Category: 2025 Films
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่ถ FIRST IMPRESSIONS ่ถ REVIEW OF BOOKS & FILMS [ESSAY] “The Authority to Continue in Kiwi Chow’s Deadline” by Qinlei Wang Kiwi Chow (director). Deadline, 2025. 117 min. By the time a teacher proposes suspending the final examinations at Enshan…
![[ESSAY] “The Authority to Continue in Kiwi Chow’s ๐ท๐๐๐๐๐๐๐” by Qinlei Wang](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Kiwi-Chow-copy.jpg)
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่ถ FIRST IMPRESSIONS ่ถ REVIEW OF BOOKS & FILMS [FIRST IMPRESSIONS] “The Limits of Universality in Mary Stephen’s Palimpsest” by NLL Mary Stephen (director), Palimpsest: The Story of a Name, 2025. 108 min. I live in the middle of nowhere…
![[FIRST IMPRESSIONS] “The Limits of Universality in Mary Stephen’s ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ก” by NLL](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/THE-STORY-OF-A-NAME-Hong-Kong-film.png)
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่ถ FIRST IMPRESSIONS ่ถ REVIEW OF BOOKS & FILMS [REVIEW] โConan, A Barbarian: Inside Bulong, the Filipino Obsessionโ by William Carlo Antonio Sanchez โ Chito S. Roรฑo (director). Bulong, 2011. 105 min.โ Curry Barker (director). Obsession, 2025. 100 min. Curry…
![[REVIEW] โConan, A Barbarian: Inside ๐ต๐ข๐๐๐๐, the Filipino ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐โ by William Carlo Antonio Sanchez](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/bulong-2011-and-obsession-2025.png)
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่ถ FIRST IMPRESSIONS ่ถ REVIEW OF BOOKS & FILMS [FIRST IMPRESSIONS] “On Breathing Space: Sound, Memory, and the Quiet Weight of Francis Catedralโs My Third Home” by Nur Hasanah Francis Catedral (director), Rumah Ketigaku (My Third Home), 2025. 21 min.…
![[FIRST IMPRESSIONS] “On Breathing Space: Sound, Memory, and the Quiet Weight of Francis Catedralโs ๐๐ฆ ๐โ๐๐๐ ๐ป๐๐๐” by Nur Hasanah](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/rumahketigakuposterupdatedtitlev4.webp)
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่ถ FIRST IMPRESSIONS ่ถ REVIEW OF BOOKS & FILMS [FIRST IMPRESSIONS] “What One โNobodyโ Did: On Mr Nobody Against Putin” by Jennifer Eagleton David Borenstein and Pavel Talankin (directors), Mr Nobody Against Putin, 2025. 90 min. Mr Nobody Against Putin…
![[FIRST IMPRESSIONS] โWhat One โNobodyโ Did: On ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก ๐๐ข๐ก๐๐โ by Jennifer Eagleton](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/mr-nobody-against-putin.jpg)
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่ถ FIRST IMPRESSIONS ่ถ REVIEW OF BOOKS & FILMS [REVIEW] โContradictions Amidst a Nation Aborted in Jun Robles Lanaโs Sisaโ by Lorence Lozano Jun Robles Lana (director), Sisa, 2025. 115 min. After its world premiere last year at the 29th…
![[REVIEW] โContradictions Amidst a Nation Aborted in Jun Robles Lanaโs ๐๐๐ ๐โ by Lorence Lozano](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/sisa-directed-by-jun-lana.jpg)
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All entries on SUNDANCE 2026 [SUNDANCE 2026] โWounded Souls in Stephanie Ahn’s Bedford Parkโ by Nirris Nagendrarajah Stephanie Ahn (director), Bedford Park, 2025. 121 min. I did not like Celine Songโs Past Lives (2023), not for lack of desire to…
![[SUNDANCE 2026] “Wounded Souls in Stephanie Ahn’s ๐ต๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐” by Nirris Nagendrarajah](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/bedford-park.jpg)
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All entries on SUNDANCE 2026 [SUNDANCE 2026] โVisions of a Future Self: Kogonadaโs ziโ by Nirris Nagendrarajah Kogonada (director), zi, 2025. 199 min. In cinema, whenever I see a shot of the back of a characterโs head, I think of…
![[SUNDANCE 2026] โVisions of a Future Self: Kogonadaโs ๐ง๐โ by Nirris Nagendrarajah](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/zi-film-cha-nirris.png)
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่ถ FIRST IMPRESSIONS ่ถ REVIEW OF BOOKS & FILMS Editor’s note: In Hongwei Bao’s new essay, Pillion (2025), directed by Harry Lighton and adapted from Adam Mars-Jonesโs 2020 novella Box Hill, becomes a lens for exploring queer biker cinema, kink…
![[ESSAY] “Geared Up for Pillion” by Hongwei Bao](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/pillion-film-poster.jpg)
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่ถ FIRST IMPRESSIONS ่ถ REVIEW OF BOOKS & FILMS [FIRST IMPRESSIONS] โShining Through: The Loboc Childrenโs Choir in King Palisocโs Song of the Firefliesโ by Bryan Elijah Trajano King Palisoc (director), Song of the Fireflies, 2025. 110 min. Song of…
![[FIRST IMPRESSIONS] โShining Through: The Loboc Childrenโs Choir in King Palisocโs ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ by Bryan Elijah Trajanoย](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/https-icff.catitle-itemsong-of-the-fireflies.webp)
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TIFF 2025 โ 10. The Archivistโs Film: A Conversation on Kunsang Kyirongโs 100 Sunsetโ 9. She Was Screaming into Silence: A Conversation on Cai Shangjunโs The Sun Rises On Us Allโ 8. You Don’t Belong to Anyone: A Conversation on…
![[TIFF 2025] โThe Archivistโs Film: A Conversation on Kunsang Kyirongโs 100 ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐กโ by Nirris Nagendrarajah & Kunsang Kyirong](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/kunsang-kyirong-1.png)
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่ถ FIRST IMPRESSIONS ่ถ REVIEW OF BOOKS & FILMS [FIRST IMPRESSIONS] “Dreams Without Dreamers: Bi Ganโs Beautifully Perverse Resurrection” by Oliver Farry Bi Gan (director), Resurrection ็้ๆถไปฃ, 2025. 156 mins. Bi Ganโs third film is a splendid-looking enigma in the…
![[FIRST IMPRESSIONS] “Dreams Without Dreamers: Bi Ganโs Beautifully Perverse ๐
๐๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐” by Oliver Farry](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/resurrection.png)
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่ถ FIRST IMPRESSIONS ่ถ REVIEW OF BOOKS & FILMS [ESSAY] โThe Burden of Representation: Pillion and the BDSM Representation on Screenโ by Hongwei Bao Click HERE to read all entries in Cha on Pillion & Box Hill. Editor’s note: Hongwei Bao revisits the conversations prompted…
![[ESSAY] โThe Burden of Representation: ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ and the BDSM Representation on Screenโ by Hongwei Bao](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/pillion-film-review-2025-cha-an-asian-literary-journal-hongwei-bao.png)
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่ถ FIRST IMPRESSIONS ่ถ REVIEW OF BOOKS & FILMS [REVIEW] โConsequences of Cosmopolitan Dreams in Nawapol Thamrongrattanaritโs Human Resource” by Lorence Lozano Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit (director), Human Resource, 2025. Three years after his last film, Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit returns with a new…
![[REVIEW] โConsequences of Cosmopolitan Dreams in Nawapol Thamrongrattanaritโs ๐ป๐ข๐๐๐ ๐
๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐” by Lorence Lozano](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/nawapol-thamrongrattanarit-director-human-resource.png)
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่ถ FIRST IMPRESSIONS ่ถ REVIEW OF BOOKS & FILMS [REVIEW] โImpossible (Between) Girls: Lilly Huโs One Girl Infiniteโ by Hongwei Bao Lilly Hu (director), One Girl Infinite ไธๅฏ่ฝๅฅณๅญฉ, 2025. 102 min. The Chinese title of Lilly Huโs (also known in…
![[REVIEW] โImpossible (Between) Girls: Lilly Huโs ๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐ ๐ผ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐โ by Hongwei Bao](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/one-girl-infinite-e4b88de58fafe883bde5a5b3e5ada9-2025.jpeg)
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๐ RETURN TO FIRST IMPRESSIONS๐ RETURN TO CHA REVIEW OF BOOKS AND FILMS Jerrold Tarog (director), Quezon, 2025. 135 min. โAny man who tries to be good all the time is bound to come to ruin among the great number who are…
![[REVIEW] โTarogโs ๐๐ข๐๐ง๐๐: A Definition of Machiavellian Politicsโ by Gene Michael M. Atanacio](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/jerrold-tarog-director-quezon-2.png)
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่ถ FIRST IMPRESSIONS ่ถ REVIEW OF BOOKS & FILMS [REVIEW] โChris Martinezโs Kontrabida Academy and the Anatomy of a Filipino Teleseryeโ by Bryan Elijah Trajano Chris Martinez (director), Kontrabida Academy, 2025. 107 min. Teleserye (drama), whether on television or in…
![[REVIEW] โChris Martinezโs ๐พ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ and the Anatomy of a Filipino Teleseryeโ by Bryan Elijah Trajano](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/chris-martinez-director-kontrabida-academy-2025.-107-min.jpg)
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๐ RETURN TO FIRST IMPRESSIONS๐ RETURN TO CHA REVIEW OF BOOKS AND FILMS Click HERE to read all entries in Cha on Pillion & Box Hill. Editor’s note: We are delighted to present Hongwei Baoโs essayistic film review, which blends cultural history, theory, and critique through the…
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TIFF 2025 โ 10. The Archivistโs Film: A Conversation on Kunsang Kyirongโs 100 Sunsetโ 9. She Was Screaming into Silence: A Conversation on Cai Shangjunโs The Sun Rises On Us Allโ 8. You Don’t Belong to Anyone: A Conversation on…
![[TIFF 2025] โShe Was Screaming into Silence: A Conversation on Cai Shangjunโs ๐โ๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐
๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ด๐๐โ by Nirris Nagendrarajah, Cai Shangjun & Han Nianjin](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cai-shangjuns-the-sun-rises-on-us-all-2025.-131-min.jpg)
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๐ย RETURN TO FIRST IMPRESSIONS๐ย RETURN TO CHA REVIEW OF BOOKS AND FILMS Kevin Alambra (director), Warla, 2025. 111 min. I have just watched Warla. I cannot claim any lived experience concerning trans issues; however, I found myself uneasy with the bluntness…
![[REVIEW] โ๐๐๐๐๐: A Crime of Passionate Advocacy?โ by Matthew Ordonez](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/warla_kv.png)
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่ถ FIRST IMPRESSIONS ่ถ REVIEW OF BOOKS & FILMS [REVIEW] “The Fantasy of Wholeness through Body Horror in Hon Lai-chuโs Mending Bodies and Michael Shanksโs Togetherโ by Charlie Ng Clickย HERE to readย all entries inย Chaย onย Mending Bodies. โ Hon Lai Chu (author),…
![[REVIEW] “The Fantasy of Wholeness through Body Horror in Hon Lai-chuโs ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ต๐๐๐๐๐ and Michael Shanksโs ๐๐๐๐๐กโ๐๐โ by Charlie Ng](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/the-fantasy-of-wholeness-through-body-horror-in-hon-lai-chus-mending-bodies-and-michael-shankss-together.png)
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TIFF 2025 โ 10. The Archivistโs Film: A Conversation on Kunsang Kyirongโs 100 Sunsetโ 9. She Was Screaming into Silence: A Conversation on Cai Shangjunโs The Sun Rises On Us Allโ 8. You Don’t Belong to Anyone: A Conversation on…
![[TIFF 2025] โThe Need for Change: On Kei Ishikawaโs ๐ด ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ค ๐๐ ๐ป๐๐๐๐ โ by Nirris Nagendrarajah](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2a-pale-view-of-hills-e981a0e38184e5b1b1e381aae381bfe381aee58589-kei-ishikawa.jpg)
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TIFF 2025 โ 10. The Archivistโs Film: A Conversation on Kunsang Kyirongโs 100 Sunsetโ 9. She Was Screaming into Silence: A Conversation on Cai Shangjunโs The Sun Rises On Us Allโ 8. You Don’t Belong to Anyone: A Conversation on…
![[TIFF 2025] โThe Angel of Death: On Jafar Panahiโs ๐ผ๐ก ๐๐๐ ๐ฝ๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐ด๐ ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐๐๐กโ by Nirris Nagendrarajah](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/jafar-panahi-director-it-was-just-an-accident-1.jpg)
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TIFF 2025 โ 10. The Archivistโs Film: A Conversation on Kunsang Kyirongโs 100 Sunsetโ 9. She Was Screaming into Silence: A Conversation on Cai Shangjunโs The Sun Rises On Us Allโ 8. You Don’t Belong to Anyone: A Conversation on…
![[TIFF 2025] “Of Eros & Of Dust: On Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke’s ๐ด ๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐บโ๐๐ ๐ก” by Nirris Nagendrarajah](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/a-useful-ghost-film-poster--1.jpg)
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TIFF 2025 โ 10. The Archivistโs Film: A Conversation on Kunsang Kyirongโs 100 Sunsetโ 9. She Was Screaming into Silence: A Conversation on Cai Shangjunโs The Sun Rises On Us Allโ 8. You Don’t Belong to Anyone: A Conversation on…
![[TIFF 2025] โLight At The End of the Labyrinth: On Genki Kawamuraโs ๐ธ๐ฅ๐๐ก 8โ by Nirris Nagendrarajah](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/exit-8.jpg)
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TIFF 2025 โ 10. The Archivistโs Film: A Conversation on Kunsang Kyirongโs 100 Sunsetโ 9. She Was Screaming into Silence: A Conversation on Cai Shangjunโs The Sun Rises On Us Allโ 8. You Don’t Belong to Anyone: A Conversation on…
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่ถ FIRST IMPRESSIONS ่ถ REVIEW OF BOOKS & FILMS [FIRST IMPRESSIONS] โReliving the Filipino 90s Nostalgia in Marla Anchetaโs One Hit Wonderโ by Bryan Elijah Trajano Marla Ancheta (director), One Hit Wonder, 2025. 112 min. Before music was only a…
![[FIRST IMPRESSIONS] โReliving the Filipino 90s Nostalgia in Marla Anchetaโs ๐๐๐ ๐ป๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐๐โ by Bryan Elijah Trajano](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/marla-ancheta-director-one-hit-wonder.jpg)
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๐ RETURN TO FIRST IMPRESSIONS๐ RETURN TO CHA REVIEW OF BOOKS AND FILMS Sho Miyake (director), Two Seasons, Two Strangers (Tabi to Hibi), 2025. 89 min. A woman sits at her desk, a pencil poised above a blank page. She has been…
![[REVIEW] โWinter of The Soul: On Sho Miyakeโs ๐๐ค๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ , ๐๐ค๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ by Nirris Nagendrarajah](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/still2_two-seasons-two-strangers_locarno.jpg)
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Doua Moua and Nirris Nagendrarajah Editorโs note: In this interview, Nirris Nagendrarajah talks to screenwriter and actor Doua Moua; they discuss The Harvest, a tender exploration of a Hmong family navigating illness, identity, and intergenerational conflict. Inspired by his own experiences…
![[EXCLUSIVE] “Love Is Time: A Conversation on ๐โ๐ ๐ป๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐ก” by NIRRIS NAGENDRARAJAH and Doua Moua”](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/the-harvest_carley-soo.png)
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๐ RETURN TO FIRST IMPRESSIONS๐ RETURN TO CHA REVIEW OF BOOKS AND FILMS Mike Sakas (director), City of Shells: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs, 2025. 66 min. As Robin Wall Kimmerer reminds us, we cannot restore our relationships with nature without also engaging…
![[REVIEW] โRe-story-ation of the Hong Kong Oyster: ๐ถ๐๐ก๐ฆ ๐๐ ๐โ๐๐๐๐ โ by Tim Pit Hok Yau](https://chajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/mike-sakas-director-city-of-shells-2025.png)