2016 Asian Horror films you MUST see! (Halloween Edition)

Happy (Almost) Halloween everyone! 

With this exciting and spooky holiday upon us, we have decided to compile a list of a few of the scary, the strange and the creepiest Asian horror films to have been released this year so far! Grab your friends and check out some of our haunted favorites below!

To Live 活著 1994- China

To Live (活著) is the 1994 novel adaption by director Zhang Yimou. If you have yet to do so check out our review on his other great film, Raise the Red Lantern. Due to this films portrayal of various policies and campaigns of the Chinese Communist Party, To Live was banned in China, and Zhang Yimou also was banned from filmmaking for 2 years following. Once again, this did not stop Yimou's film from reaching success. To Live is the first Chinese film to have its foreign distribution rights pre-sold, was screened at the New York Film Festival and won several awards at the Cannes Film Festival. Similar to our latest review, Farewell My Concubine, both directors were part of the Fifth Generation film directors, who faced many issues with the release of their films. 

Farewell My Concubine 霸王別姬 1993- China

Today, we explore the 1993 Chinese film Farewell My Concubine (霸王別姬) directed by Chen Kaige. Based upon the novel by Lilian Lee, the film adaption was extremely popular, as it was one of the most well known works in the Fifth Generation films in Chinese cinema. The Fifth Generation Movement was a group of Chinese filmmakers who were known for boosting the popularity of Chinese cinema abroad. It is no surprise then, that Farewell My Concubine went on to the Academy Awards and received 3 foreign language film nominations, and is still also the only Chinese language film to be awarded the Palme D'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. 

Farewell My Concubine follows the lives of 2 men over a span of 53 years. It explores the beginning of their friendship, their breakthrough in the Beijing Opera, the Japanese Invasion in the 1930s and the Communist Party takeover in the late 1940s. 

Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons 西遊·降魔篇 2013- China/ Hong Kong

Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons (西遊·降魔篇) is a 2013 Chinese, fantasy comedy film directed by Stephen Chow. The film is a loose re-telling of one of China's literary classics, Journey to the West written by  Wu Cheng'en. Upon its release, the film set several records in China's box office and even became the highest grossing film in China, until 2015 when the title was taking by Monster Hunt. 

Before we get started, if you have yet to check out our review on Stephen Chows latest film, the 2016 comedy The Mermaid, check it out HERE!

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny 臥虎藏龍：青冥寶劍 2016- China/America

In 2000, Director Ang Lee brought America a surprising success with the Chinese epic, martial arts film, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and now 16 years later a sequel has been born. Released exclusively through the streaming system Netflix, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (臥虎藏龍：青冥寶劍) has not been able to hold up next to its predecessor. With a completely new cast including Donnie Yen (Ip Man), Harry Shum Jr. (Glee) and Natasha Liu Bordizzo, the only familiar face is Michelle Yeoh who is reprising her role as Yu Shu Lein. 

East Asian films streaming on Netflix!

Check out our list of East Asian films streaming on Netflix NOW!
Check them out before they are gone!!

**The lists are not in order of popularity**

**Plot descriptions from IMDB**

The Mermaid 美人鱼 2016- China-Hong Kong

DUE TO COPYRIGHT- WE HAD TO REMOVE IMAGES :[ - SORRY!

The Mermaid 美人鱼 is a Chinese/Hong Kong, comedy directed by the well known director, Stephen Chow. Having only been released a little over 2 weeks ago, it has already made a splash in China. Haha you see what I did there?? As a newly released film, The Mermaid has already climb to the top of movie charts, landing at the highest grossing film in all of China. If that doesn't tell you this film is good, then I don't know what will. Of course, this review will help as well! The Mermaid actually made it into our top new films of 2016. Check out the other films HERE!

The Mermaid is showing in select theatres in the U.S., and I was lucky enough to be able to attend it. I had no idea what to expect from this film, no idea what genre it was, so I was surprised when it turned out to be a laugh out loud comedy, with an obvious darker undertone. 

The Great Hypnotist 催眠大师 2014- China

Directed by Leste Chen, The Great Hypnotist 催眠大师, is a Chinese mystery/thriller film released in 2014. I was able to see this film at the annual Dallas Asian Film Festival in 2015. If you live in the area, definitely check it out this coming year. For Asian movie lovers, they always have a ton of great films every year. 

Now back to the review! The Great Hypnotist wasn't an award winning film, or a top grossing film for China, unlike other films Lights, Camera, Asia has recently reviewed, however, this film is still a very intriguing and interesting film with very beautiful sets. It definitely will hold your attention, however, If you are really good at guessing the endings of films (like myself), you will most likely figure out the big plot twist at the end. At least it tried!

Top 10 East Asian Films to watch this Valentine's Day! [Video]

HAPPY ALMOST VALENTINE'S DAY! What are your plans for Valentine's Day? If you plan to watch a film from our list, which one did you choose and why? Let us know in the comments below!

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❥W

High School Musical China 歌舞青春 2010- China [VIDEO REVIEW]

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Most Anticipated East Asian Films of 2016!!

Most Anticipated East Asian Films of 2016

It is surprising that January has already come to an end. With 2016 just beginning, Lights, Camera, Asia wanted to share some of the up and coming films from Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and China to be on the look out for this year!  Let's Begin!

**The lists are not in order of popularity**

Plot descriptions from Asian Wiki & IMDB

Raise the Red Lantern 大红灯笼高高挂 1991- China/Hong Kong/Taiwan

This past weekend, I was finally able to watch Zhang Yimou's 1991 film, Raise the Red Lantern (大红灯笼高高挂). The first time I saw the trailer for this movie, I was sitting in my Contemporary Asian Cinema class in Seoul, South Korea. The trailer for this movie alone made me want to watch it, but I never had the chance to do so until now. Let me just say, this film was just as good as the trailer made it out to be.   

Zhang Yimou is a highly acclaimed director of the 'fifth generation' of Chinese film makers. Though the film maker has had many successful films under his belt including Hero (2001), House of Flying Daggers (2004), and To Live (1994), during his earlier career many of his films failed to pass Chinese censor and were banned in the country for a period of time. Raise the Red Lantern was a part of these films, and sadly never made it to the big screen. It didn't stop this beautiful film from success around the world winning several awards including a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the 1992 Academy of Awards. What makes this film so entrancing? Let's take a look. 

COMING SOON

CONTENT COMING SOON!

For those who are just joining, Welcome to Lights, Camera, Asia!

As you can see at the moment, the South Korea, North Korea, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong  film pages are still under construction! 

I am working quickly and diligently to bring you more exciting content for these countries, so please bare with me :D

In the meantime, head on over to the Japan page and check out my latest posts! 

I appreciate all the support!

XoXo,

W