FILM ASIA

The concept of a sudden, unexpected discovery of wealth and the morally corrosive consequences that follow has long been a powerful narrative staple in cinema. This enduring premise was notably present at this year’s Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF), where two films explored the theme, with Dopamine offering a compelling, home-invasion-style approach that showcases yet another excellent performance from actress Shenina Cinnamon. The film introduces Malik and Alya, a yo

The 2025 Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF) concluded its landmark 20th anniversary edition with a powerful statement, awarding the prestigious Golden Hanoman, the festival's top prize, to Becoming Human , directed by Cambodian filmmaker Polen Ly. This year's JAFF proved to be historic on multiple fronts. The festival officially became its largest and most monumental edition yet, welcoming over 30,000 visitors and continuing a consistent trend of annual growth. Festival

The highly anticipated new feature from master filmmaker Park Chan-wook, No Other Choice  ( Eojjeol Suga Eopda ), attempts a tricky tonal balancing act, one that feels akin to transplanting the dark aristocratic satire of Kind Hearts and Coronets  into the volatile contemporary Korean industrial job market. Sadly, while the film retains the work of a master craftsman and his signature idiosyncratic style, Park stumbles on some jarring shifts, allowing wacky humor to short-cha

The celebrated Taiwanese actress Shu Qi is recognized internationally by distinct cinematic audiences: either for her mesmerizing presence in the arthouse films of master director Hou Hsiao-Hsien, such as Millennium Mambo , Three Times , and The Assassin , or by action film aficionados who appreciate her versatile skills in comedy and stunt work, seen in movies like The Transporter  and Jackie Chan’s Chinese Zodiac . Regardless of the context, once a viewer encounters Shu on

The collaborative spirit of Asian cinema shines brightly in 2024 with the release of "Mongrel" (白衣蒼狗) , a powerful co-production directed...

Iranian cinema delivers a powerful and urgent statement in 2025 with "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" (دانه انجیر مقدس) , the latest film...

Director Payal Kapadia's fiction feature debut  "All We Imagine as Light" emerges as a powerhouse within Indian cinema. The mesmerizing...

Following the global success of "Drive My Car," acclaimed Japanese director Ryusuke Hamaguchi returns in 2023 with "Evil Does Not Exist"...

Prolific South Korean filmmaker Hong Sang-soo delivers another delightful and introspective work in 2024 with "A Traveler's Needs" (여행자의...

Vietnamese cinema celebrates a remarkable new talent in 2023 with "Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell" (Bên trong vỏ kén vàng), the...

Malaysian cinema made a bold statement in 2023 with "Tiger Stripes,"  the electrifying debut feature from director Amanda Nell Eu. This...

Indonesian cinema celebrates a compelling new voice in 2022 with the release of "Autobiography,"  the debut feature film from director...

Japanese cinema presents a thought-provoking and poignant debut in 2022 with "Plan 75," directed by Chie Hayakawa. This speculative drama...

Acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook returns to the big screen in 2022 with his latest cinematic masterpiece, "Decision to...