Cinema Escapist
Explore and connect the world through a cinematic lens
“76 Days” Features Heart-Wrenching Footage of Wuhan During the Worst Days of COVID-19
BY Richard Yu
Hao Wu's latest documentary features never-before-seen footage of a hospital struggling to save lives amidst the early days of the coronavirus outbreak in China.
Review: “The Best Is Yet to Come” Views China’s Hepatitis B Discrimination Through An Auteur Lens
BY Anthony Kao
Jia Zhangke protégé Wang Jing’s directorial debut “The Best Is Yet to Come” screened at the Venice and Toronto International Film Festivals.
Review: “The Eight Hundred” Shows Valiant Chinese Heroes, But Falls Short of a Good War Movie
BY Richard Yu
"The Eight Hundred" advances timely political viewpoints, but fails to showcase the camaraderie and empathy of other good war movies.
Review: “Lost In Russia” Blends Mother-Son and Sino-Russian Relations
BY Anthony Kao
Xu Zheng’s latest movie in China’s famous “Lost In” series mixes mother-son bonding with superficial glances at Russian life.
Review: “The Wild Goose Lake” Is A Stunningly Beautiful Noir That Lacks Depth
BY Brenda Chang
Diao Yinan's sophomore feature "Wild Goose Lake" is beautiful and punctuated with surreal violence, but hampered by thin characterization.
The 10 Best Hong Kong Movies of 2019
BY Richard Yu
Cinema Escapist reveals the top Hong Kong movies of 2019, across genres like action, crime, drama, comedy, and more.
The 10 Best Chinese Movies of 2019
BY Richard Yu
Discover the top Chinese movies of 2019, ranging from comedies to animations, and action movies to deep dramas.
Review: “Ip Man 4” Captures the Spirit of China’s National Rejuvenation Through Kung Fu
BY Richard Yu
In Donnie Yen’s final kung fu film, action takes a backseat to China-US tensions and identity politics.
Review: “So Long, My Son” Offers Meditative Look At Two Chinese Families Over Three Decades
BY Anthony Kao
Through two families linked by friendship and tragedy, director Wang Xiaoshuai’s “So Long, My Son” offers a humanistic look at China in the wake of...
Review: “Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains” Paints a Panorama of Chinese Culture
BY Richard Yu
Slow-paced and undramatic, Gu Xiaogang's "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains" shows us the many stories of a small town.