A marriage irrevocably shattered... A husband and wife are having a tough conversation: he’s apologising for cheating on her, the camera cuts back and forth between them as they have the type of conversation you would hope a couple would never have to have. At the end of the scene you get a coup de - [Episode 55 - easternKicks Picks for January 2024](https://www.easternkicks.com/podcast/episode-55-easternkicks-picks-for-january-2024/): Our guide to what to watch on streamers and in cinemas in January and February... James and Andy ring in the New Year with another look at the latest releases on streamers and in cinemas for this month. This episode’s handy timecodes 00:33 - Introduction 01:41 - Special announcement: Focus Hong Kong's Chinese New Year - [In Broad Daylight](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/in-broad-daylight/): A hard-hitting exploration of abuse in Hong Kong care homes, based on real-life cases... Hong Kong cinema has in recent years seen a number of films exploring the city’s legal systems and social issues, with the likes of Jun Li’s Drifting and Jack Ng’s A Guilty Conscience doing well both domestically and on the international - [Teddy Robin to attend Band Four Q&As in the UK](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/teddy-robin-to-attend-band-four-qas-in-the-uk/): The legendary popstar and actor to support the UK release of Band Four... Band Four celebrating its UK premiere at HOME Manchester on the 3rd December, followed by a preview in London at Odeon Haymarket on 14th December, before the film begins a UK cinema release from 15th December. Both premiere and preview will feature an - [Devils](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/devils/): A cop hunting a vicious serial killer wakes up in hospital to find that the two of them have switched bodies... Writer director Kim Jae-hoon makes his debut with Devils, a Korean take on Face/Off in which a cop and a serial killer switch bodies, with violent results. It’s a familiar premise, though Kim tries - [Sweet Home Seasons 1 & 2](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/sweet-home-seasons-1-2/): Non-stop action and strong characterisation make for an unmissable double-bill apocalyptic horror show... “Someone once said even the thickest darkness disappears with the faintest light…” Thus goes the opening narration as a young man, Cha Hyun-su (Song Kang, My Demon), approaches through a snowstorm, stumbling past piles of injured yet still struggling creatures, while military - [I Haven’t Done Anything](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/i-havent-done-anything/): An exhilarating influencer film that captures what it’s like to be terminally online today... Go on any public transport in South Korea and you’ll likely find most people watching YouTube on their phone. More than 90% of Koreans use YouTube (as opposed to 70% of Americans), so it only makes sense that Korea’s answer to - [I Am What I Am](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/i-am-what-i-am/): An eloquent yet entertainingly expressed cinematic voice for an invisible minority that reverberates far wider... Kasumi Sobata (Toko Miura, Drive My Car) aspired to become a renown cellist and made quite the effort to pursue that goal before finding it too demanding and competitive beyond her natural abilities. Some might say she simply capitulated in - [The Fall Of Ako Castle](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-fall-of-ako-castle/): A period piece that, due to its impeccable dramatic pacing, has to be counted among the best... Every culture has some historical events or stories that, long after they have happened or verbalized, keep speaking to the minds of people. One event that remains alive within the fabric of Japanese culture, one that keeps being - [The Dead and the Deadly](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-dead-and-the-deadly/): Less of the martial arts, and more of the ghostly chills and thrills in Sammo's follow-up to Encounters of the Spooky Kind... With Encounters of the Spooky Kind, Hong Kong cinema legend Sammo Hung popularised the jiang shi or hybrid Horror/kung fu/comedy genre, which was to prove a potent force from the early 80s onwards. - [Long Arm of the Law II](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/long-arm-of-the-law-ii/): An overshadowed, underappreciated sequel tackles cross-border relations and discord yet more starkly and ferociously... Officer Ching (Ng Hoi-Tin) has quite an idea when he gets the deportation orders for three attempted HK border crossers detained as criminals. Since these defectors — Dong (Elvis Tsui, The Boxer’s Omen), Xin (Ben Lam Kwok-Bun) and Jun (Yuen Yat-Chow, - [Godzilla Minus One](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/godzilla-minus-one/): Godzilla roars back in a post-WWII set Japanese blockbuster that has been one of the surprise global hits of 2023!... After the recent slew of Hollywood sequels and Japanese anime films, the Godzilla series makes a return to its roots with Godzilla Minus One, a Toho production which again explores the impact of World War - [Hidden Strike](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hidden-strike/): The incredible story of how one embattled, resilient, underdog bad movie charmed its way to the top of the world... In 2018, when things were looking especially optimistic for China economically including for its film industry, their shining star Jackie Chan was riding high off the momentum of an especially prolific 2017 that saw two - [Ghost Sweepers](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/ghost-sweepers/): A ragtag band of Shamans team up to exorcise a cursed village in this 2012 Korean horror comedy... Attempting to inject a little originality into horror cinema is a laudable endeavour indeed, and something which has characterised the career of the not particularly prolific Shin Jung-won. Though the Korean director has only helmed four films - [Episode 54 - easternKicks Picks for December](https://www.easternkicks.com/podcast/episode-54-easternkicks-picks-for-december/): Our guide to what to watch on streamers and in cinemas... James and Andy curate a selection of new and recent releases from streaming platforms, cinema and more. This episode’s handy timecodes 00:19 - Introduction 02:29 - Streaming picks... 03:43 - Netflix, including Sweet Home Season 2, Believer 2 and Hard Days 16:27 - Amazon - [Episode 53 - easternKicks Picks for November](https://www.easternkicks.com/podcast/episode-53-easternkicks-picks-for-november/): No idea what to watch or where to find it? Here's our new guide... In the first of a new format, James and Andy curate a selection of new and recent releases for streaming platforms, cinema and festivals. Plus Andy catches up with Geran and Walid director Areel Abu Bakar in trendy Hackney Wick. This episode’s - [Where the Wind Blows](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/where-the-wind-blows-alt/): Philip Yung’s epic drama about two of the most notorious figures in police corruption, played by Aaron Kwok and Tony Leung… Writer director Philip Yung’s Where the Wind Blows lands as the sort of epic decade-spanning crime drama that you might associate with Scorsese, Coppola or perhaps Leone. At its heart is the true story - [Eight Taiwan New Wave films available on TaiwanPlus](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/eight-taiwan-new-wave-films-available-on-taiwanplus/): Mid-1980s classic Tiawanese cinema on the online platform... In a homage to the groundbreaking era of filmmaking that put Taiwan on the map of the international art scene, TaiwanPlus has released a free new film curation on Taiwan’s New Wave Cinema. The English-language streaming platform, in partnership with the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute, has - [Focus Hong Kong comes to the Glasgow Film Theatre in December 2023](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/focus-hong-kong-comes-to-the-glasgow-film-theatre-in-december-2023/): The festival comes to the GFT for the first time, presenting a diverse programme of new and classic Hong Kong films... Focus Hong Kong, a UK festival dedicated to celebrating the films and filmmakers of Hong Kong, comes to Glasgow in December, presenting a diverse range of new and classic Hong Kong titles at the - [The Blue Jean Monster](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-blue-jean-monster-alt/): Fighting crime from beyond the grave, Hong Kong style... If you are looking for a mixture of action, supernatural weirdness, gore and sex comedy, look no further! Lai Kai-Ming’s 1991 genre mashup The Blue Jean Monster has it all! It is hard to believe that all of that could be crammed into one 95-minute film, - [Blue Jean Monster](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/blue-jean-monster/): A classic slice of 1990s Hong Kong madness, in which a cop comes back from the dead to avenge his own murder... Blue Jean Monster has been long been a favourite of cult film fans, having earned itself quite a reputation over the years as a bizarre bad taste mixture of police thriller, gory horror, - [Raging Grace](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/raging-grace/): An undocumented Filipina cleaner takes a job looking after a dying man in a country manor, with sinister results... Raging Grace marks the feature debut of British Filipino writer director Paris Zarcilla, who previously won awards and acclaim for his 2018 short Pommel and the 2020 TV series The Century Egg. The first British Filipino - [Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/dr-cheon-and-lost-talisman/): An enjoyable escapade as Gang Dong-won stars as a reluctant shaman facing evil… Just like the ghostly possessions that pervade the film itself, it’s hard to shake off the impression that debut feature director Kim Seong-sik appeared from nowhere to claim what looks set to be one of the year’s biggest homegrown hits in Korea. - [A Shaw-fire December on MUBI](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/a-shaw-fire-december-on-mubi/): The streaming platform brings 14 classics from the Shaw Brothers studio through December... MUBI, the global streaming service, film distributor, and production company, has today unveiled details of the 14-film collection from the legendary Celestial Pictures’ Shaw Brothers library - SHAW BROTHERS: WUXIA WARRIORS AND KUNG FU MASTERS - coming to MUBI on 1st December - [Perth](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/perth/): A security guard takes a job driving prostitutes in this bleak 2004 Singaporean take on Taxi Driver... Perth comes from a rather unlikely place, namely Singapore, a country not exactly known for violent or controversial cinema. The film was written and directed in 2004 by Djinn (real name Ong Lay Jinn), who had previously been - [Long Arm of the Law](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/long-arm-of-the-law/): A crime action classic of Hong Kong cinema, rooted in the social/historical climate it was made in... Falling squarely into the modernising Hong Kong cinema of the eighties, Long Arm of the Law (1984) lacks the cinematic polish of later heroic bloodshed films, instead going for a gritty, documentary-like approach to tackling mayhem on the streets - [Ann Hui To Attend 19th Asian Film Festival Filmasia](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/ann-hui-to-attend-19th-asian-film-festival-filmasia/): Renowned Hong Kong director Ann Hui will be presenting 4 films and a master class... Ann Hui will be in attendance at the 19th Asian Film Festival Filmasia. This will mark the first time the representative of the Hong Kong New Wave visits Prague. During the festival, she will present four of her films and give - [Riceboy Sleeps](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/riceboy-sleeps/): A quiet portrait of Korean-Canadian immigrant life with incredible depth to its simple story... There’s been a recent boom in films about the Korean diaspora, capturing a wide range of different experiences with nuance and empathy. From Past Lives’ continent-hopping love story, to Return to Seoul’s adoptee reckoning with identity, Anthony Shim’s sophomore feature Riceboy - [Asian films at the 17th Slovak Queer Film Festival](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/asian-films-at-the-17th-slovak-queer-film-festival/): Latest edition includes a special strand on Hong Kong... The 17th edition kicks off on 22 November in Bratislava and the audience can look forward to 7 festival days, until 28 November. This edition introduces the FFi Shorts - International Competition, a competition of short films, presenting 3 Asian works: Adorable by Chung Cheng-hu (2018, - [Baian the Assassin: M.D.](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/baian-the-assassin-m-d/): Jidaigeki action cinema’s best kept secret over half a century makes a triumphant return to asphyxiate evil... A remarkable amount of legendary jidaigeki antiheroes would emerge out of the post-chivalry wave from literature of one variety or another in the 60s and 70s — and yes, nearly all of them were antiheroes. They would include - [Phantom](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/phantom-alt/): Lee Hae-young’s (Believer) taught espionage thriller descends into fun bombastic action... The colonial occupation of Korea under Japan makes ripe material for espionage thrillers. From Kim Jee-woon’s The Age of Shadows to Choi Dong-hoon’s Assassination; even Park Chan-wook supplanted the Victorian era for it in his adaptation of Fingersmith, The Handmaiden, adding somewhat unnecessary layers - [Ballerina](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/ballerina/): A former bodyguard goes all-out for revenge after her ballerina friend is killed by a vicious sex-trafficker... The latest in the ongoing slate of original South Korean productions from Netflix, Ballerina is the second feature from Lee Chung-hyun, who previously wrote and directed horror mystery The Call for the streamer. Reteaming him with popular actress - [P](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/p/): A young girl tricked into working in a sleazy Bangkok go-go bar turns to black magic to get ahead... P, which also went by The Possessed in some territories, is a 2005 Thai-UK co-production, which was written and directed by Paul Spurrier, a British actor who as a child was in The Wild Geese, and - [Hur Jin-ho interview: ‘I wanted to challenge the characters and bring out their duality’](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/hur-jin-ho-interview/): We talk to director Hur Jin-ho about his latest feature A Normal Family... South Korean director Hur Jin-ho is best known for his films Christmas in August and One Fine Spring Day, earning him the title 멜로 거장 (romance master) in Korea, despite some of his recent films (such as 2019’s The Last Princess) not - [Zoom Hunting](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/zoom-hunting/): A photographer accidentally catches an extramarital affair on camera in this Hitchcockian Taiwanese thriller... The voyeuristic 2010 Taiwanese suspense drama Zoom Hunting marked the directorial debut of Li Cho who had previously worked as producer on the likes of Winds of September and Singing Chen’s excellent God Man Dog, and who went on to direct - [Life of Mariko in Kabukicho](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/life-of-mariko-in-kabukicho/): A charmingly undefinable urban dramedy exploring The X Files, The XX Files and the XXX Files... As easy as it is for many foreigners to never notice and even for Japanese to stop noticing or thinking about since becoming such a permanent fixture in their capital’s identity, Shinjuku ward’s Kabukichō literally just means “Kabuki Street” - [Drive](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/drive/): A digital downward spiral where narcissism feeds cynicism fuels an inventive thrill ride for the Social Media Age... Hey! You guys all know social media influencer Yuna, right? Or have you been like, living under a rock? She’s one of the very best at, err, whatever she does when she’s doing it. For example, she - [Hard Boiled II: The Last Blood](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hard-boiled-ii-the-last-blood/): Wong Jing delights and baffles with his filmmaking antics like never before for a crazily concocted “sequel”... The wondrous world of Hong Kong movie marketing during its most flourishing 70s-90s decades never ceased to amaze. For example, I’ve previously spoken about how tangled of a mess the labeling for the Police Story series (and other - [The Stormy Man](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-stormy-man/): Inoue delivers an emotional musical exploration of the destructive effect desire, organised crime and fame can have... While very few Japanese know director Umetsugu Inoue, many will remember Yujiro Ishihara. Little did he know that he, after withdrawing from Keio University to play the lead in Kō Nakahira’s celebrated film adaptation of his older brother’s - [A Normal Family](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-normal-family/): Hur Jin-ho’s (Christmas in August) latest feature is a thrillingly tense family melodrama dealing with hefty moral dilemmas... There’s an old Korean folktale about two brothers, Heungbu and Nolbu. The former is the kind-hearted filial son whilst the latter is greedy and selfish, taking all their father’s inheritance for himself. In the end, of course, - [London Korean Film Festival 2023 dates and special focus announced](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/london-korean-film-festival-2023-dates-and-special-focus-announced/): Strand to commemorate 40th Anniversary of Korean Academy of Film Arts... The London Korean Film Festival (LKFF) returns with its 18th edition, running from 2 November – 16 November 2023 in cinema venues across London. 35+ films across several strands including Cinema Now; Special Focus – KAFA 40 years anniversary; Women’s Voices; Forum and Special Screenings. - [God of Gamblers](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/god-of-gamblers/): The Hong Kong gambling classic which launched a thousand sequels, rip-offs and imitations finally gets a Blu-ray upgrade... While for a lot of international Hong Kong cinema fans the mid to late 1980s were best known for the heroic bloodshed form and John Woo classics like A Better Tomorrow and The Killer, the gambling genre - [Asian films coming to Leeds International Film Festival 2023!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/asian-films-coming-to-leeds-international-film-festival-2023/): A superb lineup in Leeds from 3 to 19 November... The Leeds International Film Festival with an extensive, diverse, and exciting programme presented across seven sections over 17 days and including three full weekends for the first time. Across various strands and selections, the festival brings a strong lineup of Asian film, much of it - [Hwarang](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/hwarang/): As Park Seo-joon prepares to make his Hollywood debut in The Marvels, we look at an earlier action hero role... Hwarang is a K-pop version of how an elite corps of warriors were established to assist the rise of one of the greatest kings of the period, King Jinheung of Silla (c. 500 CE). As - [From Beijing with Love](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/from-beijing-with-love/): Newly restored and filled with extras, this spy spoof is the perfect blend for the Bond or Chow connoisseur... On October 23rd Eureka is re-releasing the brilliant and criminally under-appreciated Stephen Chow (Shaolin Soccer, Kung Fu Hustle, The Mermaid) spy spoof From Beijing With Love. Originally released in 1994, this will be its first Blu-ray - [The Postman Fights Back](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-postman-fights-back/): Ronny Yu’s all-star 1982 historical thriller gets a new 2K restoration Blu-ray release... Originally released in 1982, The Postman Fights Back was an early Golden Harvest outing for Ronny Yu, who would go on to direct a number of genre hits like The Bride with White Hair before heading for the US, where he helmed a - [Kim Jee-woon interview: “I never watch my films again for that reason”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/kim-jee-woon-interview/): We talk to the director about his latest film, Cobweb... Cobweb is perhaps Kim Jee-woon’s most personal film. It tells of a movie director in the 1970s – played by regular collaborator Song Kang-ho – who manages to convince his producer to round up the cast and crew for two extra days of reshoots for - [Back Home](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/back-home/): A young man returns to Hong Kong after his mother attempts suicide and finds his childhood ability to see ghosts coming back... Though the horror genre in Hong Kong hasn’t exactly been in rude health of late, there has been the odd film to get excited about. Back Home, which marks the feature debut of - [Taxi Hunter](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/taxi-hunter/): Herman Yau’s 1993 classic sees a crazed Anthony Wong targeting taxi drivers after the death of his wife... 1993 really saw the Hong Kong Category III rating come into its own, as while the classification had been around for a while thanks to the horrors of films like Men Behind the Sun, it was this - [Episode 52 - Halloween Special: Visible Secret](https://www.easternkicks.com/podcast/episode-52-halloween-special-visible-secret/): We revisit Ann Hui's classic and look at new HK horror Back Home... James and Andy look back on Ann Hui's unsung ghost comedy Visible Secret, newly released by Radiance Films and screening in London, as well as more Hong Kong horror in the form of new cinema release Back Home. This episode’s handy timecodes - [Visible Secret](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/visible-secret/): Over two decades on from The Spooky Bunch, Ann Hui returns to ghosts with this likeable horror comedy… Eason Chan (Golden Chicken, Jiang Hu: The Triad Zone, Dream Home, Lavender), stars as Peter, a rather hapless hairstylist with a penchant for bowl cuts (no one’s going to accuse the comedy here of being too sophisticated) - [Queer East Festival touring program announced](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/queer-east-festival-touring-program-announced/): Queer East Festival touring program starts on October 23rd, 2023 As promised in April, The Queer East Festival is taking its program on the road and bringing a selection of cinematic highlights seen in the main festival to audiences across the UK. The touring program is taking place from October to December and has confirmed - [Cinema at Sea - Okinawa Pan-Pacific International Film Festival Announces the Full Line-Up](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/cinema-at-sea-okinawa-pan-pacific-international-film-festival-announces-the-full-line-up/): The inaugural run of the festival is about the set sail this November The very first Cinema at Sea - Okinawa Pan-Pacific International Film Festival has announced the full line up for its first ever programme, with nearly 40 films from around the world. The foundations for the festival were already laid in 2018, but - [Door](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/door/): A study in terror: the deranged salesman and the damsel in distress... Like many Japanese directors who started out in the industry in the 1960s and 1970s, Takahashi began his career directing pinku eiga (pink film). He worked for the production company of famous independent director, Kōji Wakamatsu, from 1975 until he left to start - [Tumbling Doll of Flesh](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/tumbling-doll-of-flesh/): Notorious Japanese pseudo-snuff shocker in which filmmakers torture a young woman to death... Warning: reader discretion is advised. While there’s a long list of films which claim to be the nastiest or most offensive ever made, Tumbling Doll of Flesh from Japan is one that some have said might just be worthy of the boast. - [Seven Days in Heaven](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/seven-days-in-heaven/): A family gather to perform elaborate funeral rituals to mark the passing of their father in this engaging film from Taiwan... A son and daughter sit and chat while they burn paper money offerings for their recently deceased father. As they talk, we get subtle glimpses into their characters, their feelings, and their relationships to - [Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/ryuichi-sakamoto-opus/): A tender and intimate performance from the late musical pioneer… It’s impossible to approach Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus without a twinge of great sadness. The pop star, electronic pioneer and film composer who died of cancer on 28 March 2023, was a loss felt on a scale matched by few for those of us of - [In My Mother’s Skin](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/in-my-mothers-skin/): The grimmest of fairy tales as a young girl makes a deadly bargain to save her mother… Filipino writer director Kenneth Dagatan follows Ma with another horror based on folklore, this time mixing in the historical setting of the World War II and Catholic iconography. The film stars Beauty Gonzalez (The Heiress, Gensan Punch), Jasmine - [Mismatched Couples](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/mismatched-couples/): Donnie Yen and Yuen Woo-ping’s 1985 classic still stands as one of the funkiest Hong Kong films of all time... Mismatched Couples is an unusual proposition in that despite starring a young Donnie Yen and being directed by the legendary Yuen Woo-ping, it’s not actually a martial arts film, focusing instead on some very 1980s-style - [AWFF online screenings commemorate Bruce Lee's 80th anniversary](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/awff-online-screenings-commemorate-bruce-lees-80th-anniversary/): Asian World Film Festival salutes with online screenings of his iconic films... The Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) will be presenting a “Bruce Lee Online Tribute” to commemorate the 80th anniversary of his birth including a celebrity panel exploring his many accolades and iconic films, Friday, January 15 to Monday, January 18, 2021. Films to be screened - [Silk and Bullets at Prince Charles Cinema bundle giveaway!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/silk-and-bullets-at-prince-charles-cinema-bundle-giveaway/): Two tickets, a tote bag, a badge and a bookmark for two films at the season... Silk and Bullets: The Sisterhoods of Revenge starts at the Prince Charles Cinema this week, and we've got special bundles of tickets and merch for each of the Asian films screening. The two screenings you could win tickets are for - [Malaysian directors spotlighted in South Korea’s Bucheon Film Festival](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/malaysian-directors-spotlighted-in-south-koreas-bucheon-film-festival/): Emerging directors from Malaysia captivates audiences with their genre-bending films at BIFAN... Three emerging and first-time Malaysian directors were welcomed to Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), Asia’s largest genre film event. Amanda Nell Eu, Cho We Jun, and Ananth Subramaniam made a splash at the South Korean film festival with their respective projects. Amanda - [Full-detailed 56th edition of the SITGES programme is here!](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/full-detailed-56th-edition-of-the-sitges-programme-is-here/): The upcoming film festival will be running from 5 to 15 October https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm47Vn3CeTw The officials of the 56th edition of SITGES – International Fantastic Festival of Catalonia have revealed its full complete line-up, including eagerly awaited feature films and exciting horror, sci-fi, and fantasy films, from big names to classic gems. Hideo Nakata is one - [Philip Yung interview: “Wong Jing said, ‘It seems too arty!’”](https://www.easternkicks.com/features/philip-yung-interview/): We talk to the director of Where the Wind Blows... Only writer director Philip Yung's fourth film, Where the Wind Blows is by far his most ambitious, recounting a notorious era of police corruption in Hong Kong over several decades, as the screen drips with painstakingly authentic period detail. His other credits include the acclaimed - [The Raid](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-raid/): Gareth Evans’ bone-crunching, ball-breaking, wince-making, all-kicking, action film is here – get ready for the next Ong-Bak!... Away from effects-laden ‘event movies’, it’s rare for an action film to have gained so much interest long before it’s release, rarer still for that move to be in another language, but that’s exactly what Welsh-born director Gareth - [#Manhole](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/manhole/): A highly engaging and twist-rich narrative illustrating the continued importance of the image for our functioning... While Kazuyoshi Kumakiri has directed many different movies since the late nineties, he has not had any narratives that put him truly on the international map. Yet, he did helm narratives that are vastly underrated, like Freesia: Icy Tears - [Where the Wind Blows](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/where-the-wind-blows/): Philip Yung’s latest film is a puzzling flow of images and memories rather than a traditional biopic... The names of Lam Lui and Nam Kong are associated with heinous acts of deep corruption within the Royal Hong Kong Police throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. As de facto criminal overlords, their influence was so pervasive - [Mad Fate](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/mad-fate/): Soi Cheang’s follow-up to Limbo lives up to its English title... Though it occasionally threatens to fall into black comedy, Soi Cheang’s successor to Limbo quickly reveals itself to be as dark as you’d expect from the director. Once again revolving around a serial killer targeting sex workers and reuniting with lead Gordon Lam in - [Killing Romance](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/killing-romance/): After a long absence director Lee Won-Suk returns with a wacky singalong of a movie… Few feature debuts create the kind of stir of Lee Won-Suk’s How to Use Guys with Secret Tips. This quirky comedy about an advertising employee who comes across an old self-help guide on video and decides to apply it in - [Kubi](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/kubi/): Kitano’s passion project is a messy disappointment... “Everybody is mad here”, says the retired ninja Sorori in a scene of Takeshi Kitano’s historical drama Kubi. A line that perfectly sums up the ridiculous mindlessness of a truly messy feature film. Before being a novel written by Kitano himself in 2019, Kubi has already been a - [Best Wishes to All](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/best-wishes-to-all/): Home is definitely not where the heart is, but might be the key to happiness but at what cost? Best Wishes to All (also known as Best Regards to All) is director Yuta Shimotsu’s feature film debut. It is based on his 2021 award-winning short and co-produced by Takashi Shimizu, one of the most prolific - [River](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/river/): Joy in repetition and chaos... When I saw this film pop up in the listing for NZIFF I was equal parts intrigued, excited and trepidatious. After enjoying Junta Yamaguchi's Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes last year, and hearing this was another time-related sci-fi, I did wonder if this would be as fun and enjoyable. I - [Cobweb](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/cobweb/): A filmmaker from the ‘70s struggles with censorship and reshoots for his thriller movie “Cobweb”... The new film by the director of I Saw the Devil and The Age of Shadows might be his most artistically engaged work yet, as well as a truly entertaining movie about the absurdity of filmmaking. The immense Song Kang-ho - [Let It Ghost](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/let-it-ghost/): Hungry ghosts seek substance from the living in this comedic homage to the classic Hong Kong spooky comedy... Let it Ghost is a return to the Hong Kong Spooky Comedy genre, whose heyday was Hong Kong cinema’s so-called second wave (1984-mid 1990s). It is reminiscent of Western spoofs of well-known horror franchises such as the - [Asian films screening as part of Silk and Bullets: The Sisterhoods of Revenge](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/asian-films-screening-as-part-of-silk-and-bullets-the-sisterhoods-of-revenge/): A season at Prince Charles Cinema bringing together four female revenge tales spanning the decades... Cinematic boundaries blur as the French New Wave merges with Hitchcock-esque suspense, alongside a Japanese pinky violence extravaganza, an audacious Hong Kong psychological thriller gem, and a standout US cult classic. Going beyond the complexities of sex exploitation, the films - [The Guard of Underground](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-guard-of-underground/): Kurosawa’s early slasher is a successful stylistic experiment that any fan of Japanese horror should see... Everyone even remotely interested in Japanese cinema knows the horror classics Kiyoshi Kurosawa crafted. Of course, such skill is not born in a vacuum. It only blossoms when the desiring fire to create is ignited and intensified by outside - [Tragic Hero & Rich and Famous](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/tragic-hero-rich-and-famous/): Once upon a time in Hong Kong a godfather strove for a better tomorrow, enlarging the scope of triad cinema... Within the triad film craze alone, many strange and today unimaginable things happened in Golden Age Hong Kong cinema, with one of the strangest stemming from producer Johnny Mak commissioning Taylor Wong to helm an - [The Housemaid](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-housemaid-1960-alt/): A true gem of Korean suspense cinema... Kim Ki-young’s The Housemaid shocked the audiences and critics alike upon its release in 1960. It tackled delicate subjects such as adultery, promiscuity and illegitimate pregnancy head-on, framing them in a story of obsession, lust and murder. While the general sense of morality might have moved on, The - [The Devil’s Stairway](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-devils-stairway/): Stylish gothic-noir, deserving of more fanfare... Lee Man-hee’s 1964 horror-thriller The Devil’s Stairway shines amongst its contemporaries with an intriguing storyline and strong cast. While it borrows from other classics of the time, such as Kim Ki-young's The Housemaid (Hanja, 1960) and Henri-Georges Clouzot’s Les Diaboliques (1955), it is a unique piece of thriller cinema - [Tuo Tuo wins Sundance Film Festival Asia Short Film Competition](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/tuo-tuo-wins-sundance-film-festival-asia-short-film-competition/): Sponsored by TaiwanPlus, the winner and finalists are available to watch now... TaiwanPlus, Taiwan’s premier English-language media platform, partnered for the first time with Sundance Film Festival Asia, which took place in Taiwan for the first time from 18-20 August 2023, with the aim to elevate the presence of Taiwanese films on the global stage. - [Alice in Borderland: Season 1](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/alice-in-borderland-season-1/): Players in a deadly game for their lives, the Netflix series before Squid Game... A TV series where contestants of all ages and backgrounds are unwittingly dragged into playing games where their lives are at stake should they lose, with gruesome results. It all sounds very familiar, but of course, Alice in Borderland debuted on - [Kitty the Killer](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/kitty-the-killer/): Hardcore, violent, bloody, extreme Asian action cinema!!!!! Just don’t mind the kittens... Killers have been expected to do it all lately. As if it wasn’t enough for killers to still have to engage in side hustles from hospitality (Hot Blooded) to design (The Fable: The Killer Who Doesn’t Kill), they’re now being burdened with handling - [Yakuza Graveyard](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/yakuza-graveyard/): Fukasaku’s cynicism reaches peak tragic, comic and visceral heights with Tetsuya Watari and Meiko Kaji... As the very last giant to emerge out of Nikkatu’s signature “Borderless Action” crime movie era, Tetsuya Watari passing away just months after Joe Shishido in 2020 marked a dying era, with Akira Kobayashi now the last surviving top star - [Snow in Midsummer](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/snow-in-midsummer/): A poignant, contemplative tale resurrecting an under-reported page of Malaysian history through the importance of Cantonese opera... Chong Keat Aun’s highly anticipated second feature film Snow in Midsummer (五月雪 Wǔ Yuè Xuě) made its debut at the Venice Film Festival on the 4th of September 2023 and was screened again on September 8th. This poetic, contemplative - [Evil Does Not Exist](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/evil-does-not-exist/): Hamaguchi delivers a smaller-scoped film than Drive My Car, reaching different cinematic depths... The first frame of Evil Does Not Exist is pointed to a sky, in daylight, with trees dazzling in and out of a moving frame, the point of view of Hana, a little girl wandering a forest around Mizubiki. Nature is the - [A Bloodthirsty Killer](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-bloodthirsty-killer/): Uneven, but a fun supernatural thriller from the early years of Korean horror... The director Lee Yong-min started his career in the mid-1940s with documentaries, before moving onto the more commercial side of cinema. In the 1960’s he shifted his focus toward horror with stories covering everything from blood-sucking flowers (Akui ggot /A Flower of - [A Devilish Homicide](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/a-devilish-homicide/): A look back at an early Korean horror classic, from noted genre director Lee Yong-min... Although South Korean horror mostly became well-known internationally during the last couple of decades, the country has a long and rich history of genre filmmaking. One director who has been responsible for his fair share of scares is Lee Yong-min, - [Mist](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/mist/): An excellent introduction to the world of 1960s Korean cinema... It’s a strange thing how trends change; at the present moment we are experiencing a huge influx of Korean films, music, and television. Regardless of quality, a piece of media is more likely to garner attention by dint of being Korean. Of course, this isn’t - [Alice In Borderland: Season 2](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/alice-in-borderland-season-2/): Grossly violent it may be, but this series also provokes moral questions worth pondering... A word to the wise: Season 1 is a must-watch before dipping a toe into Season 2. A word to those sensitive to spoilers: there are many in this review, including the end. So, building on my colleague, Andrew Heskins’ review - [She Shoots Straight](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/she-shoots-straight/): The Corey Yuen-directed 1990 Hong Kong action classic finally arrives on UK Blu-ray in a new 2K restoration... Originally released back in 1990, She Shoots Straight certainly has impeccable Hong Kong action credentials, featuring two of the Seven Little Fortunes, being directed by Corey Yuen and with Sammo Hung in a supporting role, along with - [New Taiwanese Cinema at The Garden Cinema](https://www.easternkicks.com/news/new-taiwanese-cinema-at-the-garden-cinema/): A new season presents masterpieces from 1980s, 90s, and 00s... The Garden Cinema brings together a selection of masterpieces from the 1980s to 2000s from Taiwan, featuring the works of Hou Hsiao-hsien, Edward Yang, and Tsai Ming-liang, in a season running from 7 September to 6 November. Their website notes: "It is tempting to draw similar - [Happy Killers](https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/happy-killers/): A serial killer murders his victims on rainy Thursdays in this 2010 Korean comedy thriller... With the whole cops hunting serial killers plot having long been popular in Korean cinema, such films really need something a little different to stand out from the crowd. Thankfully, Happy Killers (also released as Hello! Murderer), the 2010 debut, ## Pages - [Home page](https://www.easternkicks.com/): Since 2002 we've been dedicated to bringing you the best in Asian film, with reviews, interviews, news, festivals coverage and much more... - [Search](https://www.easternkicks.com/search/): [siq_ajax_search] - [Regular contributors](https://www.easternkicks.com/about-easternkicks/regular-contributors/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.easternkicks.com/privacy-policy/): This privacy policy sets out how easternKicks.com uses and protects any information that you give easternKicks.com when you use this website. easternKicks.com is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. 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[Youth](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/youth/) - [Slice-of-life](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/slice-of-life/) - [Paranormal](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/paranormal/) - [Adult](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/adult/) - [Film Noir](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/film-noir/) - [Zombie](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/zombie/) - [Boxing](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/boxing/) - [Slovakia](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/country/slovakia/) - [True crime](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/true-crime/) - [Denmark](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/country/denmark/) - [Human Rights](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/human-rights/) - [Western](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/western/) - [Top 10 Films of 2018](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/features/top-10-films-of-2018/): The easternKicks team has voted again for their Top 10 films of the year. What will be number 1…? - [Torture](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/torture/) - [Slasher](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/slasher/) - [Category IIB](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/category-iib/) - [Afghanistan](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/country/afghanistan/) - [Eroguro](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/eroguro/) - [Syria](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/country/syria/) - [Road Trip](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/road-trip/) - [Female](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/female/) - [Women](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/women/) - [Finland](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/country/finland/) - [Filmmaking](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/filmmaking/) - [action choreographer](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/features/action-choreographer/) - [action director](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/features/action-director/) - [Girls with guns](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/girls-with-guns/) - [Quirky](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/quirky/) - [Gore](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/gore/) - [Video game](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/video-game/) - [Shipwwreck](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/shipwwreck/) - [Netflix](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/netflix/) - [Post-apocalypse](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/post-apocalypse/) - [Film Essay](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/film-essay/) - [Splatter](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/splatter/) - [Adaption](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/adaption/) - [College](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/college/) - [Bollywood](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/bollywood/) - [Erotic](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/erotic/) - [Sex](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/sex/) - [Top 10 Films of 2019](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/features/top-10-films-of-2019/): We look back on the best films of 2019. Just what will take our number 1 slot…? - [The easternKicks Podcast](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/podcast/): A regular magazine programme about East Asian film, with the latest news, reviews and interviews. - [Mo lei tau](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/mo-lei-tau/) - [Slapstick](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/slapstick/) - [Obituaries](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/features/obituaries-features/) - [Music](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/features/music/) - [Soundtrack](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/features/soundtrack/) - [Suicide](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/suicide/) - [Melodrama](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/melodrama/) - [Saudi Arabia](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/country/saudi-arabia/) - [Ero-guro](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/ero-guro/) - [Bruceplotation](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/bruceplotation/) - [New Wave](https://www.easternkicks.com/category/reviews/films/new-wave/) - 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Le Guin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ursula-k-le-guin/) - [The Farthest Shore](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-farthest-shore/) - [Peter Jackson](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/peter-jackson/) - [Lord Of The Rings](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lord-of-the-rings/) - [Dueilst](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/dueilst/) - [Hyeongsa](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/hyeongsa/) - [South Korea](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/south-korea/) - [Lee Myung-Se](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lee-myung-se/) - [Ha Ji-won](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ha-ji-won/) - [Ahn Sung-kee](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ahn-sung-kee/) - [Kang Dong-won](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kang-dong-won/) - [Song Young-chang](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/song-young-chang/) - [Attack The Gas Station!](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/attack-the-gas-station/) - [Barking Dogs Never Bite](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/barking-dogs-never-bite/) - [The Foul King](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-foul-king/) - 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[Kim Yong-gyun](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kim-yong-gyun/) - [Kim Hye-su](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kim-hye-su/) - [Kim Seong-su](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kim-seong-su/) - [Park Yeon-ah](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/park-yeon-ah/) - [Go Su-hee](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/go-su-hee/) - [Eol Lee](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/eol-lee/) - [Jimmy Choo](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/jimmy-choo/) - [Three](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/three/) - [Three Extremes 2](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/three-extremes-2/) - [Hans Christian Andersen](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/hans-christian-andersen/) - [Michael Powell](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/michael-powell/) - [Emeric Pressburger](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/emeric-pressburger/) - [Hideo Nakata](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/hideo-nakata/) - [Dark Water](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/dark-water/) - [Dario Argento](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/dario-argento/) - [Suspiria](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/suspiria/) - [Profondo Rosso](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/profondo-rosso/) - [Ma Sang-Ryeol](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ma-sang-ryeol/) - [Death Duel](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/death-duel/) - [San shao ye de jian](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/san-shao-ye-de-jian/) - [Hong Kong 1977](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/hong-kong-1977/) - [Chor Yuan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/chor-yuan/) - [Derek Yee](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/derek-yee/) - [Ling Yun](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ling-yun/) - [Chan Ping](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/chan-ping/) - [Candy Yu An-an](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/candy-yu-an-an/) - [Chan Si Gaai](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/chan-si-gaai/) - [Lau Luk Wa](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lau-luk-wa/) - [Nancy Yen](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/nancy-yen/) - [Lo Lieh](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lo-lieh/) - [Yueh Hua](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/yueh-hua/) - [Guk Fung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/guk-fung/) - [Fan Mei Sheng](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/fan-mei-sheng/) - [David Chiang](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/david-chiang/) - [Ti Lung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ti-lung/) - [Clans of Intrigue](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/clans-of-intrigue/) - [Killer Clans](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/killer-clans/) - [The Oily Maniac](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-oily-maniac/) - [Buddha's Palm](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/buddhas-palm/) - [The Seventh Curse](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-seventh-curse/) - [Heaven Sword & Dragon Sabre](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/heaven-sword-dragon-sabre/) - [Swordsman II](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/swordsman-ii/) - [2 Young](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/2-young/) - [Zhang Che](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/zhang-che/) - [The Assassin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-assassin/) - [One-Armed Swordsman](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/one-armed-swordsman/) - [Duel To The Death](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/duel-to-the-death/) - [Legend Of A Fighter](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/legend-of-a-fighter/) - [The Killer](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-killer/) - [City On Fire](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/city-on-fire/) - [Time And Tide](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/time-and-tide/) - [Gu Long](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/gu-long/) - [Ku Lung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ku-lung/) - [The Magic Blade](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-magic-blade/) - [Ronny Yu](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ronny-yu/) - [Lost in Time](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lost-in-time/) - [One Nite in Mongkok](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/one-nite-in-mongkok/) - [Dragon Tiger Gate](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/dragon-tiger-gate/) - [Lung fu moon](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lung-fu-moon/) - [Wilson Yip](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/wilson-yip/) - [Donnie Yen](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/donnie-yen/) - [Nicholas Tse](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/nicholas-tse/) - [Shawn Yue](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/shawn-yue/) - [Chen Kuan Tai](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/chen-kuan-tai/) - [Ma Kwun](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ma-kwun/) - [Angela Dong](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/angela-dong/) - [Li Xiao Ran](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/li-xiao-ran/) - [Vincent Sze](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/vincent-sze/) - [Tang Sheren](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tang-sheren/) - [Xiao Li Yuan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/xiao-li-yuan/) - [Yuen Wah](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/yuen-wah/) - [Highlander: Endgame](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/highlander-endgame/) - [Blade II](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/blade-ii/) - [New Police Story](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/new-police-story/) - [Internal Affairs II](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/internal-affairs-ii/) - [Initial D](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/initial-d/) - [Swordsman](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/swordsman/) - [The Iceman Cometh](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-iceman-cometh/) - [Warrior King](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/warrior-king/) - [Yuen Woo-ping](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/yuen-woo-ping/) - [Snake In The Eagle's Shadow](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/snake-in-the-eagles-shadow/) - [Drunken Monkey](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/drunken-monkey/) - [The Matrix](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-matrix/) - [Kill Bill](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kill-bill/) - [Twins Effect](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/twins-effect/) - [Jet Li](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/jet-li/) - [Tony Jaa](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tony-jaa/) - [Wong Yuk Long](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/wong-yuk-long/) - [Andrew Lau](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/andrew-lau/) - [Ma Wing Shing](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ma-wing-shing/) - [The Storm Riders](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-storm-riders/) - [A Man Called Hero](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/a-man-called-hero/) - [Corey Yuen](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/corey-yuen/) - [The Avenging Fist](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-avenging-fist/) - [Tekken](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tekken/) - [The White Dragon](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-white-dragon/) - [Bullets Over Summer](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/bullets-over-summer/) - [Sha po lang](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/sha-po-lang/) - [S.P.L.](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/spl/) - [War](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/war/) - [36th Chamber of Shaolin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/36th-chamber-of-shaolin/) - [The Shaolin Temple](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-shaolin-temple/) - [Fearless](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/fearless/) - [Hero](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/hero/) - [Kiss Of the Dragon](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kiss-of-the-dragon/) - [The One](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-one/) - [Jackie Chan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/jackie-chan/) - [Shanghai Knights](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/shanghai-knights/) - [Rush Hour](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/rush-hour/) - [Tuxedo](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tuxedo/) - [Jason Statham](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/jason-statham/) - [The Transporter](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-transporter/) - [Crank](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/crank/) - [Eminem](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/eminem/) - [Corey Yuan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/corey-yuan/) - [Billy Chow](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/billy-chow/) - [Fist Of Legend](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/fist-of-legend/) - [Sibelle Hu](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/sibelle-hu/) - [Fong Sai Yuk](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/fong-sai-yuk/) - [Brigitte Lin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/brigitte-lin/) - [X Files](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/x-files/) - [Final Destination](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/final-destination/) - [James Wong](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/james-wong/) - [Glen Morgan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/glen-morgan/) - [Highlander](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/highlander/) - [John Woo](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/john-woo/) - [Stranglehold](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/stranglehold/) - [Midway Games Ltd](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/midway-games-ltd/) - [PC](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/pc/) - [PS3](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ps3/) - [Xbox 360](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/xbox-360/) - [Hard Boiled](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/hard-boiled/) - [Chow Yun-Fat](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/chow-yun-fat/) - [Inspector Tequila](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/inspector-tequila/) - [Spiral](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/spiral/) - [Ring](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ring/) - [Koji Suzuki](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/koji-suzuki/) - [Mark Duffield](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/mark-duffield/) - [exclusive](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/exclusive/) - [interview](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/interview/) - [Ghost Of Mae Nak](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ghost-of-mae-nak/) - [Butterfly Man](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/butterfly-man/) - [Bangkok](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/bangkok/) - [Prakanong](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/prakanong/) - [Pataratida Pacharawirapong](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/pataratida-pacharawirapong/) - [Siwat Chotchaicharin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/siwat-chotchaicharin/) - [Alfred Hitchcock](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/alfred-hitchcock/) - [John Carpenter](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/john-carpenter/) - [Ridley Scott](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ridley-scott/) - [Sam Rami](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/sam-rami/) - [Tobe Hooper](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tobe-hooper/) - [Robert Wise](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/robert-wise/) - [The Haunting](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-haunting/) - [The Omen](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-omen/) - [Lu Chuan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lu-chuan/) - [Kekexili: Mountain Patrol](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kekexili-mountain-patrol/) - [Tibetan Plateau](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tibetan-plateau/) - [Quinghu province](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/quinghu-province/) - [censorship](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/censorship/) - [Film Bureau](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/film-bureau/) - [Nanking Nanking](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/nanking-nanking/) - [Axiom films](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/axiom-films/) - [Jun Ichikawa](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/jun-ichikawa/) - [Tony Takitani](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tony-takitani/) - [Haruki Murakami](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/haruki-murakami/) - [Norwegian Wood](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/norwegian-wood/) - [Akira Kurosawa](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/akira-kurosawa/) - [Aogeba tôtoshi](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/aogeba-totoshi/) - [2046](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/2046/) - [soundtrack](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/soundtrack/) - [music](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/music/) - [2004](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/2004/) - [Zhang Ziyi](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/zhang-ziyi/) - [Gong Li](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/gong-li/) - [Corina Lau](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/corina-lau/) - [Faye Wong](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/faye-wong/) - [Cannes](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/cannes/) - [Edinburgh Film Festival](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/edinburgh-film-festival/) - [In The Mood For Love](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/in-the-mood-for-love/) - [Days of Being Wild](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/days-of-being-wild/) - [Maggie Cheung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/maggie-cheung/) - [Leslie Cheung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/leslie-cheung/) - [DJ Shadow](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/dj-shadow/) - [Six Days](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/six-days/) - [LG Electronics](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lg-electronics/) - [Blade Runner](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/blade-runner/) - [Japanese](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/japanese/) - [Anime. Christopher Doyle](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/anime-christopher-doyle/) - [Kwan Pun-leung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kwan-pun-leung/) - [Lai Yui-fat](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lai-yui-fat/) - [The 36th Chamber Of Shaolin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-36th-chamber-of-shaolin/) - [Shaolin Dapeng Dashi](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/shaolin-dapeng-dashi/) - [Hong Kong 1978](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/hong-kong-1978/) - [Liu Chia-Liang](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/liu-chia-liang/) - [Gordon Liu Chia-hui](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/gordon-liu-chia-hui/) - [Luo Lieh](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/luo-lieh/) - [Liu Chia-yung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/liu-chia-yung/) - [Hsiao Hou](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/hsiao-hou/) - [Sui-Tien Yuen](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/sui-tien-yuen/) - [Shaolin Master Killer](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/shaolin-master-killer/) - [The Master Killer](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-master-killer/) - [Lucy Lui](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lucy-lui/) - [I Kuang](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/i-kuang/) - [Lau Kar-Leung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lau-kar-leung/) - [The Spiritual Boxer](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-spiritual-boxer/) - [Wong Fei-hung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/wong-fei-hung/) - [Return to the 36th Chamber](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/return-to-the-36th-chamber/) - [Disciples of the 36th Chamber](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/disciples-of-the-36th-chamber/) - [Kids from Shaolin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kids-from-shaolin/) - [Martial Arts of Shaolin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/martial-arts-of-shaolin/) - [Drunken Master](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/drunken-master/) - [Tsui Hark](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tsui-hark/) - [Once Upon a Time in China](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/once-upon-a-time-in-china/) - [The Tai Chi Master](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-tai-chi-master/) - [Eight Diagram Pole Fighter](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/eight-diagram-pole-fighter/) - [Dirty Ho](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/dirty-ho/) - [18 Legendary Weapons of China](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/18-legendary-weapons-of-china/) - [Drunken Master 2](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/drunken-master-2/) - [Quentin Tarantino](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/quentin-tarantino/) - [Ashura](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ashura/) - [Ashura-jô no hitomi](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ashura-jo-no-hitomi/) - [Yojiro Takita](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/yojiro-takita/) - [Somegoro Ichikawa](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/somegoro-ichikawa/) - [Rie Miyazawa](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/rie-miyazawa/) - [Kanako Higuchi](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kanako-higuchi/) - [Atsuro Watabe](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/atsuro-watabe/) - [Takashi Naitô](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/takashi-naito/) - [When The Last Sword is Drawn](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/when-the-last-sword-is-drawn/) - [The Twilight Samurai](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-twilight-samurai/) - [Peony Pavilion](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/peony-pavilion/) - [Three... Extremes](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/three-extremes/) - [Casshern](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/casshern/) - [Zatoichi '89](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/zatoichi-89/) - [Legend Of The 8 Samurai](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/legend-of-the-8-samurai/) - [Sword and the Sorcerer](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/sword-and-the-sorcerer/) - [Krull](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/krull/) - [Ghostbusters](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ghostbusters/) - [Buffy](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/buffy/) - [Samuari](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/samuari/) - [Esher](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/esher/) - [stage play](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/stage-play/) - [Blood Gets In My Eyes](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/blood-gets-in-my-eyes/) - [Monkey](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/monkey/) - [Godeigo](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/godeigo/) - [Monkey Magic](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/monkey-magic/) - [Gandhara](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/gandhara/) - [Sting](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/sting/) - [My Funny Valentine](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/my-funny-valentine/) - [1967](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/1967/) - [Jimmy Wang Yu](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/jimmy-wang-yu/) - [Chiao Chiao](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/chiao-chiao/) - [Huang Tsung-shun](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/huang-tsung-shun/) - [Li Hsiang-chun](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/li-hsiang-chun/) - [Tien Feng](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tien-feng/) - [yanggang](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/yanggang/) - [Temple Of The Red Lotus](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/temple-of-the-red-lotus/) - [Golden Swallow](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/golden-swallow/) - [Master Of The Flying Guillotine](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/master-of-the-flying-guillotine/) - [Six Kingdoms](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/six-kingdoms/) - [Warring States](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/warring-states/) - [The Twelve Gold Medallions](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-twelve-gold-medallions/) - [The Silver Fox](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-silver-fox/) - [King Cat](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/king-cat/) - [The Magnificent Swordsman](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-magnificent-swordsman/) - [Nie Zheng](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/nie-zheng/) - [The Lives of the Assassin-Retainers](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-lives-of-the-assassin-retainers/) - [Sima Qian](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/sima-qian/) - [Assassin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/assassin/) - [Jing Ke](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/jing-ke/) - [The Emperor And The Assassin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-emperor-and-the-assassin/) - [2001](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/2001/) - [The Stormriders](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-stormriders/) - [The Duel](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-duel/) - [Armed and Dangerous](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/armed-and-dangerous/) - [Saviour Of The Soul](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/saviour-of-the-soul/) - [Fong Sai Yuk I](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/fong-sai-yuk-i/) - [Fong Sai Yuk II](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/fong-sai-yuk-ii/) - [Lee Hom-wong](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lee-hom-wong/) - [China Strike Force](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/china-strike-force/) - [Kristy Yang](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kristy-yang/) - [Kar Lok Chin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kar-lok-chin/) - [Scorpion King](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/scorpion-king/) - [Drunken Master II](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/drunken-master-ii/) - [Yuen Biao](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/yuen-biao/) - [The Prodigal Son](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-prodigal-son/) - [Righting Wrongs](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/righting-wrongs/) - [Eastern Condors](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/eastern-condors/) - [Stephen Fung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/stephen-fung/) - [Gen-X Cops](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/gen-x-cops/) - [Gorgeous](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/gorgeous/) - [Twelve Nights](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/twelve-nights/) - [The Wicked City](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-wicked-city/) - [Sammo Hung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/sammo-hung/) - [Martial Law](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/martial-law/) - [Spooky Encounters](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/spooky-encounters/) - [Chan Sap-sam](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/chan-sap-sam/) - [Ekin Cheng](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ekin-cheng/) - [Cecilia Yip](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/cecilia-yip/) - [Winners and Sinners](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/winners-and-sinners/) - [Center Stage](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/center-stage/) - [Gigi Leung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/gigi-leung/) - [Hitman](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/hitman/) - [Feel 100%](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/feel-100/) - [Bangkok Dangerous](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/bangkok-dangerous/) - [Pang brothers](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/pang-brothers/) - [Ringo Lam](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ringo-lam/) - [Full Contact](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/full-contact/) - [A Better Tomorrow II](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/a-better-tomorrow-ii/) - [A Better Tomorrow 2](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/a-better-tomorrow-2/) - [Chow Yan-fat](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/chow-yan-fat/) - [Robert De Niro](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/robert-de-niro/) - [A Better Tomorrow](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/a-better-tomorrow/) - [Ying hung boon sik II](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ying-hung-boon-sik-ii/) - [Hong Kong 1987](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/hong-kong-1987/) - [Dean Shek](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/dean-shek/) - [Ti Lung Ti](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ti-lung-ti/) - [Emily Chu](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/emily-chu/) - [Jackie Sung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/jackie-sung/) - [Shing Fui-On](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/shing-fui-on/) - [Kenneth Tsang](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kenneth-tsang/) - [Regina Kent](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/regina-kent/) - [Ng Man Tat](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ng-man-tat/) - [Blood Brothers](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/blood-brothers/) - [Venegeance!](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/venegeance/) - [Aces Go Places](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/aces-go-places/) - [Rouge](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/rouge/) - [Inner Senses](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/inner-senses/) - [Farewell My Concubine](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/farewell-my-concubine/) - [Project A](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/project-a/) - [part II](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/part-ii/) - [Legacy Of Rage](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/legacy-of-rage/) - [Police Story II](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/police-story-ii/) - [Executioners](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/executioners/) - [Once A Thief](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/once-a-thief/) - [The Touch](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-touch/) - [Rush Hour 2](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/rush-hour-2/) - [Ching Siu-tung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ching-siu-tung/) - [A Chinese Ghost Story](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/a-chinese-ghost-story/) - [Sam Peckinpah](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/sam-peckinpah/) - [The Wild Bunch](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-wild-bunch/) - [Daniel Wu](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/daniel-wu/) - [Paycheck](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/paycheck/) - [Ben Affleck](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ben-affleck/) - [Danny Lee](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/danny-lee/) - [Last Hurrah for Chivalry](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/last-hurrah-for-chivalry/) - [A Bullet in the Head](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/a-bullet-in-the-head/) - [Hard Target](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/hard-target/) - [Jean Claude Van Damme](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/jean-claude-van-damme/) - [Broken Arrow](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/broken-arrow/) - [Christan Slater](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/christan-slater/) - [John Travolta](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/john-travolta/) - [Face/Off](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/faceoff/) - [Windtalkers](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/windtalkers/) - [Mission: Impossible 2](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/mission-impossible-2/) - [Nicholas Cage](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/nicholas-cage/) - [Looking for Mr. Perfect](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/looking-for-mr-perfect/) - [Chen Kaige](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/chen-kaige/) - [Farewell](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/farewell/) - [My Concubine](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/my-concubine/) - [Killing Me Softly](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/killing-me-softly/) - [Beat](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/beat/) - [Takeshi Kitano](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/takeshi-kitano/) - [Brother](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/brother/) - [Warriors of Virtue](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/warriors-of-virtue/) - [Bride of Chucky](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/bride-of-chucky/) - [The 51st State](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-51st-state/) - [Poon Hang Sang](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/poon-hang-sang/) - [The Replacement Killers](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-replacement-killers/) - [Bulletproof Monk](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/bulletproof-monk/) - [The King and I](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-king-and-i/) - [Anna and the King](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/anna-and-the-king/) - [Luc Besson](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/luc-besson/) - [Leon](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/leon/) - [Nikita](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/nikita/) - [Brigitte Fonda](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/brigitte-fonda/) - [Chistophe Gans](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/chistophe-gans/) - [Brotherhood of the Wolf](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/brotherhood-of-the-wolf/) - [Napoleon Cruise](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/napoleon-cruise/) - [Come Drink With Me](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/come-drink-with-me/) - [Dai Zui Xia](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/dai-zui-xia/) - [1966](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/1966/) - [Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon/) - [Outlaws of the Marsh](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/outlaws-of-the-marsh/) - [The Water Margins](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-water-margins/) - [Journey to the West](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/journey-to-the-west/) - [swordplay](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/swordplay/) - [Inn trilogy](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/inn-trilogy/) - [Cheng Pei-pei](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/cheng-pei-pei/) - [Drunken Cat](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/drunken-cat/) - [Thundering Sword](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/thundering-sword/) - [Wing Chun](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/wing-chun/) - [Monkey Goes West](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/monkey-goes-west/) - [Han Yingjie](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/han-yingjie/) - [Yuen Siu-tui](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/yuen-siu-tui/) - [Dragon Inn](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/dragon-inn/) - [A Touch of Zen](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/a-touch-of-zen/) - [Painted Skin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/painted-skin/) - [The Eye](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-eye/) - [2002](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/2002/) - [Lee Sin-je](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lee-sin-je/) - [Lawrence Chou](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lawrence-chou/) - [The Sixth Sense](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-sixth-sense/) - [The Ring](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-ring/) - [The Shining](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-shining/) - [Hong Kong Legends](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/hong-kong-legends/) - [Bey Logan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/bey-logan/) - [Simon Yuen](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/simon-yuen/) - [Bruce Lee](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/bruce-lee/) - [The Big Boss](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-big-boss/) - [Fist Of Fury](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/fist-of-fury/) - [Way Of The Dragon](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/way-of-the-dragon/) - [Game Of Death](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/game-of-death/) - [Enter The Dragon](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/enter-the-dragon/) - [Robert Clouse](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/robert-clouse/) - [Sex And Zen](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/sex-and-zen/) - [Zhang Yimou](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/zhang-yimou/) - [Raise The Red Lantern](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/raise-the-red-lantern/) - [House Of Flying Daggers](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/house-of-flying-daggers/) - [Citizen Dog](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/citizen-dog/) - [King Of Masks](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/king-of-masks/) - [Dragon Dynasty](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/dragon-dynasty/) - [The King Of Masks](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-king-of-masks/) - [Bian Lian](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/bian-lian/) - [1996](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/1996/) - [Wu Tian-Ming](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/wu-tian-ming/) - [Zhu Xu](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/zhu-xu/) - [Zhou Renying](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/zhou-renying/) - [Zhang Zhigang](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/zhang-zhigang/) - [Zhao Zhigang](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/zhao-zhigang/) - [Not One Less](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/not-one-less/) - [Mah nakorn](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/mah-nakorn/) - [Wisit Sasanatieng](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/wisit-sasanatieng/) - [Mahasamut Boonyaruk](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/mahasamut-boonyaruk/) - [Saengthong Gate-Uthong](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/saengthong-gate-uthong/) - [Sawatwong Palakawong Na Autthaya](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/sawatwong-palakawong-na-autthaya/) - [Raenkum Saninn](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/raenkum-saninn/) - [Tears of the Black Tiger](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tears-of-the-black-tiger/) - [Amelie](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/amelie/) - [zombie](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/zombie/) - [Ong-Bak](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ong-bak/) - [Beach Boys](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/beach-boys/) - [High Risk](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/high-risk/) - [1995](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/1995/) - [Meltdown](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/meltdown/) - [Kelvin Wong](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kelvin-wong/) - [Moon Warriors](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/moon-warriors/) - [Police Story 3](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/police-story-3/) - [Triads: The Inside Story](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/triads-the-inside-story/) - [Jacky Cheung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/jacky-cheung/) - [A Chinese Ghost Story II](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/a-chinese-ghost-story-ii/) - [Ashes Of Time](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ashes-of-time/) - [Chingmy Yau](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/chingmy-yau/) - [Naked Killer](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/naked-killer/) - [Kung Fu Cult Master](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kung-fu-cult-master/) - [City Hunter](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/city-hunter/) - [Yang Chung-hsien](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/yang-chung-hsien/) - [Charlie Yueng](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/charlie-yueng/) - [Dr. Wei in the Scripture with No Words](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/dr-wei-in-the-scripture-with-no-words/) - [Die Hard](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/die-hard/) - [Wong Jing](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/wong-jing/) - [Last Hero In China](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/last-hero-in-china/) - [Royal Tramp](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/royal-tramp/) - [God Of Gamblers](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/god-of-gamblers/) - [Corey Yuen Kwai](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/corey-yuen-kwai/) - [Fong Sai Yuk 2](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/fong-sai-yuk-2/) - [Yuen Tak](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/yuen-tak/) - [Miracles](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/miracles/) - [Valerie Chow](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/valerie-chow/) - [Charlie Cho](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/charlie-cho/) - [Police Story 1](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/police-story-1/) - [Police Story 2](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/police-story-2/) - [The Eighth Happiness](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-eighth-happiness/) - [Willie Chan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/willie-chan/) - [Wu Ma](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/wu-ma/) - [Breaking The Silence](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/breaking-the-silence/) - [Piao liang ma ma](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/piao-liang-ma-ma/) - [1999](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/1999/) - [The Emperor and the Assasin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-emperor-and-the-assasin/) - [To Live](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/to-live/) - [The Story of Qiu Ju](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-story-of-qiu-ju/) - [Gao Xin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/gao-xin/) - [Guan Yue](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/guan-yue/) - [Yue Xiuqing](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/yue-xiuqing/) - [Shi Jing-ming](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/shi-jing-ming/) - [Sun Zhou](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/sun-zhou/) - [Beijing](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/beijing/) - [Shi mian mai fu](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/shi-mian-mai-fu/) - [Andy lau](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/andy-lau/) - [Takeshi Kaneshiro](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/takeshi-kaneshiro/) - [Dandan Song](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/dandan-song/) - [Feng Li](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/feng-li/) - [Bin Wang](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/bin-wang/) - [Story of Qui](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/story-of-qui/) - [Touch of Zen](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/touch-of-zen/) - [Internal Affairs](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/internal-affairs/) - [Zhao Xaoding](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/zhao-xaoding/) - [Zatoichi](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/zatoichi/) - [Charlies Angels](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/charlies-angels/) - [Romeo Must Die](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/romeo-must-die/) - [Shu Qi](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/shu-qi/) - [Beijing Rocks](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/beijing-rocks/) - [City Of Glass](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/city-of-glass/) - [Zhao Wei](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/zhao-wei/) - [Shaolin Soccer](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/shaolin-soccer/) - [They Long To Be) Close To You](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/they-long-to-be-close-to-you/) - [Karen Mok](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/karen-mok/) - [Black Mask](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/black-mask/) - [Jeff Lau](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/jeff-lau/) - [Yasuaki Kurata](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/yasuaki-kurata/) - [Sam Kao](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/sam-kao/) - [Kenjo Tan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kenjo-tan/) - [Venus Keung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/venus-keung/) - [Cheung Ka-Fei](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/cheung-ka-fei/) - [Lu Chuan. Duo Bujie](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lu-chuan-duo-bujie/) - [Zhang Lei](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/zhang-lei/) - [Qu Liang](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/qu-liang/) - [Zhao Xueying](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/zhao-xueying/) - [Ma Zhanlin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ma-zhanlin/) - [Mandarin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/mandarin/) - [Tibetan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tibetan/) - [The Missing Gun](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-missing-gun/) - [controversial](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/controversial/) - [Blind Shaft](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/blind-shaft/) - [Sony](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/sony/) - [Lady Vengeance](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lady-vengeance/) - [Sympathy For Lady Vengeance](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/sympathy-for-lady-vengeance/) - [Sympathy For Mr Vengeance](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/sympathy-for-mr-vengeance/) - [Oldboy](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/oldboy/) - [Old Boy](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/old-boy/) - [Edward Scissorhands](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/edward-scissorhands/) - [Hitchcock](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/hitchcock/) - [Choi Min-sik](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/choi-min-sik/) - [Yu Ji-tae](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/yu-ji-tae/) - [Kang Hye-jeong](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kang-hye-jeong/) - [Joint Security Area](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/joint-security-area/) - [JSA](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/jsa/) - [Failin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/failin/) - [The Quiet Family](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-quiet-family/) - [Christopher Doyle](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/christopher-doyle/) - [Rabbit Proof Fence](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/rabbit-proof-fence/) - [David Fincher](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/david-fincher/) - [The Game](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-game/) - [US remake](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/us-remake/) - [Dust Brothers](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/dust-brothers/) - [Fight Club](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/fight-club/) - [prison on fire](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/prison-on-fire/) - [Witness](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/witness/) - [Cherie Chung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/cherie-chung/) - [The Postman Strikes Back](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-postman-strikes-back/) - [Spiritual Love](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/spiritual-love/) - [Eight Happiness](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/eight-happiness/) - [Ku Feng](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ku-feng/) - [Paul Chun](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/paul-chun/) - [Lau Kong](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lau-kong/) - [Nam Yin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/nam-yin/) - [Tommy Wong](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tommy-wong/) - [Reservoir Dogs](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/reservoir-dogs/) - [Issey Ogata](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/issey-ogata/) - [Miyazawa Rie](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/miyazawa-rie/) - [Ryuichi Sakamoto](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ryuichi-sakamoto/) - [2004 London Film Festival](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/2004-london-film-festival/) - [Yi yi: A One and a Two](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/yi-yi-a-one-and-a-two/) - [Edward Hopper](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/edward-hopper/) - [Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/merry-christmas-mr-lawrence/) - [The Last Emperor](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-last-emperor/) - [Dubi Dao](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/dubi-dao/) - [Hong Kong 1967](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/hong-kong-1967/) - [Ban Yinze](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ban-yinze/) - [Qiao Qiao](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/qiao-qiao/) - [Ni Kuang](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ni-kuang/) - [Yuan Zengshan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/yuan-zengshan/) - [Guan Hanle](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/guan-hanle/) - [Tong Kai](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tong-kai/) - [Tiger Boy](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tiger-boy/) - [Magnificent Trio](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/magnificent-trio/) - [The Trail of the Broken Blade](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-trail-of-the-broken-blade/) - [Chaio Chaio](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/chaio-chaio/) - [One-Armed Boxer](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/one-armed-boxer/) - [Return of the One-Armed Swordsman](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/return-of-the-one-armed-swordsman/) - [Zatoichi meets the One-Armed Swordsman](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/zatoichi-meets-the-one-armed-swordsman/) - [Daniel Lee](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/daniel-lee/) - [What Price Survival](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/what-price-survival/) - [One-Armed Swordsman '94](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/one-armed-swordsman-94/) - [The Blade](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-blade/) - [The Six-Fingered Lord of the Lute](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-six-fingered-lord-of-the-lute/) - [Vengeance](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/vengeance/) - [Duel of Fists](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/duel-of-fists/) - [The Heroic Ones](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-heroic-ones/) - [Wu jian dao](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/wu-jian-dao/) - [martial arts novel](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/martial-arts-novel/) - [Shui Hu Zhuan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/shui-hu-zhuan/) - [The Water Margin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-water-margin/) - [martial chivalry](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/martial-chivalry/) - [heroic bloodshed](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/heroic-bloodshed/) - [Gordon Chan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/gordon-chan/) - [Patrick Yau](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/patrick-yau/) - [The Longest Nite](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-longest-nite/) - [Young and Dangerous](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/young-and-dangerous/) - [Wesley's Mysterious File](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/wesleys-mysterious-file/) - [Taxi Hunter](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/taxi-hunter/) - [A Moment of Romance](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/a-moment-of-romance/) - [Eric Tsang](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/eric-tsang/) - [Golden Chicken](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/golden-chicken/) - [Alan Mak](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/alan-mak/) - [Chapman To](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/chapman-to/) - [Sammi Cheung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/sammi-cheung/) - [Kelly Chen](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kelly-chen/) - [Philip Noyce](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/philip-noyce/) - [The Quiet American](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-quiet-american/) - [Rou pu tuan zhi tou qing bao jian](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/rou-pu-tuan-zhi-tou-qing-bao-jian/) - [1992](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/1992/) - [Michael Mak](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/michael-mak/) - [Lawrence Ng](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lawrence-ng/) - [Kent Cheng](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kent-cheng/) - [Amy Yip](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/amy-yip/) - [Isabella Chow](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/isabella-chow/) - [Shui Chu](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/shui-chu/) - [Carrie Ng](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/carrie-ng/) - [Mari Ayukawa](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/mari-ayukawa/) - [Elvis Tsui](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/elvis-tsui/) - [New Dragon Gate Inn](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/new-dragon-gate-inn/) - [Centre Stage](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/centre-stage/) - [The Peace Hotel](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-peace-hotel/) - [She Shoots Straight](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/she-shoots-straight/) - [Crime Story](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/crime-story/) - [The Carnal Prayer Mat](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-carnal-prayer-mat/) - [Island Of Greed](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/island-of-greed/) - [Butterfly And Sword](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/butterfly-and-sword/) - [Russ Meyer](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/russ-meyer/) - [American Pie](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/american-pie/) - [Farrelly brothers](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/farrelly-brothers/) - [Erotic Ghost Story](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/erotic-ghost-story/) - [Robotrix](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/robotrix/) - [Wu Ji](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/wu-ji/) - [Hiroyuki Sanada](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/hiroyuki-sanada/) - [Cecilia Cheung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/cecilia-cheung/) - [Ye Liu](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ye-liu/) - [wuxia pian](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/wuxia-pian/) - [cinematographer](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/cinematographer/) - [Miramax](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/miramax/) - [Emperor Qin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/emperor-qin/) - [Together](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/together/) - [Ring 2](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ring-2/) - [The Last Samurai](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-last-samurai/) - [Brotherhood](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/brotherhood/) - [One Night In Mongkok](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/one-night-in-mongkok/) - [Failan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/failan/) - [King Of Comedy](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/king-of-comedy/) - [Kimiya Masago](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kimiya-masago/) - [Peter Pau](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/peter-pau/) - [Chris Doyle](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/chris-doyle/) - [Aaron Kwok](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/aaron-kwok/) - [Andrew Lin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/andrew-lin/) - [Black Sheep Affair](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/black-sheep-affair/) - [Kurosawa](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kurosawa/) - [Purple Storm](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/purple-storm/) - [Tokyo Raiders](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tokyo-raiders/) - [Tony Leung Chui-wai](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tony-leung-chui-wai/) - [Charade](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/charade/) - [Alien](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/alien/) - [Raiders of the Lost Ark](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/raiders-of-the-lost-ark/) - [Ching Siu Ho](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ching-siu-ho/) - [Wesley's Mysterious Story](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/wesleys-mysterious-story/) - [Mr Vampire](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/mr-vampire/) - [Buff](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/buff/) - [Lam Ching Ying](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lam-ching-ying/) - [Ricky Hui](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ricky-hui/) - [Encounters Of The Spooky Kind](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/encounters-of-the-spooky-kind/) - [The Legend Of Wisley](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-legend-of-wisley/) - [Sam Hui](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/sam-hui/) - [Falling Down](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/falling-down/) - [Rosamund Kwan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/rosamund-kwan/) - [Once Upon a Time in China 2](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/once-upon-a-time-in-china-2/) - [Once Upon a Time in China 3](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/once-upon-a-time-in-china-3/) - [Peking Opera Blues](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/peking-opera-blues/) - [Sally Yeh](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/sally-yeh/) - [Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/zu-warriors-from-the-magic-mountain/) - [Moon Lee](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/moon-lee/) - [Legend of Zu](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/legend-of-zu/) - [POLICE STORY](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/police-story/) - [Mel Gibson](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/mel-gibson/) - [Lethal Weapon](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lethal-weapon/) - [Heart of Dragon](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/heart-of-dragon/) - [Armour of God](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/armour-of-god/) - [Alan Tam](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/alan-tam/) - [Supercop](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/supercop/) - [Michelle Yeoh](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/michelle-yeoh/) - [Stephen Chow](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/stephen-chow/) - [Jurassic Park](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/jurassic-park/) - [Saving Private Ryan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/saving-private-ryan/) - [Michael Jackson](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/michael-jackson/) - [Thriller](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/thriller/) - [Tony Leung Ka-wai](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tony-leung-ka-wai/) - [Victim](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/victim/) - [Lau Ching Wan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lau-ching-wan/) - [Joey Wang](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/joey-wang/) - [Yin Chek Hsia](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/yin-chek-hsia/) - [Evil Dead](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/evil-dead/) - [Actress](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/actress/) - [Jean-Pierre Melville](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/jean-pierre-melville/) - [MI:2](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/mi2/) - [Robert De Nir](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/robert-de-nir/) - [51st State](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/51st-state/) - [The Bride of Chucky](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-bride-of-chucky/) - [Emerich Pressburger](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/emerich-pressburger/) - [A Matter of Life and Death](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/a-matter-of-life-and-death/) - [The Bride with White Hair 2](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-bride-with-white-hair-2/) - [David Wu](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/david-wu/) - [The Phantom Lover](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-phantom-lover/) - [Iron Monkey](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/iron-monkey/) - [The Butterfly Murders](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-butterfly-murders/) - [Dip bin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/dip-bin/) - [1979](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/1979/) - [Lau Siu-ming](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lau-siu-ming/) - [Shutang Huang](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/shutang-huang/) - [Michelle Mee](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/michelle-mee/) - [Chang Kuo-chu](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/chang-kuo-chu/) - [Tino Wong Cheung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tino-wong-cheung/) - [Eddie Ko](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/eddie-ko/) - [The Sword](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-sword/) - [Project A II](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/project-a-ii/) - [Five Shaolin Masters](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/five-shaolin-masters/) - [Jiang hu](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/jiang-hu/) - [Ten Tigers Of Shaolin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ten-tigers-of-shaolin/) - [Crazy Hustlers](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/crazy-hustlers/) - [Let's Make Laugh](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lets-make-laugh/) - [Heroes 2](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/heroes-2/) - [Heroes Shed No Tears](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/heroes-shed-no-tears/) - [Swordsman III: East Is Red](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/swordsman-iii-east-is-red/) - [Seven Swords](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/seven-swords/) - [Burning Paradise](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/burning-paradise/) - [Patrick Tam](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/patrick-tam/) - [Ching Sui-tung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ching-sui-tung/) - [The Birds](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-birds/) - [Lee Sau-Man](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lee-sau-man/) - [Ng See-yuen](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ng-see-yuen/) - [Ying xiong wei lei](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ying-xiong-wei-lei/) - [The Sunset Warrior](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-sunset-warrior/) - [1986](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/1986/) - [Eddy Ko](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/eddy-ko/) - [Lau Chau-Sang](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lau-chau-sang/) - [The Postman Fights Back](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-postman-fights-back/) - [PTU](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ptu/) - [My Lucky Stars](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/my-lucky-stars/) - [Run Tiger Run](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/run-tiger-run/) - [Peter Chan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/peter-chan/) - [Dumplings](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/dumplings/) - [Wong Sing Lui](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/wong-sing-lui/) - [Escorts Over Tiger Hills](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/escorts-over-tiger-hills/) - [Dirty Dozen](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/dirty-dozen/) - [Lone Wolf And Cub](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lone-wolf-and-cub/) - [Baby Cart in Peril](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/baby-cart-in-peril/) - [Just Heroes](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/just-heroes/) - [The Fearless Hyena](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-fearless-hyena/) - [Hsiao chuan yi chao](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/hsiao-chuan-yi-chao/) - [James Tien](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/james-tien/) - [Yam Sai-kun](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/yam-sai-kun/) - [Chan Wai-lau](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/chan-wai-lau/) - [Hand Of Death](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/hand-of-death/) - [Shao Lin men](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/shao-lin-men/) - [Countdown in Kung Fu](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/countdown-in-kung-fu/) - [1976](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/1976/) - [Tao-liang Tan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tao-liang-tan/) - [Paul Chang](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/paul-chang/) - [Hong Kong Legends Ultra-bit](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/hong-kong-legends-ultra-bit/) - [The Heroic Trio](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-heroic-trio/) - [Raining In The Mountain](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/raining-in-the-mountain/) - [Legend Of The Mountain](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/legend-of-the-mountain/) - [Raymond Chow](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/raymond-chow/) - [Golden Harvest Studio](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/golden-harvest-studio/) - [Young Master](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/young-master/) - [Pink Panther](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/pink-panther/) - [Shaolin Invincibles](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/shaolin-invincibles/) - [Shaolin Deadly Kicks](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/shaolin-deadly-kicks/) - [Master Butcher](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/master-butcher/) - [The Blood Brothers](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-blood-brothers/) - [Seven Samurai](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/seven-samurai/) - [The Dirty Dozen](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-dirty-dozen/) - [Gong Fu](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/gong-fu/) - [Yuen Qiu](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/yuen-qiu/) - [Chan Kwok Kwan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/chan-kwok-kwan/) - [Lamb Tse Chung](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lamb-tse-chung/) - [Road Runner](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/road-runner/) - [House of 72 Tenants](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/house-of-72-tenants/) - [Spider-man](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/spider-man/) - [Jamers Bond](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/jamers-bond/) - [The Man With The Golden Gun](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-man-with-the-golden-gun/) - [Little Dragon](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/little-dragon/) - [Tony Manero](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tony-manero/) - [Saturday Night Fever](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/saturday-night-fever/) - [Kung Fu](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/kung-fu/) - [Fred Weintraub](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/fred-weintraub/) - [Shek Kin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/shek-kin/) - [Fists of Fury](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/fists-of-fury/) - [The Black Dragon.](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-black-dragon/) - [Golden Harvest](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/golden-harvest/) - [Chuck Norris](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/chuck-norris/) - [The Office](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-office/) - [My Blueberry Nights](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/my-blueberry-nights/) - [Norah Jones](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/norah-jones/) - [Ying xiong](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/ying-xiong/) - [The Road Home](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-road-home/) - [King](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/king/) - [Emperor](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/emperor/) - [Qin](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/qin/) - [Great Wall](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/great-wall/) - [Terracota Warriors](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/terracota-warriors/) - [Rashomon](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/rashomon/) - [Chungking Express](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/chungking-express/) - [Temptress Moon](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/temptress-moon/) - [Phillip Noyce](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/phillip-noyce/) - [Inner Mongolia](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/inner-mongolia/) - [National Reserve](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/national-reserve/) - [Jiuzhaigou](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/jiuzhaigou/) - [Heroic Trio](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/heroic-trio/) - [Tung Wai](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tung-wai/) - [Tan Dun](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/tan-dun/) - [Itzhak Perlman](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/itzhak-perlman/) - [Oscar nomination](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/oscar-nomination/) - [best foreign film](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/best-foreign-film/) - [Jia Zhangke](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/jia-zhangke/) - [Platform](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/platform/) - [The World](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/the-world/) - [Still Life](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/still-life/) - [BFI](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/bfi/) - [Southbank](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/southbank/) - [Hapkido](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/hapkido/) - [He qi dao](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/he-qi-dao/) - [Hap Ki Do](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/hap-ki-do/) - [Lady Kung Fu](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lady-kung-fu/) - [1972](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/1972/) - [Huang Feng](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/huang-feng/) - [Angela Mao](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/angela-mao/) - [Carter Wong](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/carter-wong/) - [Sammo Hung Kam-Bo](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/sammo-hung-kam-bo/) - [Whang Ing-Sik](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/whang-ing-sik/) - [Thunderbolt](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/thunderbolt/) - [Cynthia Rothrock](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/cynthia-rothrock/) - [18 Bronzemen](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/18-bronzemen/) - [Born Invincible](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/born-invincible/) - [Billy Chan](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/billy-chan/) - [1978](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/1978/) - [Lo Wei](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/lo-wei/) - [New Fist Of Fury](https://www.easternkicks.com/tag/new-fist-of-fury/)