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. 

In this episode contributor Kaj van Zoelen joins James and Andy to revisit PTU and the classic crime dramas of Johnnie To. Will we ever see its like again? Meanwhile Stephen Palmer shares thoughts on a decidedly different example from To, My Left Eye Sees Ghosts. 
This episode's timecodes   
00:00:35 - Episode introduction00:01:38 - PTU review00:24:01 - PTU and the HK crime drama resurgence of 2000s00:52:10 - Stephen Palmer on My Left Eye Sees Ghosts00:58:54 - James and Kaj share some easternKicks Picks01:06:08 - Outro
PTU is available now on UK Blu-ray from Eureka Entertainment. 

In this special edition, we celebrate the return of Wong Kar-wai's classic in newly remastered versions to cinemas. Special guest Bede Cheng, Managing Director at L’Immagine Ritrovata Asia, the laboratory responsible for the new editions, joins us for a chat about the restoration process. Meanwhile, contributors Colette, Theo, Phillip, Yonah, Ethan and Stephen share their thoughts on the filmmakers work. We also have the perfect podcast fuel from Bun House / Wun's Tea Room & Bar.
This episode's timecodes   
00:00:56 - Episode introduction00:02:08 - Phillip on As Tears Go By00:07:19 - Bede Cheng interview part one - What is restoration?00:26:30 - Ethan on Wong Kar-wai00:30:49 - Bede Cheng interview part two - Working with WKW00:33:23 - Theo on Fallen Angels00:35:57 - Bede Cheng interview part three - More on working with WKW00:47:11 - Yonah on 204600:48:13 - Colette on Wong Kar-wai01:01:55 - Stephen on Chungking Express01:07:26 - Outro
Wong Kar-wai films screen at the BFI Southbank and ICA Cinema throughout July. 

On this episode James and Andy are joined by easternKicks contributors Phillip O'Connor and Fedor Tot to chat about the new release of Tsui Hark's 2000 action classic Time and Tide, and the director's career at point, with his fleeting dalliance with Hollywood and USA films, pairing with Jean-Claude Van Damme on Double Team and Knock Off. 
This episode's timecodes   
00:00:33 - Episode introduction00:03:50 - Time and Tide review00:37:05 - Enter JCVD00:40:52 - Double Team review00:45:26 - Knock Off review01:13:33 - easternKicks Picks01:22:50 - Outro
Time and Tide is available now on UK Blu-ray from Eureka Entertainment. Double Team and Knock Off are available on Uk Blu-ray from 88 Films.

Join Andrew, James and easternKicks contributor Yonah Sichrovsky for some mainly 'armless fun, as we chat about kung fu classic One Armed Boxer, and director and star, the notorious Jimmy Wang Yu! 
This episode's timecodes   
00:00:52 - Episode introduction00:02:41 - One Armed Boxer review00:19:20 - Jimmy Wang Yu: The main who would be Bruce?00:34:28 - Will we ever see the popularity of kung fu films return?00:44:09 - easternKicks Picks: James00:54:54 - More easternKicks Picks: Yonah, including Demon Slayer01:02:17 - Outro
One Armed Boxer is available now on UK Blu-ray from Eureka Entertainment.

We look at the acclaimed director's latest film, Cliff Walkers, as well his genre work over the last decade. While easternKicks regulars Phillip O'Connor, Maja Korbecka and Stephen Palmer join us for their thoughts on Zhang's work.
This episode's timecodes   
00:00:32 - Episode introduction00:02:50 - Cliff Walkers review00:28:10 - Other works00:30:10 - Stephen Palmer on the 2008 Olympics00:36:03 - A Simple Noodle Story aka A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop aka 'Zhang Yimou's Blood Simple' (sigh)00:41:20 - Maja Korbecka on The Road Home00:47:40 - The Flowers Of War00:51:00 - Phillip O'Connor on The Great Wall00:53:05 - The Great Wall00:57:30 - Shadow01:00:15 - One Second and Under The Light01:09:30 - Outro
Cliff Walkers is released in cinemas now, screening in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand via CMC Pictures. 

We revisit Kinji Fukasaku's classic Battle Royale and its sequel in honour of the new 4K UHD release. Why is it such a classic, even after 20 years? 
This episode's timecodes   
00:01:14 - Episode introduction00:02:50 - Ready to rumble? It's time for Battle Royale00:34:07 - Battle Royale II: Requiem. Why?00:54:54 - easternKicks picks00:55:54 - Outro
Battle Royale is released on Limited Edition 4K UHD Blu-ray 5-disc boxset from Arrow Video from 26 April 2021, with a brand new 4K UHD restoration of the theatrical and director's cut, two cuts of Battle Royale II on separate Blu-rays, and the soundtrack CD.

This episode we explore Indonesian Folk Horror, from the classics of the 80s to the new films of Joko Anwar, Timo Tjahjanto, as well as an exclusive interview with Kimo Stamboel about The Queen Of Black Magic.
This episode's timecodes   
00:00:31 - Episode introduction00:02:47 - The Queen Of Black Magic review00:08:52 - Comparison with the original The Queen Of Black Magic00:16:06 - James chats to Kimo Stamboel00:52:34 - Indonesian Horror, then and now; Satan's Slave and Satan's Slaves01:00:39 - May The Devil Take You and May The Devil Take You Too01:07:38 - Impetigore01:16:19 - Outro
The Queen Of Black Magic is available to stream now from Shudder, along with the original and Anwar's Satan's Slaves and Impetigore. The original Satan's Slave is available from Severin Films on Blu-ray and DVD. 

James and Andy are joined by Life Of Action and action co-ordinator Mike Fury to chat about Tokyo Gore Police director Yoshihiro Nishimura similarly-titled (but somewhat less gory) Tokyo Dragon Chef, as well as looking back on the career of Japan's 'Tom Savini'. We also discuss the latest from frequent Nishimura collaborator Tak Sakaguchi, Crazy Samurai: 400 vs. 1, aka Crazy Samurai Musashi, featuring a 77-minute one-take.
This episode's timecodes
00:00:31 - Episode introduction00:02:00 - Tokyo Dragon Chef review00:17:10 - Yoshihiro Nishimura's career and previous work00:32:22 - What happened to the Japanese 'splatterpunk' scene?00:44:26 - What are the chances of online or Blu-ray releases?00:53:44 - Crazy Samurai: 400 vs. 1 review01:11:13 - Outro
Tokyo Dragon Chef is available now on digital and DVD from Terracotta Distribution. Crazy Samurai: 400 vs. 1 is on Well Go USA's streaming service Hi-YAH now, with a Digital, Blu-ray and DVD from March 2.

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