Blake Simons

Blake Simons is a film journalist and programmer with a taste for the self-reflexive, sentimental and surreal. Specialising in contemporary Japanese and queer cinemas, they enjoy speaking with filmmakers about what makes them and their films tick.

All articles by Blake Simons

Discoveries

6 discoveries from Venice Film Festival 2025

Six critics pick the discovery films that bowled them over from the international selection at this year’s Biennale.

By John Bleasdale, Rory Doherty and others

6 discoveries from Venice Film Festival 2025

Interviews

Takeshi Kitano, a rare interview: “There are diverse patterns of queerness in Japanese society”

By Blake Simons

Takeshi Kitano, a rare interview: “There are diverse patterns of queerness in Japanese society”

Interviews

James Schamus on a new The Wedding Banquet: “Over the years, I’ve come to the conclusion that what we call civilisation and culture is more or less queer”

By Blake Simons

James Schamus on a new The Wedding Banquet: “Over the years, I’ve come to the conclusion that what we call civilisation and culture is more or less queer”

Features

Like a Dragon: Yakuza – the films that inspired the long-running video game series and new Amazon adaptation

By Blake Simons

Like a Dragon: Yakuza – the films that inspired the long-running video game series and new Amazon adaptation