5 films to catch before the 8th Asian Film Awards

Get caught up before the awards ceremony on 27 March 2014

By Angelina Teng

Published on Feb 24, 2014 on lifestyleasia.com

As the 8th Asian Film Awards draw near (27 March 2014), it’s time to kick up your feet and make your bets on which films will take home the coveted awards. But, how will you know if you haven’t watched them yet?

If you haven’t done your homework on the nominated films (a link to the nominated Asian Film Awards Films), here’s a quick cheat sheet to fill you in on the five most buzz-worthy films ahead of the 8th AFAs.

The Grandmaster

Tony Leung takes on the role of the renowned martial arts master, Ip Man.

Director: Wong Kar-wai, Hong Kong

Nominated for: Best film, best actor, best actress and more

Why watch it: The Grandmaster is by far the most talked about movie at the awards – and for good reason. Having collected 11 nominations ranging from Best Film to Best Composer, The Grandmaster has amazed us with its captivating story line and stunning visual effects.

Director Wong Kar-wai presents an outstanding bibliography of legendary martial arts master Ip Man (the mentor of Bruce Lee) in the tumultuous Republican era followed by the fall of China’s last dynasty. The virtuoso performances by the two leads, Tong Leung and Zhang Zhi Yi leave us in awe as their ecstatic ballet of punches and kicks accentuate the majestic qualities of martial arts. Although The Grandmaster is no longer playing in theatres, it’s available on DVD.

Like Father, Like Son

Life Father, Like Son is not only beautifully shot, but the subtle, natural acting allows audiences to immerse themselves in the bitter sweet experience.

Director: Hirokazu Koreeda, Japan

Nominated for: Best director, best actor, best newcomer and more

Why watch it: Like Father, Like Son will definitely jerk out some tears as we’re faced with a heart wrenching storyline of how the lives of two families are changed when they realised that their children were switched at birth. Director Hirokazu Koreeda explores the universal theme of unconditional love and challenges us with the concept of paternal nature and nurture. The Japanese melodrama possesses charm and sublimely moving performances that make the film a quiet delight. Like Father, Like Son is now available on DVD.

The Lunchbox

Actor Irrfan Khan is nominated for the Asia Film Awards Best Actor Award.

Director: Irrfan Khan, India

Nominated for: Best film, best screenwriter and best actor

Why watch it: Dig your teeth into this beautifully understated love story that touches the heart in an unexpected way. The Lunchbox introduces a fascinating connection between a lonely man and a young housewife through mistaken lunch deliveries and handwritten notes. The film highlights the dysfunctional relationships created in the alienated big city, but gives us a ray of hope through the love created by these two characters. The Lunchbox will be in theatres on 6 March 2014.

Snowpiercer

Snowpiercer astonishes audiences with its exceptional production design.

Director: Bong Joon-Ho, South Korea/United States/France

Nominated for: Best film, best director, best production design and more

Why watch it: The action packed Korean film, Snowpiercer, has nabbed five nominations from the AFAs for its universally comprehensible theme and its stellar execution. With an exceptional cast, including big shot Chris Evans and Tilda Swinton, director Bong Joon-Ho depicts the post apocalyptic survival and evolution of the class system on a dystopian train. The overall craftsmanship and character development makes this thrilling piece a frontrunner on our “to watch list”. Although Snowpiercer was only in theatres for a short while in November, the DVD is now available for purchase.

Ilo Ilo

The autobiographical picture by director Anthony Chen is soulful, subtle and sensitive.

Director: Anthony Chen, Singapore

Nominated for: Best film and best supporting actress

Why watch it: Ilo Ilo strikes close to the heart for the Hong Kongers out there as it depicts the inseparable bond between a Singaporean boy and his Pilipino helper as the boy’s family tries to pull through the 1997 Asian financial crisis. The tension created by the challenging situations is mellowed by the sincerity and authenticity of the characters. Ilo Ilo portrays a relationship we know so well and we think it’s a great picture to catch with the family. Ilo Ilo is available on DVD.

The 8th Asian Film Awards will take place on the 27 March 2014 at the City of Dreams, Macau in the renowned Dancing Water Theatre. With all the hype and excitement building up, we’ll be sure to fuel you up with more great reads — from fashion tips for the big night out to day trip itineraries for Macau. Stay tuned!

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