The New York Film Festival’s impressive lineup this year includes a number of celebrated directors from Asia. Perhaps the most anticipated of these, prior to its Cannes premiere, was Hou Hsiao-hsien’s The Assassin, his exquisite take on the martial arts film, which netted Hou a best director prize at Cannes. Hou will make a rare […]
We’re right in the thick of summer, and usually what that means, as far as movies go, is Hollywood throwing billions of dollars at us in bombastic Dolby surround sound, 3-D, and outsized spectacle at the multiplexes. But here in New York, if you’re willing to look beyond the realm of dinosaurs, revived Terminators, and […]
Written, Directed and Edited by Kim Ki-duk Produced by Kim Soon-mo Released by Ram Releasing Korean with English subtitle South Korea. 91 min. Not rated With Cho Jae-hyun, Seo Young-ju and Lee Eun-woo “What is family? What are desires? What are genitals?” These are the opening statements of director Kim Ki-duk in the press notes […]
Film Comment Selects, the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s self-described “essential and eclectic feast of cinephilia,” will run its 14th edition from February 17-27. Organized by the editors of Film Comment, the organization’s house magazine, this series once again offers filmgoers many different stripes, genres, and modes of expression, culled from festivals all over the […]
By July, it was clear that there were already more than a half-dozen films that could securely claim a spot on a 10 best list. Overall, it was very good year, offering almost something for everyone, and with plenty of notable films hovering below the cut (the austere Paradise trilogy, the awards favorite 12 Years […]
Written & Directed by Jia Zhang-ke Produced by Shozo Ichiyama Released by Kino Lorber Mandarin with English subtitles. China. 125 min. Not rated With Zhao Tao, Jiang Wu, Wang Baoqiang & Luo Lanshan One of the greatest filmmakers currently working, Jia Zhangke has become one of the most vital and poetic chroniclers of modern day […]
Directed by Wong Kar-Wai Written by Zou Jingzhi, Xu Haofeng & Wong, based on a story by Wong Produced by Wong & Jacky Pang Yee Wah Released by the Weinstein Company Mandarin with English subtitles Hong Kong/China. 130 min. Rated PG-13 With Tony Leung, Ziyi Zhang, Zhao Benshan, Chang Chen & Wang Qingxiang It would […]
Directed by Andrew Lau Produced by Peter Ho-Sun Chan & Jojo Hui Yuet-chun Written by Aubrey Lam & Joyce Chan; Released by Well Go USA Mandarin with English subtitles. China/Hong Kong. 113. Rated R With Huang Xiaoming, Ethan Juan, Shawn Yue & Li Yuchun The latest film from director Andrew Lau (Infernal Affairs) kicks off […]
Written & Directed by Kim Ki-duk Produced by Kim Soon-mo Released by Drafthouse Films Korean with English subtitles South Korea. 104 min. Not rated With Cho Min-soo & Lee Jung-jin Over the course of a 17-year career, in which he has made 18 films, Korean auteur Kim Ki-duk has often shocked and divided audiences with […]