Cinema Escapist
Explore and connect the world through a cinematic lens
A Firing Squad of One: Thailand’s “Last Executioner”
BY Jordan Li
The fascinating story of Chavoret Jaruboon, who executed 55 prisoners as Thailand's last gunshot executioner.
A Taste of South Indian Indie Film From “Six Feet High” And “An Off-Day Game”
BY Anthony Kao
Keralan director Sanal Kumar Sasidhara's first two features offer an example of world-class cinematic technique applied to local, Indian narratives.
Review: Jack Strong (Poland, 2014)
BY Anthony Kao
Based on a true Cold War story, Jack Strong is a spy thriller from Poland which has hints of the country's recent political climate.
Review: Atlantic (Morocco, 2014)
BY Anthony Kao
An artistically inclined film from Morocco with an unusual windsurfing premise.
Review: The Perfect Dictatorship (Mexico, 2014)
BY Anthony Kao
Now available to international audiences on Netflix, The Perfect Dictatorship is Mexican director Luis Estrada’s latest satire on his country’s politics. The film’s title comes...
Review: Kabukicho Love Hotel (Japan, 2014)
BY Akshay Suggula
Steamy sex scenes, dark secrets, and broken dreams —“pink film” kingpin Ryuichi Hiroki does it again. A multi-threaded drama featuring a Korean call girl, an aspiring...
Review: Black Coal, Thin Ice (China, 2014)
BY Anthony Kao
When a movie is named Black Coal, Thin Ice, you can probably guess that it won’t be about unicorns and rainbows. As expected, director Diao...
Review: The Liberator (Venezuela, 2014)
BY Anthony Kao
The Liberator is a Venezuelan biopic about South American revolutionary Simon Bolivar that is packed with both action and reminders of how Bolivar continues to...
Review: Timbuktu (Mauritania, 2014)
BY Anthony Kao
Timbuktu is a stirringly silent series of snapshots from when the eponymous Malian city was under jihadist occupation. Peaceful yet powerful, it is a powerful...
Review: Neko Samurai (Japan, 2014)
BY Anthony Kao
What do you get when you cross the internet’s favorite animal with sword-wielding Japanese warriors? Well, something a lot like the 2014 Japanese comedy-drama Neko...