Asian Stories on Screen
May marks Asian Heritage Month, and this month we’re highlighting films that explore identity, memory, and human connection through distinct Asian perspectives. From intimate personal stories to globally recognized auteurs, these films remind us that cinema has the power to cross borders while staying deeply rooted in culture and place. Here are a few films we’ve loved at AIFF and beyond that continue to resonate.
Monster
Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Country: Japan
AIFF Official Selection (2023)
Monster unfolds through shifting perspectives, gradually revealing the emotional complexity behind a seemingly simple incident involving a young boy, his mother, and a teacher.
With his signature sensitivity, Kore-eda explores themes of truth, perception, and childhood, allowing the story to evolve in unexpected ways. The film quietly examines how misunderstandings are formed, and how empathy can reshape them, leaving a lasting emotional impression long after it ends.
A Useful Ghost
Director: Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke
Country: Thailand, France, Singapore, Germany
AIFF Official Selection (2025)
Blending genre with social commentary, A Useful Ghost offers a unique and imaginative take on memory, labor, and belonging. The film moves between the surreal and the grounded, using its unconventional premise to reflect on human relationships and the unseen forces that shape our everyday lives. It’s a striking example of how genre storytelling can carry emotional and cultural weight in unexpected ways.
Decision to Leave
Director: Park Chan-wook
Country: South Korea
AIFF Official Selection (2022)
A layered and visually refined mystery, Decision to Leave follows a detective drawn into a complex relationship while investigating a suspicious death.
Park Chan-wook brings his meticulous style to a story that blends romance and suspense, creating a film that is as emotionally intricate as it is visually controlled. Beneath its surface, the film explores longing, distance, and the quiet tension between truth and desire.
Pierce
Director: Nelicia Low
Country: Taiwan
AIFF Official Selection (2024)
Pierce is a striking debut that blends psychological tension with emotional complexity, centering on family dynamics and identity.
With precise storytelling and strong performances, the film builds an atmosphere that feels both intimate and unsettling. Its recognition at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival highlights its impact as a bold new voice in contemporary Asian cinema.
Parasite
Director: Bong Joon Ho
Country: South Korea
AIFF Official Selection (2019)
From Memories of Murder to Parasite, Bong Joon Ho’s work has defined a global understanding of contemporary Korean cinema.
His films move fluidly between genres while maintaining sharp social insight, often exploring class, inequality, and human behavior with both humor and intensity. Parasite, in particular, marked a historic moment for international cinema, bringing Korean storytelling to a global audience in an unprecedented way.
Caught by the Tides
Director: Jia Zhang-ke
Country: China
AIFF Official Selection (2024)
Jia Zhang-ke’s films offer a deeply reflective look at modern China, capturing the passage of time, social change, and the emotional landscapes of everyday people.
His work often blends fiction and documentary elements, creating a cinematic language that feels both personal and expansive. Through long takes and quiet observation, his films invite audiences to sit with moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Looking Ahead
These films remind us that stories rooted in culture and perspective continue to shape how we understand one another. Whether through intimate storytelling or globally recognized auteurs, they offer a window into lives, places, and emotions that stay with us long after the screen fades to black. This May, we invite you to explore stories that connect across borders and reflect the richness of Asian cinema.
(Image sources: IMDb and official distributor materials)