South Korea
South Korea
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
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!
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.
Thursday Sep 15, 2022
Episode 41: Happy Anniversary, Squid Game?
Thursday Sep 15, 2022
Thursday Sep 15, 2022
On the first anniversary of the show debuting on Netflix and with a big win at the Emmys, we look back at the impact of Squid Game and ask what it really means for the future of both the creators and cast, and Korean film and TV in general...
This episode’s handy timecodes
00:32 - Episode introduction02:13 - For those that missed it...(what?)14:02 - The success of the show, and creators and cast26:40 - What does that mean for other shows?44:57 - Wrapping up48:37 - Outro
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
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Episode 35 – All Aboard... for Hellbound!
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Is this deja vu? A Korean streaming series taking Netflix by storm. No, it's not Squid Game, but Train To Busan director Yeon Sang-ho's Hellbound. James and Andy chat about the series and wonder, will there be another? Meanwhile James has some more easternKicks picks.
This episode's handy timecodes
00:00:44 - Episode introduction00:02:28 - Putting Hellbound in context00:07:52 - A brief synopsis00:11:29 - How it fits with Yeon's other work00:22:29 - Just what are the demons?00:24:12 - Comparison with Yeon original Jiok/The Hell animations00:29:50 - Ah man, more 'VIPs'? 00:31:17 - Other throwaway elements (or are they?)00:33:43 - On the cast (and casting choices)00:37:05 - Will there be more?00:46:06 - Other Korean series making waves00:55:05 - easternKicks picks01:07:52 - Outro
Friday Oct 15, 2021
Episode 33 - Do you like calamari?
Friday Oct 15, 2021
Friday Oct 15, 2021
This time we look at a certain very popular streaming series that seems to have taken over the world (or at least every news platform). That's right, it's Squid Game time! Meanwhile, James has a few more picks to choose from. And don't forget, you can still take advantage of a discount with our friends at Gweilo Beer!
This episode's handy timecodes
00:45 - Episode introduction01:52 - Let the Squid Game commence06:52 - Hwang Dong-hyuk, hardly a talent from outta nowhere11:28 - Korea's so hot right now...16:06 - High production values, quirky style19:59 - Wrong-footed pacing26:48 - Subtitle 'controversy'30:32 - Superb acting performances35:28 - How about those other controversies?43:11 - Do You Want More?!!!??!47:00 - Time for more easternKicks Picks57:26 - Outro
Squid Game is streaming now on Netflix!
Monday Sep 13, 2021
Episode 32 - Spotlight on... A Tale of Two Sisters
Monday Sep 13, 2021
Monday Sep 13, 2021
This episode we look back on Kim Jee-woon's classic Korean horror more patterned wallpaper than John Lewis, A Tale Of Two Sisters, with help from Stephen Palmer and Yonah Sichrovsky. We also announce a new association with Gweilo Beer! Don't forget to get your discount! But most importantly, will someone explain what's going on to Yonah? Find out!
This episode's timecodes
00:45 - Episode introduction03:43 - An introduction to A Tale of Two Sisters07:50 - The house of William Morris13:18 - A very British Asian horror?16:07 - The perfect moment24:10 - When did the American Remakes start?27:16 - The legacy of Two Sisters33:56 - A good time to revisit37:26 - Does it hold up?44:33 - We finally work out the ending for Yonah (spoilers!)48:27 - What else would we like to see getting the special edition treatment? 56:59 - Outro
A Tale Of Two Sisters is available now on Blu-ray from Arrow Video.
Tuesday Aug 17, 2021
Episode 30: The best of NYAFF 2021
Tuesday Aug 17, 2021
Tuesday Aug 17, 2021
In this episode, we turn our eye to some picks from the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), including an extended chat about Benny Chan's final film Raging Fire. Meanwhile Maja Korbeca chats to the "Grandmother of Hong Kong Cinema" Ann Hui, recipient of the NYAFF 2021 Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award.
This episode's timecodes
00:31 - Episode introduction02:16 - Back to live festivals with NYAFF and Raging Fire15:36 - Hand Rolled Cigarette and Limbo22:59 - Shadows and more from Hong Kong28:59 - Maja interview with Ann Hui41:41 - Some picks screening from South Korea, including Spiritwalker, The Prayer and Midnight49:38 - More picks including Three Sisters and Escape from Mogadishu51:50 - Picks from Japan, including Last Of The Wolves and Junk Head52:10 - Picks from Taiwan, including As You Like It, The Silent Forest and My Missing Valentine58:13 - Outro
The New York Asian Film Festival continues with both in-person screenings and online until 22 August.