15 Great Asian Court Dramas

For the ladies and gentlemen of the jury: we present to you… some of our favorite courtroom dramas! In a world where justice is increasingly challenged and the search for truth is of utmost consequence, we've amassed some of our favorite bar-based fantasies. Some are more ridiculous (“Ace Attorney”); some are emotionally overwhelming (“Verdict”); and some blend fact and fiction (“Rashomon”). In these explorations into the realm of right-and-wrong, we hope you reach the same verdict as we do: objective morality is not as simple as it seems.

1. The Attorney (Yang Woo-seok, 2013. S. Korea)

The Attorney” is based on the “Burim case” of 1981, when during the authoritarian Chun Doo-hwan regime, 22 students, teachers and office workers were arrested without warrants, as North Korean sympathizers. Roo Moo-hyun, then a tax lawyer, formed a team to defend the arrested against the government. The impact of this case was so big at the time, that Roh eventually entered politics and became president of South Korea. Drawing from this impact, and with Kang Ho-song in the leading role, the film was a huge success in the country and internationally, collecting awards and becoming the 8th best selling film of all time. (Panos Kotzathanasis)

Buy This Title

2. Unbowed (Chung Ji-young, 2011, S. Korea)

Kim Kyung-ho, from the first moments of the film and all its duration appears to be utterly rightful and to follow the rules. In these terms, it comes as a surprise how this uptight professor chose to frighten the judge using a crossbow and did not try to find his right by following the law. Only later he appears to extensively study the law, showing how meticulous he is. (Maria Georgiou)

Watch This Title

3. Ace Attorney (Takashi Miike, 2012, Japan)

In the end, “Ace Attorney” is a very enjoyable courtroom drama and possibly, as many reviewers already said, one of the better video game-adaptations out there. Supported by great performances and visuals, this film provides great entertainment and drama as well as some of the most memorable courtroom arguments you have ever seen. (Rouven Linnarz)

Buy This Title

4. Court (Chaitanya Tamhane, 2014, India)

Upon limited release in India, the movie was critically acclaimed and carried on to get the National Film Award for the Best Feature Film, which is the most important laurel for the Indian filmmakers. Hence it remains one of the most significant Indian movies made in recent years. (Joanna Konczak)

Buy This Title

5. Sway (Miwa Nishikawa, 2006, Japan)

“Sway” is a rare psychological drama, and this one coming from Japan, a country that has accustomed us to unique human situations. It leaves the audience riveted as we observe, in the courtroom, the trial of Minoru alternating with encounters in the prison with many memorable conversations, scenes and twists in the plot. However, the real intentions of the main characters about their feelings and the truth do not become clear and is really interesting how the discipline and impartial brother suddenly becomes a parasite in Takeru's heart and gradually grows bigger and tortures his conscience. (Kyriacos Kyriacou)

Buy This Title

6. I am God (Bala, 2009, India)

“I Am God” is a less refined effort than “Vagabond” but the film oozes with raw power and that is where its value lies, along with the disturbing, but highly realistic depiction of the lives of the individuals that reside in the borders of society. (Panos Kotzathanasis)

7. Oh My God (Umesh Shukla, 2012, India)

When you think about a court movie genre, you'll probably come up with some gritty and serious titles. However “OMG – Oh My God!” is… a comedy with a satiric sting. Written and directed by Umesh Shukla, it is a remake of the 2001 Australian film “The Man Who Sued God”, with a storyline inspired also by the Gujarati stage play “Kanji Virudh Kanji”. Paresh Rawal stars as a middle-class businessman, who runs a small shop with antiques and devotional statues. One day an earthquake destroys his shop. The insurance company doesn't want to cover the damages classifying the case under the “Act of God” clause. Thus the man, an atheist, decides to sue God. The story is witty, smart, and actually, it doesn't hit religion per se, only the instrumental use of it and blind faith. Om Puri in the supporting role of a poor Muslim lawyer helping the businessman and a fantastic cameo of Akshay Kumar add extra spice (Joann Konczak)

Watch This Title

The list continues on the next article