Here at The Reel Bits, we put Asia in Focus. Our relative geographic closeness to the prolific filmmaking countries of Japan, China, South Korea, and Thailand put us in a prime position to get the latest and greatest Asian cinema. Yet this isn’t always the case.
It’s difficult to keep track of the release of Asian cinema in Australia. Outside of the festivals, the sporadic releases from a handful of small distributors tend to play in the suburbs, with release dates pulled and added on short notice. So while the list below is subject to change, here’s where you can go to see current and retro screenings of films from south-east Asia in Australia this month. It might take only 9 hours to get to Japan, but the closest most Australians will get this month is via Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs, a wonderful film that pays tribute to classic Japanese cinema.
April is a curious month for releases. As Dante Lam’s Chinese propaganda film Operation Red Sea slowly leaves cinemas after a heroically explosive run across the country, The Possessed got cancelled due to China getting antsy about the supernatural content. However, Australia’s were treated to a night of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: The Musical, which we blogged about at length.
Be With You (지금 만나러 갑니다) – Now Playing
Korea’s Lee Jang-Hoon is the third person to bring Takuji Ichikawa’s 2003 novel to the screen. Nobuhiro Doi’s Japanese version of the magical realist tale was released in 2004, and followed rapidly in 2005 by a 10-part series on Japan’s TBS. The first Korean adaptation follows suit by setting its scene in 2006, and is a pretty faithful adaptation despite a few flourishes that push out the running time. We’re not crying, you’re crying. Check out our full review.
Pop Aye – Now Playing
A gently paced Singaporean-Thai story that reminds us you can never go back home, but you can buy an elephant in a shady back alley deal that gets you close enough to it. Several missed opportunities in a narrative that wanders off and gets a little lost. Internet won’t tell us what the animal conditions were like, so we’ll assume everyone is ok. It’s still one of those movies where people will feel like their heart cockles have been suitably warmed. Madman Entertainment has got this out out in cinemas in selected locations nationally, and it’s also playing at the Gold Coast Film Festival on the 18, 20 and 26 April 2018. Check their website for details.
A Werewolf Boy (늑대소년) – 12 April (Sydney Only)
This 2012 South Korean film is getting a screening thanks to the Korean Cultural Centre in Sydney. Director Jo Sung-hee’s film is about teenage girl (Park Bo-young) who’s poor health gets her sent to a country, which is where she meets a feral boy (Song Joong-ki) and tries to domesticate him. At the time of release, it was the most successful melodrama of all time. Check out the KCO’s website for more films and updates.
Anime Classics: Studio Ghibli, Mamoru Hosoda and Makoto Shinkai – Various dates (Melbourne + Gold Coast)
It’s always a good time to revisit Studio Ghibli‘s films, and the death of the animation powerhouse’s co-founder Isao Takahata gives you just one more reason. Several venues will be showing various eras of films throughout April.
At the ACMI in Melbourne, MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO, SPIRITED AWAY, PONYO and ARRIETTY will be screening at various times. Check their website for details. While in Melbourne, there’s also Joe Hisaishi Symphonic Concert Music from the Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki (26-28 April) from the Melbourne Concert Orchestra at Hammer Hall. Tickets and details at the MCO site.
Finally, the Gold Coast Film Festival is running Anime in the Mall with with five classic Anime films screening in Broadbeach Mall on 27 and 28 April. In addition to Ghibli’s HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE, they’ll also be showing My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away, alongside Mamoru Hosoda’s THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME and Makoto Shinkai’s YOUR NAME. Check their website for details.
Kuroneko (藪の中の黒猫) – 11-15 April (Sydney only)
Kaneto Shindô’s KURONEKO (or simply The Black Cat) will screen as part of the Art Gallery NSW’s Cinema ’68 series. Starring Nobuko Otowa, Kiwako Taichi, Nakamura Kichiemon II, fans of Onibaba (literally ‘Demon Hag’) will know that Shindô is a ‘master of poetic horror.” A tale of rape, murder, and revenge, it sees two women materialise as black cats to take their vengeance on a band of marauding samurai.
The Arch (董夫人). – 18-22 April (Sydney only)
In addition to Kuroneko, the AGNSW will also be highlighting Tang Shu Shuen’s feminist masterpiece. Also known as Cecile Tang Shu Shuen, the filmmaker is credited for being one of Hong Kong’s first noted female film directors. Set in Qing Dynasty China, the film follows virtuous widow (Lisa Lu) who must put aside her own sensuous desires for a visiting soldier (Roy Chiao) due to the expectations of her village and her daughter. Along with China Behind (1974), The Arch is one of her most famous films.
Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (곤지암) – 19 April
In 2013, CNN selected Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital as one of the 7 freakiest places in the world. Jung Bum-Sik’s South Korean horror film is set inside the hospital, as a camera crew enter to livestream the most terrifying night of their lives. It’s all a bit Blair Witch, but it kind of makes up for China’s The Possessed being cancelled. It’s out in selected cinemas around the country from JBG Pictures Pty Ltd. Check their Facebook page for details.
Dude’s Manual (脱单告急) – 20 April
This one just got added to schedule in the last few days, and we’re getting some serious Girls Vs Gangsters vibes off it. This romantic comedy from director Ke Meng Rong stars Dong Zijian as a man who finds himself in a romantic scandal with Elaine Zhong. In order to get rid of him, she agrees to help him get with the girl of his dreams (Chun Xia). Comes out simultaneously with the Chinese release from Magnum.
Psychokinesis (염력) – 25 April (Netflix)
The highly anticipated new film from Train to Busan and Seoul Station director was announced for Netflix back in January, following a successful run in its native South Korea. In the film, a father with recently discovered superpowers sets out to save his troubled daughter. It stars Jung Yu-mi, Shim Eun-kyung, and Ryu Seung-ryong. You’re all incredibly excited, we hear you think.
Everything else…
There are stacks of Asian titles on Netflix and Stan at the moment, including everything from action flicks like Ip Man and Kung Fu Yoga, to Blame, Fullmetal Alchemist, The Tunnel and The Wailing. One of the standouts coming to Stan this month is LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON from 2013.
Finally, adding in AGGRETSUKO is a bit of cheat. It’s an animated TV series based on Sanrio’s popular character. How could we not include a show about a red panda who is so dissatisfied with her office job that she turns to death metal? It hits Netflix from 20 April.
Next month…
Come back next month when we’ll talk about the cinematic releases of THE TROUGH (低压槽), DUCK DUCK GOOSE, and a restored version of Yasujiro Ozu 1957 masterpiece TOKYO BOSHUKU/TOKYO TWILIGHT.
