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One of my favorite activities to do on an evening when I find myself with no plans is to explore the Internet Archive. You can find articles, websites, videos, and any other relics of the digital past, including the most niche, unheard-of films, especially foreign films, all for free. I am a massive fan of East Asian cinema, and the Internet Archive has so many amazing and underrated films from this part of the world; in this post, I will name some of my favorites that are worth a watch. I have included links to all the films mentioned; unfortunately, some of the subtitles on these films are very unreliable or are not in English, but the cinematography of these films is stunning enough to dedicate a couple of hours of your time to them.
Fallen Angels, Wong Kar-Wai, 1995
Generally overshined by Kar-Wai's film of the same universe, Chungking Express, Fallen Angels also follows multiple characters of different occupations as they navigate romance in Hong Kong. However, this film takes place during the night, contrasting with the brighter color palette of Chunking Express. An assassin trying to leave his job behind, his obsessive lover and prostitute, a mute ex-convict, and other unique characters pull the viewer into this dramatic film that almost feels as moody and sultry as a film noir. The overall aesthetic and character interactions remind me a lot of Taxi Driver but without the horrible soundtrack and violence. This is definitely a movie to watch at night!
Run Time: 1 hr 39 min
Link to Film: https://archive.org/details/fallen.-angels.-1995.-blu-ray.-720p.x-264.-dts-my-silu.eng
Blue Spring, Toshiaki Toyoda, 2002
Out of all the movies on this list, Blue Spring wins the award for best style and aesthetic. Taking place in a run-down high school in a quiet town in Japan that gangs have overrun. The edgy characters and punk soundtrack by Three Michelle Elephant (an amazing Japanese punk band) will keep you at the edge of your seat with their violent outbursts, suicidal/homicidal ideologies, impulsivity, and recklessness. I guess you could say this is a coming-of-age film but it does not capture the stereotypical hopefulness often seen in western films of the genre. The characters are horrible people, but you find yourself rooting for them at times, maybe because they actually do what most people never did in their teenage years. The run-down setting, cutthroat characters, and killer soundtrack make for a truly grunge film, but yet again, they are all high school boys, so of course this film is also full of dark comedy as the viewer finds themselves pitying the characters. If you are not looking for violence, this film may not be for you, but if you appreciate the stupidity and anger of youth, you will have a lot of fun with this film.
Run Time: 1 hr 23 min
Link to Film: https://archive.org/details/blue.-spring.-2001.-japanese.-1080p.-blu-ray.-h-264.-aac-vxt
The Isle, Kim Ki-Duk, 2000
I was a bit apprehensive to watch this film as Ki-Duk is notorious for his shocking displays of human nature in his films. This film is categorized as a horror/drama, but it truly is just a drama with some disturbing scenes and horror elements. A suicidal man running from the law meets the mute owner of a remote fishing resort in rural South Korea. She quickly becomes obsessed with him, and the two form a "romantic" bond. I use quotations because the love is extremely one-sided at times, but it makes for intense scenes as the characters go to drastic measures to express their innermost feelings. What is unique about this film is that there is little to no dialogue. Everything is expressed through action and setting. The scenery of the fishing resort is beautiful, an isolated lake in the mountains surrounded by fall foliage, except the lake is dotted with little pastel fishing cabins that give it an uncanny effect. Unsettling as the setting is, the characters take much more drastic measures to convey their emotional and romantic torment. I give a strong content warning for this movie as there are scenes of animal abuse, sexual assault, suicide attempts (in the most horrifying, unusual ways possible), and just overall violence. If you are not a fan of horror but are looking for an eerie film, The Isle will definitely fulfill the craving.
Run Time: 1 hr 42 min
Link to Film: https://archive.org/details/LaIsla_201701
Nobody Knows, Hirokazu Koreeda, 2004
The saddest film of this post, Nobody Knows, is loosely based off a real story of four siblings navigating poverty in Japan after their mother abandons them. Unfortunately, the characters of this film are all children, the oldest brother being only 12 years old, as he has to step into the role of his mother and take care of his younger siblings. The lighting and colors used perfectly capture the world through a child's eyes, creating a dreamy and wonderous world despite the dark reality of their story. Through a nostalgic and false easy-going environment, the children grapple with their reality as they start to realize the gravity of the situation, all while the oldest tries his best to protect them with what little resources he has. I know this is a good movie because I experienced the full range of human emotions during my watch. If you are looking for a good laugh and a good cry, or maybe something that is emotionally draining in a beautiful way, Nobody Knows will deliver and leave you feeling grateful for something in your life.
Run Time: 2 hr 21 min
Nobody Knows Hirokazu Koreeda https://archive.org/details/nobodyknows1080p
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