As you may already know, Netflix can look very different depending on where you are on the globe. This is easy to understand when we consider how rampant censorship is in certain countries. However, it’s not always about censorship, and certain network agreements or laws may make it difficult for certain programs to be shown in a particular jurisdiction. 

But there’s a solution to this issue, and it’s called a VPN. If you aren’t familiar with these and want to know how they work, let’s take a closer look at VPNs in general, how you can use them, and how to choose the right VPN for Netflix.

What is a VPN Anyway?

VPN is short for virtual private network. It is a system of servers scattered across different locations allowing you to log onto them first and act as if you are connecting to the internet through this machine. Note that these weren’t first meant for internet surfing, but for companies who wanted to provide a way for their employees to connect to their network in a safe way.

Another thing that VPN networks offer is anonymity. When you use a VPN, your own IP doesn’t have to be displayed. Using a VPN, you can now act as if you are connecting to Netflix from whatever country the server is located in. This is why you can watch Netflix from different countries.

Can All VPNs Allow You to Watch Netflix?

No. You should know that you have to use the right VPN service if you want to use them not only to surf anonymously, but to connect to the service. Netflix is not a big fan of people using their service this way, and you might get an error saying that you are using a proxy or unblocker.

This is why you should make sure that the VPN you’re using will not be detected by Netflix. Some of the names you’ll hear include Nord VPN and Surfshark, but if you really want to know if you should pick a VPN, we suggest that you check this out. This is a review of some of the best VPNs on the market and what they can do.

What Should You be Looking for in a VPN?

There are plenty of things that you should look for. The first one, of course, is whether you can use them to watch Netflix. A good review should be able to show you that, but there are many other things that you should be looking for.

One is the number of servers the VPN service operates. This will make sure that performance will be distributed across several machines and that the network is never overloaded. You will get top performance every time. Another thing you want to check is how many devices can connect to the network at once and things such as whether you actually need to log in every time as some will allow for no log-ins for convenience.

Another feature to look for is the other services it allows you to connect to. You also want to know if you can do P2P sharing or torrenting. Lastly, you want to know how much it costs to use it and what’s included.

Why is Netflix so Different Depending on the Region?

Like we said earlier, it sometimes has to do with censorship but, often, it’s because certain broadcasting companies have agreements with each other over who will display content depending on the region.

In Canada and the US, for instance, CBS All Access holds the rights to Star Trek: Discovery. So, this means that you’ll have to pay for both services if you want to watch Netflix as well. In most of the world, however, it is readily available from Netflix, so you don’t have to pay for both subscriptions. 

How to Set Up Your VPN for Netflix

Now let’s take a look at how you can actually watch movies and shows on Netflix using your VPN. The first step is finding a suitable one. Make sure that you pick one with fast servers, a reasonable price, and which allows you to connect using all the devices you own and more.

Next, you have to make sure that you download the app on your devices and use the proper version. After this, you can decide which Netflix version you want to watch and log onto a server from this country. 

After this is done, you can connect to Netflix and see if you can watch a video. It should work right away. If it doesn’t, then it could be something to do with your cache and cookies. Clear them along with your search history and try again. If it still doesn’t work, it might be an issue either on your end or with the VPN service.

This is pretty much all you need to know about Netflix and VPNs. Make sure that you pick the right one first, and learn how to use them properly.

In most parts of the world, Hollywood is the biggest and most influential producer of movies. However, other parts of the planet manage to create more films and sell more cinema tickets than the US, with India, Nigeria, China, and Japan all ahead in numbers. In fact, Bollywood produces 200% more films than Hollywood per year.

Although India and the US often grab headlines in movie production, Asia is a key player in the film world, with each country having its own homegrown industry that serves both local and international audiences. While it’s easy to compare their size to determine which is the biggest, it can be a little trickier to decide just which is the best.

Japan

Japanese cinema is now one of the biggest and oldest film industries in the world, after the country started movie production way back in 1897. Japanese films have changed a lot over the more than 100 years that have passed since then. The earliest movies built on the country’s tradition of “magic lantern” storytelling were silent and very simple when compared to modern productions.

In the last few decades, films based on famous TV shows have become popular, though anime is by far the biggest category in the country, making up around 60% of all movies. If you’ve ever seen a Japanese movie, it is likely animated as this genre has become a global sensation.

Some of the most notable Japanese films of recent years include Spirited Away (2001), The Sky Crawlers (2008), Shogun Assassin (1980) and Steamboy (2004).

Taiwan

Taiwan is a country that’s famous for a number of things. It’s one of the biggest exporters of electronic components and, while you may not have heard of some of its biggest companies like Pegatron, Quanta Computer, and the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, it’s likely that you own devices that contain parts made by them.

The nation is also a popular place to host major international events like a round of the APPT Open, the 2019 WBSC Premier12, and the annual Taiwan Cycling Festival.

However, Taiwan isn’t as well known for its cinema. Despite box office revenue exceeding US$10.6 billion a year, only around 7% of this is generated by home-grown productions. However, this figure has been growing in recent years thanks to big-name filmmakers like Edward Yang and Hou Hsia-Hsien.

Taiwanese movies aren’t as popular as releases from other parts of Asia. Despite this, the local studios have produced some great titles in recent years, including You Are the Apple of My Eye (2012), Cape No. 7 (2008), Zone Pro Site (2013), and The Wonderful Wedding (2015).

South Korea

Like Japan and Taiwan, South Korea has been a leading figure in the tech sector for several decades and is home to brands like Samsung and LG. One of its most famous cultural exports is K-Pop with Psy’s Gangnam Style becoming a global sensation back in 2012.

South Korean cinema isn’t as old as Japan, with production first taking place around 1945. Due to historical connections with the country, South Korean movies share many similarities with Japanese films, though there are some unique elements.

One of the biggest differences between the two is that South Korean film tends to be more grounded in reality while those from Japan are more based around manga. South Korean productions also tend to have more in common with Hollywood; they also feature less martial arts-related themes and content when compared to other parts of Asia.

Cinema is big business in South Korea, with annual box office takings of more than $1.5 billion. Additionally, the Busan International Film Festival in Haeundae-gu has grown to become one of the most important of its kind on the continent after first taking place in 1996.

Which is Best?

Each Asian region has its own style of moviemaking, and declaring one better than the other is difficult. They each excel in different areas, are a window into their respective cultures, and are all entertaining in their own ways.

The UK’s top celebration of Indian cinema begins on June 16 this year as a hybrid festival, allowing viewers to enjoy the movies in various British cities or at home. This is the 12th version of the event and there are some very interesting movies lined up for film lovers this year. So, what can we expect from the Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival?

Opening Movie – WOMB

The festival begins with the 2020 documentary WOMB (Women of My Billion), from director Ajitesh Sharma and starring Pragya Prasun Singh and Neha Rai alongside Srishti Bakshi. It runs for just over 100 minutes and will be shown on June 17 at the BFI London. We see how a woman walks 4,000km across India over a duration of 240 days, meeting a diverse group of women along the way.

Srishti Bakshi starts her journey in Kanyakumari, in the South of the country, before heading North to Kashmir. While it is largely focused on the struggles faced by women in modern-day India, it turns into a heart-warming exploration of how they are overcoming these challenges. The movie is followed by a Q&A session with Bakshi and film critic Anna Smith.

The Young Rebels Section – Koozhangal (Pebbles)

The festival’s movies are divided into themed sections, such as the Young Rebels selection. This is where they have gathered together films showing the obstacles facing some South Asian people, some in the form of dramas and others with a lighter or more comedic approach.

Among them is P.S Vinothraj’s debut movie Koozhangal (Pebbles). This 75-minute feature stars Chellapandi and Karuththadaiyaan. Filmed in Tamil and with English subtitles, it follows a man trying to track down his wife, and his relationship with his son who he takes along with him. It won the Tiger Award when presented at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam this year.

Extraordinary Lives – Karkhanisanchi Waari (Ashes on a Road Trip)

The next section looks at how the selected Indian independent movies show us people living ordinary lives in very different ways. Among the options in this category is called Karkhanisanchi Waari (Ashes on a Road Trip) and is from director Mangesh Joshi.

It runs for 108 minutes and is a dark comedy which was filmed in Marathi and with English subtitles. The head of the Karkhanis family passes away and the rest of them leave the city of Pune in their van to scatter his ashes in the remote village they come from.

Closing Night Gala – Flight

The event comes to a close on July 2 at the Cine Lumiere in the British capital, with this 1997 British movie from director Alex Pillai. The stars featured in it include Mina Anwar, Kulvinder Ghir, and Roshan Seth. Running for 75 minutes, it follows the story of a girl in Northern England from a Hindu family who falls in love with a boy from a Muslim family.

Once people find out about their relationship, she runs away to London. The discovery of a secret women’s shelter gives her a temporary taste of freedom before she is put in danger again. The movie is followed by the director, cast, and crew taking part in a question-and-answer session.

How Indian Culture Has Entered the Mainstream

The growing popularity of Bollywood movies and other Asian films among Western audiences suggests that the London Indian Film Festival in 2021 should be a success. To date, the most internationally successful movie to come out of India was 2016’s Dangal, which is believed to have earned gross overseas revenue of $260 million.

Yet, while the movies from here can be rated as highly as films from other cultures in many cases, it is clear that the Indian culture has crossed over in more areas than simply the cinematic industry. For example, Deepak Chopra has become an important figure in the New Age movement thanks to his books and videos, although his quantum healing theories and suggestion that perfect health can be obtained have proved to be controversial.

Indian games have long been part of the western world, with the classic Snakes and Ladders based on an ancient board game that was called Moksha Patam and Ludo coming to the rest of the world as a simplified version of a game called Pachisi. Snooker also began life here, as British Army officers played it in their Jabalpur base before it went on to extend out over the planet.

In recent times, Andar Bahar has become popular outside of India and can be seen among the options on the Betway live casino. This simple card game asks the player to bet on Andar or Bahar and it originated in Karnataka, with a history going back more than 100 years. Also featured in the same casino is a version of roulette known as Bollywood Roulette, which has a distinctive style reflecting popular Indian decor detailed at livspace.com.

In terms of individuals who have made their mark in different areas, Priyanka Chopra won the 2000 Miss World competition and has since been named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. As well as being a highly successful TV and movie actress, Chopra has gained musical success, written her memoirs, and worked as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

The recent success of Indians as well as games and movies with an Indian background help to show that the London Indian Film Festival should be very well-received. The hybrid approach taken this year should also ensure that more people get to enjoy these movies in a way that suits them.

There is no doubt that this is a time where we need movies and entertainment to keep us busy and to enjoy during the long days inside. The previous year came with some challenges that postponed the filming of many new movies that were set to air in 2020. However, the films ae now ready for you to enjoy and fall in love with. 

We can now finally turn our attention to the screen, instead of to the phone watching TikTok or Youtube. Maybe you are busy with a gripping guide to your favourite online casino, but that’s another story. The list below features long awaited sequels and new a new version to an old story. Here is a list of movies that is set to be released in 2021. 

Spider-Man: No Way Home

The “new” Spider Man, Tom Holland is a fan favorite and people are already very excited for the movie that is set to release on December 17th. Holland has made an appearance in the former two Spider Man movies, “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “Spider-Man: Far from Home”, as well as in the “Captain America: Civil War”, “Avenger: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame” in the Marvel series.

The movie is co-produced by Colombia Pictures and Marvel Studios, where we will follow the journey of Holland’s character Peter Parker. He struggles to balance life as a teenage boy, while still being a world-known superhero. We will also meet his girlfriend MJ, played by Zendaya and the famous Doctor Strange. 

The Matrix 4

The long and anticipated fourth movie in the Matrix universe will be released to the public right before Christmas this year. Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Ann Moss, Jada Pinkett Smith, Lambert Wilson and Daniel Bernhardt will re-appear in the fourth film. The movie series is created by Lana and Lilly Wachowski. 

The series started when it’s first movie came out in 1999. They are all science fiction action films. It takes place in a dystopian future where the people of the world are trapped inside a simulated reality called the Matrix. Here the human bodies are used as energy sources, all while intelligent machines are distracting humanity from knowing what is going on. The three first movies have become highly popular, and we expect nothing else from the upcoming film. 

Dune

In the beginning of October this year, we will have the pleasure to watch Thimothée Chalamet as the young duke names Paul Atreides. The movie will premiere on both HBO Max and in theaters and is the long-awaited Dennis Villeneuve remake of the science fiction epic. Alongside Chalamet we will meet Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa and Javier Bardem. The movie is a classic coming-of-age story about the young Atreides as he tries to defend his family from their enemies. 

It has been described as a rivalry to “Game of Thrones” and “The Lord of the Rings”, which is a great accomplishment itself. Dune is based on Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel with the same name. it was later turned into a movie in 1984 and a miniseries in 2000.