Chinese and Chinese-language Films | Southeast Asian Films
Dear You: hope, dreams, resilience and community identity maintained over decades of separation
Lan Hongchun, “Dear You” (2026) Made on a budget equivalent to US$2.06 million or nearly
Tag: Southeast Asian Films
Reviews of films from Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
North American Films | Southeast Asian Films
The American Military Retreat from Vietnam: a general history of the prolonged end of the Vietnam War
Carlton Meyer, “The American Military Retreat from Vietnam” (Tales of the American Empire, 19 June
Exploring destiny, reincarnation and transformation in “Uncle Boonmee who can recall his past lives”
Apichatpong Weerasethakul, “Uncle Boonmee who can recall his past lives” (2010) The last days of
Chinese and Chinese-language Films | Southeast Asian Films
The Masseuse: how to be human and to have free will in an oppressive society and culture
Tan Ce Ding, “The Masseuse” (2018) An intriguing film set in a not-too distant dystopian
Formulaic coming-of-age heroic fantasy blends with Thai Buddhist beliefs in “The Legend of Muay Thai: 9 Satra”
Pongsa Kornsri, Gun Phansuwon, Nat Yoswatananont, “The Legend of Muay Thai: 9 Satra” (2018) Not
North American Films | Southeast Asian Films
The Quiet American: a slow and unassuming film with parallel plots of a love triangle mirroring post-colonial Cold War struggle
Phillip Noyce, “The Quiet American” (2002) A beautifully made film with much atmosphere, even if
NewsAsia Interview with Sergei Lavrov: how to behave gracefully under pressure from an interviewer with a prejudiced agenda
NewsAsia “Conversation with …” Interview with Sergei Lavrov (2015) For an example of an interviewee
Northern European Films | Southeast Asian Films
The Look of Silence: a grim and monotonous film about a personal quest but no context to make sense of it
Joshua Oppenheimer, “The Look of Silence” (2014) A companion piece to Oppenheimer’s earlier documentary “The
Australian and New Zealand Films | Southeast Asian Films
Beatriz’s War: Timor-Leste’s first film is a story of hope, determination and perseverance
Bety Reis and Luigi Acquisto, “A Guerra da Beatriz / Beatriz’s War” (2013) A major
Northern European Films | Southeast Asian Films
The Act of Killing: chilling documentary on mass murderers and the society that supports and celebrates their deeds
Joshua Oppenheimer, “The Act of Killing” (2012) A chilling film, made all the more so