Home / Arts and Entertainment / East Asian Cinema's Champion Tony Rayns Dies at 78
East Asian Cinema's Champion Tony Rayns Dies at 78
8 Jul
Summary
- Tony Rayns, a key figure in East Asian cinema, passed away unexpectedly at 78.
- He was instrumental in introducing Asian films to Western audiences for decades.
- Rayns' career included festival programming and extensive film criticism.
Tony Rayns, a celebrated British writer and festival programmer dedicated to East Asian cinema, died at the age of 78. He was found deceased at his home on July 7, 2026, after an accidental fall down the stairs. Rayns was known for his decades-long efforts in introducing Western audiences to the rich landscape of East Asian filmmaking.
Born in 1948, Rayns began his career in film journalism, contributing to publications like Cinema Rising, Monthly Film Bulletin, Sight & Sound, and Time Out. He also presented a British television series, 'New Chinese Cinema,' in the 1980s.
From 1988 to 2006, Rayns directed the Dragons and Tigers competition at the Vancouver International Film Festival, highlighting Asian cinema. He also served on juries at major international film festivals and provided subtitling services for numerous films.
Rayns authored books on influential directors and broad movements in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cinema. His extensive work included audio commentaries and liner notes for many Criterion Collection and Masters of Cinema releases, such as 'Chungking Express' and 'Seven Samurai.' His significant contributions to Japanese cinema were recognized with the 2004 Kawakita Prize and a commendation from Japan's Foreign Ministry in 2008.
