Advertise on podcast: Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast

In a first for Heroic Purgatory, John and Jason meet in person to discuss the 2001 Stephen Chow blockbuster, Shaolin Soccer. While the film made Chow an international star, the boys debate the film's merits and its status as a "gateway" into HK cinema. Enjoy! Website: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2026/10/s6e11-shaolin-soccer-2001.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia Follow John: https://bsky.app/profile/jmhimara.bsky.social

In this special episode of Heroic Purgatory, John and Jason take a break from regular season 6 coverage to discuss the films they've seen so far this year. A midyear catch up. Enjoy! Website: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2026/09/special-midyear-catch-up-2026.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia Follow John: https://bsky.app/profile/jmhimara.bsky.social

In the latest episode of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, John and Jason explore the slow cinema of Taiwanese filmmaker Tsai Ming-liang's debut feature, Rebels of the Neon God. Is this Tsai's most accessible and "least" slow movie? What do the characters represent, and what is the filmmaker trying to say about modern life in Taipei? Hear our opinions on these questions. Enjoy! Website: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2026/08/s6e10-rebels-of-neon-god-1992.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia Follow John: https://bsky.app/profile/jmhimara.bsky.social

In the latest episode of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, John and Jason wonder if they've ever met in a past life, and so they watch Past Lives, Celine Song's debut film about a Korean immigrant reconnecting with an old love. Is this film about immigration or about romance? What does it have to about either topic? Listen to find out. Enjoy! Website: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2026/08/s6e9-past-lives-2023.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia Follow John: https://bsky.app/profile/jmhimara.bsky.social

In the latest episode of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, John and Jason put their tin-foil hats on and lock themselves in basement to talk about Save the Green Planet, Jang Joon-hwan's 2003 South Korean film that somehow never got the credit it deserves. A truly idiosyncratic film, Save the Green Planet features incredible acting, art direction, and just enough melodrama to make you feel sad for the unhinged protagonist. Enjoy! Website: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2026/07/s6e8-save-green-planet-2003.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia Follow John: https://bsky.app/profile/jmhimara.bsky.social

In the latest episode of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, John and Jason spice up their man-feelings for A Better Tomorrow, discussing John Woo's 1986 film that sparked the heroic bloodshed genre. Enjoy! Website: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2026/06/s6e7-better-tomorrow-1986.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia Follow John: https://bsky.app/profile/jmhimara.bsky.social

In the latest episode of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, John and Jason move to the countryside for a friendly chat with magical owls and bus-sized orange cats. That's right, we are covering My Neighbor Totoro, the 1988 Hayao Miyazaki film who's titular character became the logo for the newly minted Studio Ghibli. Though often viewed as a "children" film, Totoro is not all about laughs and cuddles. We discuss the more tragical underpinnings of the story and how it reflects the ambivalent Japanese society of Miyazaki's youth. Enjoy! Website: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2026/06/s6e6-my-neighbor-totoro-1988.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia Follow John: https://bsky.app/profile/jmhimara.bsky.social

In the latest episode of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, John and Jason get sassy in South Korea with the 2001 romantic comedy, My Sassy Girl. A critical darling of the early 21st century, the film has been somewhat forgotten or relegated as a curio of a different era in Korean cinema . Does it still hold up? We discuss how the film's comedy and romance may or may not have aged, and whether it should regain its place in the list of the the best Korean films ever made. Website: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2026/05/s6e5-my-sassy-girl-2001.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia Follow John: https://bsky.app/profile/jmhimara.bsky.social

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, John and Jason talk about arguably the best Taiwanese film ever made, Edward Yang's Yi Yi. While tackling existential alienation of in the face of modernity, the film explores the complex dynamics of a 21st century family, their screw ups, past regrets, and above all, their need for connection. Website: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2026/05/s6e4-yi-yi-2000.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia Follow John: https://bsky.app/profile/jmhimara.bsky.social

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, John and Jason revisit the heroic bloodshed genre with arguably the second (and far less melodramatic) entry into the category: Ringo Lam's City on Fire (1987). While male friendship is central to the film, Lam injects a fair amount of social criticism into his film, making him a unique and often underappreciate voice among the the action filmmakers of 1980s Hong Kong. Listen as we dissect the many themes of City on Fire and even take a jab at Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs, which it inspired. We hope you enjoy! Website: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2026/04/s6e3-city-on-fire-1987.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia Follow John: https://bsky.app/profile/jmhimara.bsky.social

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, John and Jason talk about Park Chan-wook's first(ish) feature film, Joint Security Area. In the midst of our discussion, a daring proposition emerges: is this the director's best film. Listen to our thoughts about the films themes of Korean separation, isolation, male friendship, and the role of gender in military society. We hope you enjoy! Website: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2026/04/s6e2-joint-security-area-2000.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia Follow John: https://bsky.app/profile/jmhimara.bsky.social

A new season, and old theme. For season 6, the Heroic Purgatory team revisits the topic of gateway films, i.e. popular or accessible works of cinema that serve is a gateway to the wider world of asian cinema. In the first episode of the season, John and Jason discuss Akira Kurosawa's 1954 classic, Seven Samurai. Heralded as one of the best movies ever made, Seven Samurai is not only an action masterpiece, but also an astute work of social and existential commentary. Enjoy the discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2026/03/s6e1-seven-samurai-1954.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia Follow John: https://bsky.app/profile/jmhimara.bsky.social

With another year behind us, it's time for John and Jason to once again reflect on what's passed and list their favorite movies of 2025. Enjoy the discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2026/02/best-films-of-2025.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia Follow John: https://bsky.app/profile/jmhimara.bsky.social

In preparation for the upcoming award season, we are covering the highly regarded 2025 gem of filmmaker Park Chan-wook, No Other Choice. Enjoy the discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2026/01/award-special-no-other-choice-2025.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia Follow John: https://bsky.app/profile/jmhimara.bsky.social

It's that time of the year again, and the Heroic Purgatory crew has decided to celebrate the festive season by revisiting John Carpenter's They Live (1988). John and Jason discuss the symbolism, the politics, the style, as well as the balls to the wall action of this 80s classic. Enjoy the discussion! Website link: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2025/12/xmas-special-they-live-1988.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia Follow John: https://bsky.app/profile/jmhimara.bsky.social