Asian Cinerama: Eight Asian films tracing youth and life-changing choices
Screenings run from 30 August to 7 September 2025 at K11 Art House; tickets go on sale at 12:00noon on 18 August. Four special guests—Korean director Seo Yoo‑min, Japanese director/photographer Yoshiyuki Okuyama, Japanese director Satoko Yokohama and Thai actor Pae Arak Amornsupasiri—will attend post‑screening talks to share their creative journeys with Hong Kong audiences.
Presented by the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) with support from of the Hong Kong Creative Cultural Industries Development Agency (CCIDAHK) and the Hong Kong Film Development Fund with MCL Cinemas as cinema partner, Asian Cinerama returns—fresh from a well-received March edition—to once again showcase outstanding films from across Asia. Under the theme “Growing Light”, eight feature films invite audiences to rediscover their own journeys—from childhood curiosity and teenage impulses to adult choices and reconciliation. Screenings run from 30 August to 7 September 2025 at K11 Art House; tickets go on sale at 12:00noon on 18 August. Four special guests—Korean director Seo You‑min, Japanese director/photographer Yoshiyuki Okuyama, Japanese director Satoko Yokohama and Thai actor Pae Arak Amornsupasiri—will attend post‑screening talks to share their creative journeys with Hong Kong audiences.
Opening the programme, Secret: Untold Melody transplants Jay Chou’s beloved piano romance to a Korean campus, led by EXO’s D.O. Director Seo You‑min says, “To me, Hong Kong is a city I first met through its cinema. I look forward to meeting more filmmakers and audiences here and experiencing the city’s beauty and vibrant energy to the fullest.”
From Japan come two contrasting titles. At the Bench, Yoshiyuki Okuyama’s feature debut, turns a park bench into the city’s silent witness; Suzu Hirose, Taiga Nakano and Riho Yoshioka head an ensemble of urban vignettes. “I have visited Hong Kong many times, and its blend of old and new reminds me of Tokyo, yet it pulses with a warm, welcoming energy that makes me feel at ease. I’m delighted that At the Bench will be screened here.” Okuyama notes. Berlinale Kplus winner Seaside Serendipity sees Satoko Yokohama lead seaside kids to puncture adult lies with art: “My first trip abroad was to Hong Kong. I remember being amazed that it already felt more cosmopolitan than Tokyo. After 25 years, I truly look forward to connecting with Hong Kong audiences through film.” she adds.
Thailand’s uproarious Will You Marry Monk? features Pae Arak Amornsupasiri in a clash between Thai and Japanese monastic customs. The film also marks the screen debut of Thai star Orm. Pae, who will join the Hong Kong post-screening talk, shared, “I’m so happy to have the chance to travel to Hong Kong again to promote a Thai film, as this is a perfect excuse to visit my favorite place. I look forward to seeing you all there.”
Berlinale Crystal Bear winner Sunshine follows a Filipino rhythmic gymnast whose Olympic dream is derailed by an unplanned pregnancy, sending her on a scorching road trip across Luzon. Record‑breaking Vietnam rom‑com Mai flips the Cinderella trope, pairing a massage‑parlour girl with a wealthy heir and redefining Vietnamese romantic comedy.
Two modern classics round out the programme: Taiwanese coming‑of‑age favourite Blue Gate Crossing, the breakout for Gwei Lun‑mei and Bolin Chen. And Nawapol’s Heart Attack, the Thai cult hit that swept Hong Kong eight years ago, reminding office workers not to wait for their bodies to “file a complaint” before slowing down.
All eight screenings will feature both Chinese and English subtitles, with four sessions followed by on-stage Q&As. The four visiting filmmakers will be in Hong Kong to meet the audience and share in this journey of “Growing Light.”
Introduction of filmmakers
Seo You-min
had started her career as scriptwriter of APRIL SNOW In 2005. Her works include HAPPINESS (2007), YOU CALL IT PASSION (2015) and she also adapted Korean commercial films such as A DRAMATIC NIGHT (2015) and THE LAST PRINCESS (2016). RECALLED (2021), a mysterious thriller starring SEO Yea-ji, is her feature debut winning audience award at the 19th Florence Korea Film Festival.
Yoshiyuki Okuyama
Yoshiyuki Okuyama, born in 1991 in Tokyo, began his photography career in 2009. He won the 34th New Cosmos of Photography Excellence Award in 2011 and has since focused on themes of contradiction and the blend of opposites like representation and abstraction. In 2016, he received The 47th Kodansha Publishing Culture Award for BACON ICE CREAM. His publications include Girl, The Town You Live In, As the Call, So the Echo, POCARI SWEAT, Los Angeles / San Francisco, The Good Side, flowers, BACON ICE CREAM Taiwan Edition, Ton! Tan! Pan! Don!, BEST BEFORE, and windows. He embarked on a film-making career in 2023, bringing together a cast and crew who believed in his talent to complete his directorial debut, “At the Bench.”
Satoko Yokohama
Born in 1978. Yokohama graduated from The Film School of Tokyo in 2004. Her graduation short film, Chiemi and Kokkunpatcho (2006), won a grant, and she independently produced her first feature film, German plus Rain (2007), which was released theatrically nationwide. In 2009, she directed her first commercial film, Bare Essence of Life. The film was featured at several international film festivals. The 2021 film ITO won several domestic awards. She is known for her talent in capturing intangible elements of everyday life with unique and expressive storytelling.
Pae Arak Amornsupasiri
“Pae” Arak Amornsupasiri is a musician, songwriter, actor and model from Bangkok. He studied international business at Mahidol University International College. Before becoming the guitarist of the indie rock band Slur, Pae first entered the entertainment industry as a runway model. It wasn’t until his role in the 2007 film “Body #19” (บอดี้..ศพ#19), however, that Pae started to make a name for himself.
Screening Schedule
30/8/2025 (Sat) 3:00 PM Secret: Untold Melody
* Director Seo You-min will attend the post-screening talk
30/8/2025 (Sat) 5:50 PM Blue Gate Crossing
31/8/2025 (Sun) 3:00 PM At the Bench
* Director Yoshiyuki Okuyama will attend the post-screening talk
5/9/2025 (Fri) 7:30 PM Seaside Serendipity
*Director Satoko Yokohama will attend the post-screening talk
6/9/2025 (Sat) 3:00 PM Sunshine
6/9/2025 (Sat) 5:00 PM Mai
7/9/2025 (Sun) 3:00 PM Will You Marry Monk?
*Actor Pae Arak Amornsupasiri will attend the post-screening talk
7/9/2024 (Sun) 5:30 PM Heart Attack
Ticketing Information
Screening Dates: 30 Aug 2025 – 7 Sep 2025
Venue: K11 Art House, L4, K11 MUSEA, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Ticket Sales Start: 18 Aug 2025, 12:00 PM
Available at the K11 Art House box office, online via mclcinema.com and MCL Cinemas – Ticketing app (Online bookings are subject to a handling fee)
Standard Price: HK$95
Concession Prices:
MCL MAX Members – HK$85
Students / Children / Seniors / KLUB 11 Members – HK$75
*All membership, credit card, EPS and PPS discounts are not applicable to this programme.
*All cash vouchers, coupons, gift card and ticket exchange vouchers are not applicable to this programme.
Please contact us if any questions,
Email: info@afa-academy.com
Tel: +852 3195 0610
Website: www.afa-academy.com
