Asia in Focus
In a previous piece, I said that my list of most anticipated Asian films of 2020 was a declaration of this site’s intent over the next decade. Since this site’s inception in 2010, I have long put Asia in Focus. So here’s five of the many films I hope to be covering over the next 12 months. Be sure to check out the full list of 20 films by following the link below.
READ: 20 Asian films to get excited about in 2020
Evangelion 3.0 + 1.0
This goes straight to the top of the “most anticipated” lists because it’s been ‘coming soon’ since 2012 when Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo was released. After a promised 2015 release, Hideaki Anno’s very public bouts with depression, and the production of Shin Godzilla, footage for the final chapter of the Rebuild of Evangelion series will drop in June 2020. We can (not) wait.
Comes Morning
The legendary Naomi Kawase had an amazing decade with films like Hanezu, Sweet Bean and the Cannes Ecumenical Jury winning Radiance. 2020 is set to be her biggest year yet, not only helming the official Tokyo Olympics film but also Comes Morning based on the novel by Mizuki Tsujimura. It’s the story of a couple who adopt a child and then get a threatening call six years later from a woman claiming to be the biological mother.
Train to Busan 2: Peninsula
One of the biggest Korean crossover hits of the last few years, Train to Busan has been rumoured for a Hollywood remake. Thankfully, series originator Yeon Sang-ho is getting in on the sequel action first. Now officially known as Peninsula, it’s been announced for an August 2020 with a confirmed cast of Kang Dong Won, Lee Jung Hyun, Lee Re, Kwon Hae Hyo, Kim Min Jae and Goo Kyo Hwan.
Prisoners of the Ghostland
Perhaps the only thing crazier than a Sion Sono film is the inclusion of Nicolas Cage in the cast. While the prolific director’s output has slowed down to 2 or 3 films a year (!), including 2019’s Forest of Love that quietly slipped onto Netflix, the film has recently added Sofia Boutella, Ed Skrei, Bill Moseley, Young Dais and Tak Sakaguchi to the cast. Described by Cage as “he wildest movie I’ve ever made” we wonder if 2020 is ready for this.
Block Z
Billed as the Philippines’ first zombie film, indie director Mikhail Red is perhaps best known for 2016’s Birdshot and this year’s Netflix release Dead Kids. With a cast led by romantic comedy familiar Julia Barretto, it’s about a group of uni students trying to fight the undead during an outbreak of the bitey zombie stuff. The trailer looks like this will be an intense experience.
