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Official US Trailer for 'The Glassworker' Animated Movie from Pakistan
"Without art and music, what do we have in this world full of conflict and war?" Watermelon Pictures has unveiled an official US trailer for an animated movie called The Glassworker, which initially premiered at last year's Annecy Film Festival for Animation in France. It's created by an animation studio called Mano based in Pakistan, with a hand-drawn style reminiscent of Studio Ghibli's early films. All about the life of a young glassblower in training and his relationships over the years, as his land goes through war and strife. Young Vincent and his father, Tomas, run the finest glass workshop in the country but soon find their lives upended by an impending war in which they want no part. The arrival in their town of an army colonel and his young, talented violinist daughter, Alliz, shakes their reality & tests the relationship between father and son. Vincent falls in love with Alliz in a time when love doesn't seem to matter for their country... Featuring the voices of Art Malik, Sacha Dhawan, Anjli Mohindra, and Tony Jayawardene. They pretty much copy the Studio Ghibli style exactly and tell a different story inspired by the history of Pakistan. Take a look.
Stunning First Trailer for Mamoru Hosoda's 'Scarlet' Anime Adventure
"You're hurt. That's why I'm here." Sony Pictures has unveiled the first look teaser trailer for the next new animated adventure made by Mamoru Hosoda (of the films The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, Wolf Children, The Boy and the Beast, Mirai, Belle) titled Scarlet, arriving in theaters in December later this year. It's already set to premiere at the 2025 Venice Film Festival in one month from today - and open in Japanese theaters first this November. Hosoda's Scarlet follows the story of a brave princess who transcends time and space. Also known as Scarlet Without Limits or Endless Scarlet in Japan, is an isekai-adjacent tale about a princess named Scarlet, voiced by Mana Ashida (from Children of the Sea). After her father, the king, is murdered, she leaps across space & time to get revenge. But finds herself in the "Land of the Dead", where those who fail to fulfill quests for vengeance risk disappearing into nothingness. Along the way, she meets a modern-day Japanese man named Hijiri (voiced by Masaki Okada) who aids her in her perilous quest. Yep it looks like yet another magnificently epic adventure from Hosoda, featuring a distinct animation style – which reminds me of Nimona. You can translate the subs into English to watch the teaser.
First Look Teaser for Hulu's 'Tempest' Korean Conspiracy Thriller Series
"We will brave the tempest and head towards the north star." Hulu has revealed the first look teaser for a new conspiracy thriller series titled Tempest in the US, also known as The North Star in other countries (based on that opening quote that's also in the trailer), arriving for streaming in September. Set in Korea, Tempest follows Seo Munju, a former UN Ambassador whose life gets flipped on its head when her husband, a presidential candidate, is assassinated in front of her. To discover the truth behind the attack, Munju takes up her husband's role, becoming the party's presidential candidate. With her life now constantly in danger, Sanho, a mysterious mercenary, will step up to keep her safe as her bodyguard. However, with little known about him, can Munju really trust him? Featuring "one of the most impressive international line-ups in a Korean drama to date." Check out this cast! Tempest stars Gianna Jun, Gang Dongwon, John Cho, Lee Misook, Park Haejoon, Christopher Gorham, Michael Gaston, and Spencer Garrett. The series is also written by the same writer of the script for Park Chan-wook's Decision to Leave (one of my faves). This is such a slick teaser - just enough in it to make me interested and curious but without giving away anything.
The Dardennes' 'Young Mothers' Trailer About Five Mothers in Belgium
"I just want a better life." Curzon Film has debuted an official trailer for the upcoming release of the Belgian film Young Mothers, also known as The Young Mother's Home in English, which is the next feature film from the acclaimed Belgian duo known as The Dardennes. This is Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardennes' 13th feature film so far, and it also premiered at the Cannes Film Festival like so many other films they've made before (Rosetta, L'Enfant, Lorna's Silence, The Kid with a Bike). The film already debuted in France back in May just after Cannes, and will be released in UK cinemas soon (though no US date set yet). Five mothers living in a shelter strive for a better future for themselves & their kids amidst challenging upbringings. Starring Babette Verbeek, Elsa Houben, Janaïna Halloy Fokan, Lucie Laruelle, & Samia Hilmi as the moms. Housed in a shelter for young mothers, Jessica, Perla, Julie, Naïma and Ariane, all of whom have grown up in difficult circumstances, struggle to obtain a better life for themselves and their children. Another Belgian social drama from the Dardennes - this one about moms and how tough it is out there now.
New 4K Restoration Trailer for 'Linda Linda Linda' Japanese Cult Fave
"Time passes. Gentler than anything. Warmer than anything." GKids has revealed a new official trailer for the upcoming re-release of the Japanese rock girls cult classic Linda Linda Linda, originally from 2005, fully remastered and ready for re-release in 4K. It's celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025! Directed by Nobuhiro Yamashita, the cult favorite rock band film, starring Bae Doona, Aki Maeda, Yu Kashii, and Shiori Sekine (of the hit band Base Ball Bear), will be released in in theaters again this fall. First released in Japan in 2005, the film has been acknowledged by many as one of the greatest Japanese film works of the 21st century. The soundtrack features many original instrumental tracks composed by James Iha of The Smashing Pumpkins, various covers from the hit band Blue Hearts, as well as songs from actress Shiori Sekine’s own band Base Ball Bear. The debut of the viral band The Linda Lindas sparked new attention to the classic film, having taken their name as direct inspiration from the film. This rocks so much! Go see it in theaters! Don't miss this opportunity to rock out with the Linda Linda Linda band in theaters again soon. 🤘
› Posted July 30 in Foreign Films, To Watch, Trailer | Comments
Full US Trailer for 'Happyend' Film - Japanese Teens vs Surveillance
"Our generation is hopeless.... What are you laughing about?" Film Movement has debuted the official US trailer for an indie film from Japan titled Happyend, made by filmmaker Neo Sora as his first narrative feature. This premiered at the 2024 Venice Film Festival last year, and we posted an early teaser before its debut at NYFF as well. Ready for release in theaters this fall - one year after its premiere. Set in near-future Tokyo, the threat of a catastrophic earthquake looms. Two friends prank their principal before graduation, leading to dystopian school surveillance installation, which eventually leads to a rift between the two high school teenagers. Happyend "amplifies the sociopolitical dynamics already present in Japan today" with a sharp cinematic story about a group of friends. Another fascinating surveillance thriller, with commentary on contemporary society, similar to Stranger Eyes. The cast features Hayato Kurihara, Yukito Hidaka, Yuta Hayashi, Shina Peng, ARAZI, Kilala Inori, PUSHIM, & Makiko Watanabe. The film focuses mainly on these two friends dealing with their new surveillance world that's taking over their entire lives. I'm a fan of this one. I listed it as one of the Best of the Fest at Venice last year – smart, clever, & intriguing.
New Trailer for Jean-Jacques Beineix's 'Diva' Thriller 4K Restoration
"A piece of divine madness." Rialto Pictures & Studiocanal have unveiled the new official restoration trailer for the stylish thriller Diva from 1981, which is getting a 4K re-release this year. Diva is the influential 1982 Neo-Noir thriller by the late director Jean-Jacques Beineix – an "arthouse sensation, playing for over a year in some cinemas, nabbing four French Césars (including Best First Film, Best Music, Best Sound, and Philippe Rousselot's cinematography), and launched the cinema du look, an explosion of visually stunning, punk-inspired, super-cool French movies in the early '80s, soon followed by the films of Luc Besson & Leos Carax." Two tapes, two Parisian mob killers, one corrupt policeman, an opera fan, a teenage thief, and the coolest philosopher ever filmed all twist their way through an intricate and stylish French-language thriller. Starring opera singer Wilhelmenia Fernandez, Richard Bohringer, and Frédéric Andréi. This 4K restoration of Diva was produced from the original 35mm negative & sound negative. Then scanned in 4K by TransPerfect Media & finalized by Studiocanal. This is lookin' better than ever! Definitely worth a watch.
› Posted July 30 in Foreign Films, To Watch, Trailer | Comments
Charming US Trailer for 'My Sunshine' Japanese Coming-of-Age Film
"You want to impress Sakura... don't you?" Film Movement has debuted the official US trailer for a lovely little Japanese indie film titled My Sunshine, made by filmmaker Hiroshi Okuyama. This first premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival last year and already opened in Japan last year, with stops at many other festivals as well. Set over the course of one winter on the quiet island of Hokkaido in Japan. Described as a "heartwarming coming of age drama buoyed by its picturesque cinematography and beautiful score." Two young skaters, polar opposites in personality, are teamed up by their coach to train as a figure skating duo. Their growing bond begins to blur the lines between partners and more as winter unfolds. Starring Sosuke Ikematsu, Keitatsu Koshiyama, and Kiara Nakanishi. The charming film got mostly solid reviews at the festivals. "Guided by the beauty of the landscape and the nostalgia of childhood, Okuyama constructs a quiet narrative buoyed by an understated charm." This is a nice trailer introducing the kids and their coach.
New Making Of Featurettes for 'Dracula: A Love Tale' from Luc Besson
"Caleb put everything – the costume, the make-up, everything – before the shooting." EuropaCorp debuted a behind-the-scenes featurette for the new movie Dracula: A Love Tale, the new Dracula creation from French filmmaker Luc Besson. The movie opens in theaters in France this week – which is why this video is out now to promote the initial opening there. Though there's still no US release date set yet. Written in the 1890s, the old Dracula book follows a nobleman who loses his wife and in his grief and cursing of God is transformed into a vampire. While the original Bram Stoker story leaves on the doomed ship the Demeter, Besson's take will focus on the beginning of Dracula’s life and his relationship with his wife. Caleb Landry Jones (who was also in Besson's DogMan) stars as Prince Vladimir. When his wife is killed, a 15th century prince renounces God and becomes a vampire. Centuries later in 19th century London, Vlad sees a woman resembling his late wife and pursues her, sealing his own fate. Also starring Zoë Bleu Sidel, Christoph Waltz, Matilda de Angelis, and Guillaume de Tonquédec. This featurette is in English because the film is also in English, despite being made mainly for French audiences. This making of promo talks about Caleb getting into character, figuring out the deep voice, and truly "becoming" Dracula on set and off set. 🩸
› Posted July 29 in Featurette, Foreign Films, To Watch, Trailer | Comments
First Trailer for Hong Kong Remake of Linklater's 'Tape' with 3 Friends
"So tell me again what happened?" "I was trying to do the right thing." Phoenix Waters Productions and Showalker UK have debuted an official trailer for the Hong Kong re-imagining of the Linklater film Tape, set for a UK release in cinemas this August. This film premiered last year and recently screened at the 2025 Raindance Film Festival last month. When three former classmates reunite after 15 years, a buried secret resurfaces forcing them to confront the past, each other, and the silence around accountability. Directed by Bizhan Tong, co-written with original playwright Stephen Belber, the film features gripping performances from Selena Lee, Kenny Kwan, and Adam Pak, exploring power, accountability, and the painful echoes of unresolved trauma. It's a remake of the 2001 film also titled Tape directed by Richard Linklater, which originally premiered at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. This new HK remake is also executive produced by Linklater. Sadly there's no US release date set yet, as this is only the UK trailer for its release there soon. Hopefully it'll hit theaters in the US by the end of this year. Looks like a smart new take on this Tape script.
› Posted July 23 in Foreign Films, To Watch, Trailer | Comments
Another New Trailer for Anno & Higuchi's 'Shin Godzilla' in 4K Release
"It can be killed." "I sure hope so." GKids Films has revealed another official trailer for the 4K remastered re-release of the other Japanese Gojira movie known as Shin Godzilla. It originally hit theaters in 2016, opening in Japan and US the same year, also under the original title Godzilla: Resurgence. It was the first big Japanese reboot of Godzilla in many years, and it was handed to iconic filmmakers Hideaki Anno & Shinji Higuchi (who later went on to direct Shin Ultraman & Bullet Train Explosion) to re-imagine. So they gave us this strange, new, gilled lizard creature instead of the typical Gojira kaiju – it wasn't exactly a big hit in the US. After the immense success of Godzilla Minus One, GKids got their hands on a new 4K remaster and will give it another shot. With a re-release in US theaters this August. "Something has surfaced in Tokyo Bay..." As the Prime Minister pleads with the public to remain calm, a horrific creature of tremendous size makes landfall in the city, leaving death and destruction in its wake. Then it evolves. Hiroki Hasegawa, Yutaka Takenouchi, & Satomi Ishihara star. I'm not exactly the biggest fan of this - I much prefer the recent Godzilla Minus One which has much more intense action. But this 4K update looks better than ever.
82nd Venice Film Festival Selection - Baumbach, Bigelow, Lanthimos
The Venice Film Festival, known officially in Italian as Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica della Biennale di Venezia, has officially announced its selection of films playing at the historic film festival in 2025. Celebrating their 82nd year (the oldest fest in the world), Venezia is ready to rock us featuring an exciting line-up with a boatload of great films. Venice 2025 runs from August 27th to September 6th in just a few months. The highlights: Luca Guadagnino's After the Hunt, Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein, Kathryn Bigelow's A House of Dynamite, Yorgos Lanthimos' Bugonia (I remember how Poor Things rocked us all!), Park Chan-wook's No Other Choice, Benny Safdie's The Smashing Machine, Werner Herzog's Ghost Elephants, Julian Schnabel's In the Hand of Dante, Noah Baumbach's Jay Kelly with George Clooney. And, of course, many of other movies to discover when they premiere on the Lido in Venice in a few months. I'll be there again as always for this fall festival to watch and report back on the new films. I'm already looking forward to diving into screenings all day, every day, to find the best of the best. Full Venice 2025 list below.
› Posted July 22 in Foreign Films, Indies, Movie News, Venice 25 | Comments
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