America’s Film Legacy
America’s Film Legacy 2009-2010
Category Archives: Asian
76 Days review: Inside Wuhan’s ICUs
More a document than a documentary, 76 Days unfolds in the ICU units and critical care wards of hospitals in Wuhan, China, ground zero for the Covid-10 outbreak. Filmed on the fly, the film captures the hysteria and desperation of … Continue reading
Posted in Asian, Documentary, Film Festivals, Streaming
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Monsoon review: Finding and changing identities
With its focus on character and attention to detail, Monsoon feels like a short story. Set in Vietnam, it follows thirty-something Kit (played by Henry Golding) as he arrives from Europe to settle his parents’ estate. Along the way he … Continue reading
Posted in Asian, Film Festivals, New Releases, Streaming
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Aswang review: The victims of Duterte’s drug war
In Filipino folklore, an “aswang” is a shapeshifting demon, the monster parents use to frighten their kids. For director Alyx Ayn Arumpac, the aswang is a metaphor for the current state of the Philippines. How else to explain the 30,000+ … Continue reading
Posted in Asian, Documentary, Film Festivals, Streaming
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14th Japan Cuts surveys Japanese cinema
The 14th annual Japan Cuts Festival of New Japanese Film opens in an online edition starting today, July 17. The largest festival devoted to Japanese film in North America, Japan Cuts has built a tradition of providing viewers New Yorkers … Continue reading
Posted in Asian, Awards, Film Festivals, New Releases
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Review: Family secrets unravel in Fagara
Forgiveness is key to Fagara, a deceptively understated drama about three sisters dealing with the death of their father. Written and directed by Heiward Mak, the film offers uncommonly rich roles for its stars, especially Canto-pop singer Sammi Cheng Sau-man. … Continue reading
Posted in Asian, Streaming
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Donnie Yen stars in Enter the Fat Dragon
Borrowing the title, if little else, from a 1987 Sammo Hung comedy, Enter the Fat Dragon coasts on the charm and skill of action star Donnie Yen. He plays Fallon Zhu, a Hong Kong cop on the outs after a … Continue reading
Posted in Action, Asian, New Releases
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Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar, co-directors of American Factory, talk about AI, access, and automation
The documentary American Factory shows what happens when a former GM plant near Dayton, Ohio, is converted into an automotive glassmaking facility. Some 200 Chinese workers were imported to train approximately 2000 Americans at what became known as Fuyao Glass … Continue reading
Posted in Asian, Awards, Documentary, Politics
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Ashfall review: Disaster in Korea
While Parasite racks up awards, at the other end of the Korean film industry is Ashfall, a disaster epic filled with stars, action and special effects. Aimed squarely at mainstream viewers, it’s a fun if not completely successful knockoff of … Continue reading
Posted in Action, Asian, New Releases, Special effects
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Donnie Yen in Ip Man 4: The Finale
Over the past decade one of the more enduring and satisfying film series in Hong Kong, the Ip Man saga comes to a close with Ip Man 4: The Finale. (Well Go USA opens the film theatrically on December 25.) … Continue reading
Posted in Asian, New Releases
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The Captain: Disaster over the Tibetan Plateau
Passengers on a flight to Tibet survive accidents and weather in a disaster pic that’s become a blockbuster hit in China. Well Go USA Entertainment opened the film in New York on October 18 prior to further engagements in the … Continue reading
Posted in Asian, New Releases
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