Episode 53 - easternKicks Picks for November

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!

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. 

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

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

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

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!

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.

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. 

This episode Tania Hall joins James and Andy for a discussion on that most idiosyncratic of Korean directors, Hong Sang-soo, and his latest film The Woman Who Ran. What is it that makes his films compelling, and where should you start?
The Woman Who Ran is currently streaming on MUBI from 20 December. Sign up now with MUBI via easternKicks and get 30 days FREE!
This episode's timecodes
00:31 - Episode introduction 01:08 - Discussion on The Woman Who Ran24:54 - Where should you start with Hong?32:32 - The influence of Hong Sang-soo on other directors42:21 - Outro

Feeling brave? This time we’re celebrating Halloween as Andrew and James find some hungry ghosts of their own with unfinished business – namely Asian horrors that were overlooked in the post-Ringu boom of the early 00s! Meanwhile, some of the easternKicks team share their own unsung ghostly classics.
This episode's timecodes
00:00:31 - Episode introduction 00:02:11 - The Asian horror 'boom' of the 2000s 00:06:28 - The New Blood (2002)00:12:10 - Stephen on Inner Senses00:18:02 - The Red Shoes (2005)00:28:21 - Noroi: The Curse (2005)00:34:43 - Niina on Yotsuya Kaidan00:37:54 - Rule #1 (2008)00:42:33 - Bunshinsaba (2004)00:47:50 - Horror Hotline… Big Head Monster (2001)00:51:37 - Asian horror on the streaming services: might we see a return to the 00s?00:54:58 - Picks from Netflix and Prime01:12:07 - Ant on Queen Of Black Magic and Boxers Omen01:14:21 - OutroThis podcast includes original audio from trailers for the films.