Another new year is upon us so it’s time to pull out our staff lists of top ten films watched (not made) in 2009. First up to the plate is Andrew Saroch who once again provides an eclectic mix of films from every corner of Asia. Just don’t expect all of them to have happy endings…

10. Nobody Knows

Director: Hirokazu Koreeda
Cast: Yuya Yagira, Ayu Kitaura, Hiei Kimura, Momoko Shimizu, Hanae Kan

A tragic piece of Japanese social realism based on a true story of child abandonment. The inexperienced young performers are exceptional and acclaimed director Hirokazu Koreeda knows how to craft emotionally raw drama without allowing sentimentality to encroach on the facts that are used. Not comfortable viewing, but certainly essential.
Read the Far East Films review

9. The Way We Are

Director: Ann Hui
Cast: Paw Hee-Ching, Chan Lai-Wan, Juno Leung, Idy Chan, Clifton Ko

Ann Hui returns to award-winning form with her own piece of social realism based around a few lonely residents of Tin Shui Wai. A simple story can be so resonant in the hands of great directors like Hui – see ‘Summer Snow’ for another example – and she is aided by two excellent performances by the lead actresses.
Read the Far East Films review

8. BA:BO

Director: Kim Jeong-Kwon
Cast: Cha Tae-Hyun, Ha Ji-Won, Park Hee-Soon, Park Grina, Park Ha-Sun

Korean cinema has the knack of squeezing out every last drop of emotion from familiar storylines and situations. When it’s done with the aplomb shown in ‘Ba:Bo’ it can also be something rather special. Starts awkwardly, but when it gains momentum it is impossible not to be swept along in its emotional riptide.
Read the Far East Films review

7. Tokyo Sonata

Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Cast: Teruyuki Kagawa, Kyoko Koizumi, Kai Inowaki, Yu Koyanagi, Koji Yakusho

An unintentional theme of social drama seems to have invaded my top ten this year. ‘Tokyo Sonata’ is another slow burner that gradually turns into a savage critique of Japanese (an indeed Western) obsession over what constitutes success and what label society puts on us. At times heart-breaking in its subtle scenes of turmoil and melancholy, ‘Tokyo Sonata’ is worth two hours of anyone’s time.
Read the Far East Films review

6. A Man Who Was Superman

Director: Jeong Yun-Cheol
Cast: Hwang Jung-Min, Jun Ji-Hyun, Sun Woo-Sun, Kim Jae-Rok, Park Yong-Soo

The world and his wife seem to have been bowled over by this superb Korean drama and who am I to put up any resistance. It starts out quirky and then explores mental illness in a way that cinema rarely attempts. Jun Ji-Hyun reminds us why she is an icon of Korean entertainment, but it is Hwang Jung-Min as the eponymous character who really lifts this to another level.
Read the Far East Films review

5. Beast Stalker

Director: Dante Lam
Cast: Nicholas Tse, Nick Cheung, Zhang Jingchu, Miao Pu, Liu Kai-Chi

Dante Lam exorcises the memory of years of mediocrity to return to form with this excellent thriller. Intelligent and with a vice-like grip on the viewer that never relents, this is as good as Hong Kong cinema has been in the past few years. Nick Cheung rightfully walked off with numerous acting honours for his performance here.
Read the Far East Films review

4. Memories Of Murder

Director: Bong Joon-Ho
Cast: Song Kang-Ho, Kim Sang-Kyung, Kim Roe-Ha, Song Jae-Ho, Byun Hee-Bong

I finally caught up with this Korean masterpiece and was not disappointed.  Bong Joon Ho mixes numerous themes and moods masterfully in this utterly compelling thriller.

3. Red Cliff / Red Cliff: Part II

Director: John Woo
Cast: Song Jia, Hu Jun, Zhang Fengyi, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Takeshi Kaneshiro

One of the greatest historical epics ever committed to film, this seminal re-telling of the legendary Chinese story is a feast for the eyes. John Woo assembles a great cast, spends four and a half luxurious hours presenting his version while also fully redeeming himself for past decade or so of Western mishaps. It really needs to be seen in its entirety though.
Read the Far East Films review

2. Shall We Dance?

Director: Masayuki Suo
Cast: Koji Yakusho, Tamiyo Kusakari, Naoto Takenaka, Eriko Watanabe, Yu Tokui

The U.S. remake wasn’t bad at all, but the Masayuki Suo original is in a different class. Tinged with sadness, yet a life-affirming two hours, this flawless comedy blends excellent characters with genuine wit and a touch of Japanese class.
Read the Far East Films review

1. Alone Across The Pacific

Director: Kon Ichikawa
Cast: Yujiro Ishihara, Masayuki Mori, Kinuyo Tanaka, Ruriko Asaoka, Hajime Hana

Kon Ichikawa’s masterpiece can rightfully be considered among Japan’s greatest works of cinema. A fascinating story that deals with courage, fear and isolation in a memorable way, this is a classic that has finally been released in the UK during this past year and demands your attention.
Read the Far East Films review