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.

The life of a couple of Burmese illegal immigrant boys in Bangkok. Prostitution, drugs, backbreaking work, disturbing loneliness.

These are the themes of the film, The Road to Mandalay by director Midi Z, born in Myanmar and moved to Taiwan as a teenager. The film was presented at the 73 Venice Film Festival.