31. Short Film Review: Playground (2023) by Yaxing Lin
“Playground” is brilliantly acted and superbly directed, telling an unforgettable story with its 16-minute runtime. Yaxing Lin paints a bleak picture of financial survival in a gloomy world while capturing that experience through the eyes of a child whose love for their mother is unbreakable. Certainly, it is a viewing that will stick with audiences. (Sean Barry)
32. Interviews: Yaxing Lin
33. Short Film Review: JungOk (2023) by Yoo Jimin
Kim Hyungyun's cinematography captures the story also with a focus on realism, without any particular exaltations, although how the darkness gets brighter and eventually sunny as the movie progresses essentially makes it part of the narrative. Yoo's own editing results in a relative fast pace that allows her to tell her story and make her comments in just 19 minutes, in a rather economical style of filmmaking. “JungOk” is a competent short which manages to remain entertaining while presenting the director's comments quite eloquently. (Panos Kotzathanasis)
34. Film Review: City of Wind (2023) by Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir
Although the film loses momentum and interest in its final sequences, overall, it is an excellent work that encapsulates the bond between modernity and tradition in Mongolia through the genuine perspective of two young lovers. If these are the premises of a debut film, then we have a director to keep an eye on in the future. (Siria Falleroni)
35. Film Review: Wash Away (2023) by Ikunosuke Okazaki
“Wash Away” certainly benefits from two fine performances by Yuuka Nakao and Naoko Ken, along with occasional heartwarming moments. Yet, there's not much to gauge, as the movie doesn't have much of its own identity, coupled with an uneven script and awkward editing. Because of these issues, it becomes hard to distinguish it from other formulaic melodramas. Not awful, but nothing special. (Sean Barry)
