Asia

Best Asian films

If you’re looking for the best Asian films, there’s plenty to choose from. Asia holds approximately 60% of the world’s population, so it’s no surprise the continent has a wealth of great films. The continent hosts one of the world’s largest (if not the largest) film industries in India’s Bollywood, the most famous animation studio outside the U.S. in Japan’s Studio Ghibli, as well as the second largest film market in the world by box office receipts in China (second only to the U.S.).

But that’s not all. The Iranian art-house cinema scene is still booming despite government bans. Southeast Asia holds two of the most famous torch-bearers of the transcendental film movement in Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Lav Diaz. Plus, there’s South Korean, Bong Joon-ho, whose Parasite became the first foreign language film to win the Best Picture. And we haven’t even mentioned the growing film presence of the countries in Central Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, and the Caucasus.

So scroll down to see some of the best Asian films. Or, if you know where you want to go, pick a country from the links below.

Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Cyprus, East Timor, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon,Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen

*We’re still looking for the best Asian films from countries without links. Send us your recommendations.

1

Princess Mononoke – Film Analysis (Introduction to Japanese Film – Week 3)

Hayao Miyazaki is Japan’s most famous animator and probably the world’s best living animator. Along with Isao Takahata, he founded Studio Ghibli in 1985 after the success of Nausicaa.  Eight of Studio Ghibli’s films are among the 15 highest-grossing anime films made in Japan. The Academy Award winning Spirited Away still holds the box-office record in Japan, sitting comfortably above Titanic. However, despite box office glory, his films are remarkably beautiful and clever, as we will see with Princess Mononoke.

Princess Mononoke

Miyazaki’s films have contained many progressive themes, such as pacifism, environmentalism, and feminism whilst being critical of capitalism, globalisation, and modernisation. After making the happy worlds of Totoro and Kiki’s Delivery Service Miyazaki wanted to make something more powerful with Princess Mononoke. In his own words:

“We’ve made many films in the past, and our goal with those films has been to send a message of hope and the possibility of happiness to growing children. What we realized was that by continuing to make movies that only taught them about hope and happiness, we were in fact turning a deaf ear to their very urgent needs and pleas, and that if we did not make a movie that directly addressed their needs and pleas, we no longer would have the right to make films that would encourage them to be hopeful and happy. So we made this film knowing that we would need to step outside the boundaries of what you call entertainment; we made this film from a sense of mission.”

Princess Mononoke addresses many issues absent from Totoro and Kiki’s Delivery Service. It was his return to the more political realms of Nausicaa and Laputa, of films which promote awareness of global issues such as discrimination, global warming, and war.

 

  1. Industry vs. Nature

To understand the context a little better, let me tell you that Miyazaki chose to set this film in the Muromachi Period (1336-1573). Japan had always been fairly closed off from the rest of Asia, but the Muromachi period was around the time when new ideas (religion) came to Japan. Whereas before, people worshipped nature, they now sought to tame it. Hence the deforestation around Iron Town to fuel the growth of civilization.

As we will explore throughout this analysis, Miyazaki somewhat impartially poses nature against human civilization. Yes, the iron cannon balls that caused the great boar at the beginning to turn to a demon were from Iron Town, showing that humanity doesn’t care enough about nature. But juxtaposing that, the leader of Iron Town is a strong woman who takes in lepers and former prostitutes, giving them jobs and food. Nothing in Princess Mononoke is good or evil. Hatred is what drives bad actions. The animal god’s hatred for human deforestation of their forest is justified as much as Lady Eboshi’s hatred for the animals that threaten her town and people.

You may be thinking otherwise. Of course nature is the victim in this film! Well you’re probably right. Miyazaki, like Yasujiro Ozu (Tokyo Story), held a bit of disdain towards industrialisation and modernisation.  (After all, his intentions with Totoro were to encourage kids to venture outside.) But thankfully Miyazaki cleverly does not overtly favour nature in this film. Think about it. The apes want to eat the humans, the wolves want to chew their heads off, and the boars just want to wipe out Iron Town. Unlike singing animals in Disney films, these animals are more human. They debate, they argue, and they fight. Only those animals that do not speak are portrayed positively (think of the Forest Spirit and Ashitaka’s trusty elk steed Yakul).

It is only by portraying each side (nature vs. civilization) that Miyazaki can demonstrate that they can coexist. For human viewers, there would be no point in showing that we are completely evil; telling children that they are better off leaving nature alone is not what Miyazaki wants. Miyazaki wants people to care about nature and respect it. Similarly the film teaches us to respect and to try to understand everyone else; whether that is Lady Eboshi or Princess Mononoke.

2. Ashitaka and Jesus

Do I sound crazy? I kept thinking that Ashitaka’s role as the voice of peace and friendship was a definite allegory of Jesus, or at least reminiscent of a religious prophet. Well, here’s my reasoning in bullet points.

  • Ashitaka like Jesus has to leave his family in order to answer a higher being (tree spirit)
  • He has to resist hatred in the same way that Jesus had to resist temptation (infected arm)
  • He is a good Samaritan – he saves two men from Iron Town despite them being from what might be classed as the ‘enemy.’
    • He also saves two enemies from killing each other (Lady Eboshi & San)
  • He is saved by the nature spirit, in the same way that Jesus rises from the dead. What’s more, is that his wounds, like the crucifixion marks of Jesus do not disappear at this point.
  • He preaches love. He seeks to protect each and every living thing – everyone is equal no matter what. He like Jesus, sees the good in everyone and respects everyone.
  • Yet Ashitaka, like Jesus, suffers for everyone. He is shot by the people of Iron Town, he is bitten by the wolves, and attacked by Princess Mononoke.

Ashitaka also seems to know exactly what he is doing the whole film. The usual ‘hero’s journey’ monomyth described by Joseph Campbell in his excellent book The Hero with a Thousand Faces, is that the protagonist receives a ‘call to action’ which they initially refuse. Think of Rey in the latest Star Wars, not wanting to leave her home planet or of Frodo Baggins initially refusing the burden of the ring. In Princess Mononoke Ashitaka’s ‘call to action’ comes in the form of the boar which puts a curse on him which forces him to leave his town. However, unlike the usual ‘hero’s journey’ story, Ashitaka never doubts his path or hints that he will not try to locate the forest spirit. This decisiveness and purpose, to me , make him seem even more prophet-like. It is like he carries omnipotence (all knowledge) along with his benevolence (all loving character). Adding in his faith (in finding the forest spirit and spreading love and respect) makes him appear like a religious prophet or saint.

3. Don’t Underestimate Animation!

Isn’t the animation beautiful? I cannot imagine this film being shown in any other medium.

Miyazaki favoured animation because he could create whatever he wanted. There are no limits of reality those live-action confines directors to. Talking animals do exist in Babe, but to have a shimmering night walker in CGI will end up looking like a giant monster from Predator. Animation is the perfect medium for Princess Mononoke just as much as Princess Mononoke is the perfect story for animation. Without animation, the fantastical world would not work – especially given the technology in 1997.

In Princess Mononoke Miyazaki manages to blend hand drawn animation with computer generated animation seamlessly. The bulk of the film was hand-drawn but scenes with progression are smoothed over with computer generation. Think back to the scene where Ashitaka kills the boar god at the start of the film, and after it issues an omen to Ashitaka it decays before our eyes. This scene used technology to blend these hand drawings together smoothly and seamlessly. Similarly, this occurs right at the end of the film when greenery returns to the landscape as grass and plants grow. Unlike the technical leaps made by Pixar in animation, Miyazaki is a master of hand-drawn animation. Whilst Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle employed aspects of computer animation, Miyazaki returned to hand-drawn feature films with Ponyo. Therefore, think of him as one of the true auteurs of animation. He made an effort to review every frame of his films, and always maintained a hand in every aspect of film-making.

I really hope that after this film, you do not just think of animation as for kids! There are so many incredible animations that I will have to revisit in the future.

In context to Introduction to Japanese Film

Here’s to a quick few comparisons between Princess Mononoke and the two films we have looked at in the last two weeks.

How is Princess Mononoke like Like Ran?

  • Miyazaki uses high numbers of characters for blockbuster effect – just as Kurosawa used massive casts to emphasise the importance of key moments, Miyazaki drew a large boar army, large samurai armies, and masses of tree spirits for blockbuster effects.
  • Strong and important female characters! Lady Eboshi and San in Princess Mononoke, Lady Kaede in Ran.
  • Landscapes feature in both films to empower nature and the divine. (think of the tree spirit dominating over his landscape in comparison to the Gods in the sky in Ran).

How is Princess Mononoke Like Tokyo Story?

  • Miyazaki’s characters are well developed. As in Tokyo Story, we see their motives, their flaws, and their goodness.
  • Both films appear anti-modernisation. Tradition is the victim in Tokyo Story and nature is the victim in Princess Mononoke, both at the hands of modernisation and industrialisation.
What’s Next  for Week 4?


We will take a look at one of the most famous Japanese film icons. Godzilla! Remade and remade again, Godzilla spawned the great monster blockbuster film. This is for all you fans of Pacific Rim, Jurassic Park, or King Kong. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy entertainment at its most glorious (without all the crazy CGI effects).

2

Nobody Knows – Children Forced to Become Adults

Nobody Knows

Nobody Knows Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

Nobody Knows is one of the most moving and heart breaking films I’ve seen. You’ll meet some children treated as baggage (very literally in the opening scene) by their irresponsible mother. They’re left at home alone to fend for themselves for long periods forcing them to learn and do everything themselves. In this film, the adults are childish and the kids are forced to become adults to survive.

From: Japan, Asia
Watch: Trailer, JustWatch
Next: Shoplifters, Grave of the Fireflies, The Florida Project
Continue reading “Nobody Knows – Children Forced to Become Adults”
3

Oldboy – THE Revenge Thriller to Rule them All

Oooweee you are in for a treat. Oldboy is the best revenge film you can find in the 21st century, let alone South Korea. Prepare yourself for a witches brew of 1 part The Truman Show, 1 part Memento, and 1 part “what the f**k! Park Chan-wook has made one crazy movie!

The main character from Oldboy

Oldboy Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

You’re in for a treat. Oldboy is the best revenge film you can find in the 21st century, let alone South Korea. Prepare yourself for a witches brew of 1 part The Truman Show, 1 part Memento, and 1 part “what the f**k! Park Chan-wook has made one crazy movie! 

From: South Korea, Asia
Watch: Trailer, Rent on Amazon, Buy on Amazon
Next: The Truman Show, Memento, Le Samourai
Continue reading “Oldboy – THE Revenge Thriller to Rule them All”
4

Homeland: Iraq Year Zero – Life Before the Iraq War

Homeland Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

How much do you know about the Iraq War? You may know that it was a war between the U.S. and it’s allies and Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein and bring democracy. However, that’s just the account that you’ve probably been exposed to. Homeland is your chance to see the Iraqi perspective. Through the home footage of Abbas Fahdel’s family maybe your view of the war and it’s intentions may change.

Why Watch Homeland: Iraq Year Zero?
  • Because this is one of the only ways you can experience life in Iraq before the Iraq War started in 2003
  • You’ll pretty much become part of an Iraqi family for close to 6 hours
  • To hear some of the best stories, all from the simple act of people watching
  • You’ve seen Ahlaam or The Journey and want to see some real footage of life in Iraq to compliment these great fictional films
The Breakdown

You’ll join director Abbas Fahdel’s family in Iraq as soon as this film starts as if you’ve always been a part of his family. His nephew, Haidar, is watching a piece of state propaganda referring to Saddam Hussein as ‘our beloved leader.’

Outside of the short interruptions of unsubtle state propaganda on TV, life in Iraq is very familiar. Haidar and his friends are just like any other kids of their age, playing fun pretend war games and fooling around. Similarly, adult life goes on normally. People talk to their neighbours, go to the market to buy provisions, and spend a lot of time with their family.

However, their normal lives slowly disappear as the American invasion gets closer and closer. They all start preparing for war: stocking up provisions, preparing water pumps, and moving to the country in attempts to get out of the war zone. Then the war hits. You’ll then experience what it was like to live in the Iraq War. You’ll hear injustices, you’ll see cultural buildings ruthlessly bombed, and you’ll also witness the resilience of the Iraqi people.

Image result for homeland iraq year zero

Conclusion

Homeland: Iraq Year Zero is the film to watch to get a first-hand account of the Iraq War from the Iraqi perspective. You’ll get to experience how life was before the war and also how life changed when the war started.

It is less biased than you might expect because it is solely home footage rather than a more opinionated narrated documentary. But it’s a strong statement against war.

 

he shows his niece and nephews watching television one morning; a piece of state propaganda referring to Hussein as “Beloved Leader” soon gives way to a Looney Tune cartoon featuring Foghorn Leghorn.

5

Kids Return (Japan)

Kids Return Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

Some of the best films just can’t be reviewed well. Kid’s Return is one of these greats. It’s great score and simple story-telling will whisk you away to Japan for a while. You’ll become friends with two high-school drop-outs and follow their journey into adult life. With school-life, boxing, and Yakuza, this one is one to watch.

Why Watch Kids Return?
  • For a great coming-of-age film and boxing film rolled into one. Think of Boyhood mixed with Rocky.
  • See more of Japan – just like Kitano’s Kikujiro – from Japanese coffee shops to adult film cinemas!
  • Hear a classic film soundtrack from Joe Hisaishi
  • For the great clash of colours in the cinematography: red vs. blue!
The Breakdown

Kids Return starts with two guys in sequin jackets on a stage performing their comedy act. We only see them from back stage. We later learn that these two guys are from the same school as the two main protagonists who we are introduced to in the next scene. They both meet each other for the first time in ages and go for a nostalgic bike ride in the city.

Following the introduction, we are taken back to school days with Masaru and Shinji (the two main characters). They are bullies who skip school to mess around. They steal money from other students, beat up people, and prank their teachers. As a result, nobody thinks they have many future prospects. Their teachers all agree that the best they’ll be is become petty crooks.

At this time, both of them are vulnerable to the allure of power. This leads them both to boxing. At this time in the film, Kitano dresses one of them in red and the other in blue. Their opposing colours are a metaphor for them drifting apart. After a pivotal boxing match showing red vs. blue, they both follow different paths.

Conclusion

It’s harder to write about your favorite films. I end up trying to hard to mention everything that’s great about the film to persuade you to watch it. But the best films have something intangible, something you can’t write about. It’s a cathartic ability to truly immerse the viewer in the images and story and temporarily forget about your own reality. Kids Return does this cathartic ability perhaps aided by the soundtrack and story.