Arguably, the 72nd edition of Cannes was one of the most historic editions in history for Asian cinema. After winning the Palme d'Or (and thereafter, many, many Oscars), Parasite and Bong Joon-ho quickly became a household names around the world. Even though we won't quite get the drama of an in-person film festival this year (thanks to COVID-19), the 73rd edition of Cannes still released its full roster of would-be premieres. We've listed here the Asian films that did make 2020's Official Selection.
Some overview: Asian films make up around 24% of the 55 films selected, most of which hail from East and Central Asia. Of the selection, we have some familiar names along with some newcomers, including a CGI Ghibli film, a sequel to zombie-thriller “Train to Busan,” and an omnibus love letter to Hong Kong by some of its most famous directors. See the full list below!
Asa Ga Kuru (True Mothers) (Naomi Kawase, Japan) – After a long and unsuccessful struggle to get pregnant, convinced by the discourse of an adoption association, Satoko and her husband decide to adopt a baby boy. A few years later, their parenthood is shaken by a threatening unknown girl, Hikari, who pretends to be the child's biological mother. Satoko decides to confront Hikari directly.
Heaven: To the Land of Happiness (Im Sang-soo, S. Korea) – Due to his incurable disease, Nam-sik desperately needs the medicine that he can't possibly afford. Just to stay alive, he chooses to move around from hospital to hospital stealing medicine after work. Meanwhile, 203, the man in prison for embezzlement who is suffering from severe headache and seizures.
Peninsula (Yeon Sang-ho, S. Korea) – A post-apocalyptic capture of the wasteland, four years after zombie-infested 2016 thriller “Train to Busan.” Featuring Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, and child actress Lee Re.
The Real Thing (Koji Fukada, Japan) – Tsuji is a good man, but he has casual relations with two women in his workplace. He feels bored with his life without excitement. One day he saves the life of a mysterious woman, Ukiyo, who was about to die in a crossing. Ukiyo is beautiful, but her off-guard attitude causes lots of problems for other people including Tsuji. Though he notices her troublesome nature, he unconsciously gets involved with her. Gradually Tsuji comes to have a dangerous relationship with underworld figures. Even he loses usual life style, he is willing to save Ukiyo, but that leads him to an even worse situation.
Passion Simple (Danielle Arbid, Lebanon) – Since last September I have done nothing but wait for a man : for him to call me and come to my place… Everything about him was so precious to me, his eyes, his mouth, his penis, his childhood memories, his voice…
Here We Are (Nir Bergman, Israel) – Aharon has devoted his life to raising his son Uri. They live together in a gentle routine, away from the real world. But Uri is autistic, and now as a young adult it might be time for him to live in a specialized home. While on their way to the institution, Aharon decides to run away with his son and hits the road, knowing that Uri is not ready for this separation. Or is it, in fact, his father who is not ready?
Septet: The Story of Hong Kong (Ann Hui, Johnnie To, Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam, Sammo Hung, Yuen Woo-ping, Patrick Tam, Hong Kong) – 7 of Hong Kong's most renowned directors explore the history of Hong Kong through their unique artistic visions.
Broken Keys (Fausse note) (Jimmy Keyrouz, Lebanon) – A pianist tries to escape his persecuted Middle-eastern town where modern ways of living and music have been banned by an extremist group.
Beginning (Au commencement) (Dea Kulumbegashvili, Georgia) – The film tells a story about the community of Jehovah's witnesses which is attacked by an extremist group in a provincial city. Yana is the wife of the community's leader. The world as she knows it is slowly collapsing in the midst of this conflict. Yana's inner resentment grows as she begins to analyze her own desires.
Si Le Vent Tombe (Should the Wind Fall) (Nora Martirosyan, Armenia) – Alain, a French airport auditor, is assigned to study the feasibility of reopening the airport of Nagorno-Karabakh, a self-proclaimed republic seeking international recognition. In this surreal location – at an airport without planes, in a republic without legitimacy – for the first time in his long career, Alain finds the regulations, clearly defined by the International Civil organisations Authority, too narrow to meet the absurd reality of the country.
Striding into the Wind (Courir au gre du vent) (Wei Shujun, China) – A coming-of-age tale centered around a young man's journey and relationship with his beloved car as he hits the open roads of China.
The Death of Cinema and My Father Too (La Mort du cinema et de mon pere aussi) (Dani Rosenberg, Israel) – A highly personal story of the director's relationship with his father, their love of cinema and his father's illness: “Although Tel Aviv burns to the ground at the end of the fictional film I tried to make with my father, his real world does not end with a bang, but with a slow, fading crumble.”
Aya to Majo (Earwig and the Witch) (Goro Miyazaki, Japan) – An adaptation of the novel by the same name by Diana Wynne Jones. The first full 3D CG animated Studio Ghibli film, directed by Hayao Miyazaki's son.
