Foreign Asian films with subtitles are a must-watch for me. Even though others were inaccurately translated, watching non-English speaking movies would give a much more thrill and authenticity to the story with the original language.
The Asian Films Phenomenon
For years, I have been into doing this: watching foreign movies in subs, as what we commonly call it, looking at the motion picture while transitioning your sight to the lines of words at the bottom just to understand and know what the character is saying.
Some of these foreign Asian films may be shown on television or in the movie houses already dubbed, but I have the experience of watching them in their raw language format.
With exception to animated films and movies screened in movie theaters, I will be recommending to you my top picks of foreign (Asian) movies that I enjoyed the most.
Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Thai)
First Love, or most commonly known as “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” (Thai: สิ่งเล็กเล็ก ที่เรียกว่า…รัก; Sing lek lek thi riak wa… rak), is a 2010 Thai romantic comedy film, starring Fern Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul and Mario Maurer.
It is a story of a teenage girl who secretly admired her crush for three years to a high school junior, P’Shone (Maurer). She went into the transformation from the ugly duckling to this beautiful lady just to impress her prince charming. Until such time, they separated their own ways to pursue college and returned meeting each other to declare their love.
Dororo (Japanese)
Dororo (Japanese: どろろ; a thief, little monster) is based on a popular manga (Japanese comics) in the 1960s, about a girl warrior who would act like a man to save those who are oppressed. In the 2007 live action film, the story centered on a young man named Hyakkimaru, played by actor Satoshi Tsumabuki. The title character was portrayed by Kou Shibasaki.
Hyakkimaru (Tsumabuki), who was forsaken by his father because of birth defects. It was caused by his father, who was an army general, offering his body to the demons for power and authority. Hyakkimaru was born without arms, legs, eyes, mouth, and voice (except for his limbs and face). He grew up with the guidance of a magician who taught him sword fighting so he can kill 48 demons to gain his body parts back.
One of the original soundtracks of the movie, “Fake” is a plus for me. It’s performed by the Japanese alternative/rock band, Mr. Children.
House of Flying Daggers (Chinese)
The Chinese fiction movie, House of Flying Daggers (Simplified Chinese: 十面埋伏; Mandarin: Shí Miàn Mái Fú) is a 2004 martial hero film, set during the Tang Dynasty in 859AD. Andy Lau, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and Zhang Ziyi starred the award-winning movie.
The film features the theme of a beautiful rebel woman (Ziyi) who brings woe to two military men (Lau and Kaneshiro). This theme is borrowed from a famous poem written by the Han Dynasty poet Li Yannian. The movie, which was crafted in full color and martial arts cinematography, was filmed in Ukraine.
Maundy Thursday (Korean)
The 2006 South Korean film, Maundy Thursday (Korean: 우리들의 행복한 시간; Romanized: Urideului haengbokhan shigan; English: Our Happy Time) is a story about a suicidal woman, and a convicted murderer, who knew each other during prison visits. Korean actors Kang Dong-won and Lee Na-young played the roles.
Lee Na-young’s character, Yu-Jeong, who had an attempted suicide background, was encouraged to meet a young man (Kang Dong-won), who was a death row inmate. Her visits were scheduled every Thursday. The story progressed with a transformation about them giving importance and beauty to life and a formation of a strong relationship.
A very dramatic and emotional South Korean movie.
There are lots of foreign Asian films out there waiting for us to be watched. But for now, I have four beautiful films that I am hoping you would enjoy as much as I did.
Do you have any suggestions for foreign Asian films I shouldn’t miss? Please leave your list in the comment box below.
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