Martial Arts. Paranormal and supernatural events. Old tales of the slums. Twisted plots. Mix these ingredients together and these will make up of what we called "Asian Movies".
Today, avid moviegoers can feel the difference of the atmosphere when it comes to movie viewing. It all seems like yesterday when people would opt for Western movies more than those movies made by fellow Asians. But because of the variation and spice that Asian movies deliver, it's becoming a new trend for viewers to crave this new kind of delicacy — especially on Uncle Sam's part. It's a breach for what was traditionally patronized by the viewers. Even Uncle Sam's movie industry is making up its own version of Asian's finest creations, a sign that the Westerner's taste for Oriental movies has already spiced up. Hence, this renaissance of Western ideas for a movie plot wouldn't be possible if it weren't for the birth of Asian films.
According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Rashomon (1950) by Akira Kurosawa, who is one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation, introduced Japanese cinema to Western audiences, making it the first Asian film to win an Academy Honorary Award (presently known as the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film) in the 24th Academy Awards and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Film in 1952 (presently known as the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film). The film was said to have introduced new ideas of filming techniques to Westerners. Moreover, it inspired several movies and television episodes with its unique plot development. It also had its own Western remake with the film The Outrage (1964) by Martin Ritt. It might have been said that Kurosawa's work ignited Asians to present their own chef d'oeuvre. Since then, there is now a significant detail in which Asian movies are known for — a distinct plot roll. Noticeably, Asian movies derive their ideas from realistic and historcical events, urban legends, mangas or manhwas (Japanese and Korean comics respectively), cultural traditions, fields of discipline, sports, and even spur-of-the-moment ideas.
Today, avid moviegoers can feel the difference of the atmosphere when it comes to movie viewing. It all seems like yesterday when people would opt for Western movies more than those movies made by fellow Asians. But because of the variation and spice that Asian movies deliver, it's becoming a new trend for viewers to crave this new kind of delicacy — especially on Uncle Sam's part. It's a breach for what was traditionally patronized by the viewers. Even Uncle Sam's movie industry is making up its own version of Asian's finest creations, a sign that the Westerner's taste for Oriental movies has already spiced up. Hence, this renaissance of Western ideas for a movie plot wouldn't be possible if it weren't for the birth of Asian films.
According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Rashomon (1950) by Akira Kurosawa, who is one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation, introduced Japanese cinema to Western audiences, making it the first Asian film to win an Academy Honorary Award (presently known as the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film) in the 24th Academy Awards and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Film in 1952 (presently known as the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film). The film was said to have introduced new ideas of filming techniques to Westerners. Moreover, it inspired several movies and television episodes with its unique plot development. It also had its own Western remake with the film The Outrage (1964) by Martin Ritt. It might have been said that Kurosawa's work ignited Asians to present their own chef d'oeuvre. Since then, there is now a significant detail in which Asian movies are known for — a distinct plot roll. Noticeably, Asian movies derive their ideas from realistic and historcical events, urban legends, mangas or manhwas (Japanese and Korean comics respectively), cultural traditions, fields of discipline, sports, and even spur-of-the-moment ideas.
Movies like Raise the Red Lantern (1991) and Farewell, My Concubine (1993) from China and an arranged marriage in My Little Bride (2004) from Korea shows the cultural traditions of their country.
Meanwhile, chick flicks like Hundred Days with Mr. Arrogant (2004) and ala-Mr.-and-Mrs.-Smith-minus-the-guns in Jakeob-ui jeongseok (Art of Seduction, 2005) from South Korea, and a not-so typical gay love story in Bangkok Love story (2007) from Thailand tackle the limitless boundaries of love and relationship.
And who could forget the eerie images shown in Shutter (2004) from Thailand, the thrilling suspense Sadako brought us in Ringu (ring, 2002) and the malevolent spirits in Ju-on: The Grudge (2003), both from Japan.
Have a taste of your daily gore medicine with macabre, unflinching graphic content films such as A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) from South Korea, Audition (1999) from Japan and Vietnam's finest, Muoi, The Legend of a Portrait (2007).
Try a take on reality issues with the Philippines' very own Himala (Miracle, 1982) and award-winning director Brillante Mendoza's Kinatay (Slaughtered, 2009), Oscar-winning picture Slumdog Millionaire (2008) from India and a whift of violent sweet revenge in Oldboy (2003) from South Korea.
Of course, Asians are also known for their movie adaptations towards their veneration to martial arts. Such movies go on with another Oscar heavyweight entitled Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (1999) from China, wacky Shaolin Soccer (2001) and with Bruce Lee, a great martial arts legend, starring in Fists of Fury (1972) from Hongkong.
Viewers were left hanging off a cliff with live action movies like the mind-boggling battle of L and Kira in Death Note (2006) and the amazing deductions of neo-Sherlock Homes, Shin'ichi Kudou turned Conan Edogawa in Meitantei Conan (Detective Conan, 1997) both Japanese manga adaptations that hit the big screen with a bang!
All these films and other Asian pictures garnered many praises and recognition from award giving bodies and critics from the West. Their odd mix of twisted storylines and different style of filming entice Westerners and Asians alike to patronize these masterpieces. These can be compared to the Indie Films in some sense; both of them serve as a new medium to moviegoers in understanding the crude sense of reality. These kinds of movies are repertories of different entertainment flavors. Albeit the scant sound and visual effects, viewers find themselves satisfied with this different edge in film viewing. With their "break in tradition" blend, Asian movies could satiate the hunger of kibitzers for new delicacies worldwide.
_03.jpg)
+copy.JPG)
+copy.JPG)
No comments:
Post a Comment