Golden Era Asian Films

[poetman]

I like period pieces that are set in Asia. I really enjoyed "The White Countess," "Lust Caution," "In The Mood For Love," and "The Painted Veil." Can anyone recommend other films (vintage or modern) that display the golden era set in the Asian continent?

Thanks!

 

[Chasseur]

"The Last Emperor," "The Mystery of Rampo," "Raise the Red Lantern," and "Shanghai Triad" all come to mind. Also some of the early Kurosawa like "Stray Dog" are also very much worth watching.

 

[poetman]

Thanks for the recommendations. Any modern period pieces come to mind?

 

[DanielJones]

Memoirs of a Geisha, Empire of the Sun. Those are two that first come to mind. Modern made period films. The Quiet American, both the 1958 version with Audie Murphy & the 2002 version with Michael Caine and Brandon Fraser.
Seven Years in Tibet was rather enjoyable.

Anyway, those are ones I think are worth a look at.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[skyvue]

The films of Naruse and Ozu are well worth checking out.

Sadly, there's just one Naruse picture available on DVD in the US, but there are several of Ozu's movies.

 

[Chasseur]

Just to clarify the first four I mentioned were are modern period pieces (well made in the past 25 years, so not golden era).

 

[Viola]

Was Memoirs of a Geisha better than the book? Because I tried to like the book, really I did...?

 

[The Lady Ashuko]

Was Memoirs of a Geisha better than the book? Because I tried to like the book, really I did...?

Yes, but that's not saying much

 

[poetman]

Any Asian film noirs to recommend? I've been watching a lot of French work by Meliville--I love Le Saurmai and The Army of Shadows.

 

[skyvue]

Any Asian film noirs to recommend? I've been watching a lot of French work by Meliville--I love Le Saurmai and The Army of Shadows.

Kurosawa's Stray Dog, Drunken Angel and High and Low are surely close enough to film noir to qualify. They're all well worth watching (as is virtually any work by Kurosawa, in my book).

 

[Talbot]

Can anyone direct to a place where I can get soundtracks from the Asian noir films?

Some of the stuff I have heard is pretty good.

T

 

[Wally_Hood]

Kurosawa's Stray Dog, Drunken Angel and High and Low are surely close enough to film noir to qualify. They're all well worth watching (as is virtually any work by Kurosawa, in my book).

I raved somewhere on another thread about Kurosawa's Stray Dog. For me it was the humanity, not its crime/noir aspects, that were oustanding. If you haven't had a chance to see it, make sure you find time for it.

 

[poetman]

Thanks for the recommendations! There's something about the Shanghai in the 30-40's I find so appealing. I think, in part, Asian people have a wonderful sense of honor and the importance of distinction that only amplifies the qualities I admire in the golden era.

I've heard of Stray Dog. It's on my list. Any others?--noir or not.

 

[Atterbury Dodd]

Lost Horizon is a good one set in Asia. I like period fills set in Asia as well. Don't really like movies actually made in Asia though, especially Japanese films.

 

[Chasseur]

If your interests range to South Asia, a fun Golden Era Indian film is "Howrah Bridge." Fun to see Indian takes on 1950s Golden Era style and music. Besides it has the lovely Helen as a Chinese cabaret dancer singing her famous song "Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu" (my name is Chin Chin Chu):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVKEMOenP-o