Cinematic cornucopia of Asia-Pacific

Asian films, arguably the most dynamic in world cinema in terms of thematic variety and aesthetic daredeviltry, take the spotlight as CNN International picks the 10 all-time best films from Asia Pacific.

No less thrilling is the inclusion of the Filipino classic Himala directed by the late National Artist Ishmael Bernal, written by Ricardo Lee, and starring Nora Aunor.

Though local award-giving bodies in 1982 sidetracked Aunor's iconic turn for the Best Actress award in favor of her arch-rival Vilma Santos (who scored a grand slam for another Bernal movie, Relasyon), critics have been nearly unanimous in hindsight about an oversight. Aunor's portrayal as the faith healer Elsa has been considered as "transcendent... the greatest performance of all-time" in Philippine cinema. (Joel David, founding director of the University of the Philippines Film Institute, in his book The National Pastime: Contemporary Cinema)

I was in first year high school when I saw this film, and it sort of initiated me into a lifelong love affair with cinema. What a thrill, therefore, to see it still making ripples all over the world after more than two decades since it was shown.

Here's the report: "CNN's shortlist of ten films was drawn up by critics, industry insiders, stars (including Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai) and—most importantly—CNN viewers.

On 11 November 2008, at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, CNN viewers will honor one Asia Pacific film as the best of all time. The Asia Pacific Screen Awards, which celebrate the finest filmmaking in the region, will be held on Australia's Gold Coast at a glittering, star-studded ceremony. Now, you can help your favorite win the award by voting in our poll. You can decide who will win the award. Voting closes on Friday, 31 October."

In chronological order, here's CNN's cut of Asia Pacific's top 10:

* Seven Samurai

Akira Kurosawa, 1954, Japan

* Pather Panchali

Satyajit Ray, 1955, India

* Gallipoli

Peter Weir, 1981, Australia

* Himala

Ishmael Bernal, 1982, Philippines

* Chungking Express

Wong Kar-wai, 1994, China

* Gabbeh

Mohsen Makhmalbaf, 1996, Iran

* Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Ang Lee, 2000, China

* Spirited Away

Hayao Miyazaki, 2001, Japan

* Infernal Affairs

A. Wai-Keung, A.Siu-Fai, 2002, Hongkong/China

* Oldboy

Chan-wook Park, 2003, South Korea

So far, I have seen at least seven of CNN's top 10. But if it were up to me to honor the top 10 Asian films, here are my personal choices as ranked:

1) Pather Panchali, Aparajito, Apu Sansar (The Apu Trilogy) by Satyajit Ray, India

2) Ikiru (To Live) by Akira Kurosawa, Japan

3) Himala (Miracle) by Ishmael Bernal, Philippines

4) Tokyo Monogatari (Tokyo Story) by Yasujiro Ozu, Japan

5) Bom Yeoreum Gaeul Gyeoul Geurigo Bom (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter…and Spring) by Kim Ki-duk, Korea

6) Suna No Onna (Woman in the Dunes) by Hiroshi Teshigahara, Japan

7) Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (Three Years Without God) by Mario O’ Hara, Philippines

8) Narayama Bushiko (The Ballad of Narayama) by Shohie Inamura, Japan

9) Hangul (Oldboy) by Chan-wook Park, Korea

10) Ying Xiong (Hero) by Zhang Yimou, China