Projects in genres: Asian

Synopsis

Caught between her indigenous Buryat roots—where art is a shamanic window between worlds—and a Western market that treats culture as a commodity, artist Yuma Radne constructs a monumental canvas to confront the psychological distortions of colonization at the edge of an irreversible era. "Either you make art, or you suffer. It’s like a curse." For painter Yuma Radne, the act of creation is not an aesthetic choice, but an ancestral code carried in the blood. Moving from a remote Siberian village to the high-stakes European art world, Yuma finds herself navigating a surreal landscape where sacred cultural identity is rapidly converted into a luxury product. Through intimate studio dialogues and raw philosophical reflections, the film captures the gruelling physical and mental labour behind her graduation masterpiece, The End of Times. Centred around a gargantuan erupting booze (a traditional Buryat dumpling) mutated into an absurd, monumental symbol of a colonised and erased national identity, the film transcends a typical artist portrait. It becomes a vital, cosmic meditation on why humanity continues to create art in the face of systemic collapse—and a powerful testament to an indigenous culture refusing to be reduced to a souvenir.

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Burdened by traditions and her mother’s silence, a girl tries to sift through the desert sand to find her identity card in order to enroll in the Beijing Opera academy.

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Set in the South China Sea during the early 19th century, THE PIRATE QUEEN tells the extraordinary true-inspired story of Cheng Shih, a woman who rose from obscurity to command the largest pirate confederation in recorded history. When her husband dies at sea, Cheng Shih inherits a fragile empire on the brink of collapse. Surrounded by rival captains, internal betrayal, and escalating imperial pressure, she must outmanoeuvre enemies on all sides to keep Red Flag Fleet together. Through strategic brilliance and ruthless restraint, she transforms from an underestimated widow into a leader whose authority rivals the world’s greatest navies. This narrative-driven VR experience places audiences inside Cheng Shih’s ascent to power. Developed over five years in collaboration with historians and cultural advisors, the project draws on extensive research into Qing Dynasty China and British–Chinese relations. Official Selection Cannes Film Festival 2026 - Immersive Competition - World premiere

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We are introduced to Ashkan, an unconventional dentist and battle-scarred visionary leading South Cliff Dental through rapid growth as he prepares to unveil a new headquarters. Ashkan navigates through a dark and turbulent period marked by personal collapse, body dysmorphia, steroid abuse, and a professional investigation that threatens to end his career. As his life spirals toward despair, a timely phone call rekindles his passion for the arts and offers a glimmer of redemption, even as the lasting effects of his choices nearly cost him his life. We follow Ashkan's transformation as he embraces a clean lifestyle and champions a bold, disruptive vision for the future of dentistry.

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Led by renowned vocal coach Jennifer John, Folk to Folk follows a group of women in Liverpool who use traditional folk songs to build unexpected connections across cultures. As they learn and sing in Gaelic, Romansh, Boro and other languages, the sessions uncover shared themes that unite us. The songs rise like ghosts from the past, stirring memories, laughter and tears, and opening a safe space for the women to reflect together. “This project proves that music is a universal language. It allows us to feel, to be emotional, and when we do that together… that’s where the power lies” - Jennifer John

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A chance encounter at a launderette sparks an intense emotional intimacy between Vinnie and Ryan. As closeness blurs into desire, their relationship forces them to confront what love demands before it fractures everything they have built.

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In the ancient Bugis way of life in Indonesia, gender non-binary ‘bissu’ were once revered spiritual leaders. Eka, one of the last remaining bissu, decides to leave behind their identity, searching for belonging in a world that insists on definitions. Official Selection Hot Docs 2026 - World premiere Official Selection Visions du Réel 2026

Synopsis

In a Japanese coastal town still haunted by the 2011 tsunami, a taxi becomes a moving confession booth. Over the course of one night, a series of conversations between drivers and their passengers reveal how those who survived live with the dead - as ghostly tales, dreams and everyday life merge in a magical drift between reality and imagination. Official Selection Visions du Reel 2026

Synopsis

In present-day Taipei, Tao develops unexplainable affectionate feelings for Shin, an indifferent guy. Desperate to create lasting memories, she sends people to beat him up, using pain as a twisted form of connection. Meanwhile, Melih, having left Istanbul for Taipei, owns a noodle shop. One night, he receives an unexpected flower from the perpetually drunk Ping. Melih begins to stare into the flower from time to time, experiencing the tale of Tao and Shin and revealing his own unspoken desire and failed attempts to connect with Ping. As Melih digs deeper into the tale, he confronts his struggles to form meaningful relationships. His struggle gradually mirrors Tao’s struggle with Shin. As Tao grows closer to Shin, Shin vanishes, leaving Tao to realize that these recollections, retained only by her, might be mere figments of imagination. Tao’s tale then makes Melih question if it’s better to forget everything, as he contemplates whether letting go of solitary memories might finally bring him peace. Official selection CPH:DOX Copenhagen International Documentary Festival 2026 - Next:Wave Competition (World Premiere)

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Ryan is destined to dance, but has to put his passion aside to tend to his duties at his family’s nail salon.

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Ying, a Hong Kong immigrant, has recently moved to the UK with her husband and son. Far from the life she once imagined, Ying feels increasingly lost in her new surroundings. When she unexpectedly reunites with her ex-boyfriend Hong - now an exiled photographer working in a supermarket - long-buried emotions resurface. As they wander through London retracing the historic path of Sun Yat-sen, the two reflect on love, exile, and identity. A quiet, poetic exploration of longing, resilience, and the emotional cost of displacement.

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In 1989, Wong, a first-generation immigrant, and his mixed-race son, Andy, face a challenging evening at their Chinese takeaway. Dealing with impatient customers and mixed-up orders adds to their frustration. Tensions rise when Wong’s eldest son, Kenny, arrives late for work. Their strained father-son relationship unfolds in front of customers. When a group of drunk, racist customers enter the takeaway tensions escalate further.