Life Goes On: Akihiko Shiota's Harmful Insect and Farewell Song
For the lost youth in Akihiko Shiota’s Harmful Insect (1999) and Farewell Song (2019) there is no escaping from life's unpredictable course.
Journalism
Selected Works
All Features and Reviews
Explore a my writing across the film and entertainment sector work below.
Japan Cuts 2023 Review: Amiko
Japanese filmmaker Yusuke Morii shows immense promise with their gorgeous debuting coming-of-age feature Amiko.
Making Seats at the Table: An Interview with Kerry Warkia
Brooke Heinz speaks to producer Kerry Warkia about the importance of representation and collective creativity, as exemplified by the film Kaīnga and its predecessors Waru and Vai.
Out With the Old: Plan 75, Incredible but True and the Fear of Ageing on Screen
Brooke Heinz explores two MIFF 70 sci-fi films’ distinctly executed yet converging warnings against resisting the course of nature.
SFF 2022 Review: Singing in the Wilderness
Dongnan Chen's documentary Singing in the Wilderness reveals the cultural crisis facing a Miao community and their world famous choir.
Life Goes On: Akihiko Shiota's Harmful Insect and Farewell Song
For the lost youth in Akihiko Shiota’s Harmful Insect (1999) and Farewell Song (2019) there is no escaping from life's unpredictable course.
Video Essay | The Eyes of Hong Kyung-Pyo
Role: Co-writer
Dreamscapes 2021 Review: Day of Destruction & Wolf's Calling
As part of Toshiaki Toyoda's Wolf Mountain trilogy, we look at his short film Wolf's Calling and feature length picture, Day of Destruction.
Review: Soak
Tracing the reunion of a high schooler and her estranged mother over one night, Hannah Bang’s taut short seeps under the skin with its ambiguous approach to narrative and moral responsibility.
Emotions Exposed: The Films of Hikari Mitsushima
Hikari Mitsushima's versatility has made her one of Japan's most interesting actors to watch, We look at her best screen performances so far.
Review: I’m Fine (Thanks for Asking)
Unafraid to wear its influences and commentary on its sleeve, Kelley Kali and Angelique Molina’s film is more than fine in its uplifting tale of homelessness in COVID times (yes, really).
A League of Her Own: The Films of Lee Joo-Young
From A Quiet Dream and Jane to her newest films Maggie and Baseball Girl, we look at the film career of rising star Lee Joo-Young.
MIFF 2020 Review: Hong Kong Moments
Zhou Bing covers the ongoing Hong Kong protests that began in 2019 from multiple angles in new documentary, Hong Kong Moments.
Melbourne International Film Festival 2020 Shorts Round-Up: International
In this year’s heavy-hitting International Shorts line-up, three women-centric films stand out, exploring separate facets of female isolation.
Taiwan Film Festival 2020 Review: Detention
Despite its glaring issues, John Hsu's horror blockbuster Detention is the rare video game-to-movie adaptation that works.
Sydney Film Festival 2020 Shorts Round-Up: Live-Action —
Her Own Music’, ‘Mukbang’, and ‘Idol’ tell their stories of adolescence and social media madness sensitively – and quickly.
Review: ‘A Hundred Years of Happiness’ is a Marriage of Unfulfilled Potential and Slow Storytelling —
Jakeb Anhvu’s observational documentary can feel more like an exercise in aesthetics than the fascinating cultural study it promises.
Review: Diner
Mika Ninagawa's opulent visuals aren't enough to save her manga adaptation, Diner, from its thin plot and poor action direction
Interview: Jo Min-ho, Ko A-sung and Kim Ye-eun talk 'A Resistance'
We caught up with director Jo Min-ho and actors Ko A-sung and Kim Ye-eun to talk about their new film A Resistance and what it takes to adapt a historic Korean moment onto screen.
Review: Nina Wu
Midi Z's timely contribution to the #MeToo movement, Nina Wu, is anchored by a powerful performance from actress and co-writer Wu Ke-xi.
Review: Clean Up
Kwon Man-ki's impressive debut feature Clean Up is a crime drama that grapples with complex themes of morality and guilt.
Famous films you didn’t know were (sort of) remakes
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