In July, whether you want to watch Sammi Cheng’s latest film “Flowing Flowers”, the epic biographical film “When the Wind Rises” with millions of box office, the epic Korean film “The Battle of Hansan Island”, or Yuzuru Hanyu’s first Tokyo Dome ice performance, they will be available online one after another! Here are the selected Netflix and Disney+ series recommendations for July that you definitely shouldn’t miss!
“Lost Love”
The heartwarming film “Flowing Flowers” starring Sammi Cheng, who won the Best Actress award at the Hong Kong Film Awards, will be exclusively streaming on Disney+ starting July 19th. Join us to experience the touching story of Auntie Tianmei’s journey in learning to love through foster children, as well as Sammi Cheng’s strength and effort in becoming an award-winning actress!
Sammi, who plays Chen Tianmei, and Lu Junguang, who plays He Bin, are a married couple in the drama. Initially, Tianmei applied to become a foster family to earn money to support her family. However, she gradually becomes more involved in the role of a caregiver, even transferring her love for her deceased son to the foster children. Over the course of 13 years, Tianmei becomes deeply devoted to taking care of the children. Just as Tianmei and her husband, along with their foster child Zhongheng, who is about to enter college, are enjoying a simple and happy life, a huge change comes into their lives… This journey of life, like a flowing river carrying fallen flowers, allows life to continue in a different way.
Fully focused on interpreting the character of Chen Tianmei, a middle-aged woman, Sammi, almost appears on camera without makeup, breaking away from previous acting methods and transforming into a subtle portrayal that originates from within, exuding a powerful infectiousness. Faced with the different challenges brought by each foster child, Auntie Tianmei’s interactions with them transition from initial explosiveness to a gentle demeanor in the middle, and eventually finding a balance in showing care. Sammi’s performance in the three stages is just right, achieving the title of Sammi’s crowning achievement!
“When the Wind Rises”
The gathering of heavyweight actors Tony Leung, Aaron Kwok, and Eric Tsang in “Project Gutenberg” is hailed as a rare epic film production in Hong Kong in recent years. The film has surpassed millions in box office sales since its release and has received multiple film awards, including the Best Actor award for Tony Leung at the 16th Asian Film Awards and the Best Supporting Actor award for Eric Tsang at the 41st Hong Kong Film Awards, as well as awards for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. “Project Gutenberg” is now exclusively streaming on Disney+, offering a fresh perspective on the dark era of Leung Lok and Nangong’s dominance.
Andy Lau and Aaron Kwok, two renowned actors, collaborate for the first time in “Chasing the Wind,” portraying the complex relationship between two Chinese detectives, “Lei Lok” and “Nam Kong.” With a fresh perspective, the film takes viewers back to the dark era of rampant corruption in Hong Kong, allowing them to experience the turbulent transition of the city during its final years as a colony. The movie meticulously recreates the scenes and characters of Hong Kong in the 1960s and 1970s, presenting a nostalgic portrayal that feels incredibly authentic. It has been praised not only as a biographical film but also as a magnificent depiction of Hong Kong’s history spanning two decades.
“Blindfolded: Escape from Barcelona”
“The Invisible Guest” was well-received by global audiences in 2018, and now the original production team is back with a spin-off titled “The Invisible Guest: Escape from Barcelona”. This Netflix original film is co-directed and written by Álex Pastor and David Pastor, the creators of “The Last Days”, and stars Mario Casas, the lead actor from “The Occupant”. It will be available on Netflix on July 14th!
A mysterious force appears in the world, causing a sudden decrease in the global population. Sebastian embarks on a journey of survival, carefully navigating the desolate streets of Barcelona and reluctantly collaborating with other survivors in an attempt to escape the city. However, what everyone least expects is the emergence of a more sinister threat.
“The Battle of Hanshan Island”
Costing over 30 billion Korean won, directed by Jin Han-min, and starring Park Hae-il, the epic production “The Battle of Hansan Island” is the second installment of the “Lee Soon-shin Trilogy.” It depicts the historical war in Korea and showcases the naval battles during the Japanese invasions of Korea in July 1592. Lee Soon-shin (played by Park Hae-il), the naval commander of Jeolla Province, along with Lee Yi-gi (played by Kong Ming) and Won Gyun (played by Son Hyun-joo), lead the combined naval forces to defeat the enemy’s main fleet.
The Battle of Hansan Island and the Battle of Jinju City (October 5-10, 1592) and the Battle of Hwangsang Mountain Castle (February 12, 1593) are collectively known as the Three Great Battles of the Imjin War. The Battle of Hansan Island nearly destroyed the enemy’s main fleet, disrupting their coordinated land and sea operations and boosting the morale of the retreating Korean army.
Further reading:
- Must-visit Art Exhibition in July: Rediscovering Neon Lights, Japanese Pottery, Korean Painters, and more, exploring the Art City of Summer!
- Onitsuka Tiger collaborates with “Street Fighter 6”! Wear this collaborative pair of shoes in the virtual or real world
- Must-have platform sandals for summer 2023: Create a casual and stylish summer outfit with Gucci, Loewe, and Bottega Venata
“My wife’s whole family are thieves.”
This crime comedy film is starring “007” Pierce Brosnan and tells the story of a bank manager, Owen Browning (played by Adam Devine), who is about to marry his lifelong love, Parker (played by Nina Dobrev), and embark on a new chapter in life! However, he unexpectedly discovers at this time that his future father-in-law is a former bank robber who had previously robbed the bank where he works. Love and morality are caught in a dilemma, should he accept a thief as his father?
“19/20 Adult First Experience”
A brand new Korean variety show hosted by Super Junior’s Kyuhyun, Kim Jisoo, and AKMU’s Lee Suhyun! It documents the “Z Generation” who are transitioning from their teenage years into their twenties, experiencing the changes and freedom that come with adulthood, and unlocking various “first experiences” as adults. “19/20 Adult First Experience” will be available on Netflix starting July 11th!
“Yuzuru Hanyu Ice Story 2023 – GIFT – Tokyo Dome”
Yuzuru Hanyu, the “Ice Prince” who has won two Olympic gold medals in figure skating, will have his first ice performance at the Tokyo Dome. The performance is personally produced by Yuzuru Hanyu and features the popular Japanese electronic music girl group Perfume and the top dance group ELEVENPLAY. The renowned choreographer MIKIKO, who excels in combining technology with artistic creation to create a futuristic sense, serves as the director. The Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra will perform live, presenting an unprecedented figure skating performance!
In addition to featuring a 2.5-hour performance, the program will also exclusively release a 30-minute special interview segment that has never been seen before. Yuzuru Hanyu, rare for him, will accept an interview after his performance to share in detail the process and design of this work. In addition, the exclusive segment will include behind-the-scenes footage of Yuzuru Hanyu’s performance rehearsals, as well as an interview with director MIKIKO, allowing everyone to experience Yuzuru Hanyu’s performance that combines figure skating and art, while also understanding Yuzuru Hanyu’s world. It will be exclusively available on Disney+ on July 14th!
“《TOMORROW X TOGETHER: OUR LOST SUMMER》”
As the junior group of the K-pop sensation BTS, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, the representative of the fourth generation of Korean pop music, has gained a huge following in just four years since their debut and has attracted global attention! The five members, with their talent and good looks, have successfully broken numerous records for rookie groups. They have also quickly held two world tours, including the largest outdoor music festival in the world, Lollapalooza. How will they overcome unprecedented pressure and expectations to deliver the most amazing performance for their fans and for themselves? Disney+ will exclusively release their first world tour concert documentary on July 28th, capturing the growth behind these five members becoming the strongest rookie group.
