Asian Drama

Facing an unacceptable reality, a teacher is trying to reclaim relationships with his family, students and former friends. Reassessing his past, he contemplates how to go on with his life.

Mizushima Satoru is a designer, who prefers traditional things like handmade items and handwritten works. One day, he happens to meet a mysterious woman, Miharu Miyuki, at the cafe named Piano. She seems to have similar values to him and he is attracted to her. Mizushima Satoru asks for her cellphone number, but she doesn’t own a cellphone. They make a promise to meet at the cafe every Thursday. Since then, Mizushima Satoru & Miharu Miyuki meet every Thursday and their relationship develops romantically. Mizushima Satoru decides to propose her, but, on the day he is going to propose her, Miharu Miyuki doesn’t show up at the cafe.

(Source: AsianWiki)

Adapted from the novel "Analog" (アナログ) by Beat Takeshi (ビートたけし).

Duration: 2 hr. 0 min.

Content Rating: G - All Ages

Ratings: 8.2

Takumi and his daughter Hana live in Mizubiki Village, close to Tokyo. One day, the village inhabitants become aware of a plan to build a camping site near Takumi's house offering city residents a comfortable "escape" to nature.

When a bloodthirsty spirit possesses a young girl in a remote village, her older brother leads the charge to banish it before she's consumed by evil.

Humans built huge engines on the surface of the earth to find a new home. But the road to the universe is perilous. In order to save earth, young people once again have to step forward to start a race against time for life and death.

The Hairpin of the Rogue (2023)

A tragedy love story set in the dark underbelly of Bangkok. Som, the daughter of a sex worker, believes that love will lead her towards a better life. Ter, a young criminal, robs just to buy love that doesn’t exist. Peach, a school idol full of secrets, will engage in a romance with Som, a prostitute who falls in love with Peach. 'Redlife' explores a world that is broken, ignored, and which offers no escape.

(Source: thai.film, BrandThink Cinema)

Release Dates: October 23, 2023 (Festival) | November 2, 2023 (Cinema)

Duration: 1 hr. 59 min.

Content Rating: 15+ - Teens 15 or older

In an audacious reworking of the biopic, this ensemble drama sees jazz pianist Minami Hiroshi’s memoir cleverly reinterpreted into a surreal and playful story about chasing dreams, disillusionment and the inner lives of professional artists. Closer to playing two sides of the same coin than tackling a dual role, Ikematsu Sosuke embodies two versions of Minami – the naïve upstart and the jaded pro – who magically cross paths as they become entangled with a cast of colourful characters in the seedy alleyways and jazz clubs of Ginza over a single night.

Late 18th century, Tohoku. An outcast girl, Rin lives in a village suffering from famine. She draws strength from Mt. Hayachine, where the spirits of humans ascend after passing.

Eun Sim, at the age of eighty, has returned to her hometown after more than sixty years. She is relieved to spend some time with her old friends Geum Soon and Tae Ho, who, unlike her, are still living in their hometown. At an age when death is closer than life, there is not a single part that does not hurt in her body, but she feels that she has lived well enough.

It is a trot-like movie where friendship and love bloom only in the twilight of life.

(Source: HanCinema, BIFF)

Release Dates: Oct 5, 2023 (Festival) || Feb 7, 2024 (Cinema)

Duration: 2 hr. 0 min.

Content Rating: G - All Ages

Susume is a young dentist who can’t communicate well with people since childhood. One day, he meets and falls in love with a woman named Miyako. She invites him into her lush, forest-like apartment, and he, though awkwardly, gradually becomes closer to her.

Miura Takahiro & Abe Shinnosuke to star in new movie "Winny" showing in spring 2020; a film director & his buddy make a movie on the developer of P2P software Winny charged for its involvement in illegal activities before being acquitted.

A film depicting the process of the main character, a victim of school violence, escaping from bullying and implementing justice.

The feature film debut of an up-and-coming director, Atta Hemwadee, is about friendship, dreams, farewell – and also a homage to the love of cinema.

(Source: thai.film)

​Set in 1994, in the midst of student protests, "Who’ll Stop the Rain" cuts to the heart of a Taiwan still adjusting to its post-martial law reality. Wei, a freshman studying Fine Art, joins the student strike of her department demanding the right to freedom of expression. But the student campaign is opposed by a power-hungry Head of Department and a university insistent on obedience above all else. Determined Wei, quickly rises through the campaign committee, led by the charismatic Guang and enigmatic Qing. As passionate protest inflamed personal desires, a chemistry formed between Wei and Qing. But as the strike hits a stalemate and Guang also shows a romantic interest in Wei, she begins to realize that the fight for creative freedom is really a journey to discover herself and who she loves.

Creating a portrait of sensitive teens and their concerns, Kaneko Yurina’s adaptation of Omae Ao’s novel takes us into the midst of the Plushy Club at a university. It is a place packed with furry and comforting friends whom the club members talk to in order to relay their anxieties and fears. Male student Nanamori and female students Shiraki, and Mugito are the latest club intake, each wrestling with issues such as love, masculinity and femininity, fear of others and sexism in society.

Adapted from the novel "Nuigurumi to Shaberu Hito wa Yasashi" (ぬいぐるみとしゃべる人はやさしい) by Omae Ao (大前粟生).

A new concept horror IP cross project that turns six selected works out of 19 serial webtoons of the same name (Tastes of Horror) into movies. "DingDong Challenge: The reason why you shouldn't do dance challenge carelessly", "Four Legged Beast: Story of meeting a doppelganger with broken neck", "Jackpot: what happened when I took a taxi nearby", "The Residents-Only Gym: A woman who appears after 10 PM", "Rehabilitation: Cruel clinical trials currenly underway in the lab", and "Gluttony: The strange things that happened during a live broadcast."

In the new century, the fight against drugs faces an unprecedented and difficult challenge! Under the deep and complex dark network, an invisible war is being waged in Hong Kong...... Typhoon signal was hoisted in Hong Kong. Under the cover of the fierce wind, four tons of methamphetamine were entering Hong Kong, pending to be sold on the dark network. A cyber revelry of druggies was about to be unveiled, and a storm was brewing in the quiet Victoria Harbour. Police had to arrest the “boss” behind the scenes and nip the “drug network” in the bud in no time, that pushed their undercover intelligence to the narrow road. In the center of the storm, undercover agents, police officers, drug lords, black, white, and gray entangled.

As they are going to visit their former teacher, Micky, who is seriously ill, three men who were buddies back in their high school years are reunited. Moreover, they go back to the old cram school, reminiscing about their rebellious youth. In the 1990s, that cram school was known for its strict rules and the trio, who loved making trouble, had given the director a big headache until Micky arrived as a new teacher. He not only tamed the boys but became a good friend to them. Micky often talked about romantic relationships and sexuality to the students and made documentaries to speak up for the gay community. It is because of him that the students got to understand the homosexual or even themselves.

Zhuo Jia Jun is a senior cyber technician who is targeted by his brother Jason and general manager Sun Bin. He has a daughter, Bao Er, with his wife, Du Yong Shan.

Jia Jun has developed a powerful AI program, "Yi Tai". Sun Bin accuses him of being involved in money laundering activities and threatens to cooperate with him against CEO Chen Ming Zhi.

Jia Jun doesn’t know who is his enemy and who is his friend, so he launches ”Yi Tai” in the hope of finding out the truth. This move alerts Chen Ming Zhi, who sends his men to intercept Jiajun and take away the SSD. As Chen activates the ”Yi Tai” for illegal theft and money laundering, Jia Jun and Yong Shan try to stop the operation of the ”Yi Tai”.

Yong Shan, a former brilliant hardware engineer, tries to use the computer to shut down the ”Yi Tai”. At this point, Chen Ming Zhi blackmails them to stop interfering with the ‘Yi Tai’ by kidnapping Bao Er. Jia Jun blackmails Chen in return, and when Chen Ming Zhi sees the amount of money plummeting, he asks Jia Jun to return to the company immediately to deal with the situation.

Jia Jun and Yong Shan return to the company, and they risk their lives to try to shut down ”Yi Tai”. Then Sun Bin appears, and Jason also appears with Bao Er…

(Source: Cpophome)

Duration: 1 hr. 51 min.

Content Rating: 15+ - Teens 15 or older

Producer: Cheang Pou Soi [鄭保瑞]

Cinematographer: Cheng Siu Keung [郑兆强]

Art Director: Lee Kwok Lam [利国林]

Costume Designer:Polly Chan [陳寶欣]

17-year-old Iguchi Tatsuya has just been released from juvenile detention and is on probation. He's been relocated to a new area, away from the bad influence of his old friends, and is under the care of his aunt. He is determined not to be sent back to lockup, and he works hard in his aunt's restaurant. However, he still has the same personality, the same tendency to violence, and still falls in with the same sort of people. It's going to be difficult for him to stay out of trouble.

(Source: Mangaupdates)

Adapted from the manga series "Out" (OUT) written by Iguchi Tatsuya (井口達也) and illustrated by Mizuta Makoto (みずたまこと).

Kisaragi Maaya, 16 years old. The first love confession of her life ended in complete rejection. She vows to "never confess to someone again" in the presence of the stoic but popular Chigira-kun, while on library duty together one day. Upon meeting again, and seeing her upset while reminiscing the past, he proposes they undertake a "pretend unrequited love play". As Maaya's heart begins to heal, her thoughts turn to them getting even closer... however she definitely can't fall in love with the out-of-reach Chigira-kun...?

Adapted from the manga series "Na no ni, Chigira-kun ga Amasugiru" (なのに、千輝くんが甘すぎる。) by Anan Kujira (亜南くじら).

With each day feeling hopeless and bleak, Kang Jin's life takes a dramatic turn when he stumbles upon a lost envelope of money belonging to Rang. Using this newfound wealth, he takes a stand against Nam Young's girlfriend Da-young. But when Nam-young discovers Kang-jin's actions, he strikes back by stealing his money and issuing dangerous threats. With nowhere to turn, Kang-jin confides in Rang, who reveals a secret knowledge of the debt-collecting world. Together, they embark on a thrilling journey of power and control, as Kang-jin takes his first steps into the world of loan sharks.

Duration: 1 hr. 45 min.

The Earth receives an influx of X refugees, who were deported from their home planet due to a dispute. Countries on Earth agonize over how to deal with the influx of these interplanetary immigrants. The U.S. government announced that they would accept X refugees, and the Japanese government announced that they would also accept X refugees.

The X refugees transform their appearance into human beings and live among ordinary humans. Residents in the host countries are unable to distinguish X refugees by appearance, and they have no idea if any of them live among them. People become anxious, confused, and afraid of the X refugees, and they try to find the refugees who may live among them.

Sasa Kentaro is a weekly magazine journalist. For a story, he hides his identity as a journalist and approaches Kashiwagi Ryoko, who is suspected of being an X refugee. He gets close to her and begins to have feelings for her, but he's not certain if she is human.

(Source: AsianWiki)

Adapted from the novel "Rinjin X" (隣人X) by Pallus Ayako (パリュス　あや子).

The arrogant, third most-wanted criminal in Taiwan, decides to get rid of the top two competitors and crowns himself the most-wanted criminal before dying.

(Source: Letterboxd)

Khem and Wan, two young men from Chachoengsao take on the mission to investigate the truth hidden inside "Man Suang", the most luxurious and mysterious entertainment club in Siam. Behind the curtain, people gather to plan and make political negotiations during the end of King Rama III's reign. The two friends join the troupe and meet Chatra, a taphon musician. The relationship between the three develops while the dark secret of Man Suang and their hidden motives begin being revealed bit by bit.

This mission, thus, involves murder, rebelion, the search for truth, and a major change for both the kingdom and the three men.

(Source: Major Group)

Miyama is a young man with a mysterious special ability. His special ability allows him to see the thoughts of other people. With his power, he heals people who suffers from their own worries or traumas. Miyama lives peacefully with his girlfriend Shiori and her daughter Bibi. His girlfriend works as a nurse. One day, Miyama begins to have a strange feeling. This is due to Kusaka, who graduated from the same high school. Kusaka is now a musician living in Tokyo. To learn more, Miyama attends Kusaka's concert and meets him there. Kusaka tells Miyama something about Miyama and his ex-girlfriend Riko.

(Source: AsianWiki)

Release Dates: Mar 19, 2023 (OAFF) || Apr 14, 2023 (Cinema)

“Single in Seoul” is a melodrama about two drastically different people who meet through an essay about the single life, and in the process, they rediscover their old wounds from past loves.

Lee Dong Wook is in talks to play Park Young Ho who thoroughly enjoys the single life and lives on the borderline of being emotional and being pretentious. He’s also a popular lecturer and an influencer with 300,000 followers. Im Soo Jung is in talks to play Joo Hyun Jin, Park Young Ho’s college junior and editor-in-chief who is in charge of the essay series titled “Single in the City”.

(Source: Soompi)

1990s, Banpo Town, rural China. A woman’s body is found by the river. Ma Zhe, Chief of the Criminal Police, heads up the murder investigation that leads to an obvious arrest. His superiors hurry to congratulate him, but several clues push Ma Zhe to delve deeper into the hidden behaviour of his fellow citizens.

In 1999, Young Mi, cruelly nicknamed “Ms. Apocalypse,” develops a crush on a married man who is imprisoned for embezzlement. Young Mi ends up imprisoned for aiding his crime. When she is released, her crush’s wife, Yu Jin, visits, offering to pay off her husband’s debt. Yet, because Yu Jin is physically disabled, Young Mi feels uneasy about taking her money. The two women eventually begin to live together. Their story is poignant yet consistently cheery, enlivening, and energetic.

(Source: BIFF)

Release dates: Oct 5, 2023 (Festival) || Jan 24, 2024 (Cinema)

Duration: 1 hr. 56 min.

In the early years of the Republic of China period, the Madame of the Ma family in Qingbao Village is holding an underworld marriage for her oldest grandson Ma Bu Ming, who had passed away due to illness. Suddenly, the paper bride is mysteriously resurrected, causing chaos at the scene. The Yin-yang Magician believes that the second grandson Ma Bu Kuai is harassed by the paper bride because he has formed a bad fate with her due to his blood and must be sent away from the Ma Mansion. Eleven years later, Ma Bu Kuai returns to his hometown with his lover Li Zhao Di to discuss the matter of marriage. Unexpectedly, after he returns to the Ma Mansion, a series of mysterious murders occurs. Without believing in any supernatural theories, he believes that there is something fishy about this matter and decides to personally solve the mystery. During this process, he gradually learns about a long-standing feud.