DECISION TO LEAVE PONNIYIN SELVAN: PART I

We see Asian cinema’s variety nowadays just by looking at the Best Film nomination list of the 16th Asian Film Awards (AFA).

PONNIYIN SELVAN: PART I, an Indian Tamil-language epic, is perhaps an exemplar for the film industry. Adapted from a 1950s historical novel about adventures in Southern India in the 10th Century during the Chola Dynasty, the film is definitely epic and the two episodes together cost half a billion Hong Kong Dollars in production. The three-hour first episode features endless happenings and spectacles, plus fights and dances. We follow our smart protagonist, who is determined to combat the usurper, and visit built and natural scenic spots in the course. Of course an Indian film cannot exist without handsomes and beauties.

Bollywood diva Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, still looking young and fresh at her age, plays the queen, a role that is expected to be key in also the next episode.

South Korean film DECISION TO LEAVE, which was among numerous critics’ top 10 of the year and with which director Park Chan-wook won Best Director at Cannes, is probably the hottest contender at this year’s AFA. When it was released in Hong Kong, we were perhaps particularly mesmerized by Tang Wei’s performance as the suspected killer who bewilders the inspector played by Park Hae-il. With Park Chan-wook’s Vengeance Trilogy, we should not be surprised that he is capable of creating an impressive film noir. The film excels in both its plot and mise-enscène, and is full of twists and turns and filled with imageries. The steep mountain will no doubt bring nightmares to those suffering from acrophobia!

Apart from genre films, this year’s nominations have some auteur titles that are more quiescent yet more profound.