These are our four recommended Asian films from the Dublin International Film Festival, taking place from February 22 – March 2, 2024 in Dublin, Ireland.

City of Wind by Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir – Mongolia, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, France, Qatar | 2023 – 104 minutes

What happens when full-time student and part-time shaman, 17-year-old Ze (Bold-Erdene) meets the attractive, modern and charismatic Maralaa (Ariunbyamba)? Purev-Ochir’s directorial debut is a graceful and unpretentious coming of age, told with love and humble perfection. Set in a rarely seen part of the Mongolian capital, the film premiered at Venice, and, after Toronto, and Busan, now comes to Dublin. (Dublin 2024)

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Evil Does Not Exist by Ryusuke Hamaguchi – Japan | 2023 – 106 minutes

Hamaguchi’s follow-up to the internationally acclaimed Drive My Car, is an eco-fable set in the remote village of Mizubiki. The serenity and ecological balance of the area and its modest inhabitants is threatened by the imminent arrival of a glamping site. A polished and patient piece of storytelling, this film contemplates nature, work and community. Hamaguchi’s unpretentious masterpiece received the Grand Jury Prize and the FIPRESCI Award in Venice, and the Best Film award in London. (Dublin 2024)

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Monster by Hirokazu Kore-eda – Japan | 2023 – 126 minutes

A mother demands answers from the school faculty when her young son starts behaving strangely. What unfolds is a story that must be told several times before it can be fully understood. A timely tale of family, friendship, love and hope, Kore-eda’s typically sensitive work is set to Ryuichi Sakamoto’s sublime score. This deeply moving and breath-taking piece of cinema from the master director was awarded the Queer Palm and Best Screenplay at Cannes. (Dublin 2024)

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Sleep by Jason Yu – Korea | 2023 – 95 minutes

Jason Yu’s tightly plotted and smartly scripted debut is an escalating wild ride into a nightmarish situation: a pregnant Soo-jin (Jung) tries to figure out how to stop her husband’s violent and grotesque sleepwalking behaviours. This horror comedy mystery is as relatable as it is weird, and as scary as it is entertaining. Jung’s presence on screen is magnetically captivating, and keeps all eyes wide awake and glued to the spiralling madness. (Dublin 2024)

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More information: https://diff.ie/