Asian Cinema Thread

Half A Loaf of Kung Fu (一招半式闖江湖) from director Chen Chi-hwa, released in 1978, has been acquired by 88 Films for their Jackie Chan line-up.

The film was announced during 88 Film's Jackie Chan trailer.


Jackie Chan 88 Asia collection thus far:
No.Localised NameOriginalAudioDirectorYearReleased
1​
Dragon Fist龍拳Cantonese
Mandarin
English
Lo Wei
1979​
10th Dec 2018
2​
To Kill with Intrigue劍花煙雨江南Cantonese
Mandarin
English
Lo Wei
1977​
10th Dec 2018
3​
Battle Creek Brawl殺手壕Cantonese
Mandarin
English
Robert Clouse
1980​
28th Jan 2019
4​
Snake and Crane Arts of Shaolin蛇鶴八步Cantonese
Mandarin
English
Chen Chi-Hwa
1978​
18th Feb 2019
5​
Crime Story重案組Cantonese
English
Kirk Wong
1993​
28th Oct 2019
6​
The Protector威龍猛探Cantonese
English
James Glickenhaus
1985​
25th Nov 2019
7​
Miracles: The Canton Godfather奇蹟Cantonese
English
Jackie Chan
1989​
9th Dec 2019
8​
Dragons Forever飛龍猛將Cantonese
English
Sammo Hung
Corey Yuen
1988​
16th Mar 2020
9​
Heart of Dragon龍的心Cantonese
English
Sammo Hung
1985​
20th April 2020
10​
Armour of God II: Operation Condor飛鷹計劃Cantonese
English
Jackie Chan
1991​
15th June 2020
11​
Dragon Lord龍少爺Cantonese
English
Jackie Chan
1982​
10th Aug 2020
12​
The Fearless Hyena笑拳怪招Cantonese
English
Jackie Chan
1979​
10th Aug 2020
13​
Spiritual Kung Fu拳精Cantonese
Mandarin
English
Lo Wei
1978​
26th Oct 2020
14​
Shaolin Wooden Men少林木人巷Cantonese
Mandarin
English
Chen Chi-Hwa
1976​
9th Nov 2020
15​
New Fist of Fury新精武門Cantonese
Mandarin
English
Lo Wei
1976​
30th Nov 2020
16​
The Young Master師弟出馬Cantonese
English
Jackie Chan
1980​
22nd Feb 2021
17​
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow蛇形刁手Cantonese
Mandarin
English
Yuen Woo-ping
1978​
29th Mar 2021
??Armour of God龍兄虎弟Audio TBCJackie Chan
Eric Tsang
1986​
TBC 2021
??Half A Loaf of Kung Fu一招半式闖江湖Audio TBCChen Chi-Hwa
1978​
TBC 2021
 
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Arrow Video has rescued Battle Royale II: Requiem and will also be releasing Battle Royale on 4K Ultra HD this April.

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4K ULTRA HD / BLU-RAY CONTENTS:
  • Brand new 4K restoration of the Original Theatrical Version and Special Edition Directors Cut of Battle Royale from the original camera negative by Arrow Films, approved by Kenta Fukasaku
  • 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation of both versions of Battle Royale in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) [UHD set only]
  • High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of both versions of Battle Royale [BD set only]
  • High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the Battle Royale II: Requiem theatrical cut and the Battle Royale II: Revenge extended cut
  • Original 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 stereo audio
  • Optional English subtitles
4K ULTRA HD LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE CONTENTS:
  • Original soundtrack CD for Battle Royale
  • Kinji Fukasaku: Man of Rage, an exclusive 120-page monograph on the director by Japanese cinema expert Tom Mes
  • Illustrated collectors booklet featuring new essays by Matt Alt and Anne Billson and archival articles
  • Exclusive Battle Royale collectors Trump Card set
  • Reversible poster with new artwork
DISC ONE BATTLE ROYALE: ORIGINAL THEATRICAL VERSION (4K UHD BLU-RAY)
  • Brand new audio commentary by critics Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp
  • Battle Royale at 20: Back to School, an exclusive new 42-minute documentary about the legacy of Battle Royale
  • And much more!
DISC TWO BATTLE ROYALE: SPECIAL EDITION DIRECTORS CUT (4K UHD BLU-RAY)
  • Shooting the Special Edition, on-location featurette with footage of the cast and crew reuniting for the shoot of the Special Edition
  • And much more!
DISC THREE BATTLE ROYALE II: REQUIEM (BLU-RAY)
  • Bloody Graduation: Kenta Fukasaku on Battle Royale II, an exclusive brand new interview with the director and screenwriter of Battle Royale II
  • Behind the Scenes of Battle Royale II, on-location featurette during the films shoot
  • Rehearsals footage of the auditions and pre-production rehearsals
  • And much more!
DISC FOUR BATTLE ROYALE II: REVENGE (BLU-RAY)
  • A Tribute to Kinji Fukasaku, featuring scenes of Kinji Fukasaku on the location of Battle Royale II
  • Kinji Fukasaku's 73rd Birthday: A Speech by Kenta Fukasaku, paying public tribute to his father
DISC FIVE BATTLE ROYALE (SOUNDTRACK CD)
  • CD featuring the complete score to Battle Royale by Masamichi Amano and the Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra
 
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Quite a beefy boxset, I own the older release which came with a comic book (If I remember right) though may be tempted to double-dip on this.
 
Think I'll hold out for a separate BR 2 release. Hopefully steelbook flavoured as the BR 1 steelbook is easily one of my favourites!
This looks great though and with it being UK only I can see the importers snapping it up.
 
Quite a beefy boxset, I own the older release which came with a comic book (If I remember right) though may be tempted to double-dip on this.
The older releases I own are these, the 2011 Arrowdrome DVD which is the theatrical cut and also comes with a booklet, and the 2012 Arrow Blu-ray which has both cuts, a bonus DVD features disc and a booklet. Battle Royale is my first Japanese film and thus is special to me personally, so I may take the rare approach of wanting to acquire this 4K LE if I can.

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I almost ended up purchasing that edition but lucked out with finding this version for fairly cheap. I can see it selling out so am tempted to get a pre-order in on HMV for now.
 
Third Window Films has announced the release date for their Pink Films Vol. 5 & 6 collection - 29th March 2021.

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This collection includes Women Hell Song, 1970 film from director Mamoru Watanabe and was one of the five that were restored a while back by Rapid Eye Movies (the other four were included in Pink Films Vol. 1 & 2 and 3 & 4 released last year). The other film included is Underwater Love, 2011 film from director Shinji Imaoka which returns to the UK on Blu-ray after Third Window Films released the DVD back in 2011, it is the latest film to be given a format upgrade since Fish Story last year. You can see the original DVD artwork below (NSFW).

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Caught between wanting to support 4K restorations / UHD releases of Japanese cinema and thinking Battle Royale is a not-at-all-good film that ended Fukasaku's career on a bum note...I treasure the other films of his that Arrow have released. Hopefully they get around to Sympathy for the Underdog, Under the Flag of the Rising Sun, and Black Lizard.
 
Heads up, Third Window Films has provided a new update on which titles are now going out of print.

Here's the status of their whole line-up so far:
CodeStatusBD?Film Name
TWF001Discontinued
No​
No Blood, No Tears
TWF002Discontinued
No​
Green Fish
TWF003Discontinued
No​
Say Yes
TWF004Discontinued
No​
Wild Card
TWF005Discontinued
No​
Guns and Talks
TWF006Discontinued
No​
PTU
TWF007Discontinued
No​
Teenage Hooker Became a Killing Machine
TWF008Discontinued
No​
Friend
TWF009Discontinued
Yes
Memories of Matsuko
TWF010Discontinued
Yes
Kamikaze Girls
TWF011Discontinued
No​
The President's Last Bang
TWF012Discontinued
No​
Turtles Are Surprisingly Fast Swimmers
TWF013In Print
No​
Fine, Totally Fine
TWF014Discontinued
No​
Funuke, Show Me Some Love, You Losers!
TWF015Discontinued
No​
Kick the Moon
TWF016Discontinued
No​
Dasepo Naughty Girls
TWF017Discontinued
No​
Oasis
TWF018Discontinued
No​
No. 3
TWF019In Print
Yes
Love Exposure
TWF020Discontinued
No​
Lala Pipo: A Lot of People
TWF021Discontinued
Yes
[Re-release] Kamikaze Girls
TWF022Discontinued
No​
Peppermint Candy
TWF023Discontinued
No​
Instant Swamp
TWF024In Print
No​
Kakera: A Piece of Our Life
TWF025In Print
Yes
Fish Story
TWF026Discontinued
No​
Confessions of a Dog
TWF027Discontinued
Yes
Confessions
TWF028In Print
Yes
Cold Fish
TWF029Discontinued
No​
Sawako Decides
TWF030In Print
No​
Quirky Guys and Gals: Cheer Girls / Boy? Meets Girl / Claim Night / The House Full of Abandoned Businessmen
TWF031Discontinued
Yes
Underwater Love
TWF032Discontinued
No​
Villain
TWF033Discontinued
No​
Adrift in Tokyo
TWF034Discontinued
No​
Miki Satoshi Collection: Turtles Are Surprisingly Fast Swimmers / Adrift in Tokyo / Instant Swamp
TWF035Discontinued
No​
Crime Or Punishment?!?
TWF036Discontinued
No​
Mitsuko Delivers
TWF037
-------​
--​
-------
TWF038Discontinued
Yes
Himizu
TWF039In Print
Yes
Kotoko
TWF040In Print
Yes
Tetsuo: The Iron Man / Tetsuo II: Body Hammer
TWF041In Print
No​
Isn't Anyone Alive?
TWF042Discontinued
No​
The Foreign Duck, the Native Duck and God in a Coin Locker
TWF043Discontinued
Yes
The Woodsman and the Rain
TWF044Discontinued
Yes
Vulgaria
TWF045Discontinued
Yes
For Love's Sake
TWF046In Print
Yes
The Land of Hope
TWF047In Print
No​
Serpent's Path / Eyes of the Spider
TWF048In Print
No​
See You Tomorrow, Everyone
TWF049In Print
Yes
Tokyo Fist
TWF050In Print
Yes
Bullet Ballet
TWF051In Print
No​
How to Use Guys With Secret Tips
TWF052In Print
No​
Boomerang Family
TWF053In Print
No​
Shady
TWF054Discontinued
Yes
The Story of Yonosuke
TWF055In Print
No​
Bleak Night
TWF056Discontinued
Yes
Pluto
TWF057In Print
No​
Behind the Camera
TWF058In Print
No​
Sake-bomb
TWF059Discontinued
Yes
Lesson of Evil
TWF060Discontinued
Yes
New Directors from Japan: And the Mud Ship Sails Away / The Lust of Angels / My Baby / Buy Bling, Get One Free
TWF061In Print
Yes
Greatful Dead
TWF062Discontinued
Yes
Han Gong-ju
TWF063In Print
No​
Fukuchan of Fukufuku Flats
TWF064In Print
No​
Be My Baby
TWF065In Print
No​
Makeup Room
TWF066In Print
Yes
Uzumasa Limelight
TWF067In Print
Yes
Love and Peace
TWF068In Print
Yes
Destruction Babies
TWF069In Print
Yes
Animerama: A Thousand And One Nights & Cleopatra
TWF070In Print
Yes
One Cut of the Dead

27 of 70 DVD titles mentioned above are available (or were available) on Blu-ray. One of the titles above (New Director's From Japan) is a DVD-sized Blu-ray/DVD combo pack.
CodeStatusFilm Name
TWFBD001DiscontinuedKamikaze Girls
TWFBD002DiscontinuedMemories of Matsuko
TWFBD003DiscontinuedConfessions
TWFBD004In PrintCold Fish
TWFBD005DiscontinuedHimizu
TWFBD006In PrintLove Exposure
TWFBD007In PrintKotoko
TWFBD008DiscontinuedTetsuo: The Iron Man / Tetsuo II: Body Hammer
TWFBD009DiscontinuedThe Woodsman and the Rain
TWFBD010DiscontinuedVulgaria
TWFBD011DiscontinuedFor Love's Sake
TWFBD012In PrintThe Land of Hope
TWFBD013In PrintTokyo Fist
TWFBD014In PrintBullet Ballet
TWFBD015DiscontinuedThe Story of Yonosuke
TWFBD016DiscontinuedPluto
TWFBD017DiscontinuedLesson of Evil
TWFBD018In PrintGreatful Dead
TWFBD019DiscontinuedHan Gong-ju
TWFBD020In PrintA Snake of June
TWFBD021Almost GoneRuined Heart: Another Lovestory Between a Criminal and a Whore
TWFBD022In PrintHana-bi
TWFBD023In PrintKikujiro
TWFBD024In PrintDolls
TWFBD025In PrintUzumasa Limelight
TWFBD026In PrintLove & Peace
TWFBD027In PrintA Scene at the Sea
TWFBD028In PrintKids Return
TWFBD029In PrintLowlife Love
TWFBD030Almost GoneToshiaki Toyoda: The Early Years: Pornostar / Unchain / 9 Souls
TWFBD031In PrintDestruction Babies
TWFBD032In PrintFires on the Plain
TWFBD033In PrintGetting Any?
TWFBD034CancelledKen and Kazu
TWFBD035In PrintLove and Other Cults
TWFBD036In PrintThe Whispering Star / The Sion Sono
TWFBD037In PrintAntiporno
TWFBD038In PrintAnimerama: A Thousand And One Nights & Cleopatra
TWFBD039In PrintSuffering of Ninko
TWFBD040In Print[Re-release]: Tetsuo: The Iron Man / Tetsuo II: Body Hammer
TWFBD041In PrintDangan Runner
TWFBD042DiscontinuedOne Cut of the Dead
TWFBD043In Print[Re-release]: One Cut of the Dead
TWFBD044In PrintTop Knot Detective
TWFBD045In PrintBlue Spring
TWFBD046In PrintThe Legend of the Stardust Brothers
TWFBD047DiscontinuedPink Films Vol. 1 & 2: Inflatable Sex Doll of the Wastelands / Gushing Prayer
TWFBD048In PrintTsukamoto: Killing / Haze / Denchukozo
TWFBD049Almost GonePink Films Vol. 3 & 4: Abnormal Family / Blue Film Woman
TWFBD050In PrintHanagatami
TWFBD051In PrintFish Story
TWFBD052In PrintMelancholic
TWFBD053In PrintThe Taste of Tea
TWFBD054In PrintGemini
TWFBD055In PrintThe Weird and Wonderful World of Ujicha: Violence Voyager / Burning Buddha Man
TWFBD056Coming SoonPink Films Vol. 5 & 6: Women Hell Song / Underwater Love
 
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Not exactly confirmation of a new license, but Third Window promoted a new arthouse Japanese film that is now available to rent on Vimeo.


戦慄せしめよ | Shiver is non-dialogue and is presented as a music and visual experience from director Toshiaki Toyoda (Blue Spring, 9 Souls).
 
Apparently there's going to be Japanese remake of classic Canadian horror film cube. Doesn't look bad based on the short teaser.


Nice! I’ll probably check this out. Not the biggest fan of horror themes. However, I do remember not knowing anything of Cube and randomly watching it one night on Sky many, many, years ago. It has stuck with me since, haha!

The intrigue of the wider world and mystery of the situation is part of the appeal. I never watched the sequel/prequels though.

Perhaps if this turns into a successful Japanese franchise, they could create a more cohesive narrative around it than the originals.
 
So it seems for us non-UK citizen wanting to order directly from UK shops has big disadvantages as both 88 Films and Eureka just charge you the UK VAT even if you're not an UK citizen 😣🤯

To ask for some information I've asked both of them about it, and so far I got a prompt reply from 88 Films which is in no satisfying. So basically they're hiding behind the fact that they are a small company (Calimero complex), but they even Anime-on-Line and Anime Ltd. do it correctly so why not 88 Films. I wonder what Eureka has as an excuse.

Below the reply I got back from 88 Films

-------------------

Thank you for getting in touch. We know the current tax situation is frustrating but sadly as a small company selling relatively low value items we are not in a situation to subsidise it. We are looking at all possible options for our overseas customers but right now this is the situation. We do sell our products through Zavvi who are able to offer EU distribution and subsidise those that do come from the UK so you could look at the availability of our films through them. I’m sorry I can’t do more today but there may well be announcements in the future so do keep an eye on our newsletter and social media pages.


Kind regards
Customer Services
88 Films Ltd.
 
Yeah it sounds unfortunate, but on the plus side Arrow has confirmed the VAT is removed for EU users so those of you who live in the EU can still get Arrow and Third Window Films titles without having to pay the previous amount.
 
The latest release schedule for Asian Cinema in the UK.

February 2021:

Date:Name:Director / Year:Format:Dist. / Audio:
22ndGamera: The Heisei Era Trilogy:
Gamera: Guardian of the Universe
Gamera 2: Attack of Legion
Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris
Shusuke Kaneko
1995-1999
Blu-ray
steelbook
Arrow Video
Japanese audio
with English dub
with English subtitles
22ndShogun’s Joy of TortureTeruo Ishii
1968
Blu-rayArrow Video
Japanese audio
with English subtitles
22ndThe Young MasterJackie Chan
1980
Blu-ray
limited edition
88 Films
Cantonese audio
with English dub
with English subtitles

March 2021:

Date:Name:Director / Year:Format:Dist. / Audio:
8thKagemushaAkira Kurosawa
1980
Blu-rayCriterion
Japanese audio
with English subtitles
15thThe Invisible Man Appears
The Invisible Man vs. The Human Fly
Nobuo Adachi
1949

Mitsuo Murayama
1957
Blu-rayArrow Video
Japanese audio
with English subtitles
22ndThe Lucky Stars Collection:
Winners and Sinners
My Lucky Stars
Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars
Sammo Hung
1983-1985
Blu-ray
first print edition
Eureka Classics
Cantonese audio
with English dub
with English subtitles
29thPink Films Vol. 5 & 6:
Women Hell Song
Underwater Love
Watanabe Mamoru
1969

Shinji Imaoka
2011
Blu-rayThird Window Films
Japanese audio
with English subtitles
29thSnake in the Eagle’s ShadowYuen Woo-ping
1978
Blu-ray
first print edition
88 Films
Cantonese audio
with English dub
with English subtitles

April 2021:

Date:Name:Director / Year:Format:Dist. / Audio:
12thMeatball MachineYudai Yamaguchi
Junichi Yamamoto
2005
Blu-ray
first print edition
Terracotta
Japanese audio
with English subtitles
26thBattle Royale
Battle Royale II: Requiem
Kinji Fukasaku
2000

Kenta Fukasaku
2003
4K Ultra HD (BR)
Blu-ray (BRII:R)
limited edition
Arrow Video
Japanese audio
with English subtitles
26thBattle Royale
Battle Royale II: Requiem
Kinji Fukasaku
2000

Kenta Fukasaku
2003
Blu-ray
limited edition
Arrow Video
Japanese audio
with English subtitles

May 2021:

Date:Name:Director / Year:Format:Dist. / Audio:
TBDWorld of Wong Kar Wai:
As Tears Go By
Days of Being Wild
Chungking Express
Fallen Angels
Happy Together
In the Mood for Love

2046
Wong Kar Wai
1988-2004
Blu-rayCriterion
Cantonese audio
with English subtitles

Coming Soon, Licensed & Not Yet Scheduled:

Name:Director / Year:Format:Dist. / Audio:
Armour of GodJackie Chan
Eric Tsang
1986
Blu-ray
first print edition
88 Films
Cantonese audio
with English subtitles
Half a Loaf of Kung FuChen Chi-hwa
1978
Blu-ray
first print edition
88 Films
Mandarin audio
with English subtitles
Tezuka’s BarbaraMacoto Tezka
2019
Blu-rayThird Window Films
Japanese audio
with English subtitles
 
Yeah it sounds unfortunate, but on the plus side Arrow has confirmed the VAT is removed for EU users so those of you who live in the EU can still get Arrow and Third Window Films titles without having to pay the previous amount.
Haven‘t used them yet this year, but great to see Arrow at least does it correctly.

In fact base.com does also remove the VAT for EU customers, so that’s another option.

But don‘t get me started on Zavvi, who have a so-called EU hub (they probably don‘t even know where it’s located) so they charge their EU customers UK VAT but still packages arrive with a yellow sticker on the package. In my book that’s pure scamming of customers.

Text on that sticker is

Community goods consigned to or from a part of the customs territory of the Community where the provisions of Council Directive 77/388/EEC do not apply.
 
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