2022/08/19 |
‘Formosa Betrayed’ Barely Scratches the Surface of Taiwan’s History
‘Formosa Betrayed’ tries to build a political thriller around a mystery in an unknown land ruled with an iron fist. It’s empty didacticism — and less than thrilling.
2022/03/28 |
‘Microhabitat’ Is an Ozu Adaptation in Both Story and Heart
No matter how desperate Mi-so’s situation is, she’s always more concerned for those around her. Our view of her suggests that the critique is not just of modernity, but of contemporary capitalism.
2021/09/13 |
‘Blue Bayou’ Achingly Dramatizes Plight of US Transnational Adoptees, but Will it Resonate Today?
Asian American director Justin Chon’s latest film offers an artistic take on a tragic loophole in U.S. immigration law—but how will Biden-era America receive it?
2020/08/27 |
'The Good Daughter' Is an Indictment of Global Capital, Patriarchy, Racism
'The Good Daughter' depicts Azhe’s defiance as she's caught up in capitalism, patriarchy, and racism.
2020/08/14 |
2020 Is Wild. 'Bacurau' Is Wilder.
'Bacurau' starts with a truckload of coffins spilled across the road and ends with a burial. It's a wild tale well told.
2020/07/17 |
Tsai Ming-liang's 'Days': A Diary of Connection and Loneliness
Tsai Ming-liang's new film 'Days' makes us nostalgic for a time when loneliness and alienation had a romantic tinge.
2020/04/14 |
‘Tigertail’: A Stillborn Romantic Idea
Alan Yang's feature debut explores a slew of important themes but fails to tell a coherent story.
2019/12/24 |
'Portrait of a Lady on Fire' Defies the Male Gaze in Cinema
"Portrait of a Lady on Fire," which won Best Screenplay at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, is a passionate film that explores the female gaze and female desire with various art forms.
2019/12/16 |
Film Review: 'The Garden of Evening Mists'
The Garden of Evening Mists is a film we can watch and rewatch, and still can’t stop savoring the beauty of it like the Chopin record that never leaves the record player.
2019/11/21 |
‘Detention’: A Clichéd Salute to Freedom
“Detention” is a bold attempt to explore a sensitive topic but fails to achieve much beyond scratching the surface with its clichéd plot and didactic screenplay.
2019/11/15 |
'The Gangs, the Oscars, and the Walking Dead' Runs on Queerphobic Jokes
Perhaps "The Gangs, the Oscars, and the Walking Dead" shouldn't have been produced in the first place.
2019/10/16 |
‘Queering Voices’ Shorts Highlight Variety in Gender Experience
As Taiwan celebrates same-sex marriage legalization this year, the 2019 Women Make Waves Film Festival continues to voice the LGBT community’s concerns through its ‘Queering Voices’ series.
2019/10/08 |
‘Weathering With You’ Is a Boring, Repetitive Cinematic Delight
Makoto Shinkai's 'Weathering With You' is a cinematic delight that also disappoints.
2019/10/04 |
'Midnight Tod' Portrays an Inner Rebellion Between Flashes of Light
The 2019 Women Make Waves Film Festival takes place from 10/4 to 10/13 at SPOT Huashan Cinema in Taipei.
2019/10/03 |
‘Romantic Comedy’ Makes a Case for Higher Quality Rom-Coms
The 2019 Women Make Waves Film Festival takes place from 10/4 to 10/13 at SPOT Huashan Cinema in Taipei. This review is based on a complimentary media screener.
2019/10/02 |
'Vai' Explores a Pacific Islander Woman’s Life to Yield Multifaceted Rewards
The 2019 Women Make Waves film festival takes place from 10/4 to 10/13 at SPOT Huashan Cinema in Taipei. This review is based on a complimentary media screener.
2019/10/01 |
Long Live Love: Approaching the Films of Tsai Ming-liang
Where should one begin to understand Tsai Ming-liang? From the beginning.
2019/09/16 |
Joker Represents the Absurdity and Horror of Our Times
Clownish figures have surged in popularity both in cinema and in politics. What does this imply for our society?