HKIFF50 Opens with Anthony Chen’s We Are All Strangers, Launching 12 Days of Global Cinema Celebration
The 50th Hong Kong International Film Festival opened at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre with the Asian premiere of Anthony Chen’s "We Are All Strangers." Officials, festival ambassadors and a roster of local and international filmmakers attended the ceremony, underscoring the milestone’s cultural weight. HKIFF50 will showcase more than 215 films from 71 countries, featuring 11 world premieres, four international premieres and 49 Asian premieres across 320 screenings. Organisers highlighted the festival’s dual role as a showcase for global cinema and a launchpad for Chinese‑language films worldwide.
Survival Family (2016) by Shinobu Yaguchi Film Review
Shinobu Yaguchi’s 2016 film *Survival Family* imagines a nationwide power outage that forces a typical Japanese family of four to navigate a world stripped of modern conveniences. The narrative follows the parents and their children as they barter, scavenge, and...
Marattam (1988) by Govindan Aravindan Film Review
Govindan Aravindan’s 1988 television film “Marattam” adapts Kavalam Narayana Panicker’s one‑act play into a televised Kathakali‑infused drama. The narrative presents three contradictory versions of a murder that occurred during a Kathakali performance, blurring the line between stage and reality. Minimal...
Pavane for an Infant (2024) by Chong Keat Aun Film Review
Chong Keat Aun’s new drama "Pavane for an Infant" tackles Malaysia’s growing infant‑abandonment crisis, which now reaches roughly 100 cases per year. The story follows Lai Sum, a social worker at a baby hatch, as she confronts trauma and assists...
Swayamvaram (1972) by Adoor Gopalakrishnan Film Review
Swayamvaram, Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s 1972 debut, is widely credited with launching the Malayalam New Wave. Produced on a shoestring budget of roughly $3,000, the film secured partial funding from the Film Finance Corporation after years of financing hurdles. Upon its November...
The Persian Rug: A Film’s Journey From Theatrical Run to International Recognition
The Persian Rug, a 34‑minute narrative short, completed an Oscar‑qualifying theatrical run, positioning it as a serious awards contender. Lead actress Golsa Sarabi also produced the film, guiding its tone and festival strategy. The short has since garnered official selections...
The Idiot (1951) by Akira Kurosawa Film Review
Akira Kurosawa’s 1951 film The Idiot marks his only adaptation of a Fyodor Dostoevsky novel, relocating the story from a Russian summer to a snowy post‑war Hokkaido. The film follows war‑scarred veteran Kinji Kameda as he confronts a society driven...
Yunan (2025) by Ameer Fakher Eldin Film Review
Ameer Fakher Eldin’s second film, “Yunan,” debuts as the sole Arab entry in the Berlin International Film Festival’s main competition and quickly becomes a festival‑circuit favorite, touring Hong Kong, Sydney, São Paulo and the Red Sea. The narrative follows Munir, a Syrian...
A Taxing Woman (1987) by Juzo Itami Film Review
Juzo Itami’s 1987 film A Taxing Woman uses sharp satire to expose Japan’s tax bureaucracy through the relentless inspector Ryoko Itakura, played by Nobuko Miyamoto. The plot follows her pursuit of hotel owner Hideki Gondo, whose seemingly clean books mask...
The Ultimate Duo by Park Chul-Hwan Trailer
The Ultimate Duo is a Korean crime drama trailer released on March 31, 2026. It follows disgraced ace detective Jae‑hyuk paired with influencer‑turned‑rookie Jung‑ho after they catch a petty thief who stole about $36 from a church donation box. Their clash‑filled partnership,...
Cambodia’s LD Entertainment Sets New Records with ‘The Old Man’
Cambodia’s LD Entertainment has broken 2026 box‑office records with the family drama “The Old Man,” making it the highest‑grossing Cambodian film of the year. The film’s strong ticket sales challenge the market’s usual horror dominance and follow LD’s recent successes,...
April (2025) Freddy Tang Film Review
Freddy Tang’s new film “April” continues the East Asian subgenre of Filipina‑maid narratives, following his acclaimed 2023 series “Port of Lies.” The drama stars Angel Aquino as a Filipino caregiver in Taiwan who must juggle family obligations at home and...
Assassin (2025) by Zhou Jiuqin Film Review
"Assassin" (2025), a Chinese historical action film set in 1932 Shanghai, premiered on iQiyi and has since reached markets in Spain, India and Russia. The story follows a four‑person resistance squad, led by Wang Ming’s Zhang Mubai, as they plot...
Demon Lord 2099 The Complete Omnibus (2025) by Yutaka Sakurai, Daigo Murasaki and Kureta
Yen Press has released the Demon Lord 2099 Complete Omnibus, collecting the cyber‑punk light‑novel adaptation that originated as a manga series. The story follows the resurrected Demon Lord Veltol as he navigates a 2099 Shinjuku where magic and technology converge,...
UP Film Circle to Feature Cinemalaya Films at CineElbi 2026
The UP Film Circle, in partnership with UPLB’s Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts, will host CineElbi 2026: Hit Wave from April 28‑30 at the NCAS Auditorium, Los Baños. The three‑day festival will showcase the Cinemalaya 2025 lineup,...
TAICCA Renews MOU with Series Mania, While “Serial Bridges Asia” Scales Up as a Cross-Regional Platform
Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) renewed its memorandum of understanding with Europe’s Series Mania at the Series Mania Forum, reinforcing Taiwan‑Europe collaboration. TAICCA also expanded its Serial Bridges Asia program by adding Thailand’s Creative Economy Agency, turning it into a...
Dog on the Moon by Takeshi Yokoi Trailer
Japanese drama "Dog on the Moon" (月の犬) will hit theaters across Japan on April 24, 2026, distributed by Shibuya Production. The film is a triple‑role effort by Takeshi Yokoi, who directs, writes and edits the character‑driven story. It follows former...
Janur Ireng (2026) by Kimo Stamboel Film Review
Indonesia’s horror scene gains momentum as veteran director Kimo Stamboel releases “Janur Ireng,” a prequel to the cult film “Sewu Dino.” The movie, built on the SimpleMan universe, follows siblings Sabdo and Intan trapped by a greedy uncle’s occult ambitions,...
Halo (2025) by Roh Young-Wan Film Review
Roh Young‑hwan’s debut feature “Halo” follows 27‑year‑old Seoul courier Seo Min‑joon as he juggles relentless deliveries, a chaotic family, and a secret filmmaking ambition. Set against pandemic‑era anxiety, the film uses tight handheld camerawork to convey claustrophobia and the pressure...
Sink (2025) by Zain Duraie Film Review
Zain Duraie’s 2025 drama “Sink” follows Basil, a gifted but increasingly unstable child whose mental‑health decline strains his family. Mother Nadia refuses to acknowledge the problem, mistaking it for teenage rebellion, while the household spirals toward crisis. The film balances...
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc (2025) by Tatsuya Yoshihara Anime Review
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc premiered in September 2025 and has earned over $174.7 million worldwide, placing it among the highest‑grossing Japanese films ever. The film continues directly after the anime series, following Denji’s volatile relationship with Makima and...
Dead Dog (2025) by Sarah Francis Film Review
Lebanese writer‑director Sarah Francis’s new feature “Dead Dog” debuted in the Harbour section of the International Film Festival Rotterdam, backed by the Doha Film Institute and the Red Sea Film Fund. The film toured major festivals, winning the Saad Eldin...
Burn by Makoto Nagahisa Trailer
Makoto Nagahisa’s new film “Burn” debuted its trailer, introducing a gritty coming‑of‑age story set in Tokyo’s Kabukicho district. The narrative follows Ju‑Ju, played by Nana Mori, a runaway teen who finds a precarious sense of family among misfit youths before...
Mania: House of Cards (1986) by Yojiro Takita Film Analysis
Yojiro Takita’s 1986 film “Mania: House of Cards” debuted as part of Nikkatsu’s Roman X line, a hybrid of soft‑core adult video and low‑budget horror. The movie follows Saeko Kizuki’s character Rie, a femme‑fatale who becomes the Queen of a sadistic hotel...
People and Meat (2025) by Yang Jong-Hyun Film Review
People and Meat, directed by Yang Jong‑hyun, follows three septuagenarian outlaws who survive by dining and dashing at Korean barbecue joints, exposing personal traumas and systemic neglect of Korea’s elderly. The film balances dark humor with stark realism, using tight...
Vesoul International FIlm Festival of Asian Cinemas Confirms the Rise of Korean Cinema
The 32nd Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinemas showcased eight Korean titles, including three premieres—"Beautiful Dreamer," "My Old Me," and "Welcome Home Freckles." Audiences responded intensely, debating themes of death and societal pressure, underscoring Korean cinema’s emotional resonance. Festival...
FEFF 2026: Udine’s Far East Film Festival Announces 12th FEFF Campus Participants
The Far East Film Festival (FEFF) in Udine announced the 12th edition of its FEFF Campus, a journalism incubator that will host ten emerging reporters from Europe and Asia. Participants include Alex Petrescu, Annabelle Duggan, Magdalena Nieświec, Sara Domenicano, Vedrana Bogdanović, Hanhee Oh, Jia Enad, Irving Ly, Rino Lu...
Eren the Southpaw by Toshimasa Suzuki Trailer
Japanese anime "Eren the Southpaw" directed by Toshimasa Suzuki and produced by Signal.MD and Production I.G premieres on Japanese television on April 7, 2026. The story follows Koichi Asakura, an unrecognized ad‑agency designer, and Eren Yamagishi, a left‑handed graffiti prodigy in New...
Girl Judge by Ryu Kwang Hyun Trailer
Ryu Kwang Hyun’s upcoming film *Girl Judge* follows high‑school student Min A, who secretly protects classmates from bullies while juggling a double life. The trailer, released by director Tobiasz Dunin, highlights a blend of comedy, action, and a subtle love...
Amaran (2024) by Rajkumar Periasamy Film Review
Rajkumar Periasamy’s 2024 biopic "Amaran" chronicles Indian Army Major Mukund Varadarajan’s valor and family life, starring Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi. The film excels in technical execution, especially its kinetic counter‑insurgency sequences and precise editing. However, the narrative loses focus in...
Whispers in May (2026) by Chen Dongnan Documentary Review
"Whispers in May," a docufiction by Chen Dongnan, follows 14‑year‑old Qihuo in the remote Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture as she journeys on foot to secure a ceremonial skirt, confronting early marriage pressures and factory work prospects. The film blends handheld...
Crunchyroll Unveils Massive Spring 2026 Anime Lineup Including “Witch Hat Atelier,” “Dorohedoro” Season 2, “One Piece,” And More
Crunchyroll revealed its Spring 2026 anime slate, debuting on March 28 with more than 30 titles across genres. The lineup mixes heavyweight continuations—including One Piece’s Elbaph Arc, Dorohedoro Season 2, and Re:ZERO Season 4—with fresh series such as Witch Hat Atelier and Snowball Earth. Weekly simulcasts...
14 Amazons (1972) by Cheng Kang Film Review
Cheng Kang’s 1972 Shaw Brothers epic “14 Amazons” broke Hong Kong’s male‑dominated war genre by featuring an all‑female heroic squad from the legendary Yang family. The two‑year production marshaled the studio’s top talent, delivering lavish battle sets, operatic staging, and early...
Scare Out (2026) by Zhang Yimou Film Review
Zhang Yimou’s latest thriller "Scare Out" is the first feature produced under the direct guidance of China’s Ministry of State Security, marking a clear shift toward state‑sponsored storytelling. The plot follows National Security agents hunting a mole after a botched...
Beastars Final Season (2026) by Shinichi Matsumi Anime Review
The second half of Beastars Final Season wraps the series by deepening the conflict between herbivores and carnivores as Melon's power destabilizes Zebuth City. Central characters grapple with personal stakes—Legoshi battles Black Market forces, Haru confronts Melon's obsession, and Louis...
19th Asian Film Awards Celebrates Asian Cinema in Hong Kong
The 19th Asian Film Awards convened at Hong Kong’s Grand Theatre of the Xiqu Centre, opening its doors to the public for the first time. The ceremony featured masterclasses by Squid Game director Hwang Dong‑hyuk, Jia Zhangke, and actress Zhang...
MediaOCD Announces More Than 30 Classic Anime Titles From Discotek Media and Media Blasters Available for Home Media Purchase for...
MediaOCD announced that more than 30 classic anime titles from Discotek Media and Media Blasters are now available for direct purchase on its website as part of the monthly "DISCOTEK DEEP DIVES" program. The lineup includes Blu‑ray releases such as...
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...
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,...