* I had written this article two weeks ago, before the Oscar nominations. Previous to publishing it, I got in an accident, and I was hospitalized. A film that I recommended in this article has recently been nominated for an Oscar.
For many, 2020 was supposed to be a year of travel, destination weddings, adventure, discovering new cultures, trying new cuisines, or meeting interesting people. What seemed to be a two-week quarantine became months, and we had to cancel our travel plans.
However, the quarantine didn’t mean we couldn’t enjoy foreign cultures and languages. Here is where one of my secret passions brought some joy and culture to my quarantine, my love for film.
Growing up, my family had a video rental store. Later, as an undergrad in college, I was briefly a film major. Nowadays, at least half of my wall art is related to film. With this, I’m not trying to say I’m a professional film critic with exquisite taste, but to a certain degree, watching films has played a role in my life. If I enjoy a good movie, I’m happy to recommend it, hoping that you will enjoy it too.
Films can be a gateway to other cultures and languages, piquing our interest and curiosity, motivating us to learn more. For me, they were a way to keep traveling the world from home during the quarantine.
I’m going to recommend four culturally inspiring films per month, one for each weekend (or a binge-watching international movie weekend), and available on stream services.
As I said, I’m not a film critic, and my recommendations are friendly advice rather than a professional review. I hope that if you can’t travel the world this month, you have an entertaining film to watch on the weekend.
I’ll list the films alphabetically, so except if it’s a movie with sequels, you could see them in any order.
The links are from the North American region. Availability might differ from your region.
3 Idiots
India
I found this gem when I was looking for a light comedy. I haven’t seen many Indian films before, and I’m glad I decided to watch this movie. The plot develops in flashbacks where two roommates are looking for their best college friend, who disappeared after graduation. The story deals with impossible academic expectations, the friends (and family) you make during college years, and seeking to do what you enjoy in life. ‘3 idiots’ is a brilliant coming-of-age film that made me reminisce about my college years and friends.
Another Round (Druk)
Denmark
My friend and movie critic, Kirill Pishchikov, highly recommended me this film last time we met in Ukraine. We are big fans of Madds Mikkelsen. I believe he was a fantastic Bond Villian in Casino Royale and his performances in The Hunt and The Day after the Wedding are award-worthy. He might be one of the finest actors of his generation, and we haven’t even noticed. If ‘3 Idiots’ is a coming-of-age film about friends, Another Round is a mid-life crisis dark comedy about friends. Four high-school professors decide to test a social experiment to improve their social and professional lives. The experiment consists of always being a little drunk before class, hoping to improve their teaching performance. Again, Madds Mikkelsen is fantastic, and I truly enjoyed his character throughout the film.
The Invisible Guest (Contratiempo)
Spain
For all my friends looking for an excellent film to practice their (Iberian) Spanish, The Invisible Guest is on Netflix. Mario Casas plays the protagonist. In 2010, Casas became famous in most Spanish-speaking countries for playing an angsty rebel without a cause in ‘Tres Metros sobre el Cielo’ and its sequel ‘Tengo Ganas de Tí.’ I had only seen his work when he was a teen idol, so this was the first time I saw him in a more serious role, and he didn’t disappoint. The film is a captivating murder-mystery thriller with several twists. You will want to stay until the very end of the movie.
Raise the red lantern (Dà hóng denglong gaogao guà)
China
Since I couldn’t celebrate the Lunar New Year (February 11th) with my Chinese family or friends, I decided to have a small theme night with a Chinese film and dim-sum. The story narrates the lives of the wives and concubines of a Chinese master during the Warlord Era. Gong Li (from Miami Vice and Mulan fame) plays the main character, a young concubine who has to adapt to her new life and fight for the attention of the household master. The name of the title derives from the fact that wherever the master decided to spend the night, they would light red lanterns. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery and visuals while you are intrigued by the plot.