A somber note from the world of cinema. Tony Rayns, the influential British film critic and programmer, has died at 78. Rayns, a tireless champion of East Asian cinema, was found deceased at his home on July 7th. His sister, Stephanie Gowman, confirmed to Variety the cause was an accidental fall down his stairs. Rayns dedicated decades to bringing groundbreaking films from Japan, Korea, and China to Western audiences, profoundly shaping global film appreciation. His legacy – a bridge between cultures – remains immeasurable.