easternKicks.com - The Best in Asian Film!

Feature

6 Fantastic Tony Ching Siu-tung Action Scenes!

The team at easternKicks select some of their favourite scenes from the great Hong Kong action director…

Review

Eat, Drink, Man, Woman

Ang lee serves up a delicious family drama…

Review

Adulthood

Kim In-seon’s debut feature film looks into feelings of being happy and taking responsibility as ‘adults’…

Review

Silent Mist

Beautifully shot but relentlessly bleak, the film casts an unflinching eye on the important issue of sexual abuse in rural China…

Review

Wong Ka Yan

Writer-Director Benny Lau presents a nostalgic glimpse back at Hong Kong in the 90s and one man’s search for love…

Review
Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji

Tomu Uchida’s classic morality play packs in more plotlines than a whole box of Zatoichi movies…
Review
Sway

A tangle of modern, melancholic love stories with an international scope…
Review
Big Brother

Foremost a film about Hong Kong educational and societal problems with a dose of action sprinkled in…
Review
Bloody Spear At Mount Fuji

Without a doubt consider this narrative a forgotten masterpiece by Tomu Uchida…
Review
Reach for the SKY

A documentary showing the harrowing experiences of students in the South Korean education system preparing for the Suneung exam…
Review
Little Red Flowers

Beijing Bastards Zhang Yuan explores kindergarten rebellion as a political statement…

COMING SOON...

Review: The Thousand Faces of Dunjia
Review: The Pilferers’ Progress
Review: Surprise: Journey to the West

Latest news

All the latest news from Asian cinema...

News
LINE-UP ANNOUNCED | London East Asia Film Festival 2018 returns to London…

From 25th October – 4th November, LEAFF have released their full 2018 film programme!
News
CAMERA JAPAN 2018 has announced its full programme

More than 40 Japanese films will be screened in Rotterdam and Amsterdam…
News
FULL Line-up announced of the London Korean Film Festival 2018

Check out the full line-up for the 2018 London Korean Film Festival, taking place from 1-25th November
News
Actress Kirin Kiki dies in Tokyo at age 75

Japan’s ‘grandmother’ died early Saturday morning after cancer complications…
News
Taiwanese Season comes to Kino Lumière, Bratislava!

The Slovak Film Institute presents a season of dark comedies, romances as well as legendary martial arts films…
News
easternKicks presents an evening with Tony Ching Siu-tung

We screen classic Swordsman II and chat with the action directing legend himself…

Camera Japan 2018

The film festival returns with more than 40 recent Japanese film titles, from arthouse drama to crowd-pleasing blockbusters and comedy to out-of-bounds horror…

Review
One Cut of the Dead

A refreshing new ‘take’ on the zombie film which combines horror and comedy in equal measure…
Review
Tremble All You Want

A truly heart-warming experience full of honest and heartfelt emotions…
Review
Blank 13

A family drama turned comedy explores a tormented father-son relationship…
Review
River’s Edge

Successfully evoking the complexity of adolescence in a crude, unflattering and straightforward way…
Review
Liverleaf

A timely reminder that Japanese society has to take bullying and its effects more seriously…
Review
The Scythian Lamb

A weird dark comedy mixing different genres while tackling rural depopulation in an unusual fashion…
Review
Tremble All You Want

An intelligent romantic comedy with a ‘twisted’ central character…
Review
Ice Cream and the Sound of Raindrops

Daigo Matsui’s best work yet. And it might even be the best movie of 2018!…
Interview
Akiko Ooku interview: “I’m trying to give these people a push to...

We talk to the director of Tremble All You Want…
Review
Ice Cream and the Sound of Raindrops

“We are the cosmos made conscious!”…

Asian Pop-up Cinema 2018

Chicago’s only pan-Asian film series makes its return from September 12 to November 14, with premieres and free screenings!

Review
Adulthood

Kim In-seon’s debut feature film looks into feelings of being happy and taking responsibility as ‘adults’…
News
Asian Pop-Up Cinema returns for its 7th Season in Chicago

Chicago’s only pan-Asian film series to make its return on September with a 17-movies-long programme
Review
One Cut of the Dead

A refreshing new ‘take’ on the zombie film which combines horror and comedy in equal measure…
Review
Sad Beauty

The beauty and the drama…
Review
One Cut of the Dead

A low budget Japanese comedy horror that’s bloody good farcical fun…
Review
Smaller and Smaller Circles

Two Jesuit priests uncover the murders of young boys amid corruption of church and state…

Sitges Film Festival 2018

The Catalan film festival specializing in fantasy and horror films returns from 4 to 14 October…

Review
Mirai

Engaging fantasy about family and siblings…
Review
Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings

The third instalment in Hark’s CGI-heavy blockbuster series is a surprisingly fun romp. With added giant albino gorilla…
Review
One Cut of the Dead

A refreshing new ‘take’ on the zombie film which combines horror and comedy in equal measure…
Review
Dukun

The investigation into supernatural and other postcolonial clashes…
Review
One Cut of the Dead

A low budget Japanese comedy horror that’s bloody good farcical fun…
Review
Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum

Does South Korea have a found-footage film that gives The Blair Witch Project ample competition?…

Tony Ching Siu-tung: Action and romance

With the upcoming BAFTA Masterclass and In Conversation with easternKicks events, we look back on the career of one of the most celebrated action directors ever!…

Feature
6 Fantastic Tony Ching Siu-tung Action Scenes!

The team at easternKicks select some of their favourite scenes from the great Hong Kong action director…
News
easternKicks presents an evening with Tony Ching Siu-tung

We screen classic Swordsman II and chat with the action directing legend himself…
News
BAFTA masterclass with choreographer/ director Tony Ching 程小东

BAFTA and Asian Film Awards Academy host masterclass with renowned choreographer and director, tickets on sale now!
Review
Future Cops

It’s kind of scary that this film beats other Street Fighter films…
Review
An Empress and The Warriors

From the action choreographer on Hero, House Of Flying Daggers, The Warlords and far too many others to mention…
Review
The Warlords

Peter Chan’s take on the historical wuxia drama is far grittier and more grounded than we’re used to, with a fine performance by Jet Li that will surprise his critics…
Review
Butterfly & Sword

Just another early 80s wire-fu movie – or at least it would be if not for the performances of leads Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh and some fine action from Ching Siu-tung…
Review
The Curse Of The Golden Flower

Director Zhang Yimou’s latest swordplay inspired movie is a visual delight, but this one won’t please the martial arts fans…
Review
A Better Tomorrow II

It’s John Woo all right, but turned all the way up to 11!…
Review
Shaolin Soccer

With the imminent release of Kung Fu Hustle on DVD, is there a better time to revisit this silly but fun classic?…

London Film Festival Highlights

The 62nd BFI London Film Festival 2018 runs from 10 to 21 October 2018. We pick some highlights from over a decade of coverage…

Interview
Vivian Qu interview: “A lot of this for me is very disturbing,...

We talk to the director and producer about her latest film, Angels Wear White…
Review
Pop Aye

A quietly charming road movie Singaporean filmmaker Kirsten Tan about a man and his pet elephant…
Review
Wrath Of Silence

An impressive Coen-esque thriller about a man desperately trying to find his son…
Interview
Takashi Miike roundtable interview: “I feel more for the baddies than for...

The director talks about his 100th film Blade Of The Immortal and more…
Review
Manhunt

John Woo’s throwback to the 80s, complete with camp dialogue and saxophone driven soundtrack…
Review
Angels Wear White

Vivian Qu’s stunning critique of attitudes towards women in China…
Interview
Xin Yukun interview: “Censors are not as difficult as you might imagine…”

We talk to the director of Coffin in the Mountain and Distance about his new film Wrath of Silence…
Review
Memoir Of A Murderer

Former serial killer Sol Kyung-gu suffers from dementia in Won Shin-yun’s entertaining thriller…
Interview
Mattie Do interview: “I’m an accidental filmmaker!”

We chat to the director of intelligent Laos horror Dearest Sister…
Review
By The Time It Gets Dark

This second feature from Anocha Suwichakornpong is a beguiling meditation on Thailand’s troubled history…

London East Asia Film Festival 2018

LEAFF returns from 25th October and running till the 4th November…

News
LINE-UP ANNOUNCED | London East Asia Film Festival 2018 returns to London…

From 25th October – 4th November, LEAFF have released their full 2018 film programme!
Review
A Land Imagined

Total immersion, fish tanks and the mystery of what Singapore is made of…
Review
BuyBust

One squad. One notorious criminal. One mission gone terribly wrong. One film that will leave you completely breathless…
Review
River’s Edge

Successfully evoking the complexity of adolescence in a crude, unflattering and straightforward way…
Interview
1987: When the Day Comes interview: Kim Yoon-seok and Jang Joon-hwan

We talk to the star and director of the political drama based on true events…
Review
1987: When the Day Comes

A huge chronicle of the protest movement that ended the Chun Doo Hwan regime…
Review
Satan’s Slaves

Tales from the Muslim graveyard…
Review
The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful

A lush crime family melodrama from director Yang Ya-che, where the women run (and steal) the show…
Review
The Great Buddha +

Huang Hsin-yao’s wry social comedy and Golden Horse multi-award-winner…
Review
The Classified File

A real life kidnapping tale with a twist from director Kwak Kyung-taek…

London Korean Film Festival 2018

Returns from 1 to 14 November in London before taking highlights around the country with its annual UK Tour…

News
FULL Line-up announced of the London Korean Film Festival 2018

Check out the full line-up for the 2018 London Korean Film Festival, taking place from 1-25th November
Interview
Microhabitat interview: Jeon Go-woon and Ahn Jae-hong

We chat to the debut director on her tragi-comic portrait of South Korea and leading actor…
Review
Little Forest

Yim Soon-rye’s quiet, simply film unfolds as a memory of our lives in repose…
Review
Microhabitat

A young Seoul-ite engages in some forcible downsizing as prices for all her basic luxuries rise…
Review
Little Forest

A feel-good foodie flick about the simple pleasures in life…
Interview
Moon So-ri interview: “I wasn’t relaxed enough for us to improvise!”

We talk to the Korean actress about her feature film debut…
Feature
Moon So-ri interview: “People usually run in sneakers, whereas I had to...

We talk to the famous actress about her directorial debut…
Review
The Running Actress

A calm feature that cleverly navigates between drama and comedy, with a sympathetic main character…
Review
Mothers

A woman loses her husband in an accident has to cope with raising her teenage stepson from his previous marriage…
Review
The Bacchus Lady

Youn Yuh-jung stars in E J-Yong’s comedy drama about elderly sex workers…

Fresh Wave Wednesdays

Our weekly celebration of work from the Fresh Wave Short Film Competition that supports up and coming young talent.

Review
Fresh Wave 2018: No Sleep Club

Can a cure for insomnia be the heart of a comedy? Wong Yee Mai’s short film says yes…
Review
Fresh Wave 2018: Jellyfish

A jellyfish, a dog and a cold sniper call for blood in Che Chun Hei’s short film…
Review
Fresh Wave 2018: Bright Spring Days

A bitter and tender embrace reunites a mother and her son in Yeh Ka-lun’s short film…
Review
Fresh Wave 2017: Affection

This excellent short film explores the fumbling, first forays into romance of Hong Kong high school students…
Review
Fresh Wave 2017: Hello

A quiet and slow reflection on unlikely friendship and the struggles of the homeless…
Interview
Wong Chun interview: “I’m the director and she writes – simply because...

We chat to the director of multiple award-winning Mad World…
Review
Fresh Wave 2017: Liu Yang He

An illuminating glimpse into the lives of sex workers in Hong Kong’s one room brothels…
Review
Fresh Wave 2017: Piled Cloud

A lone, old man and ambitious young student bond despite their age, outlook and life choices…
Review
Fresh Wave 2017: Bible of Kong Girls

Three quirky women battle life and its challenges using the bible of a powerful secretary…
Review
Fresh Wave 2014: The Glass City

Wong Hin Lik uses haunting imagery to ruminate on lost love…

Interviews

Our interviews with filmmakers, directors, actors, composers and much more besides from the world of Asian film…

Interview
Microhabitat interview: Jeon Go-woon and Ahn Jae-hong

We chat to the debut director on her tragi-comic portrait of South Korea and leading actor…
Interview
Crossroads One Two Jaga interview: Nam Ron and Ario Bayu

We talk to the director and star of the Malaysian thriller…
Interview
Wrath of Silence Interview: Xi Yukun and Jiang Wu

We chat to the director and star about the impressive thriller…
Interview
Dong Yue interview: “Although he treats himself as a hero, the reality...

We talk to the director about his debut The Looming Storm…
Interview
1987: When the Day Comes interview: Kim Yoon-seok and Jang Joon-hwan

We talk to the star and director of the political drama based on true events…
Interview
Stephy Tang interview: “I was boxing 2-3 times a week, training my...

We talk to the Hong Kong actress about her role in Chapman To’s The Empty Hands…
Interview
Harata Masado interview: “Sekigahara, I have been dreaming about making it for...

The director talks about his work…
Interview
Dante Lam and Candy Leung interview: “Suddenly I see Dante with two...

We talk to the well-known filmmaker and his producer…
Interview
Akihiro Toda interview: “I really liked mixing these unknown characters together to...

We talk to the director of The Name…
Interview
Moon So-ri interview: “I wasn’t relaxed enough for us to improvise!”

We talk to the Korean actress about her feature film debut…

6 Fantastic Tony Ching Siu-tung Action Scenes!

Eat, Drink, Man, Woman

Adulthood

Silent Mist

Wong Ka Yan

Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji

Sway

Big Brother

Bloody Spear At Mount Fuji

Reach for the SKY

Little Red Flowers

LINE-UP ANNOUNCED | London East Asia Film Festival 2018 returns to London…

CAMERA JAPAN 2018 has announced its full programme

FULL Line-up announced of the London Korean Film Festival 2018

Actress Kirin Kiki dies in Tokyo at age 75

Taiwanese Season comes to Kino Lumière, Bratislava!

easternKicks presents an evening with Tony Ching Siu-tung

One Cut of the Dead

Tremble All You Want

Blank 13

River’s Edge

Liverleaf

The Scythian Lamb

Tremble All You Want

Ice Cream and the Sound of Raindrops

Akiko Ooku interview: “I’m trying to give these people a push to...

Ice Cream and the Sound of Raindrops

Adulthood

Asian Pop-Up Cinema returns for its 7th Season in Chicago

One Cut of the Dead

Sad Beauty

One Cut of the Dead

Smaller and Smaller Circles

Mirai

Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings

One Cut of the Dead

Dukun

One Cut of the Dead

Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum

6 Fantastic Tony Ching Siu-tung Action Scenes!

easternKicks presents an evening with Tony Ching Siu-tung

BAFTA masterclass with choreographer/ director Tony Ching 程小东

Future Cops

An Empress and The Warriors

The Warlords

Butterfly & Sword

The Curse Of The Golden Flower

A Better Tomorrow II

Shaolin Soccer

Vivian Qu interview: “A lot of this for me is very disturbing,...

Pop Aye

Wrath Of Silence

Takashi Miike roundtable interview: “I feel more for the baddies than for...

Manhunt

Angels Wear White

Xin Yukun interview: “Censors are not as difficult as you might imagine…”

Memoir Of A Murderer

Mattie Do interview: “I’m an accidental filmmaker!”

By The Time It Gets Dark

LINE-UP ANNOUNCED | London East Asia Film Festival 2018 returns to London…

A Land Imagined

BuyBust

River’s Edge

1987: When the Day Comes interview: Kim Yoon-seok and Jang Joon-hwan

1987: When the Day Comes

Satan’s Slaves

The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful

The Great Buddha +

The Classified File

FULL Line-up announced of the London Korean Film Festival 2018

Microhabitat interview: Jeon Go-woon and Ahn Jae-hong

Little Forest

Microhabitat

Little Forest

Moon So-ri interview: “I wasn’t relaxed enough for us to improvise!”

Moon So-ri interview: “People usually run in sneakers, whereas I had to...

The Running Actress

Mothers

The Bacchus Lady

Fresh Wave 2018: No Sleep Club