2017 was another brilliant year for Asian Cinema! Although not as strong as 2016 which had many record-breaking films also doing well worldwide. 2017 has been a varied year with countries like Hong Kong having a strong showing, Thailand producing a huge award-winning film, China continuing to make brilliant and terrible films which are both very popular and South Korea came nowhere near to their string of hits they produced last year (The Wailing, Train To Busan, The Handmaiden, Inside Men, The Tunnel).
That being said, there are still many films from 2017 that I haven't had a chance to see or that hasn't been released in the UK yet. But from what I have seen, this is a list of my favourites.
10. Wolf Warrior 2 (China) (IMDB - 6.4/Rotten Tomatoes - 70%)
Wolf Warrior 2, the Chinese action film directed by and starring Wu Jing became the highest grossing film in China of all time, completely smashing the previous record set by The Mermaid. (
My full Review here)
After the events of Wolf Warrior, Leng Feng (Wu Jing), China's deadliest special forces operative settles into a quiet life on the sea. When sadistic mercenaries begin targeting nearby civilians, he must leave his newfound peace behind and return to his duties as a soldier and protector. A Chinese destroyer arrives to evacuate strictly Chinese civilians caught up in the middle of the civil war, but after overhearing guards talking about needing someone to rescue workers at a factory and an important doctor who knows the vaccination for Lamanla, Leng Feng volunteers.
It is extremely interesting to a Chinese film almost mimic the formula for big-budget Hollywood films and do it so well. It's similar to films such as Rambo but told from the Chinese political perspective. The action scenes are brilliant especially the introduction featuring some cleverly shot underwater fight scenes. The special effects and CGI are mostly handled very well and the story never sags as there is always some action only a few minutes away.
Wu Jing shines in this role and finally becomes the film-star he deserves to be after being a sideman in many previous great Hong Kong and Chinese action films.
9. The Outlaws (South Korea) (IMDB - 7.1/Rotten Tomatoes - NA)
The Outlaws is a crime film based on real events from 2007 known as the Heuksapa Incident, revolving around a turf war between a local gang that runs the Garibong-dong neighbourhood and an up-and-coming ruthless Chinese gang.
A local gang war is on the verge of eruption. Jang Chen is a Chinese loan shark in the Chinatown area of Seoul and is backed by his two terrifying henchmen Wei Sung-Rak and Tang-Tae who use brutal methods when collecting money. When Jang Chen makes his move to take over the local gang's turf of Garibong-dong, a local bruiser detective Ma Seok-do tries to keep the peace while stopping the local gang warfare.
Ma Seok-do is played brilliantly by Ma Dong-seok, most people will know the actor as his role in Train to Busan as the tough-guy husband who is on the train with his pregnant wife. Incredibly well suited for the role mainly due to his macho appearance and the way he carries himself. Ma Dong-seok has a build that makes him look like a tough rugby player or a bouncer, which makes the role of the tough-cop extremely believable as he enters scenes and slaps about the bad guys like they are cannon fodder.
The story is equally as compelling due to the villains of the film. Jang Chen and his two henchmen really do commit some horrible acts in the film, so much though so that they aren't even likeable bad-guys, they are genuinely chilling and horrifying characters that you are praying they get caught before they do anything else.
The Outlaws is a familiar plot, in a familiar story and setting but it's the characters and the style that are its real driving force for making it still seem like a fresh film.
8. Blade of The Immortal (Japan) (IMDB - 6.8/Rotten Tomatoes - 85%)
Takashi Miike marked his 100th film by returning to two genre's he is already familiar with (manga adaptations and the samurai genre) for the completely bonkers over-the-top and highly entertaining Blade of The Immortal.
A highly skilled Samurai called Manji becomes cursed with immortality after a legendary epic battle. After meeting a young girl named Rin, he decides to help her avenge her parents who were killed by a group of swordsmen led by Anotsu. Still haunted by the murder of his sister, Manji realises that fighting evil and helping Rin will help regain his soul.
Miike is still one of the most exciting directors working today! During the 90s and early 2000s, he released many fascinating films, often breaking boundaries and going against the mainstream with shock cinema. But for the past 10 years or so, he has directed some films that are a lot more commercial and not up to his usual standards. Many of his fans believe his last truly great film was 2010's 13 Assassins or 2011's Hara-Kiri. So it would make sense for him to return to the Samurai genre once again.
If you are looking for a film filled with many bloody battles and fight scenes then this film definitely delivers. Featuring many huge battles with one vs over one-hundred, it sometimes reminds you of a video-game like Dynasty Wars as Manji cuts down victim after victim. There's also some more low-key skilful Samurai Swordplay fights shot with stunning cinematography for the real Samurai enthusiasts.
For the Miike fan's who are more into his crazy side. Fear not, Blade of the Immortal often ventures into the downright bizarre especially in scenes with characters losing limbs. There is also a fair share of laughs delivered in a shock black-humour type of fashion which will leave you shaking your head while you laugh out loud.
7. Duckweed (China) (IMDB - 6.5/Rotten Tomatoes - 100%)
Duckweed was released for the Chinese New Year but fortunately, it doesn't descend into the usual idiotic nonsense that they are known for. Instead of slapstick comedy, Duckweed puts a smile on your face with nostalgia.
Xu Tailang is a champion rally driver who after unfortunately being involved in a massive car accident is transported back in time to 1998. Waking up, the year before he was actually born, Tailang accidentally bumps into his father Zhengtai. In the 90s his father was a hoodlum who ran a lame gang and ran a small Karaoke bar. When Tailang realises the women, his father is dating isn't his mother, he quickly goes about trying to break them up while also finding his real mum.
The best thing about Duckweed is that it never takes itself too seriously. Ignore logic and just enjoy this trip to a simpler easy-going time. The director may have borrowed plot points from American 80s cinema, especially Back To The Future, but the film is also steeped in 90s Chinese pop-culture. From the fashion to the films they watch and emulate, there are many references to 90s Hong Kong films. The gang that Zhengtai often act like they are starring in a John Woo film especially with their attitudes to brotherhood.
The 1990s do not seem that long ago, but the world has changed and moved so quickly. Gone are the days of groups of guys hanging out and eating dinner and drinking beers while telling stories, because now everyone has a mobile phone glued to their hand. And that's what this film celebrates. Many people didn't want to change and move on and there are also mentions of them from characters who collect videotapes or stock up on the essential pagers.
The idea of going back in time and meeting someone who unfortunately died before you got the chance to meet them will always tug at the heartstrings. But going back in time and hanging out with your father while you are both the same age, seeing how he became the person that you know him as today is equally as gripping, interesting and emotional.
6. Memoir of a Murderer (South Korea) (IMDB - 6.9/Rotten Tomatoes - NA)
South Korea definitely makes the best serial killer films on the planet. And with Memoir of a Murderer director Won Shin-yun still manages to keep the genre fresh and interesting.
Veterinarian Byeong-Soo was a former serial killer who reluctantly gave up killing after an accident seventeen years earlier. Now he is being plagued with dementia and Alzheimer's setting in which is quickly erasing his old memories. After getting into a car accident with Min Tae-joo he immediately recognises that he is also a killer. When he discovers his daughter is dating Tae-joo he battles to keep him away, but in doing so he also must battle his own memory which he no longer trusts.
Memoir of a Murder is an excellent example of how to do a serial killer thriller but still keep it feeling new. Not just dealing with a game of cat and mouse, and the themes of murder and serial killers, the film also tackles the confusing subject of memory loss and how the mind works. Imagine catching someone in the act; you know they are a killer, you go to the police to inform them but by the time you get there you completely forget what you were going to tell them in the first place. That's how frustrating and scary life is for Byeong-soo who only wants to protect his daughter.
Sol Kyung-gu has a great outing as an ageing serial killer. He almost becomes unrecognisable in his weathered broken down role. His mannerisms are also great, as the film progresses you witness him struggle more and more with his memory but you also see changes in his appearances such as his slight facial tick which develops more and more to the stage of it being similar to Takeshi Kitano's immediately following his real-life accident.
Memoir of a Murderer is a dark and brutal thriller reminiscent of popular films from the Korean new wave which will keep fans of that era happy. Featuring elements and plot devices similar to films like Memories of Murder, I Saw The Devil and Oldboy, although unfortunately it never quite hits the same heights.
5. A Silent Voice (Japan) (IMDB - 8.2/Rotten Tomatoes - 91%)
Released in 2016 in Japan but released everywhere else in 2017. A Silent Voice is one of the most mature, honest and emotionally charged anime films ever made.
(my full review here)
A Silent Voice revolves around elementary school student delinquent Shoya Ishida. When a hearing impaired girl Shoko Nishimya transfers to the school, she starts to get bullied, especially from Ishida. Several years later he meets her again and sets himself on a path to redemption by trying to make it up to Nishimya and to help reconnect her with her old classmates that she never had the chance to befriend.
Tackling many different subject matters such as bullying, suicide, redemption, friendship and love. A Silent Voice is one of the most ambitious anime films ever made. Without using giant robots or time travel or fantasy, it achieves its deserved praise by focusing just on raw human emotions. Bullying is the main subject of the first act. Often shown lightly and during montages, some of these scenes are actually surprisingly amusing. But you soon realise that this poor girl is being bullied, and it's really not funny at all. Any feeling of amusement you had quickly changed to anger as Nishimya is tormented by her classmates. It's hard to think of an anime film that brings out so many feelings of outrage and pain while you watch on helplessly.
The animation style of the characters and backgrounds are completely stunning. Although there are animes out there with higher production values, which might look technically better. A Silent Voice is bright and sparkling and beautiful to look at. The film's soundtrack fits perfectly. It might open with a bang as My Generation by The Who kicks off the intro. The audio then transitions into a lighter soundtrack with piano and soft musical scores which suits the underlying themes and tones.
A Silent Voice is a must-see for anime fans. It wasn't as popular or as accessible as other recent emotional anime films such as When Marnie Was There and Your Name. But while maybe not as big, A Silent Voice delivers something much deeper. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that if every school student was sat down and forced to watch A Silent Voice then this world could be a much better and kinder place.
4. Let's Go Jets! (Japan) (IMDB - 7.1/Rotten Tomatoes - NA)
One of the most surprising films of the entire year for me was a film about Japanese cheerleaders. Based on a true story of a cheerdance club from Fukui High School in Japan who made it to the national competition in the USA in 2009.
High School Girl Hikari Tomonaga joins the cheerdance club at Fukui Chuo High School because she thinks it will make her cooler while also impressing her crush Kosuke Yamashita. The cheerdance club is still finding its feet after being recently converted from a baton twirling club. The girls must deal with an ultra-strict instructor Kaoruko Saotome and her many rules, as she announces that their goal is to compete at the National USA Cheerdance Championship.
The driving force and backbone behind the entire film is a show-stealing performance from 19-year-old Suzu Hirose, whose claim to fame was a stunning role in Our Little Sister (2015). It's an incredibly energetic performance that draws you in. She really becomes the character she is playing. The instructor backs Hikari because she sees something special, her smile, her charisma, her aura. Fortunately, the actress embodies all of these aspects because it makes the story all the more believable.
Let's Go Jets! Takes the coming-of-age sports drama formula and manages to make it incredibly charming, extremely funny and at times deeply moving. Laughs are had and tears are shed... All over some girls becoming cheerleaders!
This unique and quirky take on a school cheerdance club is achieved by taking an American institution and transporting it to Japan and seeing it uniquely through their eyes. Think less of Bring It On! and imagine more of the 2004 Japanese comedy Swing Girls meets the 2002 Japanese sports-drama Ping Pong!
3. Bad Genius (Thailand) (IMDB - 7.9/Rotten Tomatoes - 92%)
Another surprise hit for 2017 was the Thai film Bad Genius. When most people think of the best Thai films they will think back to Tony Jaa's Ong Bak and The Warrior King or maybe even their horror film's like Shutter. But their biggest hit in years is a drama about students who cheated on exams.
Lynn is a genius High School student who receives a scholarship to a prestigious school because of her high intellect. After befriending a few of the wealthier students and offering to help them on their exams, she quickly realises she can make money by helping them cheat. After a few successful schemes, they decide to take the cheating to the next level by going to Sydney, Australia, and helping her friends back in Thailand cheat the international STIC(SAT) exams.
On the surface Bad Genius is a modern-day heist film, think Ocean's Eleven meets The Social Network. It's a clever, extremely tense thriller with nail-biting, intelligent, neatly woven set-pieces which just so happen to take the normal heist setting and transport them to a student exam room. The production looks fantastic and very slick to give it the feel of a huge-scale thriller.
The cast all does a tremendous job, especially Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying who is likeable and relatable in the lead role. She is believable as a genius who would resort to helping these students cheat exams but at the same time still being a sympathetic character that you want to succeed. The rest of the cast all have great chemistry with all the school friends bouncing off of each other and creating some very enjoyable and funny scenes together.
Bad Genius is a real crowdpleaser. It became the highest grossing film in Thailand in 2017 then went on to do extremely well across Asia breaking many box-office records for a Thai film. It's hard to place exactly why a teen-comedy meets a high-stakes thriller was such a success with fans and critics, but Bad Genius just simply works on every single level.
2. Mad World (Hong Kong) (IMDB - 7.4/Rotten Tomatoes - NA)
For his directorial debut, Wong Chun managed to convince Eric Tsang and Shawn Yue to star is a low-budget drama dealing with the issues of mental health and the problems of living in an urban society.
Tung, a mentally ill financial analyst suffering from bipolar disorder is suddenly discharged from hospital and has to adjust to now living with his estranged father. Tung is struggling to reconcile with his ex-fiancee while dealing with the cloud of his mother's death who was also diagnosed with bipolar. The former financial analyst tries to find a new job and gain control of his life with support from his father.
Mad World was shot in Hong Kong in just over two weeks on a shoe-string budget of $258,000 USD. This speaks wonders for the power of the brilliant script written by Florence Chan, so much so that it would attract a star cast of Eric Tsang and Shawn Yue with support from Elaine Jin and Charmaine Fong. The storytelling is personal and ambitious. It never shies away from social stigmas. It takes the issues of fear and intolerance towards mental health and tackles them head-on.
The heart of the story revolves around Tung and his father's relationship. Drawing off of each other's emotions, the film is filled with extremely powerful scenes between the two leads, many tear-jerking moments that are deeper than any melodrama as they will stay with you, make you think and maybe even challenge your own beliefs or attitudes towards these subject matters.
So far Mad World has won a total of 13 film awards at the big Asian Film award shows, and it's received even more nominations. It was selected as Hong Kong's entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards but unfortunately, it wasn't selected. An exciting break from genre films from Hong Kong which will hopefully inspire other local filmmakers to tackle more risky projects.
1. A Taxi Driver (South Korea) (IMDB - 7.9/Rotten Tomatoes - 95%)
A Taxi Driver is a South Korean historical drama based on the true events of the Gwangju Democratization Movement from May 1980.
In 1980, a foreign journalist Hinzpeter hires a down-on-his-luck taxi driver to take him to Gwangju, South Korea. They soon arrive to find a city under siege by student protesters and the military. After witnessing a street demonstration being met with tear-gas and military brutality, Hinzpeter is determined to record footage and smuggle it out to be shown by a German news channel.
Directed by Jang Hoon who helmed the 2011 war epic The Front Line and starring the ever-reliable Song Kang-ho, who is now arguably one of Korea's finest actors after delivering excellent performances in a string of hits such as JSA, Sympathy For Mr Vengeance, Memories of Murder, The Host, The Good, The Bad and The Weird, Thirst, Snowpiercer and The Age of Shadows. Essentially everything he touches turns to gold and A Taxi Driver is no exception. His onscreen team up with German actor Thomas Kretschmann is perfect and it's actually dumbfounding how great their chemistry is together considering the number of barriers between them.
For a historical drama, the story is still filled with some genuinely heart-warming moments including seeing the locals coming together, embracing the foreigner and the sheer pride they convey in their goals. There are also some excitingly tense scenes featuring the protagonists trying to escape the overpowering military, especially one long car chase which would rival any action film.
A Taxi Driver is extremely captivating, powerful, informative and moving from start to finish. The film is opening doors in South Korea to look into the events that took place during the uprising which has never fully been revealed. It's also a great tool for the rest of the world to learn about a moment in modern history that most will be completely unaware of. It's an educational gut-wrencher which deserves to be witnessed by everyone.
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Honourable Mentions
I
have 4 honourable mentions. Films that were originally in the top 10
but unfortunately got knocked off the list. First honourable mention is
Headshot,
the Indonesian martial arts film starring Iko Uwais from The Raid fame
and directed by the Mo Brothers(Killers). Fans of The Raid and Merentau
will love the brutal relentless action! The film was actually released
in 2016 but in the UK we never got it until 2017, which is why it never
made the list. The third instalment in the SPL series
Paradox was
another big box office hit in Asia in 2017. A great Hong Kong
action film with an excellent dramatic and physical performance from
Louis Koo. Fans of the SPL series and martial art fans, in general, will
be pleased! South Korean action comedy
Confidential Assignment
was another film that was just edged out of the list. The 3rd biggest
film at the Korean box office of 2017. Think Rush Hour but instead of
Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan teaming up, it's a South and North Korean.
Some great action scenes & shoot-outs and this one is genuinely
funny! The last honourable mention is
Shock Wave. This Hong Kong
action thriller directed by Herman Yau and starring Andy Lau was viewed
by many as Hong Kong's first proper Blockbuster. Filled with many
impressive engaging action set-pieces and fairly great special effects,
Shock Wave is an entertaining film looking at the work of the bomb
disposal unit.
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So there we have it. My top 10 of 2017! As previously said, there are still loads of films I haven't seen yet from '17. But if there is one you feel strongly about being excluded, then let me know.
Let's see what 2018 has in store for us!
