10. Cliff Walkers (Zhang Yimou, China)
“Cliff Walkers” is an impressive movie, one of those that should be watched in a theater in order to be fully appreciated and a true eye-candy that will satisfy all fans of Hollywood style, action thrillers. (Panos Kotzathanasis)
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9. Yanagawa (Zhang Lu, China)
“Yanagawa” is a contemplative film about people of different nature and different cultures that come together in the titular, oddly deserted Japanese city. Zhang turns its quiet beauty into an advantage by setting the crucial scenes against the backdrop of the lush greenery and impressive architecture along the river bank wonderfully caught by the lens of Park Jung-hun. (Marina D. Richter)
8. Keep Rolling (Man Lim-chung, Hong Kong)
“Keep Rolling” is the perfect portrait of a remarkable person and a truly great movie. The only thing I found missing, is the presence of Roger Lee, her long-time producer, who only appears in the background for a very brief time. (Panos Kotzathanasis)
7. Moneyboys (C.B. Yi, Taiwan)
There is nothing less 21st century than the 21st century itself because ‘we are still protesting the same shit', except that we also sometimes don't, for a simple reason that there are places where protesting shit isn't just being ignored, but also damn dangerous even if it ‘only' means that your uncle threatens to castrate you for being gay. (Marina D. Richter)
6. Raging Fire (Benny Chan, China)
Filled with breathtaking action, impressive storyline work, and a few minor flaws that do stick out, “Raging Fire“ has plenty of positives to make for one of the best action films in the style overall. Any fan of the genre or the creative crew looking to pay respects to Chan's work should seek this out immediately. (Don Anelli)
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5. Drifting (Jun Li, Hong Kong)
In conclusion, “Drifting” is a social drama about class and the disenfranchised. Jun Li highlights that people like the characters in the movie should be treated with dignity and respect, and how the vast social differences in Hong Kong as well as gentrification makes these problems increasingly worse. (Rouven Linnarz)
4. Spring Tide (Yang Lina, China)
The movie satisfies at many levels and shows how the story of women across generations is explored all over the world, while I feel a biographical element lurking deep within. You get to peel the layers away and explore the lives of the characters and their country as you sit watching the movie. When the “Spring Tide” comes (with everyone in tow) the next generation will eagerly jump in and merrily make their own strides. (Arun Krishnan)
3. Increasing Echo (Chienn Hsiang, Taiwan)
“Increasing Echo” is a great film, a triumph of realism and cinematic precision, and one that fans of (European) art-house will definitely have a blast with. (Panos Kotzathanasis)
2. The Falls (Chung Mong-hong, Taiwan)
Chung Mong-hong is one of the most exciting voices coming out of Taiwanese cinema for years now. His work, either as a director in titles such “Godspeed” and “A Sun” or as producer in “The Great Buddha+” and “Classmates Minus” is a always a pleasure to watch, particularly for the way he manages to combine mainstream themes with an art-house approach and rich sociopolitical context. “The Falls” is not an exception. (Panos Kotzathanasis)
1. Limbo (Soi Cheang, Hong Kong)
“Limbo” is an exceptional combination of elements that form great genre cinema, and one of the best action/crime thrillers we have seen recently. (Panos Kotzathanasis)
