LEAFF 2024
Programme
The London East Asia Film Festival (LEAFF), the capital’s premier celebration of East Asian cinema and culture, proudly returns for its 9th edition, launching on 23rd October 2024 at the iconic ODEON Luxe Leicester Square with the UK premiere of Escape, a gripping drama by acclaimed director Lee Jong-Pil. The festival will run until 3rd November 2024, culminating in the highly anticipated world premiere of the Hong Kong feature, Little Red Sweet.
This year’s programme promises an extraordinary showcase of cinematic gems from Korea, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam and Philippines, all woven around the powerful theme of survival, resilience, and aspiration. Through the visionary lens of East Asia’s most talented filmmakers, LEAFF invites audiences to experience profound and thought-provoking stories that offer unique insight into the region’s rich cultural tapestry.
With over 20 UK and world premieres, LEAFF will captivate audiences at ODEON Luxe Leicester Square and the Cinema at Selfridges, delivering an unparalleled cinematic experience enhanced by Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Prepare to be transported on a mesmerizing journey into the heart of East Asian storytelling, where groundbreaking masterpieces await discovery.
GALAS
Kicking off LEAFF with a pulse-pounding Opening Gala, Escape is a high-stakes Korean action thriller that vividly portrays the harrowing defection of Lim Gyu-nam, a North Korean soldier risking everything for freedom beyond the barbed-wire fence. In relentless pursuit is Li Hyeon-sang, a North Korean state security officer determined to stop him at any cost. This ruthless, edge-of-your-seat thriller powerfully echoes the festival’s core themes of survival and aspiration. Following the screening, acclaimed director Lee Jong-Pil will join the audience for an exclusive Q&A, delving deeper into the film’s intense narrative and themes.
Directed by Vincent Chow, Little Red Sweet will bring the festival to a moving close with a heartfelt family drama set in 1980s Kowloon City. The story follows Simon and Mimi, a married couple whose daughter Stephy dreams of becoming a flight attendant. When Mimi suffers a devastating stroke, the family’s world is turned upside down. This emotional journey is a poignant exploration of familial bonds, sacrifice, and resilience. Director Vincent Chow and lead actor Simon Yam will join the audience for an intimate Q&A after the screening, offering insights into the film’s powerful performances and themes.
The Special Gala will feature Revolver, directed by Oh Seung-uk, a visionary who redefined Korean noir. This intricate tale of revenge follows a police officer who takes the fall for a crime, lured by the promise of a significant payoff. Upon release, a mysterious woman enters her life, but her true intentions remain shrouded in secrecy. Starring the sensational Lim Ji-yeon, who captivated global audiences with her standout performance in the hit Netflix series The Glory, Revolver promises to be an captivating and intense experience. Lim Ji-yeon herself will be in attendance to meet with audiences in London.
In our Spotlight Gala, we are thrilled to present Dead Talents Society, a critically acclaimed Taiwanese supernatural comedy directed by John Hsu. The film follows a group of ghosts vying to become the spookiest urban legends and the most famous stars of the underworld through their macabre scare tactics. With a unique blend of humour and horror, the film captures a playful yet eerie take on fame and fear. John Hsu, who dominated the Taiwanese box office with his 2019 hit Detention (screened as a UK premiere at LEAFF), will join the audience for a Q&A, providing an inside look at the creative process behind this delightfully dark comedy.
LEAFF’S OFFICIAL SELECTION
The LEAFF Official Selection showcases an extraordinary lineup of cinematic excellence, ranging from blockbuster sensations to critically acclaimed arthouse masterpieces. This year, LEAFF welcomes back legendary filmmakers who have redefined East Asian cinema, unveiling their latest works starring some of the region’s most celebrated actors.
Highlights include Yang Ya-che’s The Chronicles of Libidoists that delves into love and human vulnerability, headlined by acclaimed actor Wu Kang-ren. The iconic Andy Lau makes his highly anticipated return in High Forces by Oxide Pang, while Zhou Dongyu shines in Zhang Guoli’s Strangers When We Meet. Midi Z returns with challenging documentary The Clinic as an absorbing portrait of two doctors ministering to the people of Yangon in Myanmar.
Fresh from captivating audiences at prestigious international film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, and Venice, LEAFF will present some of the year’s most eagerly awaited films, including Truing Minh Quy’s Vietnamese-Filipino romantic drama, Viet and Nam, and Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s latest suspense thriller depicting collective madness born from the chain of hatred spreading in a faceless society, Cloud.
COMPETITION
LEAFF’s prestigious Competition section is dedicated to discovering the brightest emerging talents in East Asian cinema. A distinguished jury—featuring Mariayah Kaderbhai, Jegy Ra, Neil Smith, and Joe Utichi—will preside over this year’s selection, ensuring the highest level of recognition for these visionary filmmakers.
Ten exceptional films, each from directors who have made three features or fewer, have been handpicked by LEAFF’s expert programming team for this highly competitive strand. The Best Film in Competition will be revealed at the grand Closing Gala Award Ceremony, celebrating the future of East Asian cinema.
Dead Talents Society by John Hsu
The Great Phuket by Liu Yaonan
Locust by KEFF
Love Lies by Ho Miu-ki
Out of the Shadow by Ricky Ko
Pig That Survived Foot-And-Mouth Disease by Hur Bum-wook
Stuntman by Albert Leung, Herbert Leung
Suffocating Love by Liao Ming-yi
Tatsumi by Hiroshi Shoji
Trouble Girl by Chin Chia-hua
HALLOWEEN HORROR SPECIAL
LEAFF delivers an unmissable Halloween experience with four spine-chilling Korean films. Leading the lineup is Exhuma, a masterful work by Jang Jae-hyun and the highest-grossing Korean horror film of all time, featuring gripping performances from Choi Min-sik and Kim Go-eun.
Pig That Survived Foot-and-Mouth Disease opens with brutal violence and plunges into a harrowing exploration of bottomless despair. The Unrighteous delves into occult horror, set in a decaying villa where psychological terror reigns supreme. Rounding out the selection, Rhapsody for the Dead offers a chilling narrative that begins with dating violence and spirals into a gripping exorcism. These four standout films promise to make this year’s Halloween season at LEAFF an unforgettable celebration of horror, pushing the boundaries of fear and suspense.
CLASSICS RESTORED
In collaboration with the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute, LEAFF proudly presents a selection of newly restored Taiwanese cinematic classics. Leading the lineup is The Woman of Wrath (1984), a pivotal work from Taiwan’s New Wave, adapted from Li Ang’s The Butcher’s Wife. This powerful film traces the harrowing journey of Lin Shih, from witnessing her own mother’s tragic suicide to her personal battle for liberation.
Making its world premiere following restoration, Story of Mother (1973) by Sung Tsun-shou stands as a bold departure from the dominant trends of its time, offering a profound exploration of women’s sexual autonomy and the evolving roles of motherhood, family, and marriage. Adding to the showcase, LEAFF will present the UK premiere of Teenage Fugitive (1984), written by renowned filmmaker Tsai Ming-Liang, further enriching the festival’s tribute to Taiwanese cinema.
Expanding beyond Taiwan, LEAFF will also bring to London Shanghai Blues (1984), a timeless Hong Kong comedy directed by Tsui Hark and starring Sylvia Chang. This enchanting love story, brimming with humour and heart, is not to be missed.
LEAFF’S POP UP KITCHEN
In collaboration with The Cinema at Selfridges, LEAFF offers audiences a unique cultural experience by blending cinema with the vibrant flavours of East Asia. Before and after screenings, guests can indulge in a selection of authentic East Asian cuisine, accompanied by expertly crafted cocktails featuring soju and makgeolli. This immersive fusion of film and cuisine promises to elevate the festival atmosphere, making each screening a true feast for the senses.
THE TICKETS FOR THE OPENING GALA SCREENING OF ESCAPE ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON EVENTBRITE.
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