As 2025 draws to a close, CGTN cultural journalists have selected three groundbreaking films that captured this year's cinematic zeitgeist, blending artistic innovation with cross-cultural resonance.
Urban Intimacy Through Culinary Lens
Zhao Xiaofei champions Wonton Soup, a Shanghai-set drama using local dialect and culinary motifs to explore modern urban connections. 'This intimate portrait of neighborhood dynamics reminds us how shared meals can bridge generational divides,' Zhao notes, highlighting its warm reception across Asian streaming platforms.
Trans-Pacific Detective Saga
Liu Mohan praises the China-US collaboration Detective Chinatown 1900, which reimagines historical Chinese diaspora communities. 'The film successfully merges Hollywood pacing with Chinese philosophical undertones,' Liu observes, citing its $800 million global box office performance as evidence of cross-cultural appeal.
Space Exploration in 8K Glory
Min Rui spotlights the technological marvel Shenzhou 13, produced with China National Space Administration support. The documentary-style feature combines actual space station footage with dramatic recreations, offering viewers 'both scientific wonder and human drama at orbital velocities,' according to Min.
These selections underscore 2025's trend toward hyper-local storytelling with global resonance, as Asian filmmakers continue pushing technical and narrative boundaries.
