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    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.  Source: Well Go USA, LBHpr  Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. Layered with explosive visceral action and complex political intrigue, the action-packed South Korean historical thriller HARBIN --  debuting on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD April 1 from Well Go USA Entertainment -- is a gripping tale of a nation on the edge of conquest. As Japan marches toward Korean annexation, heroic freedom fighters formulate a deadly plan to ensure the continuation of their beloved country. Directed by Woo Min-ho (THE MAN STANDING NEXT, INSIDE MEN), HARBIN stars Hyun Bin (CONFIDENTIAL ASSIGNMENT franchise), Park Jeong-min (DR. CHEON AND THE LOST TALISMAN), Jeon Yeo-been (DARK NUNS), Jo Woo-jin (ALIENOID, SEOBOK), and Lee Dong-wook (SINGLE IN SEOUL).  Bonus content includes a “making-of” featurette.   Synopsis:       Based on true events, HARBIN

    Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2025 The Boy and the Dog Film Production Committee

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2025 The Boy and the Dog Film Production Committee Source: Toho Co., Ltd Official Site: https://shonentoinu-movie.jp/ (Japan) Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2025 The Boy and the Dog Film Production Committee Toho Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and images from THE BOY AND THE DOG (少年と犬 , Shōnen to Inu). The movie opens in Japanese cinemas this Thursday, March 20th. The production team behind the award-winning FRAGMENTS OF THE LAST WILL (ラーゲリより愛を込めて, Rāgeri Yori ai wo Komete, 2022) has reunited to film a gem of a story about the irreplaceable bond between humans and dogs. Published in 2020, the masterpiece The Boy and the Dog by popular noir author Seisyu Hase won the 163rd Naoki Prize and has sold over 500,000 copies to date. The book has also been released internationally, with translations in English (US,

    Photo courtesy of Radiance Films. ©Toei

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Radiance Films, MVD Entertainment Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski Photo courtesy of Radiance Films. ©Toei THE TALE OF OIWA'S GHOST (怪談 お岩の亡霊, Kaidan Oiwa no Bōrei, 1961) will be released for the first time on Blu-ray in a special edition from Radiance Films with newly created extras. Crime film specialist Tai Kato (I, THE EXECUTIONER) brings the famous Ghost Story of Yotsuya to the screen as a gritty tale of murder and greed, with an intense lead performance by Tomisaburo Wakayama (LONE WOLF AND CUB, THE BOUNTY HUNTER Trilogy, BIG TIME GAMBLING BOSS). For fans of DAIEI GOTHIC, KWAIDAN, DEMON POND, and YOKAI MONSTERS COLLECTION When the daughter of an elite family takes a shine to poor samurai Iemon (Tomisaburo Wakayama), he sees an opportunity to climb the social ladder. He just needs to rid himself of his only obstacle: his loving wife Oiwa. He poisons

    Photo courtesy of Film Movement. © 1974 NIKKATSU.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Film Movement. © 1974 NIKKATSU. Source: Film Movement press releaseSpecial Thanks to Michael Krause A masterpiece by Roman Porno master director Noboru Tanaka, THE OLDEST PROFESSION, (aka CONFIDENTIAL REPORT: SEX MARKET or SECRET CHRONICLE: SHE BEAST MARKET), restored in 4K from the original 35MM master negative distinguishes itself within the genre with its bold use of form, gut-wrenching performances and uncompromising depiction of the realities of sex work in 1970s Japan, creating one of “the most distinctive titles of the category” (Asian Movie Pulse). THE OLDEST PROFESSION will be available on VOD, Digital, and Film Movement+ on April 4th.   Photo courtesy of Film Movement. © 1974 NIKKATSU THE OLDEST PROFESSION ((秘)色情めす市場, Maruhi: Shikijo Mesu Ichiba, 1974) 20 years have passed since the Prostitution Prevention Law was enacted, and the red-light district is now gone. Nonetheless, sex work

    Photo courtesy of Third Window Films.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. Source: Third Window Films, Terracotta Special Thanks to Adam Torel Third Window Films is pleased to announce the release of TOKYO POP (1988) on Blu-ray and digital May 5th. An underseen gem of ‘80s American independent cinema by Fran Rubel Kuzui (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER), TOKYO POP takes us on a breezy tour through bubble era Tokyo, replete with knowing nods to the city’s vibrant pop culture. Bleach-blonde wannabe rocker Wendy (Carrie Hamilton, daughter of comedy legend Carol Burnett and producer Joe Hamilton) is disillusioned with her life in New York City. After receiving a postcard from Japan saying “wish you were here,” she spontaneously hops on a plane to Tokyo with dreams of making it big as a singer. Quickly finding herself broke and a fish out of water, she moves into a youth hostel for gaijin (foreigners)

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.  Source: Well Go USA, LBHpr  Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. Tony Jaa (ONG-BAK, TRIPLE THREAT, THE PROTECTOR, FURIOUS 7, THE EXPENDBLES 4, ​MASTER Z: THE IP MAN LEGACY) is back in top form as Bai An, a Muay Thai expert seeking revenge against the men who brutally murdered his wife and child in the two-fisted thriller STRIKING RESCUE, debuting on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD April 15 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Directed by Cheng Si-Yu (DESPERADO aka THUG IN A SUIT, THE PAPER MAN RETURNS)​, STRIKING RESCUE also stars Hong Junjia (THE GREY MEN), Shi Yanneng, Philip Keung (SHOCK WAVE), and Chen Duoyi (STORY MACHINE).  Synopsis:       Bai An’s (Tony Jaa) wife and daughter were brutally murdered in front of him, now he’s out for revenge and the path will

    Kinji Fukasaku's JAKOMAN & TETSU gets a limited edition Blu-ray release in April. ©Toei

    Asian Cinema

    Source: MVD Entertainment press release Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski 88 Films will release JAKOMAN & TETSU (ジャコ萬と鉄, Jakoman to Tetsu, 1964) on Blu-ray in April. An early action masterpiece from Kinji Fukasaku (BATTLES WITHOUT HONOR AND HUMANITY, BATTLE ROYALE), the film is adapted from a script written by the legendary Akira Kurosawa and features the stars of 47 RONIN and GOKU. Photo courtesy of 88 Films and MVD Entertainment. ©Toei Set in 1947 in a small coastal village among the majestic snowy landscapes of Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido, Ken Takakura (the ABASHIRI PRISON series, Ridley Scott's BLACK RAIN) is Tetsu, the prodigal son who returns from the war to help out his father Kyubei with the family herring fishing business. His arrival coincides with that of a one-eyed miscreant named Jakoman, played by Tetsuro Tamba (HARAKIRI, YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE), who

    Hideo Gosha's YAKUZA WIVES gets a limited edition Blu-ray release in April. Photo courtesy of Japan Society. ©Toei

    Asian Cinema

    Hideo Gosha's YAKUZA WIVES gets a limited edition Blu-ray release in April. Photo courtesy of Japan Society. ©Toei Source: MVD Entertainment Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski 88 Films will release Toei's YAKUZA WIVES (極道の妻（おんな）たち, Gokudō no Tsuma (Onna)-tachi, 1986) on Blu-ray in April. Director Hideo Gosha (SAMURAI WOLF 1&2, VIOLENT STREETS) breathes new life into the yakuza genre with an epic tale of mob rivalry based on a serialized account of the lives of real-life wives of Japanese gangsters. Shima Iwashita puts in a commanding performance as Tamaki, who takes over the reins of the Domoto clan while her husband is doing time in jail. Following reportage by journalist Shoko Ieda, who spent a year living among 28 wives of gangsters, YAKUZA WIVES became a huge hit and the first movie of a long-running classic series exposing the women who live in the shadows in a harsh, bright,

    Yakuza Keiya Uto (Jesse) protects Isaku Senagaki (Riko Fukumoto) from the dangers of high school in A GIRL & HER GUARD DOG, the new movie adaptation of the hit manga. Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. Ⓒ2025 A GIRL & HER GUARD DOG Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Toho Co., Ltd.Official Site: https://ojou-movie.toho.co.jp (Japan)   A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Theatrical poster. Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. Ⓒ2025 A GIRL & HER GUARD DOG Film Partners SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for an upcoming film. Toho Co., Ltd. has provided information and photos from their new roamtic comedy, A GIRL & HER GUARD DOG (お嬢と番犬くん, Ojō to Banken-kun), which opens in Japanese cinemas on March 14th.   INTRODUCTION The hit manga A Girl & Her Guard Dog written by Hatsuharu) began serialization in Kodansha's Bessatsu Friend in December 2018, has been adapted into an anime in 2023, and has now sold over 3.36 million copies (as of December 2, 2024). This romantic comedy about a heroine who is determined to hide the fact that she is the granddaughter of a yakuza and live

    Photo courtesy of Radiance Films. ©Toei

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Radiance Films, MVD Entertainment Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski Photo courtesy of Radiance Films. ©Toei Toei's yakuza thriller THE RAPACIOUS JAILBREAKER (脱獄広島殺人囚, Datsugoku Hiroshima Satsujin-shū, 1974) will be released May 20th in a limited edition Blu-ray from Radiance Films. Directed by Sadao Nakajima (CRAZED BEAST), a master of the genre, and based on the real exploits of a seven-time prison escapee, this ranks as one of the rawest entries in the 1970s cycle of Japanese true-account crime films. THE RAPACIOUS JAILBREAKER is available for the first time on Blu-ray and loaded with extras. In the free-for-all chaos after World War II, black marketeer Ueda (Hiroki Matsukata, COPS VS THUGS) is robbed of a stash of morphine. He takes his brutal revenge, but is arrested for murder and sentenced to 20 years. He escapes and is caught, but no matter where they send him, Ueda won't let prison

    JUVENILE, the first film by director Takashi Yamazaki, will be screened in 4K at Chofu Cinema Festival 2025. Photo courtesy of Foundation for Promotion of Chofu City’s Culture and Community. ©2000 Juvenile Project

    Asian Cinema

    JUVENILE, the first film by director Takashi Yamazaki, will be screened in 4K at Chofu Cinema Festival 2025. Photo courtesy of Foundation for Promotion of Chofu City’s Culture and Community. ©2000 Juvenile Project GODZILLA MINUS ONE Screening and Talk Show Also Announced Source: Foundation for Promotion of Chofu City’s Culture and Community press release Official Site: https://chofucinemafestival.com/ (Japan)   Takashi Yamazaki. Photo courtesy of Foundation for Promotion of Chofu City’s Culture and Community. Chofu City, Tokyo, where many film and video-related companies are concentrated, will be holding the "Chofu Cinema Festival 2025" (映画のまち調布　シネマフェスティバル2025, Eiga no Machi Chōfu Shinema Fesutibaru 2025) from Friday, February 7 to Sunday, March 2, 2025. The festival will hold various events, such as the award ceremony for the "Chofu Film City Award" that honors filmmakers, screenings with talk shows by film production technical staff and directors, exhibitions, workshops, and

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.  Source: Well Go USA, LBHpr  Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. In the terrifying footsteps of EXHUMA, THE WAILING, THE CLOSET, and DR. CHEON AND THE LOST TALISMAN​, the frightening new possession/exorcism thriller DEVIL’S STAY (사흘, Saheul, 2024) debuts on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital March 18 from Well Go USA Entertainment.  Written and Directed by Hyun Moon-seop (NIGHTMARE TEACHER), who “crafts a bloody, energized world replete with hot priests and scary, possessed young girls” (Dread Central), DEVIL’S STAY stars Park Shin-yang (THE BIG SWINDLE, MAN ON THE EDGE), Lee Min-ki (CRASH, MONSTER) and Lee Re (IT'S OKAY!, TRAIN TO BUSAN PRESENTS: PENINSULA)​.   Synopsis:       After the sudden tragic loss of his daughter following an exorcism, a renowned heart surgeon refuses to face the reality that his child has died,

    Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. ©Toei Co., Ltd.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. ©Toei Co., Ltd. Source: Arrow Films, MVD Entertainment Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski In 1989 legendary Japanese studio Toei launched their V-Cinema line of direct-to-video genre features. Filled with action, thrills and double-crosses, Arrow's V-CINEMA ESSENTIALS: BULLETS & BETRAYAL is a compendium of gems from the Japanese video underworld, presenting nine explosive titles representing some of the best the Japanese crime film has to offer. Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. ©Toei Co., Ltd. Fast-paced and action-packed, CRIME HUNTER: BULLETS OF RAGE (クライムハンター　怒りの銃弾, Kuraimuhanta Ikari no Judan, 1989) sees detective Joe Kawamura out for revenge against the men who gunned down his partner. Along the way he teams up with Lily, a gun-toting nun looking to get back five million dollars that was stolen from her church. Next up, NEO CHINPIRA: ZOOM GOES THE BULLET (ネオ チンピラ 鉄砲玉ぴゅ～, Neo Chinpira

    The cast of LAST SAMURAI STANDING. Photo courtesy of Netflix.

    Asian Cinema

    The cast of LAST SAMURAI STANDING. Photo courtesy of Netflix. Source: Netflix press releaseOfficial Site: https://www.netflix.com/lastsamuraistanding The pieces are coming together for LAST SAMURAI STANDING with the announcement of 14 top actors from Japan joining the cast. Set to premiere this November on Netflix, this gripping series promises an intense life-and-death game between samurai warriors, heralding a new era for Japanese dramas. Leading the cast is Junichi Okada (THE ETERNAL ZERO), who not only stars as the protagonist Shujiro Saga but also serves as the action choreographer and first-time producer. Joining him is Riho Yoshioka (FUKUSHIMA 50, FIRST KISS) as Shujiro's wife, Shino, and Yumia Fujisaki (THE GREATEST TEACHER) as Futaba Katsuki, a young girl caught in the desperate battle. Shujiro's sworn allies, Iroha Kinugasa, Shikura Adashino, and Sansuke Gion, are portrayed by Kaya Kiyohara (CHIHAYAFURU PART 3), Taichi Saotome (BLEACH, PROMARE), and Yuya

    TRILLION GAME protagonists Haru Tennoji (Ren Meguro) and Manabu Taira (Hayato Sano) make the jump from television to the big screen in the new movie adaptation of the popular series. Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. Ⓒ2025 TRILLION GAME Film Partners ⒸRiichiro Inagaki, Ryoichi Ikegami/Shogakukan

    Asian Cinema

    TRILLION GAME protagonists Haru Tennoji (Ren Meguro) and Manabu Taira (Hayato Sano) make the jump from television to the big screen in the new movie adaptation of the popular series. Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. Ⓒ2025 TRILLION GAME Film Partners ⒸRiichiro Inagaki, Ryoichi Ikegami/Shogakukan Source: Toho Co., Ltd.Official Site: https://trilliongame-movie.jp/ (Japan)   A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Theatrical poster. Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. Ⓒ2025 TRILLION GAME Film Partners ⒸRiichiro Inagaki, Ryoichi Ikegami/Shogakukan SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for an upcoming film. Toho Co., Ltd. has provided information and photos from their new movie TRILLION GAME (劇場版『トリリオンゲーム』, Gekijō-ban “Toririon Gēmu”), which opens in Japanese cinemas on February 14th.   INTRODUCTION Market capitalization of the world's largest company = 1 trillion dollars.Earn 1 trillion dollars and get everything in the world. The unbeatable buddy team of the

    Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. ©2024 Samurai Time Slipper. All Rights Reserved.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. ©2024 Samurai Time Slipper. All Rights Reserved. Source: Third Window Films press release Special Thanks to Adam Torel Third Window Films is pleased to announce the release of the smash hit A SAMURAI IN TIME (侍タイムスリッパー, Samurai Taimu Surippā, 2024). The movie will be available worldwide on Blu-ray and Digital on April 28th.   A SAMURAI IN TIME is a bona fide phenomenon in its native Japan. Junichi Yasuda, whose real job is that of a rice farmer who runs a ramen restaurant, took on the vast majority of crew roles (producing, financing, script, directing, cinematography, lighting, editing, VFX, etc) to make a period film completely independently. Despite having a tiny budget, just 10 crew members and opening on just 1 cinema screen, A SAMURAI IN TIME went on to be such a word-of-mouth success that it ended up

    Scene from THE MAGNIFICENT TRIO. Photo courtesy of Eureka Entertainment and MVD Entertainment.

    Asian Cinema

    Scene from THE MAGNIFICENT TRIO. Photo courtesy of Eureka Entertainment and MVD Entertainment. Source: MVD Entertainment press release Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski Photo courtesy of Eureka Entertainment and MVD Entertainment. Eureka Entertainment is proud to announce the release of THE MAGNIFICENT CHANG CHEH, two ‘magnificent’ films from the maestro of martial arts cinema. Available on Blu-ray as part of the Eureka Classics range from 29 April 2025 in North America. Presented in a Limited edition of 2000 copies (per territory) exclusively featuring an O-card slipcase and collector’s booklet.    One of the Shaw Brothers Studio’s most prolific directors, Chang Cheh – or the “Godfather of Hong Kong Cinema” – is the filmmaker behind FIVE DEADLY VENOMS, CHINATOWN KID, and BOXER REBELLION. Collected here are two films by this maestro of martial arts cinema that showcase his considerable talents at both ends of

    The live-action manga adaptation SUICIDE NOTES LAID ON THE TABLE is now playing in Japan. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co., Ltd. ©2025 SUICIDE NOTES LAID ON THE TABLE Film Partners ©️ Toutarou Minami / SQUARE ENIX

    Asian Cinema

    The live-action manga adaptation SUICIDE NOTES LAID ON THE TABLE is now playing in Japan. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co., Ltd. ©2025 SUICIDE NOTES LAID ON THE TABLE Film Partners ©️ Toutarou Minami / SQUARE ENIX Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: https://movies.shochiku.co.jp/ishokoukai-movie/ (Japan)   Shochiku has provided information and photos for their new film, SUICIDE NOTES LAID ON THE TABLE (遺書、公開。, Isho, Kōkai.), based on the manga of the same name by Toutarou Minami. The movie opened this weekend in Japan.   Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co., Ltd. ©2025 SUICIDE NOTES LAID ON THE TABLE Film Partners ©️ Toutarou Minami / SQUARE ENIX Introduction Rank...1. To arrange things in order. To line up in order. 2. An order arranged according to a set standard. A set order. This hierarchy, as described in the Japanese dictionary, is established in schools,

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.  Source: Well Go USA, LBHpr  Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. Martial arts superstar Xie Miao (IP MAN: THE AWAKENING)​ returns as “Cheng Xiazi” and re-teams with writer/director Bingjia Liu for the action-packed sequel to the international box office hit EYE FOR AN EYE: THE BLIND SWORDSMAN, with this entry named EYE FOR AN EYE 2: BLIND VENGEANCE (目中無人2, Mùzhōngwúrén 2, 2024). This second installment kicks off with Cheng running into a young orphan (Yang Enyou) while both are running from the authorities. He reluctantly agrees to shelter her, leading to a series of violent battles featuring some of China’s finest martial arts in years.  EYE FOR AN EYE 2: BLIND VENGEANCE debuts on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital March 4 from Well Go USA Entertainment.  Bonus materials include an all-new English dub.  

    Photo courtesy of Third Window Films.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. Source: Third Window Films, Terracotta Special Thanks to Adam Torel   Directors Company is a Japanese film production company created in 1982 to provide a an environment outside the major studio system to nurture young proven filmmakers. The alumni of this collective of artistic film directors includes Kiyoshi Kurosawa (CURE, THE GUARD FROM UNDERGROUND) Sogo Ishii (CRAZY THUNDER ROAD) and Shinji Shomai (TYPHOON CLUB).   Third Window Films present the third set of a series of films from the legendary production company, all presented with brand new digital restorations. These films will be available worldwide on February 17, 2025 and can be pre-ordered at https://shop.terracottadistribution.com/collections/directors-company/.   Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. BUMPKIN SOUP (ドレミファ娘の血は騒ぐ, Doremifa Musume no Chi wa Sawagu, 1985) Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa A wild & crazy pink film

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