The fifth annual Subway Cinema New York Asian Film Festival kicked off with some doozies – including the first Malaysian film ever to screen at the festival, one of Takashi Miike’s latest works, and the outstanding Indian crime film, Ab Tak Chhappan. Here’s a rundown of some of the films that have played so far (all of which, except for Art of the Devil 2, will be playing again during the festival. Check the schedule here.)

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Gangster
Directed by: Bade Haji Azmi
Malaysia (2005)

Azmi’s ultra-modern Kuala Lumpur is filled with drug dealers, illegal street racers, and transvestite prostitutes. In keeping with this mix, Gangster is equal parts social drama, racing film, and gangster morality tale. Azmi also plays with form – the film has an elliptical structure and converging storylines, not to mention an amazing performance by Malaysia’s most popular actor Rosyam Nor in three very different roles (it really is impressive - I knew he was playing three people and still could not tell which three). Gangster is more than your average mindless exercise in car chases and shoot-outs. Recommended.

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A Bittersweet Life
Directed by: Kim Jee-woon
South Korea (2005)

Gorgeously shot, but ultimately pointless, this gangster revenge tale positively wallows in style. Unfortunately, the theme – coldblooded hitman shows emotion and finds himself at odds with his former gang – has been done to death. Fortunately, style in sufficient quantity and quality can go a long way, and this film has style in spades. It also has Lee Byung-hon, who despite suffering from “pretty-boy hitman” syndrome, turns in an intense, dedicated performance that keeps you caring about his character long after you know you shouldn’t bother. I think that director Kim Jee-woon has yet to surpass his earlier The Foul King, which had style, humor and heart, but A Bittersweet Life is very entertaining, and that’s enough. Recommended.

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Ab Tak Chhappan
Directed by: Shimit Amin
India (2004)

Ab Tak Chhappan is all about Nana Petakar. Petakar absolutely dominates the screen in the role of Sadhu, an “encounter” specialist (encounter is a Indian euphemism for missions in which police function as death squads, murdering members of the criminal underworld - Kaakha Kaakha is another excellent movie on the same subject). Sadhu is equally comfortable in the worlds of crime and the law, and controls both perpetrators and colleagues with fear and the constant threat of violence. He’s not glamorous - he does not need to be. Devgan and Oberoi are great in Company, but Petakar is the man I would not want to meet in a dark alley. Highly recommended.

(and don’t avoid this one because you’re afraid of Indian films – it’s not three hours and there is no singing and dancing)

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The Great Yokai War
Directed by: Takashi Miike
Japan (2005)

Who knows what warped mind decided to put Takashi Miike (Ichi the Killer, Visitor Q) in charge of a children’s film, but they should not be too surprised with what they got. There is a little kid who is the anointed champion of good, there are the goofy and nice Yokai (spirits), and there are terrifying junk monsters formed from the resentment of cast-away items (in an almost Miyazaki-esque twist). Yokai War is a kid’s film in the spirit of its predecessors from the ‘60s, with a juvenile protagonist and cute monsters, but Miike misses no opportunity to throw in kink and weirdness for the sake of weirdness. Chiaki Kuriyama (Battle Royale, Kill Bill) vamps it up in a white mini-dress and nightmarish Matrix-esque machines nab children from their homes at night. There may be a cute little sock puppet sidekick for our hero, but he bleeds yellow, and he bleeds a lot.

Yakuza film legend Bunta Sugawara (Battles Without Honor and Humanity) also makes an appearance, as does the fabled Umbrella Monster. The effects are a combination of CGI and surprisingly fun practical effects. Like so many Miike films, it’s overlong, but the weirdness, and some strikingly beautiful shots (usually of Kuriyama) compensate.

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Art of the Devil 2
Directed by: The Ronin Team
Thailand (2005)

When Hong Kong movies need a particularly nasty curse, they go to Thailand (The Seventh Curse, Eternal Evil of Asia). This absolutely gruesome tale of witchcraft and revenge confirms the wisdom of that decision. The serviceable plot is a variant of I Know What You Did Last Summer, except those punks got off easy. Six former high school friends gather at a remote house - little do they know that the pretty teacher they crossed is using black magic to curse them in a variety of disgusting and flesh-ripping ways. Art of the Devil 2 harkens back to old Shaw Brothers treats like Black Magic and Human Skin Lanterns, with lizards crawling out of open wounds, and human flesh par-broiled and eaten. Don’t watch it while eating. (and you don’t need to have seen Art of the Devil 1).

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Ek Hasina Thi
Directed by: Sriram Raghavan
India (2004)

This Varma-produced revenge flick’s biggest asset is committed performances from its stars, Urmila Matondkar and Saif Ali Khan. Urmila is a staple in Varma films and is one of the best actresses in Bollywood. Khan, who until very recently was known for playing sidekick roles in romantic comedies, seems to relish his role here as a very bad guy. The movie has some interesting parallels with Sympathy For Lady Vengeance, a film that was released a few years later, although this is a much pulpier film and not nearly as dark. A lot of people believe this is the best film Varma has produced (we here at CSB would give that honor to Ab Tak Chappan ).

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Cromartie High School
Directed by: Yudai Yamaguchi
Japan (2005)

Non-sequitur humor, taken to the level of bizarre art. See the full review here. Recommended.

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The “New York Asian Film Festival 2006” (NYAFF) starts continues through July 1 at the Anthology Film Archives and the ImaginAsian in New York.

Related Links:
::: NYAFF Schedule
::: Official NYAFF 2006 Site
::: NYAFF Rundown on Kaiju Shakedown
::: CSB NYAFF 2006 Coverage

::: Discuss this with others in the Movie Lounge Forum