Asian American / Asian Research Institute
The City University of New York
Isabella (Hong Kong, 2006) Edmond Pang Ho Cheung is one of the new generation of directors emerging in Hong Kong, renowned for his witty and entertaining works which all met with critical acclaim. His latest Isabella entered the 56th Berlin International Film Festival as the only Chinese-language film. Thanks to Peter Kam’s music which enriches … Read more
Last Life in the Universe (Thailand, 2003) Shy Kenji is a Japanese librarian in Bangkok who lives within a neatly organized world and fantasizes about committing suicide, but gets interrupted every time he attempts to end his life. While at work, he becomes obsessed with a beautiful girl he spots through the bookshelves. Later, while … Read more
The Clay Bird (Bangladesh, 2002) Young Anu (Nurul Islam Bablu) navigates an uncertain life as East Pakistan heads toward revolution in Tareque Masud’s drama. Anu’s fundamentalist father, Kazi, ignores his depressed mother; his little sister is ill; and his uncle grows bitter toward the military rule. To ensure Anu’s devoutness, Kazi sends him to a … Read more
A Tale of Two Sisters (South Korea, 2003) Based on a Korean folk tale, A TALE OF TWO SISTERS is a highly acclaimed horror film from director Ji-woon Kim. The film delicately balances a slow, building atmosphere of dread with sudden horrific shocks through stately, handsome cinematography and a suitably spooky musical score. Soo-mi (Su-jeong … Read more
Beshkempir: The Adopted Son (Krygyztan, 1998) Inspired by an old custom, first-time writer/director Aktan Abdikalikov illustrates the semi-autobiographical story of a young boy named Beshkempir. This is a coming of age story and one of discovery, when Bashkempir discovers that his parents are not his biological parents. This film was produced and made in Kyrgyztan. … Read more
What Time Is It There? (Taiwan, 2001) From acclaimed director Tsai Ming-Liang (Vive L’Amour, The River) comes the quirky story of Hsiao Kang (Lee Kang-Sheng) who sells watches in the streets of Taipei for a living. A few days after his father’s death, he meets Shiang-chyi, a young woman who leaves for Paris the very … Read more