As Southeast Asian films break box office records, south-east Asian cinema is experiencing its golden age.

Social media videos show audiences throwing tissues across cinema halls in Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore; tearful TikTok posts show friends leaving cinemas weeping. “Covid and industry issues that had an effect on Hollywood product flow have brought forth an explosion in local and regional filmmaking, often producing record results,” according to Rance Pow of Artisan Gateway’s film consultancy service. In Indonesia alone, horror flick KKN di Desa Penari sold more than 10m tickets according to local media in 2022 – becoming Indonesia’s highest grossing locally made movie at that point in time. Mai, released last February and shown both domestically as well as in North America and Europe, has quickly become one of the highest-grossing Vietnam films ever, according to Deadline. Additionally, Indonesia’s highest grossing locally made movie was recently made history when KKN di Desa Penari took place and made history itself by becoming Indonesia’s highest grossing locally made flick. Photograph: handoutAt a time when screens in the US are closing down, Indonesia’s Cinema XXI made headlines last year by going public on Indonesia’s stock exchange; Thailand recently saw new cinemas open up, however. According to Dr Unaloam Chanrungmaneekul of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University recent Thai successes have not always required large production budgets or government assistance before their release – an observation noted by Chanrungmaneekul as associate professor at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University. They resonated with audiences because their stories were grounded in local culture and addressed contemporary social issues – such as generation gaps – while featuring comedy, fantasy and social realism elements. “Their performances present an engaging blend of comedy, fantasy and social realism…. “They showcase humorous depictions of Thai culture, politics and belief while challenging norms within Thai society,” according to Ms. Phang.How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies examines family dynamics within a Thai Chinese family including differences in treatment between sons and daughters, disparities in age between young and old generations, tradition loss as well as language decline. “That explains their tremendous success in Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Philippines… as well as any other nations [with Chinese populations].” Unaloam asserted, “[The films’ cultural identity is very profound and clear].” One woman named Waritsara Panacharoensawad – also known by her social media handle Aquabbiew – who reviewed films online as Aquabbiew was moved by watching Aquabbiew and shared tearfully her reactions online after watching. She saw parallels between it and experiences she and her mother had with caregiving their grandmother as shown in Aquabbiew and sentimentality she experienced sleeping next to either grandparent. “Movies act as an intermediary to bridge communication gaps between young people and old.” Furthermore, Waritsara noted how this medium also serves to highlight social problems within her country. Scenes in which relatives removed their shoes to mark their place in an endless hospital queue resonated powerfully with audiences. “[This scene shows the state] of medical welfare here – had Grandma been richer she might have survived longer.” Take your seat at the cinema with our weekly email packed with the latest movie action and breaking news from around the globe! *Privacy Notice: Newsletters may include information regarding charities, online ads or content funded by third-parties that is sponsored or funded. For additional details please review our Privacy Policy. At Major Cineplex Group (Thailand’s leading cinema chain), Narute Jiensnong noted how Thai films had increasingly taken center stage within Thailand’s cinema sector in the 10 years leading up to pandemic pandemic outbreak. Prior to it Thai movies normally made up 20-35% of market share while by January-June 2024 the figure had spiked 69%! “This dramatic increase can largely be attributed to the success of blockbuster hits,” Narute noted, while showing scenes from Thai film Death Whisperer as evidence of this growth trend. She further commented, stating it creates “an entirely new experience – be it horror with jump scares and sound effects or action flicks with big screens and sound effects”. Audience members could experience these films together and even cry together during How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies for example!