Original content by streaming companies has ostensibly overtaken network television in terms of popularity. In the Emmy Awards on Sept 19, for example, most of the nominees were made up of programmes from major streamers, with the big winners being from Netflix, Apple TV and HBO.
While Hollywood will always be in the spotlight, less covered by the media are programmes produced closer to home: regional content that have been making waves in international film festivals and competitions, such as the following four HBO Asia original productions. Check them out.
‘Folklore’ season 2
Two episodes from the second season of this horror anthology series will have its world premiere at the 34th Tokyo International Film Festival from Oct 30-Nov 8.
The two episodes – “The Day The Wind Blew” and “The Excursion” – are directed by Japanese pop icon Seiko Matsuda, who makes her directorial debut, and Singaporean film director Nicole Midori Woodford, respectively.
The new season of “Folklore” continues to examine the human condition when exposed to supernatural phenomena, each story providing a different take and perspective. Singapore’s award-winning filmmaker Eric Khoo returns as the series’ showrunner. Season 2 will premiere on HBO GO and HBO later this year.
‘Forbidden’
HBO Asia’s first Thai-language original series has been selected to make its world premiere at the 26th Busan International Film Festival in Korea from Oct 6-15. The first two episodes will be screened as part of the festival’s inaugural “On Screen” section, which showcases anticipated drama series featured on streaming platforms.
Co-directed by Thailand’s Anucha Boonyawatana and Korean-American director Josh Kim, “Forbidden” follows four friends who travel from Bangkok to a remote village in the mountains for the funeral of the estranged father of one of the group. The series will premiere on HBO GO and HBO this year.
‘Gensan Punch’
“Gensan Punch” is inspired by the true story of a Japanese man with a prosthetic leg who goes to the Philippines to train and pursue his dream of becoming a professional boxer. The film will also have its world premiere in Busan, in the “A Window on Asian Cinema” competition.
Additionally, the Filipino-Japanese title in English, Japanese and Tagalog is one of seven Asian films nominated for the Kim Jiseok Award in Busan. The movie will also screen as part of the Gala Selection of the Tokyo film festival.
Starring Japanese actor Shogen (“Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist”), “Gensan Punch” is directed and produced by Brillante Mendoza from the Philippines, whose films have competed and won in major festivals in Venice, Berlin and Cannes. The film will premiere on HBO GO and HBO in the next few months.
‘On The Job’
Selected episodes of this series were screened at the 78th Venice Film Festival earlier this month, making it the only feature from Asia out of 21 international films. John Arcilla won Best Actor, becoming the first Filipino to win the award.
“On The Job” continues to be screened at other international film festivals including Filmfest Hamburg in Germany and the L’etrange Festival in France, as well as in Busan.
Directed by Eric Matti, this six-part crime thriller is inspired by true events and centres around crime syndicates that temporarily release contracted prison inmates to carry out assassinations for those in power – namely politicians. The engrossing series can be streamed on HBO GO.
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