Terracotta 2013 Festival Preview

Written by Hayley Scanlon on 07 May 2013

Yes, it's back and bigger than ever. This fifth edition of the Terracotta Far East Film Festival sees it extend its range from four to ten days packing in even more excellent Asian fare. As another first there will be four distinct strands: Current Asian Cinema, In Memory Of: Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui, Terror-cotta All Nighter and finally Spotlight On: Indonesia which will be held at the ICA. Let's take a look at the first of those strands Current Asian Cinema starting with the offerings from China:

Cold War

A hugely popular film from Hong Kong, Cold War is one of the most high profile films on offer at the festival. Starring such huge talents as Aaron Kwok, Tony Leung Ka Fai and Andy Lau Cold War is an action packed blockbuster which sees the Hong Kong Police attempt to regain control of their high tech equipment which has been hijacked right out from under them.

The Bullet Vanishes

Another high profile entry here sees Nicholoas Tse and Ching Wan Lau team up as detectives in 1930s Shanghai to investigate a mysterious case of murder where the victims appear to have died from gunshot wounds yet no bullets or shell casings are to be found. Could there be a supernatural element at work, or is there a rational if heinous earthly explanation?

Love Me Not

Dennis and Aggie are childhood friends who currently live together masquerading as a couple to avoid awkward questions about their sexualities from family members. It's all going well for them only Aggie is using the experience to write a screenplay unbeknownst to Dennis who's thinking about an arranged marriage so that he can get on the property ladder. There are definitely some difficult questions to answer in this indie comedy debut from Hong Kong.

Drug War

Yet another big festival hit, Johnnie To's Drug War sees both sides of the law team up to take down a major drug lord. If you're at all familiar with To's work you'll know what to expect and this promises to offer all the high octane action and tense plot twists you could hope for!

The Assassins

Another recent period actioner from China and another Cao Cao story this time starring Chow Yun Fat as the hard hearted general. Chances are if you're a fan of this subgenre of Chinese cinema you'll know exactly what to expect - a lot of political intrigue, some supernatural interference and more than likely a large diversion from historical fact. The Assasins has garnered fairly mixed responses on its various Western releases but it's always nice to see Chow Yun Fat back on screen and if you were looking down the list for a historical epic, this is it.

When a Wolf Falls in Love With a Sheep 

A gentle Rom Com set in Taipei's Nanyang Street, famous for its cram schools.