Film directors from East Asia frequently win top prizes at international film festivals, and are proving a strong influence on Western filmmakers but few books have yet been published about them. China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and North and South Korea have been through periods of great political turmoil and the films of these countries reflect the changes and the conflicts between modern lifestyles and traditional values. This book considers the incredibly rich and diverse range of material on offer, exploring their cultural heritage and mutual influence. An ideal reference work on all the major directors, with details of their films and checklists for the films of each country.