Dive into the everyday lives of the Japanese with Late Spring. Directed by Yasujirō Ozu, Late Spring is classified as Shomin-geki, a movie that explores realist themes of ordinary lives in society. The first in the director’s “Ozu Trilogy”, Late Spring tells the story of Noriko and her widowed father, Shikuchi. Noriko, devoted to her father, refuses to marry despite her aunt’s matchmaking, in order to live at home with her father and take care of him. Moving, romantic, and realistic, this vintage black and white film offers viewers a glimpse into the post-war lives of Japanese. 

Our Little Sister (2015)

A firm favourite among Japanese film buffs, Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Our Little Sister tells the story of three women who, after their father’s death, ask their half-sister to move in with them. It explores a wide range of themes, falling under a huge umbrella of family affairs: sisterly love, adultery, growing pains, and death. An official entry to the Cannes Film Festival in 2015, Our Little Sister is touching film that becomes  moving without being ostentatious. 

See Also: Tatler Review: Hirokazu Kore-eda's Shoplifters (2018)

The Flower Girl (1972)

Due to the secrecy that surrounds North Korea and it’s attending industries, not much is known about its arts scenes, including film. However, The Flower Girl could easily be considered one of the most famous North Korean films to have been released. A bit propagandistic, the film is set during the time of the Japanese rule. The movie follows a Korean family as they endure the hardships of war and the mistreatment of their landlord. The movie ends with the arrival of Kim Il-sung and his communist army who, as the movie implies, manage to right all the wrongs of society. 

An interesting look into the North Korean sensibility, The Flower Girl presents outsiders with an interesting viewpoint of their past (and perhaps continual) ideology on leadership. 

My Sassy Girl (2001)

A comedy flick that was eventually remade in the United States, My Sassy Girl is a popular Korean film based on a real set of blog posts written by an aggrieved boyfriend over his beautiful but troubled girlfriend. Jun Ji-hyun stars as “The Girl”, who eventually meets her boyfriend Gyeon-woo and saves him from drunkenly falling onto busy train tracks. Throughout the film, Gyeon-woo and “The Girl” are challenged to make their relationship work despite the difficult hurdles life throws at them, making for an amusing but heartfelt rom-com. 

No Regret (2006)

A win for South Korea’s LGBTQ+ community, No Regret was directed by Leesong Hee-il, an openly gay South Korean director. It tells of the love story between two young boys, Su-min and Jae-min, one of Su-min’s clients at the driving service where he works. Taking great strides towards the acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in an otherwise conservative country, No Regret portrays love as it jumps through hurdles of today’s contemporary world and lifestyle. 

Fearless (2006)

Fearless is set in the final years of the Qing dynasty in China and features fantastic martial arts fight scenes produced by and starring Jet Li. It tells the story of Huo Yuanjia, a talented fighter, who becomes emboldened and arrogant because of his skill. After an embarrassing defeat in his hometown, he leaves Tianjin and wanders through the countryside before settling down in a village where he learns to become compassionate and humble. Exciting and adventurous, Fearless is the perfect film to watch when you’re looking for something with a little kick to it. 

Wolf Totem (2015)

Wolf Totem was originally based on a graphic novel published in 2004. In it, we are brought to Mongolia in the late 1960s, where a Chinese student is sent to teach local shepherds. Instead, he becomes fascinated with the wolves and their bonds with the shepherds. The story continues as the bond is threatened by government decrees and mandates, of which the protagonist must stand up against. 

Queen Mandukhai the Wise (1989)

Queen Mandukhai the Wise is a historical film based on a recounting of the last queen of the Mongol Empire. Eye-opening but also inspiring, Queen Mandukhai the Wise offers people a glimpse into the otherwise mysterious culture of Mongolia. As a Mongolian leader, Queen Mandukhai reunited the Mongols with the Dayan Khan in the 15th century, defeated enemy armies, and was even betrayed by her own generals. A fearless leader, she’s played a significant role in her local history and the movie is just a short glimpse into enigmatic rule. 

Eat Drink Man Woman (1994)

Eat Drink Man Woman is a slice of life film that centres on a father and his three daughters, all of whom are facing vastly different challenges on vastly different life paths. Every Sunday, Mr. Chu, the girls’ father prepares a banquet for his daughters, the meal being a catalyst for each member to update each other on their lives and how it changes the family dynamic. Both romantic and amusing, Eat Drink Man Woman is a touching family drama that touches on a comprehensive understanding of what love really is. 

The Great Buddha+ (2017)

Dark comedy and horror mesh well together in this 2017 movie directed by Huang Hsin-yao. In it, a night watchman and his friend uncover some unsavoury secrets about his overly amorous boss. Filled with intrigue, drama, and provocation, this is a must-see film that’s been submitted to five international film festivals in various continents.