Even though we’re now a year and a half into the pandemic, there are still a lot of a great international films being released on streamers and film festivals this year. Here are 5 more great international films from 2021 to add to our 10 Best International Films from 2021 So Far list we wrote back in May. Two of them are available to watch on Netflix and another is available to watch on Hoopla (for library members in the U.S.). The other two were screened at film festivals so look out for their release dates in the near future.
5 More Great International Films from 2021
1. The Disciple (India)
The Disciple might be our favorite film of 2021. It follows a struggling Indian classical musician in training with an aging guru from an enigmatic musical lineage. His journey is presented as a leap of faith in his existential search for meaning. It’s presented patiently with long musical takes cut with some memorable nighttime shots of Sharad biking home listening to his prized philosophical musings from his enigmatic hero. This film is a must watch as long as you’re ready to spare a bit of time to fully immerse yourself in Indian classical music.
Watch The Disciple on Netflix.
2. Sugar Daddy (Canada)
Musical Dramas Ema and Sound of Metal were amongst our favorite films from last year and Sugar Daddy felt more explosive than both of them. It follows a struggling artist that turns to a paid dating service to fund her music career. The standout is the lead actor, Kelly McCormack (who’s also the writer and producer behind the project), who gives one incredible performance. The music, craziness, and spiral of the lead make this film captivating. The only thing that we’d change is the misleading title.
Watch Sugar Daddy on Hoopla.
3. Landfall (Puerto Rico)
Landfall is a political documentary imbued with anger at the current state of Puerto Rico. It captures life in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, choosing to depict the current post-Hurricane tragedies instead of the actual Hurricane, and setting them within the history of U.S. imperialism. In doing so, Landfall presents a critique of disaster capitalism (see Naomi Klein’s Shock Doctrine) and the U.S. stranglehold on Puerto Rico and its ineffectual politicians.
Read the full review here.
4. The New Girl (Argentina)
The New Girl is an engaging coming of age story, as well as a protest movie along the lines of Made in Bangladesh and Salt of the Earth. It packs a lot into it’s relatively short run time (only 79 minute). It follows a transient migrating to an industrial region of Argentina to live and work with her brother. It highlights the privilege of crime – contrasting her experience stealing out of need vs. her brother’s smuggling to get rich. Plus there’s a union at the heart of the narrative to add to the anti-capitalist thread of the movie.
Read the full review here.
5. Nayattu (India)
Indian film is on a roll this year on the international circuit. To add to Pebbles, The Disciple, and Writing with Fire, here’s an engaging political thriller. It follows three police officers on the run after they get tangled in the death of a young man a few days before local elections. Whilst the political messages are a bit muddy, their escape and ensuing chase through rural India is exciting to watch. If you’re a fan of dark Hollywood thrillers along the lines of Fincher and Villeneuve, Nayattu is well worth a watch.
Watch Nayattu on Netflix.
For more of the great international films from 2021, check out our 10 Best International Films of 2021 so far list published in May. Also let us know what your favorite films are by getting in touch with us on Twitter or by email.
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