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Director Bizhan Tong of Psychological Thriller "Tape"
Bizhan Tong is a British filmmaker with almost 20 years of experience as a writer, director, and producer. Born to a Chinese father and Persian mother, he has built a career telling stories that bridge East and West - exploring identity, cultural duality, and emotional truth through a bold, cinematic lens.
He is the founder of Phoenix Waters Productions, with offices in Hong Kong and London, specialising in cross-cultural genre films and series. His works include the Hong Kong crime series Forensic Psychologist (2023) with a UK remake now in development; the UK-Hong Kong thriller The Audition (2022), produced for Hong Kong’s oldest broadcaster ATV; and the Hong Kong remake of Richard Linklater’s Sundance hit TAPE, executive produced by Linklater, John Sloss (Green Book), and Stephen Belber (Netflix’s The Madness). TAPE premiered in the UK as part of the Official Selection at the 2025 Raindance Film Festival, where it was also nominated for Best International Feature. He also executive produced the British horror-comedy Murder Ballads (2023) starring Simon Callow.
"Tape" is a reinvention of Richard Linklater's 2001 film of the same name and is an intense confrontation between three former friends. The intensity ratchets up as history and memory collide, confusion and anger rise as the three come face to face under the harsh lights of Wing's small and hot living room. It stars Adam, Selena Lee, and Kenny Kwan.
From the director:
"TAPE is a love letter to Hong Kong cinema, crafted through a Western lens but rooted in Eastern heart. This release is not just about showcasing a bold reinterpretation of a Linklater classic but about proving that intimate, dialogue-driven stories still have a place on the big screen, and that cross-cultural filmmaking can bring new layers of meaning to familiar material. I’m thrilled UK audiences will finally get to experience this fusion of worlds in cinemas.”
This film differs from the 2001 one in so many ways and the direction the writer, director, and actors take it in is not to be understated and never to be missed when it comes to theaters. We are still reeling from the mental whiplash the film gave us and the twist? Forget about it because you are NOT ready.
"Tape" will be showing at Vancouver International Film Festival October 2nd to 12th! https://viff.org/festival/viff-2025/
TRAILER HERE: https://youtu.be/QVbi-K1T_Ro?si=FqPqPo4FiOQDCEWh
IMDb HERE: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21653410/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_t_4
COMING TO UK THEATERS SEPTEMBER 19TH! Follow the film on Instagram @tape.film and the creatives @selenaleelalee @mr.adam.pak @kennyjr @bizhantong for more information about the film and future releases.
If you like what we do (and if you don't!) you could always buy us a kofi! https://ko-fi.com/autimagination
WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS!! Thurocleanfl.com AND OUR NEW BABY an LGBQT and ND owned and operated small business using vegan and organic products to bring you phenomenal smells! Hexennacht.com
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NerdyNuts.com PROMO CODE PUPDUFFY10
Multitasky.com PROMO CODE PupDuffy
JustStrong.com PROMO CODE PupStrong10
Eat Your Vitamins! GEM-A-GEM-A-AUTI https://dailygem.co/
30% off at Cocoburry.com CO29184328
Thank you for being a part of the Autimagination family!
Check Us Out at Autimagination.org
REGISTER TO VOTE OR CHECK YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION AT VOTE.ORG OR WHENWEALLVOTE.ORG
Be sure to support your local libraries!
Outro music courtesy of musician Raleigh Keegan, the song is "Tell Me Something I don't Know" from his album "Clocks Roll Forward". You can check out our favorite band geek here: https://www.youtube.com/@RaleighKeeganMusic
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/much-more-muchier-with-pup-duffy-and-keira-lane/exclusive-content
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By Pup Duffy & Keira LaneBizhan Tong is a British filmmaker with almost 20 years of experience as a writer, director, and producer. Born to a Chinese father and Persian mother, he has built a career telling stories that bridge East and West - exploring identity, cultural duality, and emotional truth through a bold, cinematic lens.
He is the founder of Phoenix Waters Productions, with offices in Hong Kong and London, specialising in cross-cultural genre films and series. His works include the Hong Kong crime series Forensic Psychologist (2023) with a UK remake now in development; the UK-Hong Kong thriller The Audition (2022), produced for Hong Kong’s oldest broadcaster ATV; and the Hong Kong remake of Richard Linklater’s Sundance hit TAPE, executive produced by Linklater, John Sloss (Green Book), and Stephen Belber (Netflix’s The Madness). TAPE premiered in the UK as part of the Official Selection at the 2025 Raindance Film Festival, where it was also nominated for Best International Feature. He also executive produced the British horror-comedy Murder Ballads (2023) starring Simon Callow.
"Tape" is a reinvention of Richard Linklater's 2001 film of the same name and is an intense confrontation between three former friends. The intensity ratchets up as history and memory collide, confusion and anger rise as the three come face to face under the harsh lights of Wing's small and hot living room. It stars Adam, Selena Lee, and Kenny Kwan.
From the director:
"TAPE is a love letter to Hong Kong cinema, crafted through a Western lens but rooted in Eastern heart. This release is not just about showcasing a bold reinterpretation of a Linklater classic but about proving that intimate, dialogue-driven stories still have a place on the big screen, and that cross-cultural filmmaking can bring new layers of meaning to familiar material. I’m thrilled UK audiences will finally get to experience this fusion of worlds in cinemas.”
This film differs from the 2001 one in so many ways and the direction the writer, director, and actors take it in is not to be understated and never to be missed when it comes to theaters. We are still reeling from the mental whiplash the film gave us and the twist? Forget about it because you are NOT ready.
"Tape" will be showing at Vancouver International Film Festival October 2nd to 12th! https://viff.org/festival/viff-2025/
TRAILER HERE: https://youtu.be/QVbi-K1T_Ro?si=FqPqPo4FiOQDCEWh
IMDb HERE: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21653410/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_t_4
COMING TO UK THEATERS SEPTEMBER 19TH! Follow the film on Instagram @tape.film and the creatives @selenaleelalee @mr.adam.pak @kennyjr @bizhantong for more information about the film and future releases.
If you like what we do (and if you don't!) you could always buy us a kofi! https://ko-fi.com/autimagination
WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS!! Thurocleanfl.com AND OUR NEW BABY an LGBQT and ND owned and operated small business using vegan and organic products to bring you phenomenal smells! Hexennacht.com
Check out Autimagination's affilliates and get 10% off or more using our PROMO CODES
NerdyNuts.com PROMO CODE PUPDUFFY10
Multitasky.com PROMO CODE PupDuffy
JustStrong.com PROMO CODE PupStrong10
Eat Your Vitamins! GEM-A-GEM-A-AUTI https://dailygem.co/
30% off at Cocoburry.com CO29184328
Thank you for being a part of the Autimagination family!
Check Us Out at Autimagination.org
REGISTER TO VOTE OR CHECK YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION AT VOTE.ORG OR WHENWEALLVOTE.ORG
Be sure to support your local libraries!
Outro music courtesy of musician Raleigh Keegan, the song is "Tell Me Something I don't Know" from his album "Clocks Roll Forward". You can check out our favorite band geek here: https://www.youtube.com/@RaleighKeeganMusic
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/much-more-muchier-with-pup-duffy-and-keira-lane/exclusive-content