UNCAGED icon
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Podcasts
    • News
    • About
    • NYAFF Films
    • Authors
    • Categories
Sign Up
UNCAGED icon
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Podcasts
  • News
  • About
  • NYAFF Films
  • Authors
  • Categories
Sign Up

UNCAGED

Explore the Best of Asian Cinema

Subscribe UNCAGED cover image
Zhang Yimou on Emotion, Endurance, and the Art of Seeing post image
By Daniel Eagan
Apr 4, 2025

Zhang Yimou on Emotion, Endurance, and the Art of Seeing

Legendary director Zhang Yimou reflects on four decades of filmmaking, from ‘Red Sorghum’ to ‘Under the Light.’ In this rare interview, he shares why emotions will outlast technology—and how, in the end, it’s the camera that chooses who belongs on screen.

Interviews
China
‘Honey, I Shrunk the Theatrical Window:’ Asian Films Find New Life in the Streaming Era post image
By Dennis Clemente
Oct 7, 2024

‘Honey, I Shrunk the Theatrical Window:’ Asian Films Find New Life in the Streaming Era

At the New York Asian Film Festival in July, a panel of experts discussed the current state and future of Asian film distribution, grappling with the paradox of a growing audience and a dwindling number of independent theaters.

Interviews
Asian America
Remembering Cheng Pei-pei 鄭佩佩: From Ballet to Blade – A Brief Tribute to the Queen of Martial Arts Cinema (1946-2024) post image
By NYAFF UNCAGED
Sep 3, 2024

Remembering Cheng Pei-pei 鄭佩佩: From Ballet to Blade – A Brief Tribute to the Queen of Martial Arts Cinema (1946-2024)

She transformed the landscape of martial arts cinema, lifting female characters from the shadows of sidekick status into the fierce, commanding spotlight of lead roles.

Article
China
‘Salli’ Exposes the Quiet Desperation of Online Romance post image
By Ash Wu
Apr 7, 2025

‘Salli’ Exposes the Quiet Desperation of Online Romance

A Taiwanese chicken farmer's online fling spirals into a tale of delusion and self-discovery. Esther Liu stuns in this bittersweet tale of fantasy, isolation, and the price of wanting to be seen.

Reviews Taiwan
Fault Lines: Class, Control, and Collapse in ‘Concrete Utopia’ post image
By Noel Vera
Apr 5, 2025

Fault Lines: Class, Control, and Collapse in ‘Concrete Utopia’

After a catastrophe, one apartment complex becomes a shelter—and a battleground. Director Um Tae-hwa examines how fear, control, and belonging take shape in close quarters.

Reviews South Korea
Zhang Yimou on Emotion, Endurance, and the Art of Seeing post image
By Daniel Eagan
Apr 4, 2025

Zhang Yimou on Emotion, Endurance, and the Art of Seeing

Legendary director Zhang Yimou reflects on four decades of filmmaking, from ‘Red Sorghum’ to ‘Under the Light.’ In this rare interview, he shares why emotions will outlast technology—and how, in the end, it’s the camera that chooses who belongs on screen.

Interviews China
‘Honey, I Shrunk the Theatrical Window:’ Asian Films Find New Life in the Streaming Era post image
By Dennis Clemente
Oct 7, 2024

‘Honey, I Shrunk the Theatrical Window:’ Asian Films Find New Life in the Streaming Era

At the New York Asian Film Festival in July, a panel of experts discussed the current state and future of Asian film distribution, grappling with the paradox of a growing audience and a dwindling number of independent theaters.

Interviews Asian America
Remembering Cheng Pei-pei 鄭佩佩: From Ballet to Blade – A Brief Tribute to the Queen of Martial Arts Cinema (1946-2024) post image
By NYAFF UNCAGED
Sep 3, 2024

Remembering Cheng Pei-pei 鄭佩佩: From Ballet to Blade – A Brief Tribute to the Queen of Martial Arts Cinema (1946-2024)

She transformed the landscape of martial arts cinema, lifting female characters from the shadows of sidekick status into the fierce, commanding spotlight of lead roles.

Article China
The Unlikely Harmony of ‘Let’s Go Karaoke!’ post image
By Noel Vera
Aug 28, 2024

The Unlikely Harmony of ‘Let’s Go Karaoke!’

A gruff yakuza ropes an awkward choir kid into his karaoke contest scheme, kicking off a goofy tale that pokes fun at life's stranger moments. It's a quirky ride, but underneath the laughs are some honest insights about growing up and finding your place in the world.

Reviews Japan
Sean Wang: From Skateboard Videos to Sundance Glory with 'Dìdi' post image
By NYAFF UNCAGED
Aug 23, 2024

Sean Wang: From Skateboard Videos to Sundance Glory with 'Dìdi'

Director Sean Wang shared insights into his journey from making skateboarding videos on YouTube to creating award-winning films in a recent interview with Asian A.V. Club.

Interviews Diaspora
'Only the River Flows' Transforms the Police Procedural Genre with Murky, Hypnotic Depth post image
By Ash Wu
Aug 18, 2024

'Only the River Flows' Transforms the Police Procedural Genre with Murky, Hypnotic Depth

Director Wei Shujun focuses on the spaces between plot lines, creating a unique narrative that invites viewers to engage with its subtleties.

Reviews China
Slicing Through Emotions: Nelicia Low's 'Pierce' Melds Fencing and Family Drama post image
By Ning Chang
Aug 12, 2024

Slicing Through Emotions: Nelicia Low's 'Pierce' Melds Fencing and Family Drama

In her debut film, writer-director Nelicia Low intricately captures the push-and-pull between the film's main characters, drawing from her own relationship with her autistic older brother, and her collaboration with international partners.

Interviews Singapore
‘Operation Undead’ Sinks Its Teeth into Thailand’s Dark World War II History post image
By Ash Wu
Aug 5, 2024

‘Operation Undead’ Sinks Its Teeth into Thailand’s Dark World War II History

With a blend of historical reflection and visceral horror, the zombie flick is a chilling reminder of how war profoundly transforms people, both physically and deep within.

Reviews Thailand
‘Women from Rote Island’ Unveils Harrowing Struggle of Motherhood and Patriarchy post image
By Ash Wu
Aug 4, 2024

‘Women from Rote Island’ Unveils Harrowing Struggle of Motherhood and Patriarchy

A raw and unflinching portrayal of the lives of women on Indonesia’s Rote Island, the film strips away sentimentality to reveal the stark realities of childbirth, motherhood, and the relentless grip of patriarchy.

Reviews Indonesia
‘How To Make Millions (Cry) Before Grandma Dies’ post image
By Stephanie Mayo
Jul 15, 2024

‘How To Make Millions (Cry) Before Grandma Dies’

Our UNCAGED contributor swore she wouldn't join the tear parade of early viewers in Asia (not a weeper, she claimed). Despite calling it a keen observation of familial relationships and values rather than a heavy drama, she still found herself reaching for the tissues. Blame it on the congee.

Reviews Thailand
Load More
UNCAGED icon

UNCAGED offers a panoramic exploration of Asian cinema and the artists behind it through insightful critiques, interviews and podcasts.

Featured Posts

‘Operation Undead’ Sinks Its Teeth into Thailand’s Dark World War II History post image
By Ash Wu
Aug 5, 2024

‘Operation Undead’ Sinks Its Teeth into Thailand’s Dark World War II History

‘Women from Rote Island’ Unveils Harrowing Struggle of Motherhood and Patriarchy post image
By Ash Wu
Aug 4, 2024

‘Women from Rote Island’ Unveils Harrowing Struggle of Motherhood and Patriarchy

‘How To Make Millions (Cry) Before Grandma Dies’ post image
By Stephanie Mayo
Jul 15, 2024

‘How To Make Millions (Cry) Before Grandma Dies’

Herman Yau on ‘Customs Frontline’ and How He Shoots Action Films: Extensive Preparation, Rapid Filming post image
By Daniel Eagan
Jul 5, 2024

Herman Yau on ‘Customs Frontline’ and How He Shoots Action Films: Extensive Preparation, Rapid Filming

Explore Categories

Article

1

Asian America

2

Belgium-China

1

China

8

Diaspora

2

Hong Kong

4

Indonesia

1

Interviews

13

Japan

5

Malaysia

2

News

3

NYAFF Films

29

Podcasts

13

Reviews

16

Singapore

1

South Korea

8

Taiwan

4

Thailand

3
Site cover image
UNCAGED Explore the Best of Asian Cinema Subscribe
UNCAGED

Explore the Best of Asian Cinema

Subscribe
Site cover image
UNCAGED icon

UNCAGED offers a panoramic exploration of Asian cinema and the artists behind it through insightful critiques, interviews and podcasts.

  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Podcasts
  • News
  • NYAFF Films
  • About
  • Authors
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Letterboxd
  • Tiktok
  • Threads
  • X
  • YouTube
  • Sign up
Copyright © 2024 UNCAGED