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13 (+1) anime films to watch
I had never been a fan of anime films — at least not until I visited Japan earlier this year. In Japan, the term anime refers to all forms of animated works, whether films or series, regardless of their country of origin. Outside Japan, however, it usually denotes Japanese animation specifically — and this is how I use the term in this post. Manga, on the other hand, refers to comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Known for its colourful artwork, distinctive character designs, and wide range of themes and genres — from action-packed adventures and heartwarming romances to thought-provoking dramas and futuristic sci-fi — anime films have become one of Japan’s…
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6 Non-Japanese Films Set in Japan
In my previous post, I discussed ten Japanese films. This time, I turn my attention to six non-Japanese films set in Japan — some of which are based on Japanese novels . Each of these six non-Japanese films set in Japan offers a unique window into Japanese culture, landscapes, and atmosphere, as seen through the eyes of international filmmakers. Lost in Translation (2003) Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation was inspired by her time in Tokyo, where she became fascinated by the city’s energy and quiet moments of alienation. Starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, the film won Coppola an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and was also…
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10 (+1) Japanese Films to Watch
One of the things I love most about autumn in England is the abundance of film festivals. The BFI London Film Festival runs from 8 to 19 October, and I’ve already watched A Pale View of Hills, based on the 1982 novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. Next up is the Leeds Film Festival (30 October to 16 November), followed by the London Korean Film Festival, which takes place from 5 to 18 November. It’s no secret that I’m a cinephile — and an unabashed fan of all things Japanese. Although I’ve shared film lists from other countries before (such as South Korea and France), I’ve never done one dedicated to Japanese…
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5 festivals in London in the autumn
A few years ago, I shared my ‘10 tips to beat those post-holiday blues’. These tips included watching a film and listening to music among others. They did not, however, include going to a festival, which I now realise was a big omission. I’m currently on holiday in Greece, but I will soon return to London, where I live. Although I’d much rather continue my holidays, there are some things I’m really looking forward to – they will certainly help bear those post-holiday blues. One of these things is going to festivals. Although the British capital is home to a plethora of various kinds of festivals, these 5 festivals in…
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6 places in Seoul for book lovers
Having previously read quite a few books by Korean authors, I recently visited South Korea. Although I spent most of my time in Seoul, I also visited Busan and Yeongju. As expected, over the next couple of months, I’m going to publish quite a few posts about my trip, with tips and recommendations. Today, I’m kicking off this stream of posts recommending places in Seoul for book lovers. Starfield Library The first place in Seoul for book lovers should be the very Instagrammable Starfield Library. It is located in Southern Seoul, inside the COEX Mall, one of the city’s premier malls and the world’s largest underground mall. The two-story library has 13-meter-tall bookshelves and is home to…
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6 books by 5 Korean female authors
I recently returned from a week-long trip to Seoul. Although I had previously been on what I like to call “a cinematic journey to South Korea,” this was my first time actually setting foot in the country. It’s been four years since Parasite, directed by Bong Joon-ho, made history at the Academy Awards, winning Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. It was the first South Korean film ever nominated in these major categories—and the first non-English language film to win Best Picture. Since then, I’ve watched many more South Korean films, listened to a range of Korean music (not just K-pop), and read six books by five Korean…
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A cinematic journey around the world
On Saturday 2nd September, hundreds of cinemas across the UK are coming together for National Cinema Day. Although I’m not currently in the UK, I would like to take this opportunity and embark on a cinematic journey around the world. I will discuss 10 films which have travelling at their core and take place in exotic countries that I would like to visit (either for the first time or visit again). I’m starting this cinematic journey around the world from Greece, the country where I was born and I’m currently in. Triangle of Sadness – Greece Triangle of Sadness is one of the most recent films in this list. It…
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20 European TV series to watch
It is not a secret that I enjoy watching European TV series; they offer an interesting insight into different cultures that are foreign to me. In fact, I recently published the post ‘Nordic Noir: 20 Scandinavian TV series to watch’, whereas last year I published the post ‘9 Italian TV series to watch‘. Today, I’m visiting a total of 10 European countries, including my home country. Without further ado, here are 20 European TV series I would recommend. 20 European TV series to watch (in alphabetical order) Capitani (Luxemburg) Capitani is a Luxembourgish crime drama, available on Netflix. There are currently two seasons, with twelve episodes each. In the first…
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Nordic Noir: 20 Scandinavian TV series to watch
The winner of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest was rightfully Sweden with the song “Tattoo”, performed by Loreen. Although Sweden won the jury vote and the overall competition, it actually came second in the public vote. Neighbouring Finland might have won the public vote, but came second overall (in my opinion, it should have come last). Sweden’s other neighbour, Norway, finished fifth, whereas Denmark and Iceland did not qualify for the final. Inspired by Eurovision, today I’m reflecting on the Scandinavian TV series (mostly crime dramas) I’ve recently watched (as well as some older ones). 20 Scandinavian TV series to watch I have previously written about Norwegian, Finnish and Icelandic TV series, but…
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Beyond K-pop: the culture of South Korea
The recent surge in the global popularity of South Korean culture is often referred to as the K-wave, Korean Wave, or Hallyu. It has been almost three years since Parasite, directed by Bong Joon-ho, won the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay—a historic moment that marked the first time a South Korean film had been nominated in these categories, as well as the first non-English-language film ever to win Best Picture. Since then, I have watched many more films from South Korea—a country I have yet to visit—and have found myself gradually swept up in the Korean Wave. Today, I’d like to reflect on some…