Asian Film Archive

: They don't just save reels; they bring them back to life. A famous example is the restoration of the 1954 Thai classic Santi-Vina and the 1960 South Korean masterpiece The Housemaid .

Many films produced in Asia during the 20th century face physical destruction. Film reels are often made of cellulose nitrate or acetate. These materials are highly flammable and prone to "vinegar syndrome," a chemical breakdown that destroys the image. The AFA intervenes by rescuing these reels from poor storage conditions. They use temperature-controlled vaults to slow down aging. Preservation is not just about saving physical objects. It is about protecting the cultural memory of different nations. Core Missions of the AFA The AFA operates with three primary goals: asian film archive

Their restoration projects have been particularly pivotal. By restoring seminal works, such as those by Singaporean pioneer Rajagopal or Filipino master Lino Brocka, the AFA allows new generations of filmmakers and cinephiles to trace the lineage of their craft. It allows a young director in Jakarta to see how their predecessor in Bangkok tackled political censorship in the 1970s, creating a transnational conversation that spans decades. : They don't just save reels; they bring them back to life

One of the first films I watched was "S21: The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine" (2003), a powerful documentary about the atrocities committed during the Khmer Rouge regime. The film was a harrowing introduction to the complexities of Cambodian history and the resilience of its people. I was struck by the way the filmmakers wove together personal testimonies, archival footage, and reenactments to create a visceral experience. Film reels are often made of cellulose nitrate or acetate