Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
Episode 54 - easternKicks Picks for December
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
James and Andy curate a selection of new and recent releases from streaming platforms, cinema and more.
This episode’s handy timecodes
00:19 - Introduction02:29 - Streaming picks...03:43 - Netflix, including Sweet Home Season 2, Believer 2 and Hard Days16:27 - Amazon Prime, including Ashiap Man, The Family, Kwaidan and Third Window24:08 - Cinema picks, including Godzilla Minus One, Yoshiki: Under The Sky and Raging Grace 21:52 - Outro
Friday Nov 03, 2023
Episode 53 - easternKicks Picks for November
Friday Nov 03, 2023
Friday Nov 03, 2023
In the first of a new format, James and Andy curate a selection of new and recent releases from streaming platforms, cinema and festivals. Plus Andy catches up with Geran and Walid director Areel Abu Bakar in trendy Hackney Wick.
This episode’s handy timecodes
00:00:19 - Introduction00:02:36 - But first, what easternKicks Picks IS, and what it ISN'T00:06:24 - Streaming picks, including Ballerina, Yellow Door 90’s Lo-Fi Film Club and In my Mother’s Skin.00:39:44 - Cinema picks, including Back Home, Past lives and Where the Wind Blows.00:46:49 - Areel Abu Bakar interview01:03:16 - Festival roundup, including BFI London Film Festival and London Korean Film Festival.01:21:52 - Outro
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Episode 52 - Halloween Special: Visible Secret
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Monday Oct 23, 2023
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
00:35 - Introduction01:38 - Visible Secret introduction06:40 - Great talent in front and behind the camera14:09 - The plot16:57 - Lost in the crowd - why was it overlooked?36:20 - Back Home44:51 - Outro
Friday Jun 16, 2023
Episode 50 - Focus Hong Kong, Summer 2023
Friday Jun 16, 2023
Friday Jun 16, 2023
This episode James and Andy introduce the lineup for two summer events for new-ish UK festival Focus Hong Kong, curated by some rather familiar names.
This episode’s handy timecodes
00:32 - Introduction01:42 - What is Focus Hong Kong? The full disclosure...04:55 - Memories to Choke On, Drinks to Wash Them Down11:16 - Made in Hong Kong15:58 - Where the Wind Blows21:44 - A Guilty Conscience24:43 - Let it Ghost27:53 - Nomad (Leslie Cheung)36:26 - Outro
You can see the full details for Focus Hong Kong on the official website: focushongkong.uk
Friday Apr 21, 2023
Episode 47 - Calamity of Snakes special
Friday Apr 21, 2023
Friday Apr 21, 2023
Oh, the Calamity! The Calamity of Snakes! Andy and James discuss the controversial exploitation flick, released by Unearthed Films in a glorious 2K restoration, and wonder... just where is the fourth floor? Listen in if you dare, but don't get too distracted knitting. That might not be a bundle of wool...
This episode’s handy timecodes
00:33 - Introduction02:53 - The new restoration11:24 - Background to the production and cast15:55 - The "plot"!!!18:10 - The missing floor mystery19:39 - Snake carnage22:28 - Context and style32:01 - The unavoidable bad side44:06 - Outro
Calamity of Snakes is released on Blu-Ray and DVD from April 25th by Unearthed Films
Thursday Dec 29, 2022
Episode 44: the End of Year Show 2022
Thursday Dec 29, 2022
Thursday Dec 29, 2022
It's time for the End of Year Show! James and Andy look back on 2022, the highs and lows. Did anything change for Asian film? What were the big releases and trends? Will there be ranting about that certain recent survey? There's only one way to find out: listen!!!
This episode’s handy timecodes
00:00:32 - Introduction00:01:53 - What were the big releases?00:08:25 - Decision to Leave, innit?00:25:16 - Other key cinema releases00:41:37 - Trends, what have we seen from different countries00:50:22 - The home entertainment renaissance 00:47:46 - Legacy and influence01:01:45 - The Sight and Sound '100 Greatest Films of All Time'01:26:35 - Takeaways from 2022?01:32:36 - The end of the End of the Year Show!
Sunday Dec 11, 2022
Episode 43: Infernal Affairs 20th Anniversary Special
Sunday Dec 11, 2022
Sunday Dec 11, 2022
To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of its original release, Stephen Palmer joins Andy and James to discuss the Infernal Affairs Trilogy starring Tony Leung and Andy Lau. Meanwhile, Phillip O'Connor shares his thoughts on the inevitable fates of our protagonists.
This episode’s handy timecodes
00:00:32 - Introduction00:03:00 - Context and concept00:08:25 - Creative team00:11:50 - Infernal Affairs00:25:19 - Infernal Affairs II00:40:29 - Infernal Affairs III00:47:46 - Legacy and influence00:51:53 - Phillip on the inevitability of fate01:05:42 - The Departed01:18:09 - Conclusions01:23:39 - Outro
The Infernal Affairs Trilogy is available now on Blu-ray from The Criterion Collection.
Wednesday Oct 05, 2022
Episode 42: London Film Festival roundup
Wednesday Oct 05, 2022
Wednesday Oct 05, 2022
James and Andy take a look at Asian films screening at the 66th BFI London Film Festival 2022, and Andy chats to the director of Liquor Store Dreams, So Yun Um.
This episode’s handy timecodes
00:00:32 - Episode introduction00:01:27 - On to the festival, and the many films from Korea (?)00:18:14 - So Yun Um interview, Liquor Store Dreams00:37:18 - Films from Japan00:39:09 - Films from Thailand and beyond, plus documentaries and more00:52:25 - Thoughts on the festival01:06:07 - Outro
The BFI London Film Festival 2022 takes place from 5th to 16 October. See the official site for listings.
Saturday Jun 25, 2022
Episode 40: Making Waves
Saturday Jun 25, 2022
Saturday Jun 25, 2022
James and Andy chat exclusively about Focus Hong Kong's Making Waves, a Hong Kong screening programme coming to London from 8 to 10 July. Full disclaimer, they might have had something to do with it...
This episode’s handy timecodes
00:31 - Episode introduction01:43 - An introduction to Focus Hong Kong05:00 - The Making Waves programme06:19 - Comrades, Almost A Love Story and Peter Chan holo-presence13:41 - July Rhapsody18:32 - Anita22:34 - Hand Rolled Cigarette24:51 - Breakout Brothers26:48 - The First Girl I Loved28:24 - Tales from the Occult35:43 - Outro
Making Waves takes place at the Soho Hotel and Garden Cinema from 8th to 100th July. Check the website for more details.
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Episode 36 - The End of the Year Show
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
This episode is a real meeting of minds, as Panos Kotzathanasis of Asian Movie Pulse joins James and Andy to chat about the trends and topics of the year, all bizarrely summed up by titles of soul and funk songs (?) Meanwhile easternKicks regulars Niina and Theo share thoughts on their favourite films of the year.
This episode's handy timecodes
00:00:44 – Episode introduction00:02:39 – What's in Santa's hat (don't ask!)00:03:33 – Smoke.Netflix.Chill00:18:26 – (Get on the) Partyline 00:34:55 – Niina on Howling Village00:37:43 – Sitting in Limbo00:45:07 – East West Shuffle00:53:54 – Theme For "Five Fingers Of Death"01:05:03 – Spice Of Life (Oh Yes, You're the Best)01:06:21 – Theo on Drive My Car01:19:56 – Outro