“[The film’s] storyline is plain yet honest, hilarious yet emotional, heartbreaking yet heartwarming — calmly expressing many cruel yet unchangeable truths and deeply resonating with those who have had similar experiences.”

“When Jane, your average yet extraordinarily tolerant saleswoman stumbles upon a gun, she sets forth to take revenge on the men who have mistreated her, unleashing her pent-up rage and breaking the bounds of societal expectations.”

“Crazy Rich Asians transcends mere entertainment, inviting readers to ponder the intricacies of love, family, and the perennial quest for identity amidst the ever-shifting landscape of societal expectations.”

“Beneath the whimsical, surreal, and comedic overtones of the movie lies a profound commentary on the interplay between art and life, hope and grief, and fiction and reality. The film highlights the idea that, even though we hold the pen that writes our lives, we do not possess an instrument of erasure necessary to alter the past.”

“As dark as it is becoming, the film's cinematography follows the cultivation of durian that is both metaphorical and visually intoxicating.The fruit, native to Thailand and Southeast Asia, appears as a motif throughout the entire film, cleverly interweaving its fragility and thorns akin to the film's characters.”

“A tearjerker, Wonderland (2023) forces us to question whether the stoicism embodied by many of our own elderly parents conceal their unspoken traumas. More than that, it sheds light on the fact that many elderly fear posing an emotional burden on their loved ones, clinging helplessly to a twisted version of filial piety.”

“This novel... delves into the drama, tragedy, and pain associated with beauty, particularly for women living in a world where beauty can lead to exploitation and sexualization, especially during Indonesia's colonial era.”

“While the young couple fears their unknown future, the elderly couple recollects and regrets their past relationship... The movie sets the scene in two parallel timelines, tied to the flow of the [Mekong] river.”

“Nadin Amizah's debut album, Selamat Ulang Tahun (Happy Birthday), washes over you like the scent of a fresh soft blanket, the lingering warmth of a childhood day well-spent echoing through her music.”

“Sopheap Pich uses rattan to form the bittersweet emblem of the Morning Glory. He, like many other Cambodians, sought refuge in the United States following the collapse of the Khmer Rouge regime, the nationwide genocide that killed over 1.5 million citizens from 1971 to 1974.”

“Ada Apa Dengan Cinta?... is a staple romance film among many Indonesian teens today. It follows Cinta, a popular high school student in suburban Jakarta who spends most of her time with her four girlfriends—that is, until she meets and falls for Rangga, the unassuming winner of the school poetry competition.”

“The movie highlights the question “Is there still such a thing as miracles?” and focuses on faith or people’s ability to fight for their commitments rather than hiding behind religion.”

“The film’s theme of young rural workers migrating to urban cities in search of better opportunities still runs true in many Southeast Asian countries today. Equally true is the human trafficking, workplace abuse and exploitation, police brutality, and bureaucratic capitalism that these young hopefuls faced and continue to still face.”

“Discrimination and societal intolerance against homosexuality are culturally resonant themes explored in this film, reflecting the Khmer LGBTQ+ community's continued subjection to forced marriages, "corrective" rape, and violence at exponential rates (especially in rural areas).”

“With its harmonious íntrumental, alluring visuals, and beautiful lyrics, this song depicts the feeling of bidding goodbye to a past full of unforgettable memories and nostalgia.”

“This episode dissects the intricate relationship between the economy and the environment, highlighting the need for structural changes in public policy whilst being easily comprehensive.”