This week Andy and James take a look at Mongolian cinema. With If Only I Could Hibernate in UK cinemas, Andy chat's to the director Zoljargal Purevdash. Meanwhile regular easternKicks contributor Amarsanaa Battulga joins us to chat about Mongolian cinema in general. This episode’s handy timecodes 00:00:32 - Introduction. 00:01:44 - Zoljargal Purevdash interview: If Only I Could Hibernate . 00:32:58 - Putting Mongolian cinema in context. Why do we only see coproductions? What do local audiences r...
Apr 23, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 58
James and Andy are back with another look at the latest releases on streamers and in cinemas for March. This episode’s handy timecodes 00:00:32 - Introduction. 00:02:20 - The Oscars! 00:11:35 - Shudder, with a sudden appearance of 2000's Uzumaki . 00:15:48 - Amazon Prime, including Suddenly in Dark Night, Doctor (2013) and KKN di Desa Penari: Luwih Dowo, Luwih Medeni. 00:25:04 - Netflix, including Officer Black Belt, Indigo, Shake, Rattle and Roll Extreme, The Parades and The Pig, The Snake and ...
Mar 13, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 57
James and Andy are back with another look at the latest releases on streamers and in cinemas for February. This episode’s handy timecodes 00:19 - Introduction 02:33 - Shudder, with Dain Said 's Blood Flower 06:53 - Netflix, including Badland Hunters , Home for Rent, The Last Wife, Past Lives, The Bridge Curse – Ritual 26:08 - Amazon Prime, including Expats, Zu Warriors , The Fallen Bridge 36:57 - Cinema picks, including The Moon Thieves, Perfect Days , Evil Does Not Exist 47:46 - Outro...
Feb 12, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 56
James and Andy ring in the New Year with another look at the latest releases on streamers and in cinemas for this month. This episode’s handy timecodes 00:33 - Introduction 01:41 - Special announcement: Focus Hong Kong's Chinese New Year screenings 06:34 - Amazon Prime, including The Long Walk , Chasing the Dragon , Sakra , The Tiger , and Derailed 27:46 - Netflix, including Bad Lands, Badland Hunters, The Abandoned , A Very Good Girl , and The Brothers Sun 41:56 - iPlayer, Decision to Leave 48:...
Jan 21, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 55
James and Andy curate a selection of new and recent releases from streaming platforms, cinema and more. This episode’s handy timecodes 00:19 - Introduction 02:29 - Streaming picks... 03:43 - Netflix, including Sweet Home Season 2 , Believer 2 and Hard Days 16:27 - Amazon Prime, including Ashiap Man , The Family , Kwaidan and Third Window 24:08 - Cinema picks, including Godzilla Minus One , Yoshiki: Under The Sky and Raging Grace 21:52 - Outro...
Dec 07, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 54
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 - Introduction 00:02:36 - But first, what easternKicks Picks IS, and what it ISN'T 00:06:24 - 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...
Nov 03, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 53
James and Andy look back on Ann Hui 's unsung ghost comedy Visible Secret , newly released by Radiance Films and screening in London , as well as more Hong Kong horror in the form of new cinema release Back Home. This episode’s handy timecodes 00:35 - Introduction 01:38 - Visible Secret introduction 06:40 - Great talent in front and behind the camera 14:09 - The plot 16:57 - Lost in the crowd - why was it overlooked? 36:20 - Back Home 44:51 - Outro...
Oct 23, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 52
This episode Colette Balmain joins James and Andy to chat about Tokyo Melody , a 1985 documentary that recently resurfaced at Japan Cuts 2023 about Ryuichi Sakamoto, and to chat about the great musician, innovator and composer's legacy. Yonah Sichrovsky speaks to the film’s director Elizabeth Lennard . Meanwhile, Frank Djeng, king of audio commentaries, shares his thoughts on Sakamoto. Plus we have the return of the easternKicks picks! All in this bumper-packed show! This episode’s handy timecod...
Aug 15, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 51
This episode James and Andy introduce the lineup for two summer events for new-ish UK festival Focus Hong Kong, curated by some rather familiar names. This episode’s handy timecodes 00:32 - Introduction 01:42 - What is Focus Hong Kong? The full disclosure... 04:55 - Memories to Choke On, Drinks to Wash Them Down 11:16 - Made in Hong Kong 15:58 - Where the Wind Blows 21:44 - A Guilty Conscience 24:43 - Let it Ghost 27:53 - Nomad (Leslie Cheung) 36:26 - Outro You can see the full details for Focus...
Jun 16, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Andy chats to Filipino filmmaker Mikhail Red while at Udine Far East Film Festival, while James and Andy take a trip through highlights of his career so far and the latest hit starring Nadine Lustre, DELETER. This episode’s handy timecodes 00:33 - Introduction 02:13 - Career highlights 13:28 - Deleter 26:58 - Andy chats with Mikhail Red 54:27 - Outro Deleter had its International Festival Premiere at 25th Far East Film Festival 2023 . You can find the EXCLUSIVE shots from Red's next film Friendl...
May 23, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 49
This episode Andy and James are joined by Yonah Sichrovsky to chat about Brotherhood of the Wolf , returning to home media in a new 4K restoration. Yonah also chats to star Mark Dacascos himself about the film, appearing in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Iron Chef! This episode’s handy timecodes 00:00:33 - Introduction 00:02:09 - Highlights from Mark Dacascos's career 00:07:00 - Crying Freeman - Christophe Gans and Dacascos's first collab 00:12:37 - Brotherhood of the Wolf 00:47:46 - Yona...
May 12, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Oh, the Calamity! The Calamity of Snakes ! Andy and James discuss the controversial exploitation flick, released by Unearthed Films in a glorious 2K restoration, and wonder... just where is the fourth floor? Listen in if you dare, but don't get too distracted knitting. That might not be a bundle of wool... This episode’s handy timecodes 00:33 - Introduction 02:53 - The new restoration 11:24 - Background to the production and cast 15:55 - The "plot"!!! 18:10 - The missing floor mystery 19:39 - Sn...
Apr 21, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 47
This episode Kay Hoddy chats to the director of 2022 Oscar nominated Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom , Pawo Choyning Dorji . Meanwhile, James gives us a rundown of recent releases on the streaming platforms. This episode’s handy timecodes 00:00:33 - Introduction 00:01:58 - Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom intro 00:05:46 - Pawo Choyning Dorji interview 00:34:25 - Review of the film 00:45:07 - James Mudge's streaming roundup 01:12:37 - Outro Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom is released in UK cinemas fr...
Mar 07, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 46
With the new series Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre debuting on Netflix, James and Andy are joined by self-confessed Ito fans Colette Balmain and Niina Doherty to chat about his works and how they've been adapted to film and television over the years. Has anyone done him justice...? This episode’s handy timecodes 00:00:33 - Introduction 00:01:37 - Junji Ito in context 00:10:46 - Early adaptions 00:12:34 - Tomie film and TV series 00:34:12 - Uzumaki (2000) 00:40:05 - Other adaptio...
Mar 02, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 45
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 - Introduction 00:01:53 - What were the big releases? 00:08:25 - Decision to Leave , innit? 00:25:16 - Other key cinema releases 00:41:37 - Trends, what have we seen from different countries 00:5...
Dec 29, 2022•1 hr 33 min•Season 1Ep. 44
To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of its original release, Stephen Palmer joins Andy and James to discuss the Infernal Affairs Trilogy starring Tony Leung and Andy Lau . Meanwhile, Phillip O'Connor shares his thoughts on the inevitable fates of our protagonists. This episode’s handy timecodes 00:00:32 - Introduction 00:03:00 - Context and concept 00:08:25 - Creative team 00:11:50 - Infernal Affairs 00:25:19 - Infernal Affairs II 00:40:29 - Infernal Affairs III 00:47:46 - Legacy and influence 00:...
Dec 11, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 43
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 introduction 00:01:27 - On to the festival, and the many films from Korea (?) 00:18:14 - So Yun Um interview, Liquor Store Dreams 00:37:18 - Films from Japan 00:39:09 - Films from Thailand and beyond, plus documentaries and more 00:52:25 - Thoughts on the festival 01:06:07 - Outro The BF...
Oct 05, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 42
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 introduction 02:13 - For those that missed it...(what?) 14:02 - The success of the show, and creators and cast 26:40 - What does that mean for other shows? 44:57 - Wrapping up 48:37 - Outro...
Sep 15, 2022•50 min•Season 1Ep. 41
James and Andy chat exclusively about Focus Hong Kong 's Making Waves , a Hong Kong screening programme coming to London from 8 to 10 July. Full disclaimer, they might have had something to do with it... This episode’s handy timecodes 00:31 - Episode introduction 01:43 - An introduction to Focus Hong Kong 05:00 - The Making Waves programme 06:19 - Comrades, Almost A Love Story and Peter Chan holo-presence 13:41 - July Rhapsody 18:32 - Anita 22:34 - Hand Rolled Cigarette 24:51 - Breakout Brothers...
Jun 25, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 40
To celebrate the global release of gruesome horror The Sadness on Shudder, James and Andy chat through the film, with an exclusive interview with the films director, Rob Jabbaz. This episode’s handy timecodes 00:31 - Episode introduction 01:54 - The Sadness, a quick explainer 08:39 - Rob Jabbaz interview 28:11 - Reactions to the interview 34:52 - easternKicks Picks! 42:40 - Outro The Sadness is available to exclusively stream on Shudder from 12th May....
May 11, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 39
This time Jonathan Wroot, senior lecturer in film studies, joins James and Andy to chat in detail about the topic of his new book, Zatoichi ! As well as the various influences and successors. And yes, we chat Rutger Hauer too! This episode’s handy timecodes 00:00:44 - Episode introduction 00:02:12 - Before we start, how did our guest get into Asian film? 00:06:05 - Kitano's Zatoichi, was it a remake? 00:13:10 - Let's go back to the start 00:17:08 - How star Shintaro Katsu 's previous work fed in...
May 03, 2022•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Seriously cutting into their Giallo viewing time, James and Andy chat to Laos film director Mattie Do and her other 'alf, screenwriter Christoper Larsen in detail about their superb genre-crossing sci-fi horror, The Long Walk and much more. This episode’s handy timecodes 00:00:31 – Episode introduction 00:02:16 – Interview with Mattie Do and Chris Larsen 00:52:32 – The easternKicks take on The Long Walk 01:08:05 – Outro The Long Walk is available on digital now via Light Bulb Film Distribution i...
Mar 09, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 37
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 introduction 00:02:39 – What's in Santa's hat (don't ask!) 00:03:33 – Smoke.Netflix.Chill 00:18:26 – (Get on the) Partyline 00:34:55 –...
Dec 23, 2021•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Is this deja vu? A Korean streaming series taking Netflix by storm. No, it's not Squid Game , but Train To Busa n 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 introduction 00:02:28 - Putting Hellbound in context 00:07:52 - A brief synopsis 00:11:29 - How it fits with Yeon's other work 00:22:29 - Just what are the demons? 00:24:12 - Com...
Dec 07, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Yes, it's that time of year again, and we turn our focus to modern Hong Kong horror, from the tail end of the Shaw Brothers right up to Fruit Chan's Coffin Homes . Meanwhile, Niina and Stephen share some of their favourites... This episode's handy timecodes 00:00:49 - Episode introduction 00:02:18 - Why Hong Kong horror? 00:08:00 - Into the 80s 00:10:34 - Niina on Seeding Of A Ghost 00:13:51 - The evolution from Shaw Brothers 00:25:01 - The glorious descent into Category III 00:27:17 - The 1990s...
Oct 27, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 34
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 introduction 01:52 - Let the Squid Game commence 06:52 - Hwang Dong-hyuk, hardly a talent from outta nowhere 11:28 - Korea's so hot r...
Oct 15, 2021•58 min•Season 1Ep. 33
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 introduction 03:43 - An introduction to A Tale of Two Sisters 07:50 - The house of William Morris 13:18 - A ...
Sep 13, 2021•58 min•Ep. 32
Phillip O'Connor joins Andy and James for a detailed look at everyone's favourite diminutive kaiju, Daimajin , recently restored and on Blu-ray. Okay sure, he's tall, but he's definitely no Godzilla... This episode's timecodes 00:31 - Episode introduction 02:05 - Daimajin's origins 06:28 - Shall we talk about the, erm, plot? 12:27 - Some of the different elements of the films 22:08 - Daimajin's design and special effects 31:20 - Production and shooting 33:45 - Obligatory Steven Segal cameo 36:40...
Aug 25, 2021•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 31
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 introduction 02:16 - Back to live festivals with NYAFF and Raging Fire 15:36 - Hand Rolled Cigarette and Limbo 22:59 - Shadows and more from Hong ...
Aug 17, 2021•59 min•Season 1Ep. 30
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 introduction 00:01:38 - PTU review 00:24:01 - PTU and the HK crime drama resurgence of 2000s 00:52:10 - Stephen Palmer on My Left Eye Sees Ghosts 00:58:54 - James and Kaj share some easternKi...
Jul 09, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 29
