In Season 4, the sale of media conglomerate Waystar Royco to tech visionary Lukas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgård) moves ever closer. The prospect of this seismic sale provokes existential angst and familial division among the Roys as they anticipate what their lives will look like once the deal is complete. A power struggle ensues as the family weighs up a future where their cultural and political weight is severely curtailed.
Season 4 of Succession stars Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin, Alan Ruck, Matthew Macfadyen, Nicholas Braun, J. Smith-Cameron, Peter Friedman, David Rasche, Fisher Stevens, Hiam Abbass, Justine Lupe, Dagmara Domińczyk, Arian Moayed, Scott Nicholson, Zoë Winters, Annabelle Dexter- Jones, Juliana Canfield, and Jeannie Berlin. Additional cast includes Alexander Skarsgård, Cherry Jones, Hope Davis, Justin Kirk, and Stephen Root.
Created by Jesse Armstrong; executive produced by Jesse Armstrong, Adam McKay, Frank Rich, Kevin Messick, Jane Tranter, Mark Mylod, Tony Roche, Scott Ferguson, Jon Brown, Lucy Prebble, Will Tracy and Will Ferrell. Jesse Armstrong serves as showrunner.
The first three seasons of Succession have garnered 48 Emmy® nominations and 13 wins, including Outstanding Drama Series, for the second and third season. Season 3, which premiered October 2021, earned the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award for drama ensemble and swept at Writers Guild of America (WGA), Directors Guild of America (DGA), and Producers Guild of America (PGA).
Stream or download all three seasons of Succession on HBO GO. Subscribe to HBO GO online at https://www.hbogoasia.ph/ or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store. Or access HBO GO via Cignal, Globe and Skycable. HBO GO is also available on Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV – and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.
HBO Max finally revealed the official teaser for The Last of Us, the TV adaptation of the popular video game franchise of the same name. The trailer gives us a glimpse of actors Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey– both have starred in the HBO hit series Game of Thrones— as they play the roles of Joel and Ellie respectively.
Watch the teaser trailer for The Last of Us below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBRRDpQ0yc0
The Last of Us takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed, and zombie-like creatures prowl its ruins.the story follows Joel, a hardened survivor who is hired to smuggle the 14-year-old Ellie out of an oppressive quarantine zone. The journey which takes them across the US will prove perilous and heartbreaking, as they depend on one another for survival.
The series also stars Gabriel Luna, Merle Dandridge, and Anna Torv. It is written for TV by Craig Mazin of Chernobyl and Neil Druckman of The Last of Us and Uncharted video games.
The series is set for release on HBO and HBO Max sometime in 2023. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the latest news on film, TV, and more updates around the city!
Enter the dystopian world of Gilead in the critically-acclaimed series, The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 and follow the struggles of survivors in La Brea Season 2. Return for animated adventures with Rick and Morty Season 6 and enjoy new episodes of We Baby Bears. Catch the highly anticipated series, House of the Dragon, an HBO Original series and more on HBO GO.
Adapted from the classic novel by Margaret Atwood, this award-winning series tells the story of life in the dystopian land of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly the United States, where women are oppressed and only valued for their ability to produce offspring. Season 5 cast members include Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, Bradley Whitford, Samira Wiley and Ann Dowd. Over its past four seasons, the series received a total of 75 Emmy® nominations with 15 Emmy® wins including for Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actress (Elisabeth Moss) and Outstanding Supporting Actress (Ann Dowd). Catch-up on seasons 1 to 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale on HBO GO.
This sci-fi mystery series centres on a group of Los Angelenos after a massive sinkhole opens in Los Angeles, pulling people and buildings into a mysterious and dangerous primeval land where they have no choice but to band together to survive. In season two, the Harris family remains separated as Eve is reeling from her son, Josh, having mistakenly gone through a portal to 1988. What she doesn’t know yet is that her ex-husband, Gavin, and their daughter, Izzy, have landed in prehistoric Seattle and now must brave the elements and animals to make their way to L.A. Relive the first season of La Brea on HBO GO.
Rick and Morty are back! This award-winning animated hit comedy series follows a sociopathic genius scientist who drags his inherently timid grandson on insanely dangerous adventures across the universe. Rick Sanchez is living with his daughter Beth’s family and constantly bringing her, his son-in-law Jerry, granddaughter Summer, and grandson Morty into intergalactic escapades. Stream all seasons of Rick and Morty on HBO GO.
Don’t miss the fresh expansion of the beloved We Baby Bearsfranchiseas Grizz, Panda and Ice Bear takes fans through spectacular landscapes and musical inspirations to go on unforgettable journeys in their magic box. Each episode transports them into vibrant and colourful worlds where they befriend legions of familiar fairy tale faces and faced with the decision to stay or to continue their journey, looking for a permanent abode they can call home. Stream past episodes of We Baby Bears and all seasons of We Bare Bears on HBO GO.
There’s no question about the impact that ‘Game of Thrones’ has made globally. It can be argued that it was one of the most impactful and most successful television series of its time with many publications saying it is one of the most ambitious and probably one of the best series ever made for the medium. Despite the backlash it had received over its final season, there are still a lot of people who are searching for the next series that they can invest in as much as they did with ‘Game of Thrones.’
HBO hopes to deliver this was the spin-off ‘House of the Dragon,’ which is set almost two hundred years before the events of ‘Game of Thrones’ during a time when the Targaryens sat on the Iron Throne of Westeros, dragons were not an uncommon sight, and there was a reign of peace over the land. Fans of the world that ‘Game of Thrones’ built may want to return and see its history. The events of this series dramatize what is referred to in ‘Game of Thrones’ when they talk about that world’s past. It promises the same level of intrigue and violence that the first series delivered in droves.
But the expectations are high. After 8 seasons of ‘Game of Thrones,’ the show is now going to ask its viewers to fall in love with a whole new set of characters and reacclimate themselves to a different Westeros. As prefaced in the pilot episode’s opening, the Targaryens have ruled the land with the power of their mighty dragons (I believed ten was mentioned) and peace had reigned over their kingdom.
From the production design alone, everything looks different. While, in the ‘Game of Thrones,’ Westeros just came from a civil war, in ‘House of the Dragon’ it is peacetime. While the architecture looks less refined, it’s brighter and cleaner and there’s less debris. It’s that significant little textures that make this show visually appealing.
And within the first fifteen minutes of the show, you already get to see a dragon or two, which is always going to be a highlight of this show. So that’s crossing out some important items off of the checklist. The hour and fifteen-minute pilot goes straight into the action, comfortable that we already are aware of this setting and the milieu that it seldom slows down for us to really get to know the characters. In a way, the pilot feels more like a movie than an immersive fantasy show and that worries me.
Photo Courtesy of HBO
We are introduced to the royal family – King Viserys (played by Paddy Considine), his daughter Princess Rhaenyra (played by Emma D’Arcy), the king’s brother Prince Daemon (played by Matt Smith), and the King’s cousin Princess Rhaenys (played by Eve Best) – and the dynamics of their relationships with each other. Through a prologue, the politics are already a play and the show takes no time to set things in motion. The Iron Throne is still the prize but as the first episode unfolds, it seems this one is fighting for the legitimacy of rulership.
This is a family affair and all signs point to a bloody and messy business in the succeeding episodes.
And while all the elements are there – production design, a strong cast, stunning visuals, and a healthy dose of politics and dragons – the pilot never really stops to settle down and allows us to get to know these characters well. Unfortunately, ‘House of the Dragon’ will be compared to its predecessor and because the first season of ‘Game of Thrones’ didn’t have the budget it did in later seasons, it really focused on character development and world-building. By the time Sean Bean’s Ned Stark brought his wife and children to King’s Landing, we had our favourites and we knew and felt the world fully that the surprise violence (and even deaths) had a powerful effect on us.
Photo Courtesy of HBO
By the end of the episode, I’m still unsure of how I feel about these characters. No matter how good the acting is – and I love the casting of Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra – I don’t feel attached yet to anyone. I’m following the plot more than I am the characters and, for a television series, that’s a dangerous thing. It’s the characters that get you through to the next episode and the next season.
There are some things that stand out. In a negative way, there’s the gratuitous nudity and objectification of women (and men as well, and while the misogyny is part of the world and it is addressed narratively) it just feels like it’s there because it’s a ‘Game of Thrones’ spin-off. At the same time, one of the lords of the court, Lord Corlys (played by Steve Toussaint), is a black man with white hair. Is he a Targaryen? I’m not sure.
It’s so glaring because in ‘Game of Thrones’ there were no people of color in Westeros (though Dorn was inhabited primarily by Hispanic actors) though there were many in Mereen and Pentos and the lands East of Westeros. While I’m all for diversity, it just stood out so much in the first episode. Maybe it will be addressed? Maybe I’ll just let it go after a few episodes? I don’t know but it’s there.
Photo Courtesy of HBO
On the other hand, the ‘House of the Dragon’ pilot episode reaches a fever pitch in a wonderfully edited scene during a jousting match and a birth – these two simultaneous events are the catalyst for the main conflict that is hinted at in the preview of the season at the end of the episode – there’s cinematic genius here as the juxtaposing images of violence and childbirth underscores the dangers of this world and that this period of peace is hanging by a thread.
And with regards to the misogyny, it seems that Princess Rhaenyra’s story would center around her own battle for independence and liberation. There’s talk about a woman’s place in the kingdom and she will have none of that. If the show pursues this and even begins to subvert the gratuitous nudity and sex in the succeeding episodes, then it will start to really veer away from the shadow of its predecessor.
Because ‘Game of Thrones’ has left a big impact upon the world, everyone will be critical of ‘House of the Dragon.’ It’s got tough shoes to fill and can’t afford any mistakes in its first season. The promise is there and it’s off to a shaky start. But if ‘House of the Dragon’ manages to give us characters we can invest in, then it will probably help fill the ‘Game of Thrones’ shaped hole in our regular television viewing habits.
My Rating:
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House of the Dragon premieres on HBO GO this August 22.
HBO has officially confirmed that Jennie Kim of the K-pop group BLACKPINK has joined the cast of the new series The Idol.
Fans were quick to spot the Korean celebrity from the official teaser for the show, where she stood alongside the other cast members in a blink-or-you’ll-miss-it moment. Now HBO has further confirmed Jennie’s casting, tweeting a photo of Jennie on set with the caption: “Jennie Kim has been cast in #THEIDOL.”
You can also check out Jennie’s brief appearance in the show’s teaser trailer below at the 00:33 mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRyHnzFn4HM&t
Created by Euphoria‘s creator Sam Levinson alongside Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, the show is teased as “the sleaziest love story in all of Hollywood.” It stars Lily-Rose Depp as a rising pop idol who gets into a relationship with a self-help guru and modern-day cult leader played by The Weeknd.
Also included in the cast are Troye Sivan, Suzanna Son, Melanie Liburd, Steve Zissis, Elizabeth Berkley Lauren, Nico Hiraga, and Anne Heche. The Idol is coming soon to HBO Max.
Jon Snow is set to return to our screens in an upcoming sequel series for Game of Thrones, Hollywood Reporter reveals. In this spinoff, fans are set to see Jon’s journey after the original series’ finale.
The beloved fantasy series on TV was met with mixed reactions after its final season, but this does not stop HBO from exploring the fascinating world of Westeros even further, now having several Game of Thrones spinoffs in the works.
In the finale of the original series, fans may remember that Jon Snow, who has discovered his Targaryen lineage, decided to end the life of Daenerys after she burned down King’s Landing to win the Iron Throne. Jon is then banished and rode beyond the Wall together with the wildlings.
Not much information has been revealed yet regarding the story, but having been announced as a sequel, fans can assume that this will follow Jon Snow’s new life in the North with the wildlings and his loyal direwolf companion Ghost. Kit Harington is set to reprise his role as Jon Snow.
Other Game of Thrones spinoffs that fans could look forward to are House of the Dragon which is set for release this August, 10,000 Ships, 9 Voyages, Dunk & Egg, The Golden Empire
The Emmy®-winning HBO Original drama series Westworldwill debut its eight-episode fourth season same time as the U.S. on Monday, June 27 at 9 am only on HBO and HBO GO, with a same-day encore at 10 pm on HBO. Subsequent episodes will follow every Monday.
https://youtu.be/2N7A5weyuO8
WestworldSeason 4 is set to continue the dark odyssey about the fate of sentient life on earth.
Returning cast members include Evan Rachel Wood (Mildred Pierce, Thirteen), Emmy® winner Thandiwe Newton (Crash, Line of Duty), Ed Harris (Game Change, Empire Falls), Jeffrey Wright (Angels in America, The Batman), Tessa Thompson (Men In Black: International, Sylvie’s Love), Luke Hemsworth (Neighbours), Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) and Angela Sarafyan (Reminiscence, The Good Guys).
Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) joins the Westworldcast as a recurring guest star this season.
Westworld was created for television by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, who are executive producers with Alison Schapker, Denise Thé, J.J. Abrams, Athena Wickham, Richard J. Lewis, and Ben Stephenson. Production companies include Kilter Films and Bad Robot Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television and is based on the film written by Michael Crichton.
Stream or download Westworld Season 4 from June 27 on HBO GO. Subscribe to HBO GO online at www.hbogoasia.ph or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store on your device for as low as ₱99.70/month. Or access HBO GO via Cignal, Globe and Skycable. HBO GO is also available on Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV – and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.
Family relationships come in all shapes and sizes, from sibling rivalry to fiercely protective bonds of love this May on HBO GO, HBO, Cartoon Network, and Boomerang, brought to life by movie premieres and special programming stunts.
On HBO GO and HBO, The Boss Baby: Family Business presents a fresh challenge for brothers who have grown apart while A Quiet Place Part II demonstrates humanity’s greatest strength – the determination to survive. Marriages are complicated by time travel in HBO’s new Original series The Time Traveler’s Wife as well as the film Needle In A Timestack.
On Cartoon Network, Redraw Your Summeroffers a curated weekly selection featuring fan favourites, from the ever-popular Looney Tunes Cartoons and The Tom and Jerry Show to new series Mechamato in which young Amato and his new friend Mechabot must battle evil robots.
Especially for the little ones, the recently-launched Cartoonito programming block for pre-schoolers is now also available on Boomerang, with new series Brave Bunnies premiering this month.
When family is at stake, it’s up to plucky individuals to save the day.
Needle in a Timestack Premieres Saturday, May 14 on HBO GOand Thursday, May 19 at 9pm on HBO
In this gripping love story, Nick and Janine live in marital bliss, until Janine’s ex-husband warps time in an attempt to tear them apart. As Nick’s memories and reality disappear, he must decide what he’s willing to sacrifice in order to hold onto – or let go of – everything he loves. Stars Oscar® nominee Leslie Odom, Jr., with Cynthia Erivo, Orlando Bloom and Frieda Pinto.
The Time Traveler’s Wife Premieres Monday, May 16 at 9am on HBO and HBO GO
Adapted by Steven Moffat from the bestselling novel of the same name, this HBO Original Series tells the story of Clare and Henry, whose beautiful and magical relationship is plagued by a unique problem – time travel. Can their love overcome this challenging obstacle? Tune in to find out in this six-episode series, directed by Emmy® Award winner David Nutter. Stars Rose Leslie and Theo James.
The Boss Baby: Family Business Premieres Saturday, May 21 at 9pm on HBO and HBO GO
Years after The Boss Baby, this sequel film reunites brothers Tim and Ted. Now adults, they have taken different paths in life and drifted apart, with Tim as a married, stay-at-home dad and Ted as a hedge fund CEO. However, a new boss baby with a cutting-edge approach and a can-do attitude will bring them together again… and inspire a new family business. Stars the voice talents of Alec Baldwin, Jeff Goldblum, Ariana Greenblatt, Jimmy Kimmel, Lisa Kudrow, Eva Longoria, James Marsden and Amy Sedaris.
A Quiet Place Part II Premieres Saturday, May 28 at 9pm on HBO and HBO GO
L-r, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe and Emily Blunt star in Paramount Pictures’ “A Quiet Place 2.”
Following the deadly events at home, the Abbott family must now face the terrors of the outside world as they continue their fight for survival in silence. Now forced to venture into the unknown, they quickly realize that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path. Stars Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe and Cillian Murphy.
Evelyn (Emily Blunt) braves the unknown in “A Quiet Place Part II.”
Following the deadly events at home, the Abbott family must now face the terrors of the outside world as they continue their fight for survival in silence. Now forced to venture into the unknown, they quickly realize that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path. Stars Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe and Cillian Murphy.
Cartoonito Available for streaming on HBO GO, Cartoon Network from 6am-9am daily, and on Boomerang from May 2 from 12-2pm.
Tune in to Cartoonito for a daily dose of preschool learning programmes, with Brave Bunnies premiering this May on Cartoon Network and Boomerang, and in June onHBO GO. Brave Bunnies and their friends introduce young kids to topics like diversity and helps teach communication skills. Also, catch new episodes of Esme & Roy as they ‘monstersit’,the outdoor adventures of Ranger Rob, and the ever-inquisitive Lucas The Spider. Stream Cartoonito on HBO GO and Cartoon Network daily from 6am-9am, now also available on Boomerang from Monday, May 2 from 12pm-2pm and 5pm-8pm.
Redraw Your Summer From Monday, May 2, daily from 9am-1pm on Cartoon Network
Redraw Your Summer with the best of Cartoon Network, featuring 4 hours of entertainment every day. Enjoy beloved characters and favourite franchises in weekly collections, beginning with brand-new episodes of Teen Titans Go! and their many escapades, and the adventures of Amato and Mechabot in Mechamato as they battle evil robots. This is followed by the best of Looney Tunes Cartoons to celebrate Tweety Bird’s 80th anniversary, and Krypto The Superdog which chronicles the comedic canine adventures of a superdog from Planet Krypton. The month draws to a close with We Bare Bears and the adorable antics of siblings Grizzly, Panda and Ice Bear, and The Tom and Jerry Show, the most iconic cat and mouse duo of all time.
Ekans – Snakes Awake! New episodes weekdays at 4.30pm on Cartoon Network
Catch fresh new adventures as young Ekans continues to wield the Naagmani, entrusted to him to keep humanity safe. With it, he is able to harness extraordinary powers such as heightened sensory perception, camouflage, flexibility and strength, making him an ideal protector of humanity.
Written and directed by Emmy® nominee Olivier Assayas (Carlos), starring Academy Award® Winner Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl) and produced in partnership with A24, HBO limited series Irma Vep premieres same time as the U.S. on Tuesday, June 7 at 9am on HBO and HBO GO, with a same day encore at 10pm on HBO. The eight-episode thriller will debut a new episode every following Monday.
Irma Vep will make its world premiere as an Official Selection at the Festival De Cannes 2022.
Based on the 1996 movie of the same name, Irma Vep stars Alicia Vikander as Mira, an American movie star disillusioned by her career and a recent breakup, who comes to France to star as “Irma Vep” in a remake of the French silent film classic, “Les Vampires.” Set against the backdrop of a lurid crime thriller, Mira struggles as the distinctions between herself and the character she plays begin to blur and merge. Irma Vep reveals to us the uncertain ground that lies at the border of fiction and reality, artifice and authenticity, art and life.
The cast also includes Vincent Macaigne as René Vidal, Jeanne Balibar as Zoe, Devon Ross as Regina, Lars Eidinger as Gottfried, Vincent Lacoste as Edmond Lagrange, Nora Hamzawi as Carla, Adria Arjona as Laurie, Carrie Brownstein as Zelda, Tom Sturridge as Eamonn, Byron Bowers as Herman, Fala Chen as Cynthia Keng, Hippolyte Girardot as Robert Danjou, Alex Descas as Gregory Desormeaux, Antoine Reinartz as Jeremie.
Irma Vep is directed by award-winning French filmmaker Olivier Assayas, who has become a major voice in international contemporary cinema. He started his career as a painter and graphic designer. Later, he began making his own short films while pursuing his interest in globalizing culture and technology as an editor of Cahiers du Cinema (1980-1985). Since his first feature film, Désordre (1986), which was awarded the Critic’s Week Prize at the Venice Biennale, he has consistently delivered a rich and diverse body of work that has brought him international recognition. Among his most celebrated films are: Irma Vep (1996); Summer Hours (2008), named one of the “Best Films of the 21st Century So Far” by The New York Times; Demonlover (2002); Clean (2004); Carlos (2010), which won a Golden Globe® for Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television and garnered two Emmy® nominations including Outstanding Direction for a Mini-Series, Movie or Dramatic Special; Clouds of Sils Maria (2014), for which Kristen Stewart won the Cesar for Best Supporting Actress; Personal Shopper (2016), which won the Directing Prize at Cannes; Something in the Air (2012), which won Best Screenplay at Venice; and most recently Non-Fiction (2018) and Wasp Network (2019).
The series is executive produced by Olivier Assayas, Alicia Vikander, Sylvie Barthet, Daniel Delume, Ravi Nandan, Hallie Sekoff, Kevin Turen, Stuart Manashil, Sam Levinson, Ashley Levinson.
Stream or download Irma Vep fromTuesday, June 7 on HBO GO. Subscribe to HBO GO online at www.hbogoasia.ph or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store on your device for as low as ₱99.70/month. Or access HBO GO via Cignal, Globe and Skycable. HBO GO is also available on Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV – and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.
This March, HBO Asia is bringing us a new anthology thriller from Taiwan titled Twisted Strings which also delivers satirical takes on selfishness, greed, and ignorance.
Executive-produced by renowned filmmaker Hou Hsiao-Hsien, with the writing and direction of Huang Xi, Twisted Strings also has an award-winning cast ensemble which includes Lee Kang-sheng, Nikki Hsieh, Yo Yang, Yao Yi-Ti, and Sylvia Chang to name a few!
Check out the trailer and synopsis for the series below:
Twisted Strings follows a series of bizarre deaths happening in Taiping City. Against an eerie atmosphere, Wu Yuenu witnesses the deaths of people around her. A funeral, a missing body, a dangerous game, a kidnapping; real and unreal, these incidents are woven in Yuenu’s memories, converging in the mysterious Sailing Castle.
The name of the series is inspired by a popular Taiwanese nursery rhyme, which contains lyrics that tell the story of a monkey’s life over seven days. Each episode is loosely based on a line from the song.
Before the series premieres on WarnerMedia’s HBO and HBO GO this March 27, we got to virtually sit with its star Lee Kang-sheng for a roundtable interview where the actor talked about his experience working on this thriller. Below are the highlights of the interview:
Lee Kang-sheng on joining the project
Lee Kang-sheng has been known for starring in films such as Stray Dogs, Goodbye Dragon Inn, Rebels of the Neon God, and The Hole. “In the past, all of my movies are mostly very artsy,” said Kang-sheng. “In this TV series, hopefully, the Asian audience would get to see a different style of my performance. And because this series’ genre is a bit like dark humor, I think it would be very refreshing for the rest of the Asian audience.”
The movie star also shared how the script for the series convinced him to join the project. “When I received the full script from the director, I was immediately drawn to it. Typically, reading the full script would take up to two or three days, it only took me one day to finish reading the script.”
Photo: WarnerMedia & HBO Asia
For Kang-sheng, the series stands out because of its appealing storyline, and the fact that it gathers an exciting ensemble of stars. “I think this is very appealing to me because of the storyline. I think the storyline gets kind of complicated and there are many actors involved in this production, about twenty-plus actors. That attracted me and pulled me to want to be part of it. I think this is a very fresh and unique production, and I’m very excited to be part of it.”
The parallel worlds of Taiping City
The setting of Twisted Strings is in a fictional city called Taiping, where bizarre things occur. The show opens with a curious-looking marionette monkey walking around its streets and observing the different stories that unfold in the series. According to Kang-sheng, the viewers must look closely to fully understand the show’s unique storyline.
“You need to watch it in detail and be very focused as you’re watching it,” said the actor. “Because many actors play more than one role. Sometimes you might be confused about who is playing who, because the story is happening in a parallel universe. It’s all happening in the same town, so you need to focus and make sure that you don’t miss out on any episode or it will be very hard for you to follow the storyline.”
Photo: WarnerMedia & HBO Asia
Tipping toes around taboo themes
With the series revolving around Chinese traditional funeral customs, Kang-sheng also shared that the cast had to be careful about the taboos surrounding such a topic.
“Before [shooting], we would brief about the code of conduct. How to conduct ourselves as we enter into all these different places. The actors were briefed by a religious consultant to [point out] what are the taboos. For example, we cannot make a lot of noises as we enter into the funeral setting. And then before and after we enter the scenes, we also need to cleanse our bodies. Even after we return home, the religious consultant will give us a [talisman] for us to burn to make sure that the evil spirits do not follow us back.” Kang-sheng explained.
“Therefore, all the actors at the scene, we are very respectful, we conduct ourselves properly, solemnly, and carefully following all the rules. Every day, as we are shooting the scenes, we are on the tips of our toes to make sure that we didn’t cross any taboo,” the actor added.
Photo: WarnerMedia & HBO Asia
Asked if there was anything creepy that actually took place during filming, he pointed out an instance when crew members of the production felt weak during their shoot.
“Personally, my day of birth in Chinese belief, I have a very positive charge– very Yang. My Yang is very strong, therefore, I don’t think I will encounter all these spiritual attacks. But I noticed that during the production, some crew members, they are not as strong as me. They are a bit weak or in Chinese interpretation, their Ying is higher. What I noticed is that the next day, the crew members did not come for work because they encountered a spiritual attack and they need to excuse themselves from work the next day,” shared the actor.
Why watch ‘Twisted Strings’?
For Lee Kang-sheng, watching a TV show should be relaxing and entertaining instead of getting too serious about things. He also cites two things that viewers can look out for when the series finally drops.
“As you watch this series, in one way you get to observe Taiwanese culture and how they conduct certain rituals. Another way you can enjoy this is how the director, being very professional and serious about the script, [has] a very unique way of handling this kind of topic. It’s supposed to be a thriller mystery because the show is really out of the ordinary, out of the box, and there’s a lot of room for imagination. So if you watch this, I would just advice you to relax, chill, and get entertained instead of perceiving it too seriously,” explained the actor.
Photo: WarnerMedia & HBO Asia
Twisted Strings premieres with its first two episodes this March 27. You can watch the anthology series on TV via HBO, or via online streaming on HBO GO. Subscribe to www.hbogoasia.ph or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store on your device for as low as P99.70 per month.
