The Asian Film Archive presents Asian Restored Classics (ARC), a festival that celebrates the best of Asian cinema. This specially curated programme screens restored classics from across the region made during the late 1920s to 1990s. The annual film-centric affair is set to roll the reel at Capitol Theatre and the National Museum of Singapore from August 24 to September 2.
Known for embracing the best of Asian cinema and introducing it to a new generation of audience, the programme is casting the spotlight on nine historic and iconic movies this year. Most of them centre around post-war struggles such as Tokyo Story (1953, Japan), a moving tale about an aging couple whose children are too busy for them, the telling of a man and his family in Aimless Bullet (1960, Korea), and an unlikely friendship between a communist soldier and the village folks in Yellow Earth (1985, China). For an adrenaline rush, buckle up for indie coming-of-age thriller Made in Hong Kong (1997, Hong Kong), Orang Minyak (1958, Singapore/Malaysia), which is based on the urban legend of the same name, and the action-packed Batch '81 (1982, Philippines). Alternatively, you can opt for some light-hearted comedy-drama like Dark Heaven (1958, Thailand), go on a culinary adventure with Tampopo (1985, Japan), or a romantic trip to the Taj Mahal with Shiraz: A Romance of India (1928, UK).