In recent years, there have been a lot more people out there interested in cryptocurrency, wanting to know more about how it works and seeking out new methods through which to learn about its mechanisms. There are endless articles, blogs, educational videos, and even books on the subject matter. But one form of media still remains fairly unused in relation to crypto: cinema. That is, until recently. Directors and production companies are beginning to see the benefit of using digital currencies in their works, either through involving it in the plot or using it as part of a wider marketing strategy.
Asia, in particular, has successfully woven Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies into their movies in the past decade. Through documentaries and blockbusters, crypto is mentioned and even explained, giving audiences a deeper understanding of how it can be used and how it was created in the first place. There are many great Asian crypto movies out there, but we've rounded up our top 4 for you. Don't worry, there are no spoilers!
1. Bitcoin: Shape The Future
A trailblazing documentary in China, Bitcoin: Shape The Future focuses on the Chinese cryptocurrency community, and how this extends into the wider world. It is a documentary-style film by Bitkan, which is a Bitcoin trading services provider based in East Asia. The film follows individuals as they navigate the excitement and hurdles that can come with being figureheads in the digital currency industry. Roger Ver, one of the early investors of Bitcoin, is one such protagonist, along with Jihan Wu, founder of Huobi and Bitmain. Huobi is one of the top crypto exchanges in China, and Bitmain is known for designing technically brilliant tools used in Bitcoin mining.
As well as focus on the Chinese Bitcoin market, Bitcoin: Shape The Future also looks to the global community, and on how Bitcoin and other decentralized currencies have started to change the world that we live in. It's fascinating to watch a movie centered on this, as already most of us are seeing digital currency more and more in our daily lives, whether this be through crypto as a payment method, a crypto casino on our app store, or using crypto to exchange for goods or services. It's both informative and visually striking, and definitely not to be missed.
2. Bitcoin Heist
Next up is a Vietnamese movie, directed by Ham Tran, which follows a group of hackers trying to pull off a huge cryptocurrency heist. Starring huge names in Vietnamese cinema such as Nhung Kate, Petey Majik Nguyen, and Thanh Pham, Bitcoin Heist was always going to be a roaring success. Critics have suggested that the movie has ushered in a new age of cinema for Vietnam, with both the focus on internet-age technology and modernizing a conventional trope such as a heist with the introduction of Bitcoin.
The plot of the movie revolves around an Interpol agent who doesn't play by the rules or follow convention, and the team of highly skilled thieves that they bring together to overthrow the ultimate hacker, The Ghost. What's more, the ending of the film (no spoilers!) is deliberately vague, meaning that a sequel could definitely be on the horizon. It's an exciting action film full of twists and turns, and one of the first and most well-known heist movies in Vietnam. It's clear that Ham Tran has taken inspiration from classics like Mission: Impossible and Ocean's Eleven, and even Saw judging by the unexpected gore scene!
3. Crypto Storm
A brand new release, Crypto Storm is the latest in a series of crime thrillers commissioned by Mandarin Motion Pictures Limited. The movie is set in Hong Kong, and is based on the actions of Lok, who is the Chief Investigation Director of the ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption). His job is to sniff out suspicious activity taking place within the trading market – and this time the culprit is cryptocurrency. As the movie progresses, the plot thickens as Lok realizes something deeper than initially suspected is taking place. If you are interested in cryptocurrency trading platforms and how they sit alongside traditional trading markets, then this is the film for you! It explores these themes and much more, although it is a fictionalized body of work, and therefore is not an accurate representation of how the crypto industry operates, in Hong Kong or elsewhere.
It is a fast-paced watch, captured excellently by director Terry Ng Ka-Wai. If that wasn't enough reason to watch it, some of the biggest actors in Hong Kong cinema grace the screen: Ron Ng plays the lead role of Lok, with Edward Ma and Chloe So also playing large parts.
4. Warriors of Future
Last, but definitely not least, is Warriors of Future, a 2022 Hong Kong futuristic sci-fi movie by the team at One Cool Group. The movie is based on the premise that, at some point in the future, life on Earth has become extinct due to climate change and pollution. However, a meteor causes extraterrestrial life to begin on the planet. Set to be the first Asian blockbuster to prominently feature NFTs (non-fungible tokens), it's paving the way for many future films in Asia and beyond to make use of digital currencies and all that they have to offer. Utilizing NFTs completely revolutionizes the way that cinematic universes and movies can earn money, as it opens up a whole new type of ‘merchandise'.
The Warriors of Future NFT collection comprises 10,000 3D avatars, each of which is completely unique, powered by the Ethereum (ETH) blockchain. New technologies are being deployed, which means owners of multiple avatars can swap and change traits of each with another; for example, helmets, weapons, and armor are all interchangeable. The assets become even more valuable as they will be able to be used in the upcoming Warriors of Future mobile game. The potential for these NFTs, and any others produced in the future, is limitless, and gives endless entertainment to users. There is no doubt that many other films released in coming years will also jump onto the cryptocurrency trend.
