Cinema Escapist
Explore and connect the world through a cinematic lens
Review: Zombie Movie “Get the Hell Out” Satirizes the Spectacle of Taiwanese Politics
BY Jamin Shih
Screened at 2020’s Toronto International Film Festival, Taiwanese zombie flick "Get the Hell Out" offers cartoonish violence, absurdity, and irreverent political satire.
Taiwan’s Stylish Romcom “IWeirDo” Tackles Love and Mental Illness with a Strong Visual Aesthetic
BY Jamin Shih
Taiwanese romantic comedy “IWeirDo” uses a unique aspect ratio and aesthetic to underscore the painful evolution of a budding relationship.
Netflix’s “TWogether” Highlights the Legacy of English in Asia
BY Jamin Shih
Featuring Lee Seung-gi and Jasper Liu, Netflix reality show "TWogether" reveals the traces of colonial English in Southeast and South Asia.
Review: Netflix’s “The Victims’ Game” Brings Thrills and Gore But Mostly Plays It Safe
BY Anthony Kao
Crime drama “The Victims' Game” fares better than other recent Taiwanese Netflix originals, but doesn’t push storytelling boundaries.
With “Island Nation,” Taiwan Finally Has A Political Drama
BY Anthony Kao
“Island Nation” recounts Taiwan’s transition to democracy, and breaks barriers around depicting politics in Taiwanese television.
Review: Tsai Ming-liang’s “Days” Puts Aging and Mortality on Display
BY Kevin Lu
Tsai Ming-Liang’s "Days" blends his usual "slow-cinema" style with a dose of personal filmmaking consistent with his and long-time collaborator Lee Kang-Sheng’s advancing years.
The 10 Best Taiwanese Movies of 2019
BY Anthony Kao
Cinema Escapist reveals the top Taiwanese movies of 2019, across genres like romance, horror, action, crime, drama, sports, and more.
Review: Netflix’s “Triad Princess” Tells Familiar Yet Binge-able Tale of Gangsters, Celebrities, and Romance
BY Anthony Kao
Netflix's second fully original Taiwanese series "Triad Princess" brings cheesiness galore, but retains a certain charm.
Review: In Taiwanese Horror Movie “Detention,” Authoritarianism Is The Real Monster
BY Anthony Kao
Based off a popular video game, horror film “Detention” is an important milestone in coming to terms with Taiwan’s authoritarian past.
Review: “A Sun” Is A Meticulous Family Drama Worthy of Its Golden Horse Awards
BY Anthony Kao
Taiwanese director Chung Mong-hong's "A Sun" weaves an intricate and entertaining tale of family misfortune.