East Winds Film Festival offers a stunning selection of Asian cinema

Chilling Hong Kong horror flicks, a Vietnamese ‘Eastern Western’ and a romantic comedy from Thailand are amongst the works to be presented at the East Winds Film Festival taking place at Coventry University later this month.

Now in its third year, the Nissan sponsored showcase – the UK’s only major festival of East Asian cinema outside London – screens the work of artists from Hong Kong, China, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam over four days from Thursday 31 October to Sunday 2 November.

In total 12 films will be receiving either international, European or UK premieres during the festival. Stars, directors and other creative artists associated with the films on show - including one of Hollywood’s leading Asian actors, Dustin Nguyen  - will also be making special guest appearances at the festival, which takes place in Coventry University’s state-of-the-art digital 3D cinema at its student union building, The Hub.

The following films will be screened during the East Winds Film Festival:

THURSDAY 31 OCTOBER
Pawnshop, 7pm (European Premiere)
A depressed and destitute Hong Kong bar owner must raise money in a hurry at any cost. In desperation, he visits a pawnshop that offers a unique and terrifying proposition.

Cult, 8.30pm (UK Premiere)
Three young Japanese actresses reluctantly agree to appear on a paranormal television show in which dark and malevolent forces slowly reveal themselves.

Pawnshop and Cult are presented on Halloween as part of the of the festival’s dedicated horror strand ‘East Winds Chills.’

FRIDAY 1 NOVEMBER
Once Upon a Time in Vietnam, 7pm (European Premiere)
One of the most eagerly anticipated Asian action films of 2013, the ‘Eastern Western’ Once Upon a Time in Vietnam is an epic saga which blends swordplay, science fiction and super-powered martial arts.

Writer, star and director Dustin Nguyen – a familiar face to Western audiences thanks to his role in 21 Jump Street alongside Johnny Depp and numerous other parts in US films and TV shows – will be making a special guest appearance at the screening.

Sake-Bomb, 9pm (UK Premiere)
Newly single Sebastian, an acidic, self-deprecating wannabe internet star from Los Angeles and his cousin Naoto, a naive but goodhearted sake maker from Japan, embark on a road trip through California in search of lost love in this bittersweet cross cultural comedy.

SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER
Triad, 2pm (European Premiere)
A bright young student gets embroiled with the local triad gang. Swiftly rising up the ranks, he soon comes into conflict with the local boss and must decide just how far he is willing to go to succeed in this ruthless, brutal business.

A Secret Between Us, 4pm (International Premiere)
Two teenage sweethearts meet after years apart to rekindle their romance but tragic developments turn their world upside down. The traumatic turns they are forced to take will affect their relationship forever.

The Midas Touch, 7pm (International Premiere)
A feel-good comedy which gently satirises Hong Kong pop culture in all of its disposable glory, The Midas Touch centres on an odd ball couple of showbiz agents who through sheer grit and determination attempt to mould the young and talentless into media superstars.

Director Andrew Fung Chih-chiang will be taking part in a special Q & A after the screening.

Hardcore Comedy, 9.30pm (International Premiere)
Three outlandish stories of prostitution, drug abuse and gambling make up Hardcore Comedy, a shocking and biting satire which explores the seedy underbelly of Hong Kong society.

One of the stars of Hardcore Comedy, Hong Kong actress Michelle Wai, will be making a special guest appearance at the screening to present the European premiere of her new film.

SUNDAY 3 NOVEMBER
Girl$, 1pm (UK Premiere)
Four very different young women share their experiences of the shady world of ‘compensated dating’ in Hong Kong, forming a close bond as they struggle in adversity to earn money the only way they feel they can.

Lead actress Michelle Wai will be present at the screening for an exclusive introduction to this challenging exploration of teenage prostitution.

Hello Stranger, 3pm (UK Premiere)
This romantic comedy follows a young Thai couple who meet by coincidence while on vacation in South Korea. Hitting it off instantly, they decide to tour the country together all the while keeping their names secret from each other.

Director Banjong Pisanthanakun will be taking part in a Q & A after the screening.

The Lady Assassin 3D, 5pm (European Premiere)
A murderous landlady and her kung-fu kicking gang of hot hostesses take a vengeful and beautiful young woman under their wing in this explosive 3-D martial arts spectacular.

Pee Mak, 7.30pm (European Premiere) 
A war veteran’s family reunion is beset by mysterious events and ghostly goings on in this hugely popular Thai comedy horror.

The highest grossing Thai film of 2013 and one of Asia's highest grossing films of all time, Pee Mak will be introduced on the night by director Banjong Pisanthanakun.

The East Winds Film Festival takes place from Thursday 31 October to Sunday 2 November on Coventry University’s campus at The Hub, Jordan Well, Coventry CV1 5FB. 

Twitter: @EastWindsFilm