Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss Zhang Yimou's 2004 wuxia love story, House of Flying Daggers, staring Zhang Ziyi, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and Andy Lau. We discuss the film's impressive visuals, anti-authoritarian themes, and its place in Yimou's expansive filmography.

We hope you enjoy our discussion.

Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2024/08/s4e12-house-of-flying-daggers.html

Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/filmnohito

Once again this year, the Heroic Purgatory podcast is covering the Japan Cuts 2024 film festival which took place between July 10 and 21. As usual, the podcast will present John's and Jason's favorite films of the festival. Additionally, this page includes short written reviews by John of the Japan Cuts movies he managed to see.

Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2024/07/special-japan-cuts-film-festival-2024.html

Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/filmnohito

Follow John: https://twitter.com/mildly_scifiO

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we resume our fourth season to talk about the iconic revenge film, Lady Snowblood (1973). We talk about the historical significance of the film, it's phenomenal action set pieces, and Meiko Kaji's role in the film's everlasting longevity.

We hope you enjoy our discussion!

Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2023/10/s4e7-touch-of-zen-1971.html

Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/filmnohito

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss the 2001 South Korean film, My Wife is a Gangster. Does this 20+ year-old action comedy pass the test of time, or is it just another trope-filled product of its time?

We hope you enjoy our discussion!

Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2023/09/s4e6-my-wife-is-gangster-2001.html

Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/filmnohito

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss the 2019 American film, Alita: Battle Angel, based on the Japanese manga Gunnm by Yukito Kishiro. Is James Cameron's and Robert Rodriguez' adaptation faithful to the source material, or is it just another run-of-the-mill Hollywood blockbuster. Listen to what John and Jason have to say about the film.

We hope you enjoy!

Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2023/08/s3e5-alita-battle-angel-2019.html

Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/filmnohito

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss the 1984 film, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind by legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, based on his own manga with the same name. We talk about the differences between the film and the manga, the environmental and ecological themes of the movie, as well as its overall place in Miyazaki's remarkable oeuvre.

We hope you enjoy!

Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2023/08/s4e4-nausicaa-of-valley-of-wind-1984.html

Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/filmnohito

For the third year in a row, the Heroic Purgatory podcast is covering the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) which took place between March 10 and March 19. As usual, the podcast will present John's and Jason's favorite films of NYAFF 2023 (in addition to a general overview of the festival). Additional, this page includes short written reviews by John of the NYAFF movies he managed to see.

Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2023/07/new-york-asian-film-festival-2023.html

Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/filmnohito

Follow John: https://twitter.com/mildly_scifi

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory, we discuss the 2008 Thai action film, Chocolate. From the makers of Ong Bak and The Protector, this is another entry in a series of Thai films that found significant international success. Is chocolate worthy of its predecessors? Listen to our discussion and let us know what you think.

We hope you enjoy!

Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2023/07/s4e3-chocolate-2008.html

Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/filmnohito

In the 2nd episode of season 4 of Heroic Purgatory, John and Jason take on a Michelle Yeoh double feature, Yes Madam (1985) and Royal Warriors (1986). They discuss the importance of these two films in the "girls with guns" genre, their merits, their flaws, and how they hold up in midst of the Hong Kong Golden Age.

We hope you enjoy!

Timestamps

0:01:46 - Film Discussion

1:01:34 - News

1:07:28 - Cultural Consumption

Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2023/06/s4e2-yes-madamroyal-warriors-19851986.html

Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/filmnohito

Welcome to season 4 of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, centered around female action heroes. We start the season with none other than Police Story: Supercop, staring Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh. One of the best action movies of the 90s, Supercop catapulted Yeoh into international fame and started a new chapter in Jackie Chan's career.

We hope you enjoy!

Timestamps

00:00 - Film Discussion

1:05:50 - News

1:16:08 - Cultural Consumption

Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2023/05/s4e1-police-story-supercop-1992.html

Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroicPurgatory

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/filmnohito