Cinema Escapist
Explore and connect the world through a cinematic lens
Review: “One Child Nation” Tells The Story of a Nation At War With Its Own Population
BY Emily Hsiang
“One Child Nation” confronts the untold history of China’s One-Child Policy with a personal and empathetic touch
Review: Ai Weiwei’s “The Rest” Offers a Scathing Critique of Europe for Denying Human Dignity to Refugees
BY Emily Hsiang
Ai Weiwei asks Europe: You accepted me as a refugee, but what about the rest of us?
Review: “Ten Years Japan” Pictures Dystopia With Hopeful Undertones
BY Emily Hsiang
The short film anthology "Ten Years Japan" provides a relevant, but not depressing, look at contemporary Japan's social challenges.
Interview: Director Erik Gandini Explores Loneliness in Sweden in “The Swedish Theory of Love”
BY Emily Hsiang
Beautifully framed and enthusiastically edited, The Swedish Theory of Love discusses, criticises, and presents the idea of loneliness in Sweden through love, family, and communal...
Interview: “Paradoxical” Director Mu-Ming Tsai and Producer Iris Lai Talk About the Binary Nature of Sense and Emotion
BY Emily Hsiang
Cinema Escapist writer Emily Hsiang sat down with Director Mu-Ming Tsai and Producer Iris Lai for an interview about "Paradoxical" -- a movie about sense and emotion, as...
Review: “Everyday Hero” Honors the Life Works of Guo Jian Nan
BY Emily Hsiang
Everyday Hero (南哥, lit. Brother Nan) is a Chinese biopic based on the true life and story of Guo Jian Nan, and his works in...
Interview: “Metal Politics Taiwan” Director Marco Wilms
BY Emily Hsiang
Marco Wilms discusses rebels, politicians, and what it was like being a foreigner shooting a politically charged documentary in Taiwan.
Interview: Freddy Lim, Rockstar Turned Legislator, Talks “Metal Politics Taiwan”
BY Emily Hsiang
Freddy Lim speaks about Taiwanese politics, music, fatherhood — and being the subject of a new documentary.
Interviewing “Tickling Giants” Director Sara Taksler on Standing Up to Abuses of Power
BY Emily Hsiang
Director Sara Taksler talks about "Tickling Giants", her time filming in Egypt, and standing up to abuses of power with humor.
Interview: “The Great Buddha+” Director Huang Hsin-yao Explores the Losers of Taiwanese Society
BY Emily Hsiang
Huang discusses how consumerism, class, and Taiwanese language shape his Golden Horse Award-winning film "The Great Buddha+".