Anukkai watches and talks about films from Asia
Once upon a time in Japanese-occupied…uh…Japan. Available in Canada, the United States, and maybe a few other countries. Approximately 156 minutes. An island named Shodoshima. The subtitles say that this is two decades ago, meaning 1934, but then later states that it … Continue reading WTF ASIA 114: Twenty-four Eyes (1954)
Once upon a time in British-occupied India. Available in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and maybe a few other countries. Approximately 150-156 minutes. It is March 23, 1931. Bhagat Singh and two of his associates are already dead. Their … Continue reading WTF ASIA 113: The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002)
Once upon a time in Japanese-occupied Korea. Available in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and maybe a few other countries. Approximately 145 minutes. It is the 1930s. A young mother hugs her mother and hands over her crying … Continue reading WTF ASIA 112: The Handmaiden (2016)
Once upon a time in Japanese-occupied China… Available online under Guizi lai le. Approximately 138 minutes. China in early 1945 is still under the control of Japan. The blockhouse in the village of Rack-Armor Terrace is being occupied … Continue reading WTF ASIA 111: Devils on the Doorstep (2000)
Some people cry in disgust at political corruption. Others laugh. Available online. Approximately 138 minutes. The year is 1582. General Akechi has betrayed his lord daimyo Oda Nobunaga. His forces kill both Oda and his eldest son Nobutada. A … Continue reading WTF ASIA 110: The Kiyosu Conference (2013)
Tales of a small town. Lots of superstition, very little literacy. The pen may be mightier than the sword, but that does not mean much if the writer is a wimpy little weasel of a man. Available in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, … Continue reading WTF ASIA 109: Welcome to Sajjanpur (2008)
It’s hard out here for a pimp. Available in the United Kingdom, the United States, and maybe a few other countries. Approximately 125 minutes. It is nighttime in the city of Seoul. A young woman is talking on … Continue reading WTF ASIA 108: The Chaser (2008)
No, this is not about cannibalism. Available in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and maybe a few other countries. Approximately 124 minutes. In a house in Taipei, far away from the hustle and bustle of the streets, Chu is … Continue reading WTF ASIA 107: Eat Drink Man Woman (1994)
You are the worst bodyguard ever. Available in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and maybe a few other countries. Approximately 111 minutes. It is a hundred years ago…okay, it is a hundred and sixty years ago, but … Continue reading WTF ASIA 106: Yojimbo (1961)
That’s right. Another movie about the Gujurati Riots. Available in Australia, Canada the United Kingdom, the United States, and maybe a few other countries. Approximately 99 to 101 minutes, depending on which service you use for whatever reason. The opening … Continue reading WTF ASIA 105: Firaaq (2009)
How can you rescue someone from someone else when you cannot even rescue yourself from yourself? Available in the United States and…um…I don’t know, maybe a few other countries. Approximately 98 minutes. Jang-sup has been looking for a woman named … Continue reading WTF ASIA 104: Miss Baek (2018)
What is a teenage girl to do when her boyfriend leaves her? Well…not much, I guess? Erm…well…this is on Youtube, but the video length is misleading and you will need to get subtitles from somewhere else if you do not … Continue reading WTF ASIA 103: Spacked Out (2000)
The first of April is the 100th birthday of legendary Japanese actor Mifune Toshirō. Born and raised in the Japanese-occupied…Chinese province…uh…you know what, never mind. To commemorate the birthday of Toshiro Mifune, I look at one of the films that he … Continue reading WTF ASIA 102: High and Low (1963)
Fight and you may die. Run and you’ll live — at least a while. And dying in your beds many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, … Continue reading WTF ASIA 101: Heneral Luna (2015)
Uh…so…you know about Narendra Modi, right? The current Prime Minister of India? Quite controversial? Considered very anti-Muslim? Thought to have helped instigate and encourage the Gujarat Riots on 2002? Well, this movie is about that last part. Well, it is … Continue reading WTF ASIA 100: Parzania (2005)
What would you do when faced with impending death? Would you cower in terror? Or would you kick death in the nuts, steal its gun, and demand its money? Also known as Grandma Gangsters. Available online. Approximately 109 minutes. Jung-Ja, Young-Hee, and … Continue reading WTF ASIA 99: Twilight Gangsters (2010)
I was maybe fifteen or so when I came across a book called Sex and Zen & a Bullet in the Head . Not only did it have some sexy ladies on the cover, it also had a picture of two men pointing … Continue reading WTF ASIA 98: A Better Tomorrow (1986)
A beach party movie. Available in the United States and…uh…is that it? Well, maybe some other countries. Approximately 94 minutes. Murakawa is the leader of a Yakuza branch. He has been running a successful loan shark operation in his … Continue reading WTF ASIA 97: Sonatine (1993)
Get your kicks. Available in Canada, the United Kingdom (I think?), the United States, and maybe some other countries. Approximately 93 minutes. The movie starts with a man speaking in Japanese…eh? Is this the right movie? Well, anyways, he is … Continue reading WTF ASIA 96: Chocolate (2008)
Last week’s movie was about how the rich and poor suck the life out of each other. This week’s movie is about how everyone who comes into the life of a wealthy woman ends up dead. Continue reading WTF ASIA 95: 7 Khoon Maaf (2011)
As ushering in the Year of the Metaphorical Rat comes to a close, WTF ASIA presents Elon Musk’s favorite film of 2019. Oh, and the Oscar Winner for Best Original Screenplay, Best Foreign Film, Best Director, and BEST PICTURE! RESPECT! In … Continue reading WTF ASIA 93: Parasite (2019)
