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Cinema

Cinema
Views, news, and reviews of films, from the latest releases to classic oldies.
A scene from the Oscar-nominated film It Was Just an Accident. Mehdi Mahmoudian, one of the Iranian drama’s screenwriters, has been arrested in Tehran just weeks before the Academy Awards. Photo: Neon via AP
Iran

Screenwriter of Oscar-nominated Iranian drama is arrested in Tehran

Mehdi Mahmoudian’s arrest came just days after he and 16 others signed a statement condemning Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

How Wicked City and 2000 AD rewrote the rules of Hong Kong cinema

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Fame and celebrity

Schitt’s Creek star Catherine O’Hara dies at 71

What to do in Hong Kong

5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend, January 30-February 1

Indulge in an excess of tea, browse Hong Kong’s independent fashion brands, immerse yourself in Central Asian culture and more this weekend.

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PMQ’s Tea Round 2026 festival is one of five things we recommend checking out this weekend in Hong Kong. Photo: Tea Round, PMQ
Hong Kong celebrities and icons

Profile | From bar singer to Hong Kong icon: how Hins Cheung refused to let the dream die

The Cantopop star, who continues to sell out stadiums, is as passionate about the arts as he is about preserving heritage buildings.

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American cinema

‘It’s been a long road’: Ethan Hawke on his first Oscar nomination for best actor

Ethan Hawke reflects on his decades-long career, friendship with director Richard Linklater and Oscar nomination for his role in Blue Moon.

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Asian cinema: Korean films

The 10 most successful Korean art-house films of all time

As Yoon Ga-eun’s The World of Love hits Hong Kong cinemas, we look at Korean indie films that conquered the box office as well as festivals.

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Seo Su-bin in a still from The World of Love. Korean director Yoon Ga-eun’s acclaimed film is scheduled to hit Hong Kong cinemas on January 29.
American cinema

Review | Send Help: Rachel McAdams leads bloody island survival satire

McAdams has a ball as an office drone stranded on a desert island with her boss in this entertaining horror/black comedy from Sam Raimi.

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Asian cinema: Chinese films

Review | Gezhi Town: Chinese war drama with Xiao Zhan dares to entertain

Civilians try to fend off Japanese soldiers in this thrilling drama that focuses on character dynamics rather than patriotic grandstanding.

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Music

What to know about Charli XCX’s A24 mockumentary film The Moment

Set to release in the US on January 30, the mockumentary – also featuring Kylie Jenner in her acting debut – is about a pop star preparing for her first arena tour.

Charli XCX stars as a fictionalised version of herself in The Moment. Photo: @charli_xcx/Instagram
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

3 of Hong Kong martial arts legend Alexander Fu Sheng’s more unusual movies

Chinatown Kid, The Deadly Breaking Sword and Treasure Hunters saw Fu taking on more varied projects than his usual Shaolin kung fu films.

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Alexander Fu Sheng in a still from Chinatown Kid (1977), one of the films that saw the Hong Kong martial arts star take on projects outside his usual Shaolin kung fu genre.
American cinema

How Anna May Wong fought stereotypes in 1937 film Daughter of Shanghai

Anna May Wong’s role in Daughter of Shanghai was one of the Chinese-American actress’ favourites. We look at why this B-movie stands out.

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Sundance Film Festival

What’s in store for the final Sundance Film Festival at Park City?

Chloe Zhao will be among the honorees at the 2026 edition, the first without its founder Robert Redford and last before it moves to Boulder.

United States

Sinners breaks all-time Oscars record with 16 nominations

Ryan Coogler’s blues-steeped vampire epic breaks the 14-nomination mark set by All About Eve, Titanic and La La Land.

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Michael B. Jordan (centre right) stars in Sinners. Photo: TNS
Malaysia

Malaysia’s Michelle Yeoh nominated for worst actress Razzie

Three years after her historic Oscar win, Michelle Yeoh faces competition from Natalie Portman and Ariana DeBose for the dubious honour.

Michelle Yeoh poses with her Oscar at the 95th Academy Awards in Hollywood on March 12, 2023. Photo: Reuters
Asian cinema

Why M+ and Chanel are bringing rare Asian avant-garde films to Mubi

Streaming platform Mubi teams up with Hong Kong’s M+ museum and Chanel to put the spotlight on 10 films, including a John Woo short.

American cinema

Review | Mercy: Chris Pratt battles a virtual judge in flawed AI courtroom thriller

Chris Pratt plays a detective accused of murder who has 90 minutes to clear his name in this ‘screenlife’ thriller that fluffs its third act.

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Fame and celebrity

Meet Colm Feore, who plays Tommy Norris’ lawyer Nate in Landman

His credits include Thor and The Amazing Spider‑Man 2, and he won a Gemini Award for his portrayal of Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.

Colm Feore plays Nate, lawyer to Billy Bob Thornton’s oilman Tommy Norris, in Landman. Photo: Getty Images
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Ciao UFO wins best picture in 2025 Hong Kong Film Critics Society awards

Nostalgic drama Ciao UFO scoops top prize, while Louis Koo (Behind the Shadows) and Fish Liew (Someone Like Me) pick up best actor awards.

American cinema

Review | Primate: 47 Meters Down director back for a bloody killer ape slasher

This Johannes Roberts film about a chimp that goes on the attack after contracting rabies relies on low-brow gore, and not much else.

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Why did the Hong Kong Film Awards drop 4 eligible films from its 2026 list?

The four films missing from the provisional list feature actors or themes unpopular with authorities in Hong Kong and mainland China, say industry insiders.

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Anthony Wong in a still from Valley of the Shadow of Death. The film is one of four - also including Vital Signs, Finch & Midland and Mother Bhumi - that do not appear on the list of films to be considered for the 2026 Hong Kong Film Awards, despite their eligibility. Photo: Golden Scene
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Why Ronny Yu’s The Postman Fights Back is an unusual wuxia gem

Starring Leung Kar-yan and with a young Chow Yun-fat on the cast, 1982’s The Postman Fights Back is an intriguing mix of Western and wuxia.

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Leung Kar-yan in a still from “The Postman Fights Back”, directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Ronny Yu. The film features Leung as a courier in Republican China tasked with delivering a mysterious cargo to a violent mountain bandit, whose motley crew of associates includes a young Chow Yun-fat.
What to do in Hong Kong

5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend, January 16-18

Loosen up for the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, shop discounted home goods, enjoy special-edition buns and more this weekend.

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Hong Kong celebrities and icons

Profile | How Nancy Sit went from child star to Hong Kong’s most beloved TV matriarch

After leaving the spotlight at the height of her fame, Nancy Sit overcame personal struggles, reinvented herself and returned to superstardom.

Asian cinema

Loved Back to the Past? 10 Asian time travel gems you may also enjoy

After the success of Louis Koo’s Back to the Past, here are 10 other Asian time-travelling movies that are well worth checking out.

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Louis Koo in a still from Back to the Past. In celebration of the film’s success, here are 10 more of the best examples of big-screen time-travel escapism from across Asia.
Fame and celebrity

Who is Bruna Marquezine – and is she really going out with Shawn Mendes?

The Brazilian star of the movie Blue Beetle has been spotted out and about with singer Mendes – here is everything you need to know about her.

Canadian singer Shawn Mendes and Brazilian actress Bruna Marquezine are rumoured to be an item. Photos: @shawnmendes, @brunamarquezine/Instagram
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | Unexpected Family: Jackie Chan trades kicks for tears in sentimental drama

Chan excels as a man with Alzheimer’s disease in this well-meaning but ham-fisted film about the importance of family.

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Hong Kong entertainment

Hong Kong Cantopop singer Raymond Lam cancels 2 concerts in Japan

Lam’s shows scheduled for January 31 and February 1 at the Tokyo Garden Theatre have been postponed indefinitely.

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