Cinema Escapist
Explore and connect the world through a cinematic lens
Review: “Default” is Korea’s Take on “The Big Short”
BY Richard Yu
“Default” explores the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis’ impact in Korea, focusing more on emotions than economic explanations.
Review: “The Enigma of Arrival” is a Darker Take on the Coming of Age Story
BY Richard Yu
With a premiere at 2018's Busan International Film Festival, Chinese indie film "The Enigma of Arrival" offers a darker take on coming-of-age.
Review: “BuyBust” is a Brutally Realistic Depiction of the Philippine Drug War
BY Richard Yu
Realistic gun battles and brutal fight scenes open a window into the Philippines drug war
HBO Announces Third Asian Pacific American Visionaries Competition for 2018-2019
BY Richard Yu
The US premium network deepens Asian-American outreach with another iteration of its leading short film competition—submissions close November 14, 2018.
What the Success of “Dying to Survive” Means for Chinese Movies and Beyond
BY Richard Yu
Could this blockbuster pioneer a novel and entertaining way to highlight Chinese government policy victories?
Review: “1987: When the Day Comes” Explores How South Korea Became a Democracy
BY Richard Yu
1987 is a somber reminder that freedom isn't free
Review: Chinese Blockbuster “Us and Them” Will Make You Miss Your Ex
BY Richard Yu
Zhou Dongyu’s latest movie challenges whether traditional notions of success will make us truly happy (spoiler: they won’t)
“Chasing the Dragon” is a Critique of British Corruption in Colonial Hong Kong
BY Richard Yu
In this Hong Kong triad movie, it's Chinese v. British—not gangster v. police.
“People’s Republic of Desire”: Director Hao Wu Introduces Us to Chinese Internet Celebrity Culture
BY Richard Yu
America has YouTube celebrities—but who are the "internet famous" in China?
Review: “Operation Red Sea” Offers a Chinese Take on Military Heroics
BY Richard Yu
Operation Red Sea is an action-packed modern war movie: the first to show China's intervention in the Middle East.