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[Fantasia Film Festival] Haunted Mountains The Yellow Taboo – Delving Into Taiwan’s Eerie Mountain Mysteries

When the haunting symbolism in Haunted Mountains The Yellow Taboo overshadows the narrative challenges, just what should we appreciate from this folk horror cinema?

Although the movie Haunted Mountains The Yellow Taboo, written by Wan-Zhen Zou and directed by Chia-Ying Tsai, doesn’t specify the exact mountain range at first, its haunting visuals and symbolic storytelling quickly hint at the setting. A quick Google search reveals where the legend of the Yellow Raincoat Ghost first manifested, and that place is in Taiwan’s Yushan (Jade Mountain) National Park—a place I’d definitely want to explore… just not during the wrong season.

While the vibrant autumn palette in the cinematography is visually stunning, it carries ominous undertones. The colour yellow, in this context, isn’t just seasonal—it’s a warning. Despite the horror visuals, this film leans more toward psychological thriller, particularly when tensions rise as Chen Jia-ming (Jasper Liu) tries to escape a mysterious time loop.

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If You Love Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form is an Exhibit You Must See!

Throughout most of Asia, the love for comic books is all over, and just what’s presented at Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form is certainly worth studying!

Runs until January 4, 2026

One week following the opening of Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, the excitement is in the air. This showcase of over 400 works from all over Asia even has me wanting to pick up the pencil again and try drawing! While I’m nowhere as talented as the artists on display, just what’s shown traces how this style from this world developed.

It’s not just about manga, but also manhua (the Chinese version) and whatever name it goes by in other countries like Malaysia too. Here, visitors will find works from creators like Osamu Tezuka, Zao Dao, Hur Young Man, and Lat. The gallery also features under-represented artists such as Abhishek Singh and Miki Yamamoto.

This travelling exhibit is making a lengthy stop at Emerald City and there’s no official word yet if it’ll hit Canada too. Some people may not want to cross the border to check out this show, but I say it’s worth the expense. While some of the earliest representations were wall scroll paintings, much has since changed.

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TheNFB’s May Release Schedule Celebrates More Than Asian Heritage Month.

And we offer a recap on titles we reviewed some months ago, and include a look at what’s coming, our top picks and trailers of a few TheNFB works too (where available).

TheNFB National Film Board of Canada LOGO Spring is in the air, and there’s lots happening over at the National Film Board of Canada. Not only are they also celebrating Asian Heritage Month, but also recognising new talents in the medium of animation and storytelling. It’s great to see that there’s some Asian talent being recognised in this TheNFB’s Hothouse program.

Here’s a list of what’s here and coming soon:

Starting May 1
Asian Heritage Month AT THENFB

Following a multi-award-winning festival run, Toronto creators Thao Lam and Kjell Boersma’s animated short doc Boat People uses a striking metaphor to trace one Vietnamese family’s flight across the turbulent waters of history. Our review can be read here, and it’s a strong piece to bring awareness about those grandparents who gave up a lot to give their children, and their kids a brand new life. (disclaimer: some of the video attachments are geolocked to Canada)

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