Scent of Pho (2026) by Minh Beta Film Review
Minh Beta’s debut feature "Scent of Pho" is a family dramedy set in Vietnam’s pho heartland, starring veteran comedian Xuan Hinh as the aging noodle‑shop patriarch. The film showcases authentic Northern Vietnamese cuisine and culture, blending traditional folk music with a modern rap track. Domestically it earned about 33 billion VND (≈$1.3 million) during the 2026 Lunar New Year window, while securing theatrical releases in ten countries across four continents. Critics praise its visual feast of pho preparation and the chemistry between Hinh and co‑star Thu Trang, though the localized humor may limit broader appeal.
Elegant Beast (1962) by Yuzo Kawashima Film Review
Yuzo Kawashima’s 1962 film Elegant Beast caps his career‑long critique of post‑war Japan, exposing a middle‑class family that survives through manipulation and fraud. Adapted from Kaneto Shindo’s stage play, the Maedas conceal their luxury behind a façade of poverty, constantly...
Mushikera-Sama (2002) by Ayuko Akiyama Manga Review
Ayuko Akiyama’s debut tankōbon, “Mushikera‑sama,” compiles sixteen short stories that use insects, arachnids and other tiny creatures as a lens to explore human nature, Buddhist impermanence, and classical Japanese literature. The collection, published after her early work appeared in the...
Myanmar Bride (2016) by Huang Shudan Cathay Play Film Review
“Myanmar Bride” is a 65‑minute ethnographic documentary by Chinese filmmaker Huang Shudan that explores the growing phenomenon of marriages between Chinese ethnic‑minority men in Yunnan and Burmese women from Myanmar. The film follows three distinct Myanmar brides—Ma Azhen, Ma Yong,...
Ong Kuo Sin and Richie Koh Interview
The Asian Movie Pulse interview with director Ong Kuo Sin and star Richie Koh delves into Singapore’s breakout film “A Good Child,” which screened at the Asian Pop Up Cinema and earned a Golden Horse nomination. The movie tackles caregiving,...
The Elysian Field (2025) by Pradip Kurbah Film Review
Pradip Kurbah’s “Ha Lyngkha Bneng” (The Elysian Field) is a 2025 sci‑fi drama set in a remote Khasi village in 2047, exploring communitarianism through six aging residents. The film blends dystopian absurdity with tender humor, using sparse dialogue and non‑professional...
Pass and Goal (2025) by Jil Wong Pak-Kei Film Review
Jil Wong Pak‑kei’s 2025 film Pass and Goal reimagines the classic underdog sports story by weaving contemporary Hong Kong issues such as housing scarcity, immigrant labor, and disability inclusion into a light‑hearted football narrative. Former financial advisor Hay Man, played by...
100 Meters (2025) Anime Review by Kenji Iwaisawa
Kenji Iwaisawa’s "100 Meters" adapts Uoto’s manga into a sports anime that debuted eighth in Japan’s opening‑week box office and quickly rose into Netflix’s global top‑6 non‑English titles. The film has earned multiple nominations, including an Award of Excellence at...
Strange Things Will Happen (2026) by Aayushi A. Shah Short Film Review
Award‑winning filmmaker Aayushi A. Shah’s short “Strange Things Will Happen” follows Hannah, a solitary immigrant grappling with anxiety. The film uses tight close‑ups, blue‑tinted visuals and a minimalist score to mirror her mental turbulence, while Tyler St. Clair’s performance anchors...
Soulless The Complete Omnibus (2012) by Gail Carriger and Rem Manga Review
Yen Press released Soulless: The Complete Manga Omnibus, compiling the first three volumes of Rem’s manga adaptation of Gail Carriger’s steampunk paranormal romance novel. The omnibus preserves the original’s witty dialogue, Victorian setting, and supernatural intrigue, while the artwork is...
Leaving the Zoo at Nightfall (2021) by Lei Kai Po Cathay Play Film Review
"Leaving the Zoo at Nightfall" is a 2021 Chinese indie film directed by 23‑year‑old Lei Kaipo. The story follows four recent high‑school graduates navigating uncertain futures in an urban setting, using poetic voice‑overs and a mix of subdued and techno‑driven...
I Heard That They Are Not Going to See Each Other Anymore (2026) by Kaki Wong Documentary Review
“I Heard That They Are Not Going to See Each Other Anymore” is Kaki Wong’s debut hybrid film that blends documentary and fiction in a visually arresting style reminiscent of Taiwanese New Wave cinema. The movie follows four urban protagonists—Shin,...
Return Offer (2026) by Jackie! Zhou Drama Review
“Return Offer” is a micro‑drama on the Watch Club platform that follows interns vying for a full‑time role at an AI start‑up, leaning heavily on racialized stereotypes and non‑meritocratic power plays. The series mixes Zoom‑style filming with Instagram‑style audience polls,...
Wildlife (2012) by Adolfo Borinaga Alix. Jr. Film Review
Adolfo Borinaga Alix Jr.'s "Wildlife" (Kalayaan) debuted at Cinemalaya 2012 and captured the NETPAC Award at the Warsaw Film Festival. The film follows Julian, a Filipino soldier stranded on a remote island, as he confronts isolation, trauma, and an unseen...
Family at Large (2025) by Kang Bo Film Review
Family at Large, originally filmed as “Reindeer” in 2019, re‑emerged in 2025 as a bleak crime thriller set in the frozen wilderness of Northeast China. The plot follows ex‑convict Zhu Shao Yu (Hu Ge), a pregnant woman (Vicky Chen) and a mute...
100 Sunset (2025) by Kunsang Kyirong Film Review
Kunsang Kyirong’s debut feature "100 Sunset" premiered in Toronto, earning an Honorable Mention for the Best Canadian Discovery award before screening in Tokyo. The film follows Kunsel, a withdrawn Tibetan‑Canadian teen, as she navigates cultural dislocation, petty rebellion, and a...
Morte Cucina (2025) by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang Film Review
Thai auteur Pen‑Ek Ratanaruang returns with the 2025 thriller “Morte Cucina,” premiering at Helsinki’s Cine Aasia festival. The film follows Sao, a Muslim‑origin chef who exacts revenge on her childhood oppressor using her culinary mastery, intertwining flashbacks of community persecution...
Lanaya (2025) by Clyde Capistrano Film Review
Filipino crime drama Lanaya, directed by Clyde Capistrano, earned Best International Film and Best Music Score at the Saskatchewan International Film Festival and later screened at the Sinag Maynila Film Festival. The film, a product of a mentor‑mentee partnership with...
The Dagger of Kamui (1985) by Rintaro Anime Review
Released in 1985, "The Dagger of Kamui" is a Rintaro‑directed, Madhouse‑produced historical adventure that blends ninja action with the Bakumatsu and early Meiji era. The film weaves real figures such as Saigo Takamori, Mark Twain and Geronimo into a fictional...
TAICCA Spotlights Taiwanese Talent at FILMART with Star-Led Showcase and 243 Titles
Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) is spotlighting Taiwanese talent at this year’s Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) with a star‑studded Taiwan Spotlight Showcase on March 18. The agency is presenting 243 titles—115 feature films and 128 TV...
Kokuho Dominates the 49th Japan Academy Awards as Ryo Yoshizawa and Chieko Baisho Win Top Acting Honors
Lee Sang‑il’s period epic “Kokuho” swept the 49th Japan Academy Awards, capturing Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and a host of technical honors. Ryo Yoshizawa was named Best Actor, while Chieko Baisho took Best Actress for “Tokyo Taxi.” The...
Sekaichizu No Ma (2013) by Yuichi Yokoyama Manga Review
Yuichi Yokoyama’s 2013 manga "Sekaichizu no Ma" epitomizes his neo‑manga movement, discarding conventional panels for a dreamlike, geometry‑driven visual language. Set in an unnamed megacity, three nameless protagonists wander toward a secret business rendezvous, their journey rendered through expansive full‑page...
19th Asian Film Awards Concludes in Hong Kong – Zhang Ziyi, Liu Haoran and Terrance Lau Honoured
The 19th Asian Film Awards took place at Hong Kong’s Xiqu Centre, opening the ceremony to the public for the first time. The event featured masterclasses led by Hwang Dong‑hyuk, Jia Zhangke and Zhang Ziyi, and highlighted the Academy’s youth...
BIFF Officially Recognized as an FIAPF ‘A Festival’
Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has been officially recognized as an ‘A Festival’ under FIAPF’s newly reformed single‑category accreditation framework. This places BIFF among a select group of 17 top international festivals, alongside Cannes, Berlin and Venice. The new FIAPF...
Japanese Godfather (1977) by Sadao Nakajima Film Review
Sadao Nakajima’s 1977 "Japanese Godfather" trilogy uses the yakuza genre to dissect the intertwining of post‑war Japanese politics, the economy, and organized crime. Unlike Kinji Fukasaku’s blood‑soaked narratives, Nakajima adopts a clinical, almost documentary style that foregrounds power plays and...
The Guy with the Secret Kung Fu (1980) by Lo Chi Film Review
Lo Chi’s 1980 film "The Guy with the Secret Kung Fu" revisits the late‑1970s kung‑fu boom, pairing Qing‑era patriots Hung Wen Ting and Hu Yang‑Pao against the tyrannical Dragon Gang. The review praises the film’s high‑energy fight sequences, especially the...
Frédéric Ambroisine Launches International Restoration and Sales Initiative for Rare Korean Whapung Films at FILMART 2026
Film producer Frédéric Ambroisine announced at Hong Kong FILMART 2026 a coordinated international restoration and sales programme for thirteen rare Korean titles produced by Whapung Films between 1979 and 1985. The effort, partnered with French post‑production house Karmax‑910 and the...
Daddy and Buddy (2023) by Tendai Yano Manga Review
Japanese platform Jump+ awarded Tendai Yano the 2023 Serialization Audition grand prize, debuting the action manga "Daddy and Buddy." The story follows laid‑off father Tanaka Kanata, who becomes a Gymnastics Buddy protecting children from grumble bugs, highlighting adult career reinvention....
Mayasabha by Rahi Anil Barve Trailer
Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion, a 2025 Hindi psychological thriller, marks director Rahi Anil Barve’s sophomore effort after the critically‑acclaimed Tumbbad. Starring Jaaved Jaaferi, Mohammad Samad, Veena Jamkar and Deepak Damle, the film debuted at the Jagran Film Festival...
Virgin Punk Clockwork Girl by Yasuomi Umetsu Trailer
Animation studio SHAFT and veteran director Yasuomi Umetsu have unveiled the trailer for their new original series, Virgin Punk. Set in 2099, the sci‑fi action follows bounty hunter Ubu Kamigori as she tracks criminals exploiting the advanced medical android technology...
A Song Without Home (2026) by Rati Tsiteladze Documentary Review
"A Song Without Home" premiered at CPH:DOX 2026, becoming the first Georgian documentary ever selected for the festival’s Main Competition and later screened at Thessaloniki. Directed by Rati Tsiteladze, the film chronicles Adelina, a trans woman who flees a hostile...
The Specials (2026) by Eiji Uchida Film Review
Eiji Uchida’s new film "The Specials" debuts in Japan on March 6, 2026, merging yakuza mythology with competitive dance comedy. The story follows former assassin Daiya, who must train a rag‑tag crew of killers for a dance‑contest hit‑man mission. The...
Great Success for the Screening of the 32nd Vesoul International Festival of Asian Cinemas at the Guimet Museum in Paris
The 32nd Vesoul International Festival of Asian Cinemas screened award‑winning films at the Guimet Museum’s auditorium in Paris from March 4‑7, 2026, drawing a large, diverse audience. The event received extensive media coverage, including a full‑page feature in Le Figaro and promotion by...
Takashi Miike’s “Ichi the Killer” Returns in 4K to Celebrate Its 25th Anniversary
Takashi Miike’s cult classic Ichi the Killer is receiving a 4K restoration that will open in Japanese theaters on May 15, marking its 25th anniversary. The director and cinematographer Hideo Yamamoto oversaw the new scan, promising sharper neon‑lit visuals and...
Eyes of Salt Among Hollywood Titles at FILMART 2026, Celebrating 30th Anniversary
The 30th anniversary of Hong Kong's FILMART runs March 17‑20, 2026, featuring over 760 exhibitors and more than 7,600 industry professionals. Among the highlighted Hollywood co‑productions is "Eyes of Salt," starring James Pratt, Bernice Liu, Erin Anne Gray, Kelly Monisse,...
Celebrating Cinematic Excellence: Asian Film Awards Academy and Rolex to Present Jia Zhangke Masterclass
The Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) has partnered with Rolex, naming the Swiss brand the exclusive timepiece for the 19th Asian Film Awards. Together they will present the Asian Film Awards – Jia Zhangke Masterclass, where the acclaimed director will...
The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You Season 2 (2025) by Takashi Aoshima
The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You returns for a second season, adding new characters and more relaxed, yet slightly sensual, storylines. Rentaro’s involvement with the school baseball team and a series of contests drive the...
Salmokji: Whispering Water Trailer by Lee Sang-Min
Director Lee Sang-min returns to horror with his solo feature debut, “Salmokji: Whispering Water.” The film follows a film crew investigating a mysterious figure captured at the remote Salmokji reservoir, where they encounter escalating supernatural phenomena. Starring Kim Hye‑yoon alongside...
Method Acting By Lee Ki-Hyuk Trailer
Lee Dong‑hwi headlines Lee Ki‑hyuk’s directorial debut “Method Acting,” a meta‑drama about a washed‑up comic actor using method techniques to reshape his image. The film pairs Dong‑hwi with Yoon Kyung‑ho and Kang Chan‑hee and follows his quest to play a...
Wild Nights, Tamed Beasts by Tong Wang Trailer
Wild Nights, Tamed Beasts, directed by Tong Wang, debuted at the Shanghai International Film Festival. The dark crime‑thriller follows caregiver Ye Xiaolin, whose patients die under mysterious circumstances, and zookeeper Ma Deyong, who tends an aging lion. Set against China’s...
20th Five Flavours Asian Film Festival Set for November 2026 in Warsaw
The Five Flavours Asian Film Festival celebrates its 20th edition in Warsaw from 10 to 17 November 2026, with online access continuing until 6 December. Replica screenings will travel to Łódź, Wrocław, and Poznań later in November, extending the festival’s reach beyond the capital....
18 Youth by Eo Il-Seon Trailer
The trailer for "18 Youth," a 101‑minute Korean coming‑of‑age drama, debuted ahead of its March 25, 2026 theatrical release. Directed and written by Eo Il‑seon, the film adapts Park Soo‑hyun’s novel and follows 18‑year‑old Soon‑jeong as she balances school pressures, a demanding...
Asian Film Awards 2026: Zhang Ziyi, Liu Haoran and Terrance Lau to Receive Special Honors
The Asian Film Awards Academy announced three special honors for its 19th ceremony, slated for March 15, 2026 at Hong Kong's Xiqu Centre. Veteran actress Zhang Ziyi will receive the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award for her decades‑long impact on...
Netflix Announces New Live-Action Series “Soul Mate” Starring Hayato Isomura and Ok Taec-Yeon
Netflix has announced a new Japanese live‑action series titled “Soul Mate,” starring Hayato Isomura and K‑pop idol Ok Taec‑yeon. Written and directed by Shunki Hashizume, the drama follows a decade‑long bond between a Japanese expatriate and a Korean boxer, moving...
Birds of War (2026) by Janay Boulos, Abd Alkader Habak Documentary Review
"Birds of War" (2026), directed by Janay Boulos and activist photographer Abd Alkader Habak, debuted at Sundance and is now screening at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival. The film intertwines a cross‑border romance with thirteen years of archival footage documenting Syria’s...
Demi-Human Sharehouse Vol 1(2024) by Norito Asazuki Manga Review
Norito Asazuki’s "Demi‑Human Sharehouse Vol 1" flips the classic harem formula by placing corporate drudge Kei Sato in a house of three demi‑human roommates—a snow‑woman, a medusa, and an incubus. The volume leans heavily on sensual fan service—teasing, suggestive dreams, and...
The Weird Man (1983) by Chang Cheh Film Review
The Weird Man (1983) is Chang Cheh’s final Shaw Brothers production, mixing martial‑arts choreography with Taoist mysticism and slapstick fantasy. Starring Cheng Tien‑Chi as the mischievous spirit Yu Ji, the film borrows heavily from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Chinese folklore....
Unidentified (2025) by Haifaa Al Mansour Film Review
Haifaa Al‑Mansour’s fifth feature, “Unidentified,” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, marking another milestone for the Saudi‑born director. The mystery thriller follows Noelle Al Saffan, a trauma‑scarred divorcee who investigates a teenage girl’s unidentified murder in a conservative Saudi town....
Dates Set for 39th Tokyo International Film Festival and TIFFCOM 2026
Tokyo International Film Festival announced its 39th edition dates: October 26–November 4, 2026. The accompanying TIFFCOM market will run October 28–30. Venues remain in central Tokyo districts, with the call for entries opening on April 7. Organizers emphasize the festival’s...
The Great Indian Kitchen (2021) by Jeo Baby FIlm Review
Jeo Baby’s “The Great Indian Kitchen” uses a minimalist narrative to spotlight the relentless domestic labor and patriarchal constraints faced by Indian women. By keeping characters unnamed, the film transforms a single household into a universal critique of gendered expectations,...