Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2016: Reflections (2016)
A pan-Asian omnibus uniting three visionary directors to explore identity, love, and belonging across four countries.
Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2016: Reflections - Movie Information
- Original Title: アジア三面鏡2016 リフレクションズ
- Release Year: 2016
- Directed by: Brillante Ma Mendoza, Isao Yukisada et al.
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Romance, Drama
- Runtime: 1h 58m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Khmer, English, Japanese, Malay, Tagalog
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 26, 2016 (Japan)
- Production Countries: Japan
Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2016: Reflections - Plot
This omnibus film brings together three globally acclaimed directors from Asia with a common theme 'Living Together in Asia' to depict the lives of characters who journey between Japan, Cambodia, the Philippines and Malaysia. Brillante Mendoza grapples with the issue of loss of national identity and home, with a story set in the Obihiro area of Hokkaido and Manila in the Philippines. Isao Yukisada directs a story in Malaysia where the Japanese army was once stationed but is now home to many Japanese retirees living out their remaining years. An elderly man has parted from his family in Japan to live alone in Penang, but when a new helper comes to the house, he slowly opens his mind and an unexpected bond forms between the two. Finally director Sotho Kulikar conveys a beautiful but heart-rending love story between a Japanese man and Cambodian woman that unfolds across past and present against the backdrop of Cambodia's civil war.
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Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2016: Reflections - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Brillante Ma Mendoza
- Isao Yukisada
- Kulikar Sotho
Main Cast
- Lou Veloso
- Masahiko Tsugawa
- Sharifah Amani
- Masatoshi Nagase
- Masaya Katō
- Chumvan Sodhachivy
- Osamu Shigematsu
Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2016: Reflections - FAQs
What is Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2016: Reflections about?
The film is an omnibus of three short films by acclaimed Asian directors, each exploring the theme 'Living Together in Asia.' Stories unfold across Japan, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Malaysia, examining identity, displacement, unexpected human bonds, and a bittersweet love story set against Cambodia's civil war.
Who are the three directors behind this film?
The film brings together three celebrated directors: Brillante Ma Mendoza from the Philippines, Isao Yukisada from Japan, and Kulikar Sotho from Cambodia. Each helms one segment, lending the omnibus a rich diversity of cinematic voices and cultural perspectives across Asia.
What countries are featured in the three segments?
Mendoza's segment moves between Hokkaido, Japan and Manila in the Philippines. Yukisada's story is set in Penang, Malaysia, where Japanese retirees have settled. Sotho's segment unfolds in Cambodia, weaving between past and present against the backdrop of the country's devastating civil war.
What themes does the film explore across its segments?
The film digs into loss of national identity, displacement, and the search for home. It also explores unexpected human connection across cultural divides, the loneliness of aging in a foreign land, and a tender cross-cultural romance shadowed by historical trauma and the passage of time.
Who are the main actors in Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2016: Reflections?
The cast features Lou Veloso, Masahiko Tsugawa, Sharifah Amani, Masatoshi Nagase, Masaya Katō, Chumvan Sodhachivy, and Osamu Shigematsu. Each actor brings a distinct cultural background to their segment, reflecting the film's pan-Asian spirit and its celebration of diverse storytelling.
When was Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2016: Reflections released?
The film premiered in Japan on August 26, 2016. It was a collaborative production under the Japan Foundation Asia Center's initiative to foster cultural exchange through cinema, bringing together filmmakers from across the continent under one shared creative vision.
Is Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2016: Reflections worth watching?
If you appreciate thoughtful, culturally rich cinema, this one is well worth your time. The three segments offer distinct tones — from quiet introspection to heartbreaking romance — united by a genuine curiosity about what it means to belong in Asia today. A rewarding watch for fans of world cinema.
What are similar films to Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2016: Reflections?
Fans of this film might enjoy Radiance (2017), Moonlight Mile (2002), Closest Love to Heaven (2017), Wander Darkly (2020), and We (2019). These films share a similar emotional register — exploring love, loss, and human connection with sensitivity and a strong sense of place.
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