Asian Cinema: A Field Guide

Vick, a film programmer at the American Museum of Asian Art at the Smithsonian, offers a useful overview of movies produced in Asian nations, discussing history and themes. Beginning with chapters on familiar film cultures, such as mainland China, Japan and India, Vick broadens the lens to include emerging filmmakers in Korea and Taiwan. While honoring homegrown genres, such as Hong Kong's kung-fu spectaculars, Vick also champions art-house directors, such as Wong Kar-Wai, responsible for the evocative In the Mood for Love . An added bonus is an examination of films from Indonesia, Vietnam and the former Soviet Union's republics, as well as a deeper look at Japanese cinema, which was reinvigorated with the 1985 smash hit Tampopo . Vick's enthusiasm is infectious, and his descriptions make readers want to see the movies firsthand. He contends there is “no such thing as a 'foreign' movie,” since even an Iranian film can “appeal to our common humanity.” Vick provides an informative and lively primer on global cinema, paying tribute to its distinct artistry. (Jan.)