review : Why Don't You Play in Hell

Director - Sion Sono                                            
Screenplay - Sion Sono                                                
Cast - Jun Kunimura, Shinichi Tsutsumi, Fumi Nikaido, Tomochika, Hiroki Hasegawa, Gen Hoshino                        

Country - Japan [2013] 

An action comedy in a format distinctly Japanese. A cinema club called "The Fuck Bombers" are hopelessly and happily struggling to make a movie. A Yakuza boss tries to prop his wayward and criminally inclined daughter as a movie star to make his wife happy.                                                  

The film displays a cinephile's passion, where a manic director can go to extremes to make the prefect movie. Peppered with humor and signature Asian gore the story does take some time to mature. However it makes for the most entertaining climax I have seen in some time.

review : Love in India

Director - Q (Qaushiq Mukherjee)

Narration - Q 

Country - India [2009]

A documentary from a controversial (as dubbed by Indian sensibilities) director named Q. People from various walks of life talk about love and sex, and the perception of it in today's Indian society. Of how it has transformed from the time period when the Kama Sutra was written and has become the taboo it is now. Midway the film evolves into more than just love and sex. It also explores human nature and the forces driving it. There is a form of research embedded amid the stories of Indian mythology which are briefly touched upon. Unfortunately the rare people aware and well versed about such matters, both in the east and west, are social rejects or outcasts. They are made so by mainstream "scholars". But with thought provoking ideas about the ever dwindling mystery of the self the film is entertaining, informative and revealing.
P.S. - Charming cinematography. 

review : Last Life in the Universe

Director - Pen Ek Ratanaruang

Screenplay - Pen Ek Ratanaruang, Prabda Yoon
Cast - Tadanobu Asano, Sinitta Boonyasak, Laila Boonyasak

Country - Thailand [2003]

A Japanese man living in Thailand wishes to commit suicide, but is continuously blockaded in his aim to achieve death.
His reasons to commit suicide, by his admission, are different from the usual . A girl gets run over by a car on a bridge, which leads him to make a friend and delay his plans for death.
A slow, strange piece worth a viewing.

review : Map of the Sounds of Tokyo

Director - Isabel Coixet
Screenplay - Isabel Coixet
Cast - Rinko Kikuchi, Sergi Lopez, Min Tanaka

Country - Spain [2009]

Although technically a Spanish production, the film deserves a mention here. 

Ryu is a killer for hire, who works the night shift at the Tokyo fish market. Her only friend is elderly man with an interest in recording his silent conversations with Ryu. This man is also narrator to the story. 

When, Midori, the daughter of a business man commits suicide, the man recedes into depression and blames David, his daughter's boyfriend, for the loss of his daughter. His confidante gives Ryu the contract for killing David. A sexual confusion arises between Ryu and David that dislodges something within Ryu and renders her incapable of killing David, who finds comfort in Ryu. 

But as per Chekov , when a gun is introduced in the plot it must be fired. 

review : The Last Tycoon

Director - Wong Jing
Screenplay - Wong Jing, Phillip Lui, Manfred Wong
Cast - Chow Yun-fat, Sammo Hung, Francis Ng, Huang Xiaoming

Country - Hong Kong [2012]

The last tycoon starts in 1913 China where two people choose to resume their budding love once ambition has been satiated. Daqi becomes embroiled in the underworld of Shanghai. Meanwhile Zhiqiu rises as an opera star in Beijing. The film follows a parallel narrative for the first half, chronicling the rise of Daqi through pivotal events & the present 1937 where Japan, Daqi's Shanghai and the Chinese army are at play. Here Zhiqiu is reintroduced into the capturing plot. Henceforth begins the Japanese invasion and occupation. With strong characters, an engaging narrative and a vengeful climax 'The Last Tycoon' is immensely entertaining. 

review : Norwegian Wood

Director - Tran Anh Hung
Screenplay - Tran Anh Hung
Cast - Kenichi Matsuyama, Rinko Kikuchi, Kiko Mizhara

Country - Japan [2010]

Based on Haruki Murakami's novel, this story takes us onto the stranger side of love. The title of the novel is taken from The Beatles song of the same name.
A suicide causes a subtraction between two friends, the nature of which they are unable to grasp. The loss is so deep it creates a black hole, swallowing everything till they can come to terms with it. Love has a burdensome quality which is reflected in the emotional triad that develops. I recommend reading the book before watching the film.
Murakami has always had a remarkable grasp on the psychology of his characters. The film was well received at international film festivals winning the 'best cinematography' at the Asian Film Festival. The soundtrack deserves special mention as adding quality to the film.

review : Bleak Night

Director - Yoon Sung-hyun
Written by - Yoon Sung-hyun
Cast - Lee Je-hoon, Park Jung-min, Jo Sung-ha

Country - South Korea [2010]

Trivial is though the nature of emotions in high school, they give way to distortions in personality that may last years. As a father searches to understand the tragedy of his son's suicide the film follows a parallel narrative where incidents leading up to the suicide are seen. It begins with three friends talking and living as boys of this age will. Their minds are on girls and how best to have a good time till the rifts caused by the affliction of egos appear. As one boy becomes hostile towards the other two a writhing separation, rooted in misunderstanding, begins.
Although a high school story, at first glance, the film charms the viewer into this world which each of us has gone through with memories bitter and sweet.
The film received was nominated and won at the Hong Kong International Film Festival, Pusan International Film awards & Asia Pacific Screen awards.

review : Udaan [Flight]

Director - Vikramaditya Motwane
Written by - Vikramaditya Motwane, Anurag Kashyap
Cast - Rajat Barmecha, Ronit Roy, Aayan Boradia, Ram Kapoor

Country - India [2010]

The most engaging of narratives are human in nature. As a teenage boy is expelled from boarding school he looks darkly upon the prospect of going back to a motherless home and a father he hasn't heard from in years. He reaches home only to see his room encroached upon by a much younger step brother he had no knowledge of and consequently vents his frustration on the younger child. Being forced to study engineering and work in his authoritarian father's factory, his only comfort is in his ambition to be a writer and the random nightly escapes. Incidents culminate towards a conclusion when his step sibling has to be hospitalized. The film gets back to realism in Indian cinema which had been lost in the mainstream for a decade, or 2, and is now in the process of recovery. With a stellar performance from the entire cast the film is premium grade soul food.

review : Aftershock

Director - Feng Xiaogang
Written by - Wu Si
Cast - Xu Fan, Jingchu Zhang, Chen Li, Daoming Chen

Country - China [2010]


The 1976 Tangshan earthquake in China is the backdrop for this film. A mother has to choose between her son and daughter both of whom are buried beneath ruble. From here the story evolves as the son grows up with his widowed mother and the daughter is brought up by her foster parents. The mother continues to live with the guilt of having chosen between her children and the daughter having heard her mother make the choice is unable to forgive her. Time goes on until paths collide years later and an emotional confrontation surfaces. The films is based upon a novel by Ling Zhang. Apart from the tragic events of the earthquake which form the heart of the story, the film also notes the changing landscape of the economically closed off China of the past to the present day industrial giant that it has become.

review : The Last Lear

Director - Rituparno Ghosh
Written by - Rituparno Ghosh
Cast - Amitabh Bachchan, Shefali Shetty, Arjun Rampal, Divya Dutta, Preity Zinta

Country - India [2007]

An eccentric theatre actor, Harry, is the gravitational centre of this film. He lives in a Shakespearean cocoon, shunning society and reliving the roles that he had played on stage. The film follows parallel story lines, one in which it is the night of a film premiere and the star actress has not shown up, choosing instead to visit an ailing co-actor. The other is where Harry is approached by a director, who convinces him to act in his film about dying art forms. The directors sense of realism in film brings the tale to a tragedy of sorts.
It is a slow moving piece making me think of the arts of puppetry, circus acts and even the theatre which future generations will only see depicted on the medium that killed them - film.
Based on a play by Uttpal Dutt, the film is notable for performances by Amitabh Bachchan and Shefali Shetty.

review : 2046

Director - Wong Kar Wai
Written by - Wong Kar Wai
Cast - Tony Leung, Gong Li, Faye Wong, Takuya Kimura, Zhang Ziyi, Maggie Cheung

Country - Hong Kong [2004]

From the visionary who gave us 'In the Mood for Love comes the next chapter of the story. A writer (Tony Leung) in the 60's of Hong Kong begins to write a novel set in 2046(a place where nothing changes). As authors will often do Mr. Chow begins inserting incidents of his own life into the novel. At the same time he leads a promiscuous life style full of heavy drinking, gambling and one night night stands.
The story unfolds in both the fiction that he writes and the life he is living. With strong characterization the film becomes great just for the artfully conducted direction and the score alone. A mercurial neighbour and interactions with his landlords daughter creates a plot that appeals to, pleases & satiates the intellect.

review : Swordsmen

Director - Peter Chan
Written by - Aubrey Lam
Cast - Donnie Yen, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tang Wei

Country - China [2011]

It had been some time since I enjoyed a martial arts film out of Hong Kong. Set in a comparatively recent time, 1917, the film begins with a government official investigating two deaths in a village. Suspicion rests on a man with a clouded past and a broken link with the 72 demon clan. The plot unfolds with past misdeeds coming to light.  A thriller apt for kung-fu appetites.   

review : The Taste of Tea

Director - Katsuhito Ishii
Written by - Katsuhito Ishii
Cast - Tadanobu Asano, Tomokazu Miura, Anna Tsuchiya, Rinko Kikuchi

Country - Japan [2004]

A slice of life film. The story revolves around a family living in the countryside around Tokyo. A young girl bored with the futility of life, her older brother falling prey to the pangs of puberty. A slightly neurotic grandfather. A beautifully captured tale about not really anything except the unnoticed moments of life. Each character at a different age and consequently looking for something in their life.
A heart warming piece touching on one's own past that had been stored away in some sunny, smiling corner.

review : Battle Royale

Director - Kinji Fukasaku
Written by - Kenta Fukasaku
Cast - Tatsuya Fujiwara, Aki Maeda, Taro Yamamoto, Chiaki Kuriyama, Kou Shibasaki, Masanobu Ando, Takeshi Kitano

Country - Japan [2000]

A dystopian future where teenagers are forced into a death game. Based on the book by Koushun Takami, it opens to a class of students moved to an uninhabited island. They are all given weapons and 3 days. With explosive collars tied to their necks, there's nothing left but merry killing to begin. The film is infused with a lot of red as the kids use arrows, shotguns, knives, sickles, automatics, grenades and axes. Friendships, loyalties and trust are stretched to a breaking limit. Let the games begin. 

review : Survive Style 5+

Director - Gen Sekiguchi
Written by - Taku Tada
Cast - Tadanobu Asano, Kyoko Koizumi, Jai West, Shihori Kanjiya, Sonny Chiba, Vinnie Jones

Country - Japan [2004]

It has been some time since I saw film that hooked you so completely from the first shot. There are 5 stories that loop in and touch each other at times. The purpose of the segments and actually the theme for the entire film has been given room for interpretation. Some audiences may find the comedy to be dark, but it has been done with clear vision and great aplomb.
A man who's wife beats him despite having been killed several times. A copywriter who gets brainwaves on advertising products. A hit man from Britain. A trio of jabbering miscreants & to tie it all up a man-chicken. The film, like the anime of Japan, continues to blast at the "limits" of creativity.

review : Caramel

Director - Nadine Labaki
Written by - Nadine Labaki, Rodney El Haddad, Jihad Hojeily

Cast - Nadine Labaki, Yasmine Elmasri, Joanna Moukarzel, Sihame Haddad, Gisele Aouad

Country - Lebanon [2007]


A film that exposed me to my ignorance. The lives of 5 women living in Beirut overlap in a salon. The film departs from the usual scene and story of a war ridden Beirut and displays the cities gentler, warmer side. Each woman staunchly battles her situation and is, at the same time, able to see the lighter, brighter side of things.
Nadine Labaki's direction tells of an organic love that each of us has for the city we grew up in. I look forward to more perception altering titles from the middle east.

review : The Servant

Director - Kim Dae-woo
Written by - Kim Dae-woo
Cast - Kim Joo-hyuk, Jo Yeo-jeong, Ryu Seung-beom

Country - South Korea [2010]

The film opens into feudal Korea with an outlaw recounting his tale to a writer. A rigid class system exists in a time when brothels are socially accepted as a form of entertainment, particularly among the royalty. This is the backdrop for a triangle between a royal, his servant & an ambitious singer at the brothel. The story runs a slow, melodious pace, punctuated with moments of levity as hearts change sides and events take their turns. An entertaining story with a mildly grim conclusion.

review : Owl and the Sparrow

Director - Stephane Gauger
Written by - Stephane Gauger
Cast - Cat Ly, Le Thu Lu, Pham Thi Han

Country - Vietnam [2007]


An orphan escapes her workplace to the city where she makes a living selling flowers on the street. A zookeeper leads a solitary life with animals as companions. An air hostess is in a curtained relationship with a married pilot.
This becomes the setting for a film about the everyday incidents that go unnoticed. The film also sheds a dim light on the child labor situation that exists in most asian countries and is sadly accepted as normal.
Well received at film festivals, the film makes for a emotionally moving tale.

review : Three Times

Director - Hou Hsiao-Hsien
Written by - Hou Hsiao-Hsien, Chu T'ien-wen
Cast - Shu Qi, Chang Chen

Country - Taiwan [2005]


As can be guessed from the title, the film is cut into 3 parts.The first begins in a pool hall, establishing the connection between a young man who has recently been drafted and his amorous interest in May who works there.
The second part is set in 1911 and is shot as a silent film, with dialogue appearing in text on slides.
The last part is set in modern times amid the tempestuous nature of youth.
The film reveals the promise of love to be one that reaches across lifetimes. Although love remains the theme in each part of the film, the setting or the environment in which love resides, changes. A slow piece, the film is more suited to a lazy, rainy sunday.

review : Harishchandrachi Factory

Director - Paresh Mokashi
Written by - Paresh Mokashi
Cast - Nandu Madhav, Vibhavari Deshpande

County - India [2010]

1913, British India. A man Dhundiraj Phalke, watches the motion pictures for the first time. The film narrates the story of this man , as he struggles to create the first Indian motion picture. From the sale of personal belongings to gather funds to comic frustrations with first time actors and the Phalke's trip to Britain the film keeps us in amused anticipation. Although with some sad turns the underlying energy of the film is highly positive.
Today the highest honor in the Indian film industry is named after this ambitious and enterprising man, the Dada Saheb Phalke Award.

review : Kimjongilia

Director - N.C. Heikin

Country - South Korea [2009]

A documentary on the North Korean condition. We hear the stories of people who suffered under the Kim Family regime and to escape their misery defected. As we talk to ex military men, artists and people who were born and grew up in the North Korean prison camps, a sad and angry realization sets in. Some escape to China only to become goods of sale in human trafficking. Others seeking expatriation in Mongolia. Personal accounts of tragedies that hit the people of North Korea since its inception bring into focus the isolation of this country and more severely that of it's people.

review : Lust, Caution

Director - Ang Lee
Written by - Hui-ling Wang, James Schamus, Eileen Chang
Cast - Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Tang Wei, Joan Chen, Leehom Wang

Country - Hong Kong [2007]

It is near impossible to comprehend the circumstances of an individual unless their reality becomes your own. The western world is largely ignorant of the Japanese occupation of China, which is the premise of this period film. Set during the Second World War the Japanese Occupation disrupted, altered and manufactured a cascade of events, large and small, that would go unnoticed in the pages of history. The resistance movement in China operating in small cells tries to make headway by assassinating some of their own, who have become underlings of the Japanese to survive and further their own careers.This is the setting where a college going girl is aided and instructed to seduce the head of the secret police. But along the way the complexities of human nature are explored beyond the predictable. The ever mysterious nature of love and lust is once again revealed to be in the grey fog.  The emotional commitment of the actors to their roles is incomparable. The plot covers nearly 5 years of WW II from 1938 to 1942. I salute those who were part of this film and to the western viewers I say...

review : Outrage

Director - Takeshi Kitano
Written by - Takeshi Kitano
Cast -  Takeshi Kitano, Kippei Shiina, Ryo Kase, Jun Kunimura [ & others]

Country - Japan [2010]

Another Yakuza story depicting the political maneuvers and manipulations within a Yakuza family. Although the film takes off to a slow start, which might be deemed necessary for the plot to mature. Midway the film picks up pace and the viewer is drawn into the machinations of the Yakuza. With the infamous tattoos, cutting off fingers as penance, murders with the right amount of gore and the police turning a Yen influenced blind eye the film makes for a satisfying 1hr 40 min. For those of us with a curious fascination for the underworld the film is a must. There are plans to follow up with a sequel in 2012.

review:Delhi Belly

Director - Abhinay Deo
Written by - Akshat Verma
Cast - Imran Khan, Vir Das, Kunaal Roy Kapoor, Poorna Jagganathan, Shenaz Treasurywala, Vijay Raaz

Country - India [2011]


Diarrhea, diamonds & blackmail. A refreshing comedy from the Indian subcontinent. Confusion ensues as a package of smuggled diamonds is replaced by a stool sample. At the center of the plot are three room mates, a self pitying copywriter, a cynical journalist, and the photo journalist with a sideline in the blackmail game. Apart from the english dialogue it is the comically timed body language that completes the film. A soundtrack that was loved by the Indian audiences. Coming from a reputed production house the film makes for a highly entertaining 102 minutes. Vijay Raaz excels as always, this time as a gangster.

review:Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring

Director - Kim Ki-duk
Written by - Kim Ki-duk
Cast - Su Oh-yeong, Kim Young-min, Seo Jae-kyung, Kim Jong-ho, Ha Yeo-jin

Country - South Korea [2003]


Each season passes as a child grows older. From mischievous to impetuous to angry. A monastery in a lake, located in a deep valley. Here the story unfolds of a monk watching over his pupil. A reflection on the development of human emotions, at times allowing the viewer to glance inwards. Although not for the fans of fast pace its simplicity allows room for thought as there is no gizmo hyper fluff to distract upon.

review:Memories of Murder

Director - Bong Joon-ho
Written by - Bong Joon-ho, Shin Sung-bo, Kim Kwang-rim
Cast - Song Kang-ho, Kim Sang-kyung, Kim Roe-ha, Park Hae-il, Byeon Hee-bong

Country - South Korea [2003]


Based on true events or rather murders which took place between 1986 and 1991. A serial killer creeps around small town Korea when it rains. Bong Joon-ho is the small town cop who would rather beat out a confession rather than follow procedure. Sent to assist him is a specialist from Seoul played by Kim Sang-kyung. Sprinkled with dark humor and squeamish autopsies the film's focus remains on the 2 detectives and their method. It matches the quality and substance of western counterparts like 'Zodiac' and in some regards trounces them.

review:Omkara

Director - Vishal Bhardwaj
Written by - Vishal Bhardwaj, Robin Bhatt, Abhishek Chaubey
Cast - Naseeruddin Shah, Saif Ali Khan, Ajay Devgan, Kareen Kapoor, Konkona Sen Sharma, Vivek Oberoi, Bipasha Basu

Country - India [2006]


Shakespeare's 'Othello' is loosened upon rural India. A backdrop of dirty politics, fragile loyalties and frail ties of blood. Mixed into the plot pot is a suspicious love and treacherous ambition. The rural dialect of northern India and witty dialogue goes a long way in making the film authentic. A tight script with a well tuned soundtrack keeps close minded critics of the Indian song and dance routine at bay. Saif Ali Khan as 'Langda Tyagi' makes for the most memorable negative role in years. Vishal Bhardwaj adapted 'Macbeth' for Indian audiences in 2004 as 'Maqbool', both films underline Vishal Bhardwaj's capacity to successfully portray story lines with greater depth.

review:Election

Director - Johnnie To
Written by - Yao Nai-Hoi, Yip Tin-Shing
Cast - Simon Yam, Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Louis Koo, Nick Cheung, Wong Tin-Lam

Country - Hong Kong [2005]


The Wo-Shing Society is a criminal enterprise led by a chairman, elected every 2 years. The film follows two mob bosses as they vie for the title of Chairman. Bribery, alliances and murder. The plot also centers around a 100 year old Baton that is held by the Chairman. There have been many takes on Coppola's 'The Godfather' over the years, but the concept when adapted to the modern day crime families of Hong Kong is nothing short of brilliant. The civilized dialogue only adds to the gravity of the situation.
There was a sequel 'Election 2' in 2006 where the term is up and the title is again up for grabs. As hard it is to let go of power, it is harder to shed the hold that power has on you. The current Chairman wants an extension on his term and he plays the other candidates against each other. The police is interested in a different outcome altogether, for they think it better to control that which cannot be eliminated. A must see for the criminally inclined.

review:I Saw the Devil

Director - Kim Ji-woon
Written by - Park Hoon-jung
Cast - Lee Byung-hun, Choi Min-sik

Country - South Korea [2010]


The theme is revenge. Revenge when taken to an extreme slowly slips out of control. Choi Min-sik of 'Oldboy' fame plays a rapist and mentor to a cannibal. The helplessness of his victims will stir a sleeping horror within the viewer. The hidden pleasure  comes on seeing Lee Byung-hun play games with the sadistic murderer. A cat and mouse chase in it's most brutal and raw form. The calmness with which the act of murder is committed will leave your senses numb. The plot takes hair-pin bends before coming to a climax which leaves you in a state of shock as the psychological state of both characters hits you full blast.

review:In the Mood for Love

Director - Wong Kar-wai
Written by - Wong Kar-wai
Cast - Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung

Country - Hong Kong [2000]


This film shows how subtle a love can be. Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung are neighbors in an apartment building. With their spouses working overtime and the other neighbors playing mahjong leaves the 2 to develop a platonic relationship. The slow mutation of platonic to amorous is beautifully depicted with intimate soft moments of hesitation and unsure body language. In Hong Kong of 1960's they conform to the social norms of the day and drift apart only to share moments of brief proximity years later. The film leaves you wondering which lasts longer, love or the tragedy of love.

review:the GOOD,the BAD,the WEIRD

Director - Kim Ji-woon
Written by - Kim JI-woon & Kim Min-suk
Cast - Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-Hun, Jung Woo-sung

Country - South Korea [2008]

You will instantly recognize the title from the Clint Eastwood classic (the good,the bad and the ugly), but this film supplants it's namesake in every way. Set in 1930s , the plot is simple but the vision of Kim Ji-woon is what makes it a superior product. A treasure map, a thief, a bounty hunter, a bandit, the imperial Japanese army, Manchurian bandits.The thrills begin with a train cutting through the Manchurian desert where all the 3 characters collide and the film is set in a momentum that it will not lose till the end. The rapid scenes never make you look away. Song Kang-ho plays the funny man. Lee Byung-hun collaborates once again with Kim Ji-woon to play a brooding murderer. The climax of course is a Mexican standoff that leaves you mildly curious but mostly amused. 

               

a flickering screen

The darkness surrounds you as you sit in a cushioned seat, surrounded by a 100 or so people. The projection starts and you are lost to the world just the way the world is lost to you. Reality melts away in that darkened room to be replaced by something more vivid , something more real than your dull life can ever be...