The kind of film that you find yourself returning to in your mind over the days after you’ve seen it. A serene film of self-determination and acceptance set in bustling Mumbai, with a wonderful performance at the centre from Kani Kusruti. Not currently available to stream, but you may find it in cinemas in some places.
6. Monster / 怪物(dir Hirokazu Kore-eda)
Unashamed Kore-eda fan-girl here, and so it was kind of a foregone conclusion that this would appear somewhere on the list. For me, Monster is Kore-eda san doing his stuff – again, and yet different – again. As we see events from the different characters involved, layers are peeled away and nuances from the different perspectives begin to come together until the audience assembles a more complete picture of what is truly happening. I think the ending may disappoint some viewers, but I found it sublime. Currently available to stream in the US on Mubi, and in the UK on BFI Player.
On the surface not overly political, yet it rattled Iranian authorities to such an extent that the filmmakers were denied permission to attend the film’s World Premiere in Germany and had their passports confiscated. It’s a brave and touching film – don’t ever believe that an invisible older woman can’t be a covert revolutionary. Currently available to rent on various platforms in the UK (including BFI Player). In the US, will be screening in January 2025 at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
A gently paced, contemplative eco-thriller with a sudden brutal twist. The musical talent of Eiko Ishibashi and the visual grace of Drive My Car director Ryusuke Hamaguchi combine to create a gentle conversation between images, story, and sound; none of the participants dominates, but they each listen to the other and together create something quite beautiful. Currently available to stream in the US on The Criterion Channel and in the UK on BFI Player.
7. All We Imagine as Light / പ്രഭയായ് നിനച്ചതെല്ലാം (dir Payal Kapadia)
The kind of film that you find yourself returning to in your mind over the days after you’ve seen it. A serene film of self-determination and acceptance set in bustling Mumbai, with a wonderful performance at the centre from Kani Kusruti. Not currently available to stream, but you may find it in cinemas in some places.
6. Monster / 怪物 (dir Hirokazu Kore-eda)
Unashamed Kore-eda fan-girl here, and so it was kind of a foregone conclusion that this would appear somewhere on the list. For me, Monster is Kore-eda san doing his stuff – again, and yet different – again. As we see events from the different characters involved, layers are peeled away and nuances from the different perspectives begin to come together until the audience assembles a more complete picture of what is truly happening. I think the ending may disappoint some viewers, but I found it sublime. Currently available to stream in the US on Mubi, and in the UK on BFI Player.
5. My Favourite Cake / کیک محبوب من (dir Maryam Moghaddam, Behtash Sanaeeha)
On the surface not overly political, yet it rattled Iranian authorities to such an extent that the filmmakers were denied permission to attend the film’s World Premiere in Germany and had their passports confiscated. It’s a brave and touching film – don’t ever believe that an invisible older woman can’t be a covert revolutionary. Currently available to rent on various platforms in the UK (including BFI Player). In the US, will be screening in January 2025 at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
4. Evil Does Not Exist / 悪は存在しない (dir Ryūsuke Hamaguchi)
A gently paced, contemplative eco-thriller with a sudden brutal twist. The musical talent of Eiko Ishibashi and the visual grace of Drive My Car director Ryusuke Hamaguchi combine to create a gentle conversation between images, story, and sound; none of the participants dominates, but they each listen to the other and together create something quite beautiful. Currently available to stream in the US on The Criterion Channel and in the UK on BFI Player.
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