A response to our comrade here who asked who are the best filmmakers in ASIA:

Now, it's Asia. Anyway, here's mine. Some of my picks may not be the best but their works are worth watching in my opinion. Some here I just read from books and Internet which I find to be very interesting to check out.

Zhang Yimou -- with works like Red Sorghum and Raise the Red Lantern, he gained worldwide attention. Filled with lyrical beauty, great use of colors and women oppression on some films as theme. Also, To Live is a must-see. It'll change your outlook of Chinese cinema.

Hou Hsiao-Hsien -- somebody in the poll mentioned that one of his major themes is identity. City of Sadness is a wow-- great narrative and visuals. 

Tsai Ming-Liang -- don't be intimidated to watch his films although it may be hard to watch a 'silent' film. His strong use of visuals, wit and humor, and being compared to Bresson and Ozu, he won't let you get bored.

Wong Kar-Wai -- a personal favorite. His themes of love, 'lost people,' and struggling lovers, he is a master of emotions. His films move me not because of its story, but how he values emotions, how it can move you. Their too affecting that it leaves you nostalgic for a few days.

Abbas Kiarostami -- a major filmmaker. Great visual style. A long and winding road. Never thought off-screen space could be very interesting. Likewise, the blurring of boundaries between fiction and reality.

Korean directors - Kim Ki Duk and Chang-Dong Lee

Japanese directors -- The Big Three + Kitano, Kore-eda, Aoyama

Mohsen and Samira Makhmalbaf

Tranh Ann Hung's three films: Cyclo, Scent of Green Papaya and At the Height of Summer

Jafar Panahi-- The Circle- a powerful accounts of women in Iran: The White Balloon- strong political statement

Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak

Lino Brocka's political ideologies, his fight for the poor and the need for a government that serves the masses. Maynila: Sa Mga kuko ng Liwanag, Orapronobis, Bayan Ko, Insiang..

Ishmael Bernal's theme of relationships-- Relasyon, Broken Marriage.. and the exceptional Manila By Night -- the Manila we're afraid to see.

Mike de Leon -- great technical expertise; Kisapmata-superbly powerful political statement with a family as the metaphor; he's very good on almost all genres: comedy- Kakabakaba ka ba? (Are you nervous), love story- Kumng mangarap ka't magising; even about brotherhood and youth-- Batch 81