INTERNATIONAL PICTURES

'Tigers are not Afraid'

 

Mexico

 

Living amongst the supernatural and the natural — the line is ultimately blurred.

 

This film is all things devastating and poetic. A story of children within horrific and terrifying circumstances transforming their curiosity into bravery. López is a creative force with so much to offer, I can't wait for her future stories.

'Portrait of a Lady on Fire'

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France

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This was the first time in which as soon as a movie finished I immediately started it again.

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Besides the films' stunning visuals and sounds, this film guts you and leaves it to heal in time. I can't say enough about this film, as every time I watch it new things and clues are found. It's a beautiful exploration of connection and humanity.

 

Just simply wonderful.

'Stalker'

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Russia

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It can be said that films provide answers to life's riddles. Each moving image peels away lived secrets and mysteries.

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I believe that this films teaches that life is not meant to be entirely understood, as each day is a journey — each frame telling its own tale. Film simply reconnects us to our own humanity in its most authentic and primal form.

'Old Boy'

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South Korea

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While this is definitely one of those "I went to film school" movies, the complexity and character of this film should be a necessary watch for all audiences. 

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There's not a lot that I can say about this film without saying too much. It is pure cinema that requires your definite attention or else you will miss something special.

 

I promise, it's all worth it in the end. 

'The 400 Blows'

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France

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Another "did you know I went to film school" moment, but this one holds up.

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Rebellion, loneliness, rage, freedom — how do we deal with these things during adolescence? Ultimately, no one teaches you how to be a kid. During childhood, all you want is to be liberated from rules and move on to being an adult, until you are one. 

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Really special film.

'Belle' 

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Japan

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Whether it's the films of Hayao Miyazaki or Mamoru Hosoda, you can't really go wrong. 

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I saw this film on a random weekday my second year at University. I had no idea what it was about, nor did I know the director, it was just a random film select. 

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This movie completely wrecked me — the music, the narrative, and the animations are simply masterful. A retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" that will blow you away.

'The Devil's Backbone'

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Mexico

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Despite Del Toro's other fantastic pictures, such as Cronos (1992), Pan's Labyrinth (2006) and The Shape of Water (2017), this one has to be my favorite.

 

Although similar to the ideas presented in Tiger's Are Not Afraid, Del Toro is a master of exploring childhood curiosity and imagining hidden meaning through monsters. His use of supernatural forces in the film provide an extremely unique understanding of trauma and healing — perhaps these forces tell us exactly what we need to hear in order to move on.   

'Godzilla Minus One'

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Japan

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As a major fan of the entire Godzilla franchise, nothing beats Gojira from 1954. However, I would argue that every single film throughout the 30+ catalog is worth your time.

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Godzilla Minus One simply takes the underlying themes of the 1954 original and amplifies them to a radical scale — with a $15 million dollar budget, some wicked storytelling, and unbelievable visual effects.

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This film moves you and continues the notion that not all monster films are about killing and blowing stuff up. If you look between the lines of the devastation and design, you might be quite surprised.