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Cinema

Cinema
Views, news, and reviews of films, from the latest releases to classic oldies.
A still from Mabel Cheung documentary “To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self”, which followed six girls over a decade. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong society

Student in contentious Hong Kong documentary hits out at Italian screening plan

Ah Ling, who featured in award-winning To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self, says no one consulted her about screening at film festival.

Fame and celebrity

Meet James Ortiz, voice of Rocky the alien in Project Hail Mary

Asean

Cultural capitals: Southeast Asia seeks soft power to outlast the buzz

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European cinema

Why the beloved romcom Bridget Jones’s Diary feels so dated 25 years on

The charms of Bridget Jones’s Diary are still obvious when viewed today, but its politics seem to be from a different century altogether.

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Renée Zellweger (left) and Colin Firth in a still from Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001), which turns 25 this month. Photo: Working Title Films
Asian cinema: Chinese films

Why fierce mothers and violent monsters star in Joe Hsieh’s animations

Taiwanese director Hsieh reflects on the strength of women, preferring hand-drawn animation over AI, and using violence in film.

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | We’re Nothing at All: Herman Yau’s grim social critique lacks all subtlety

A gripping drama, We’re Nothing at All explores societal apathy through a tragic bus blast – but its heavy-handed approach may deter viewers.

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American cinema

Review | The Super Mario Galaxy Movie: Nintendo sequel looks great but lacks laughs

Donald Glover, Brie Larson and Benny Safdie join the cast in this sequel to 2023’s hugely successful The Super Mario Bros Movie.

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(From left) Yoshi (voiced by Donald Glover), Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) in a screen grab from The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (category 1), directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
Asian cinema: Korean films

Review | Humint: dynamic Korean spy thriller from Ryoo Seung-wan on Netflix

Starring Zo In-sung, Park Jeong-min and Park Hae-joon, Humint rewards patient viewers with some of the best heroic bloodshed in recent times.

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

3 Anthony Wong films from the early 90s that show his wide acting range

Before becoming stereotyped for extreme roles, Wong gave nuanced turns as a whiny gangster opposite Chow Yun-fat and as Veronica Yip’s tormentor.

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Hong Kong celebrities and icons

Profile | How Leslie Cheung broke all the rules to become a Hong Kong superstar

The music and cinema legend’s artistry, vulnerability and defiance in a conservative Asian society forever reshaped Hong Kong pop culture.

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Hong Kong pop icon Leslie Cheung on the set of director Wong Kar-wai’s Days of Being Wild in 1990. Cheung was a trailblazing Cantopop icon who reshaped Hong Kong’s entertainment scene. Photo: SCMP
Art

9 artists to look out for at this year’s Art Basel Hong Kong

From Kazakh warrior sculptures to speculative films by Andrew Thomas Huang and Ayoung Kim, these are the artworks defining this year’s programme.

The Deer of Nine Colors by Andrew Thomas Huang. Photo: Handout
American cinema

Review | They Will Kill You: Zazie Beetz leads a delicious slice of midnight madness

They Will Kill You delivers dark comic madness, with Zazie Beetz taking a magnetic turn as an ex-con battling satanic elites in New York.

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Asian cinema: Korean films

The 10 most-watched Korean films of all time, including The King’s Warden

Can The King’s Warden overtake The Admiral: Roaring Currents and Extreme Job to become the most-viewed South Korean film of all time?

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American cinema

Review | Ready or Not 2: Here I Come – Samara Weaving back for stale horror sequel

Good casting and funny moments aside, this horror sequel with Sarah Michelle Gellar is heavier on bloodshed than on new ideas.

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Samara Weaving (left) and Kathryn Newton in a still from Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (category: III), co-starring Elijah Wood. Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. Photo: Searchlight Pictures
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

How director Benny Chan bridged old-school stunts and modern action

2003’s Heroic Duo and 2007’s Invisible Target were full of the director’s flair for action, reckless stunts and literal explosive scenes.

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Nicholas Tse in a still from Invisible Target (2007), directed by Benny Chan, whose 2000s films were a blend of classic stunts and modern action.
United States

Action movie star Chuck Norris dies at 86

His epic fight with kung fu superstar Bruce Lee in ‘The Way of The Dragon’ helped turn Norris into an icon.

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American cinema

How the eye-catchingly sexist DOA: Dead or Alive survived chaotic China shoot

Filmed at Hengdian World Studios, DOA: Dead or Alive helped pioneer East-West cinema collaboration – even if it bombed at the box office.

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On Our Radar

Hong Kong International Film Festival brings out the big guns for its 50th year

The city’s flagship cinema event marks its Golden Jubilee with a global slate, major auteurs and a spotlight on Asian storytelling.

Yeo Yann Yann and Andi Lim in a still from We Are All Strangers, directed by Anthony Chen. Photo: courtesy Giraffe Pictures.
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | Ciao UFO: Charlene Choi leads nostalgic trip through Hong Kong history

Chui Tien-you and Wong You-nam join Charlene Choi in Patrick Leung’s poignant character drama that finally arrives at cinemas after debuting in 2019.

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Asian cinema

Best movies to watch at the Hong Kong International Film Festival 2026

Silent Friend, Sirat, Good Boy and Pillion are among our top picks at this year’s festival, which is celebrating its 50th edition.

Ukraine war

Oscar-winner Penn skips Academy Awards ceremony to visit Zelensky in Kyiv

The ‘One Battle After Another’ star skips ceremony for his third Oscar win to meet President Zelensky and potentially visit the front lines.

American actor Sean Penn walks down a street in Kyiv on Monday. Photo: AFP
American cinema

Oscars 2026: One Battle After Another is best picture, Michael B. Jordan best actor

The 98th Academy Awards saw One Battle After Another win big with six awards, Sinners followed with four, including best actor for Michael B. Jordan. Jessie Buckley took home best actress for Hamnet.

Paul Thomas Anderson (centre) and producer Sara Murphy (centre right) celebrate with the cast and crew onstage after winning the Oscar for best picture for One Battle After Another during the 98th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on 15 March, 2026. Photo: EPA
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

How Herman Yau transitioned from gory cult films to action blockbusters

Once known for Category III shockers such as Ebola Syndrome, Herman Yau has become the go-to director for action blockbusters.

K-drama news

Profile | Who is Seo In-guk, star of Netflix K-drama Boyfriend on Demand?

From his musical beginnings to his breakout role in Reply 1997 to his turn in Boyfriend on Demand, Seo In-guk stands out for his versatility.

Academy Awards

Who are the 6 youngest Academy Award-winning actors ever? Anna Paquin and more

As we wait to see if nominees like Timothée Chalamet are taking home Oscars this year, we take a look back at the youngest best actor and best supporting actors in history.

Tatum O’Neal, Timothy Hutton and Anna Paquin are among the youngest actors to have won an Academy Award. Photos: Getty Images
American cinema

Sinners vs One Battle After Another - who will take best film at the Oscars?

Many categories at the coming Academy Awards are hard to predict, but there are some firm favourites for best picture, actor and actress.

Michael B. Jordan, left, in Sinners and Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another. Which movie will win best picture at the 2026 Academy Awards? Photos: TNS, AP
Hong Kong celebrities and icons

Profile | From TVB queen to YouTube star, how Carol ‘Dodo’ Cheng does it all

Hong Kong icon Carol “Dodo” Cheng has worn many hats – actor, television host, content creator – continually reinventing herself across five decades.

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | Gamer Girls: Angela Yuen leads beguiling Hong Kong esports drama

This engaging tale of an all-female esports team delivers an underdog story with a light touch and punches well above its modest budget.

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