International: Asia

New York 2023 Review: IN WATER Is Out of Focus

Director Hong Sang-soo's latest film.

Fantastic Fest 2023 Review: ONE-PERCENTER Delivers Brutal 'Real Action'

The 85-minute One-Percenter, the new film from Meatball Machine writer/director Yudai Yamaguchi, opens with an extended series of intercut interviews and behind-the-scenes segments that feel like a DVD extra, centering on the intensity and combat abilities of action star Takuma...

Fantastic Fest 2023 Review: TRIGGERED (Topakk), Brutal Action Highlights Flick From The Philippines

Richard Somes directs the Filipino action movie.

Toronto 2023 Review: SLEEP, On the Merits of Insomnia

Soo-jin (Jung Yu-mi) and Hyun-su (Lee Sun-kyun) are the sweetest young couple, full of promise and hope. Soo-jin works in business, hoping to make her way to the executive branch. Hyun-su is an actor; while he's only had small roles,...

Toronto 2023 Review: IN FLAMES, the Supernatural Meets Patriarchal Conditioning

The term 'gaslighting' is now quite ubiquitous, and one which still remains scoffed at by many (usually those who hold power). But if you're a member of a marginalized group, that gaslighting could come not just from one person, but...

ABERRANCE: Freestyle Digital Media Acquires Mongolian Horror For Historic Theatrical Release in U.S.

Freestyle Digital Media has acquired Mongolian horror flick Aberrance and will release it in U.S. cinemas next month, making it the first Mongolian horror to play theatrically in the States.

REMEMBERING EVERY NIGHT Review: Life's Hidden Pleasures

Kiyohara Yui's sophomore film stars Hyodo Kumi, Mikami Ai and Ohba Manami.

Toronto 2023 Review: THE BOY AND THE HERON, Sumptuous Miyazaki-San, Studio Ghibli Career Retrospective

From the opening air raid sirens and fiery infernos of World War II Tokyo bombings to the bucolic countryside house and its magical surroundings, Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli has come full circle in its 40 year history animated mastery....

Toronto 2023 Review: KILL, An Army of One Versus an Army of Train Thieves

Amrit returns from army deployment to find many, frantic messages on his phone. The love of his life, Tulika, with whom he has had a secret relationship with, has been set up in an arranged marriage by her father. The...

Mayhem 2023: Short Film Showcase Announced

Mayhem Film Festival has announced this year's short film showcase. Fifteen titles from around the globe will vye for festival goers' appreciation and appease short attention spans. Of particular interest to us here at ScreenAnarchy HQ is the lone Canadian...

TRIGGERED (TOPAKK) Interview: Richard V. Somes on Filipino Action Cinema and PTSD

Filipino director Richard V. Somes talks 70s American horror, 80s American action cinema, and the social dimension in genre filmmaking.

BECAUSE I HATE KOREA to Open 28th Busan International Film Festival

Following some struggles behind the scenes earlier this year, which resulted in a staffing reshuffle, the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) will return next month with a sparkling program for its 28th edition. The festival will open on October 4th...

GODZILLA MINUS ONE Trailer: Wreaking Havoc on an Already Decimated Japan

Toho has released the trailer for their next Godzilla movie, Godzilla Minus One. Set in post-war Japan, a devestated country recovering from a second world war faces another threat, the big guy himself.    The “King of the Monsters” Godzilla...

BAD EDUCATION Trailer Promises to Redefine Graduation Movies

"Bros gotta have ..." what? Courage? Fear? Or testicular fortitude?  Bad Education, a forthcoming film from Taiwan by Kai Ko, an actor making his directorial debut, may sound familiar, but I like its style and attitude, which is paramount in...

IT LIVES INSIDE Trailer: Old World Scares Coming Next Month

Sam is desperate to fit in at school, rejecting her Indian culture and family to be like everyone else. When a mythological demonic spirit latches onto her former best friend, she must come to terms with her heritage in order...

MONARCH: LEGACY OF MONSTERS First Look: Godzilla and Some Humans

Sure, I know that the upcoming series from Apple TV+ stars some human beings, including Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell, Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, Mari Yamamoto, Anders Holm, Joe Tippett and Elisa Lasowsk, but until proven otherwise, I consider...

Criterion in November 2023: Jackie Chan, Martin Scorsese, Claude Chabrol

Plus in 4K UHD: Terrence Malick's 'Days of Heaven' and Peter Bogdanovich's 'The Last Picture Show' and 'Texasville.'

DREAMS 4K Review: Criterion Honours Akira Kurosawa with Inaugural UHD

Earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival, 80-year-old Martin Scorsese told Deadline that he finally understood the words of Akira Kurosawa who, upon accepting his honorary Academy award in 1990, said: “I’m only now beginning to see the possibility...

Fantasia 2023 Review THE ABANDONED, Slow Burn Crime Thriller Rewards With Horror Thrills And Chills

Police detective Wu Jie sits in her car down by the river holding her service pistol in her hand. Clearly distressed she places the gun below her chin, intent on taking her own life when she is interrupted by panicked...

Fantasia 2023 Review: KILLING ROMANCE, An Exuberant Slapstick Genre-Bender With A Lot On Its Mind

Killing Romance is an ebullient explosion of poppy music and poppier visuals that is a guaranteed crowd pleaser from Lee Won-suk, director of popular indie charmer How to Use Guys with Secret Tips. Already a massive hit in its native...