In Southeast Asia, galvanized by exponential increases in GDP, a modern, educated, universal and traditional cinema is being produced at the same time. The filmmakers studied, learned their lessons but kept the communication channel open with their country of origin. Making choices, creating their own style, exploiting far-reaching stories, adapting and conveying messages make them even more influential than the decadent West.

Among many examples are Thai Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Filipino Brillante Mendoza.

In Masahista, Brillante Mendoza shocks the audience by telling with sweetness and realism. The protagonist is Iliac, a masseur for men in a brothel on the Manila outskirts. The director's style repeats. Social adaptation, the difficulties of complicated growth are the Iliac's scenario, his sufferings and his family.

Charlie is the super obese film protagonist in The Whale directed by Darren Aronofsky presented at the 79th Venice Film Festival.

The topics of the plot are touched on. The director's topics create an understood emotion: obesity, homosexuality, death, mourning, generational conflicts.

Director: Laurynas Bareisa

Starrings: Gabija Bargailaite, Jolanta Dapkunaite, Zygimante Jakstaite, Giedrius Kiela , Paulius Markevicius, Indre Patkauskaite, Julius Zalakevicius

Country: Lithuania

Year 2021