Film Difficulty 2

To help you ease your way into our world, we have devised a the film difficulty ranking system to rate the difficulty of each film reviewed on our site. The easiest to watch films (the Rom-Coms and Superhero flicks that you watch anyway) will have a rating of 1. Foreign language films automatically add one point, as do black and white films, and films with strange and hard to follow plots. Welcome to Film Difficulty 2.

Film Difficulty Ranking 2: These films are perfect introductions to those new to foreign films. These one’s may have subtitles, or be in black and white, but these films are all easy to follow and enjoy.

For the next step, check out Film Difficulty Ranking 3.

The Red Turtle (Netherlands)

The Red Turtle Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli or struggling to answer some of life’s big questions, you should check out this film. It is a beautiful animation that explores some of the biggest philosophical debates. Who are we? What is the meaning of life and death? And what is beauty? Go ahead and watch Michael Dudok de Wit’s animation, birthed when Studio Ghibli sent him a letter out of the blue asking if he wanted to make a film!

Why Watch the Red Turtle?

You want to see a European Studio Ghibli film from Michael Dudok de Wit, complete with magical realism and beautiful animation
To hear an excellent soundtrack composed by a former doctor (it’s never too late to do what you love)
If you love the idea of being stuck on a desert island (Robinson Crusoe was the inspiration for this film)
Watch and question who you are really are if you were to be stuck on a desert island

The Breakdown

The film starts with a night time storm in the ocean. A man struggles to stay afloat as huge waves swirl and crash around him. He spots his dinghy but as he swims towards it, a wave crashes on top of it, breaking it into driftwood.

There are no colours in this opening scene. All of the night time scenes are shot in black and white. Later, on the island, the night sky shines with a beautiful mat of stars. The monochrome nights appear more real than the heavily lighted night scenes we are used to. They contain what the director calls ‘beauty in subtlety.’ There are no bright colours or heavy lighting similar to the Hollywood films we are used to. In fact the first appearance of the red turtle is the first moment in which red appears on screen. The director’s subtle palette is reminiscent of Studio Ghibli (see Tale of Princess Kaguya) and Japanese art in general. It is from these influences that the director found beauty in subtlety, used in this film.

The film is also a tale of life and death, similar to the circle of life in Lion King. You see animals on the island full of life in one scene and then dead and being fed on in the next. The film’s cyclical view of time and narrative (another Eastern inspiration) contrasts with the traditional Western linear narrative. It gives the story a certain timelessness (are the characters dead or in a dream?). It also questions the meaning of life – why do we so desperately strive for goals when nature and time are cyclical? (see more on linear vs. cyclical time here).

Conclusion

The Red Turtle is a beautiful animation that on the surface is a story about a man stranded on a desert island. However, on further analysis, it’s subtle techniques and cyclical narrative reveal questions about the meaning of life and time. With only nature to keep you company, you find out who you really are.

Run Lola Run – An Adrenaline Rush in Berlin

Imagine a German nightclub blasting techno music. Imagine a German nightclub blasting techno music whilst drinking Red Bull. Imagine a German nightclub blasting techno music whilst drinking Red Bull and dancing the running man. You’re now getting close to the adrenaline rush of Run Lola Run.

Run Lola Run Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

From: Germany, Europe
Watch: Trailer, Rent on Amazon, Buy on Amazon
Next: Trainspotting, Vertigo, Crystal Swan

A Chinese Odyssey – Pure Cinematic Mayhem

A Chinese Odyssey Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

I haven’t read Journey to the West and I’m completely unfamiliar with the story line, so I can’t vouch for the accuracy of this adaptation of the Chinese Classic. However, if you’re looking for pure cinematic mayhem, Chinese Odyssey Part One and Part Two are as good as you get.

From: Hong Kong, Asia
Watch: Trailer, Tubi, Vudu, Buy on Amazon
Next: Life of Brian, Star Wars, Kung Fu Hustle

Read The Full Review

Sampha: Process – A Journey from Sierra Leone to London

Sampha: Process Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

If you’ve been watching a lot of films recently, you’ll notice that Sampha: Process is different. Firstly it’s got a lot of music, which you’d probably expect as it’s an extended music video. Secondly, you’ll notice the quick and choreographed cuts (the editing works with the music). Music videos are where Spike Jonze and David Fincher started out, will Khalil Joseph transition to feature films as well?

Why Watch Sampha: Process?

Because there’s art in music videos – Director Khalil Joseph made a name for himself with this art/music video to accompany Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City and also directed Beyonce’s Lemonade visual album
If you like Sampha (you’ll at the very least appreciate his voice if you’re a music fan)
It will make you want to go to Freetown, Sierra Leone
For some fast cuts and symbolism – exactly what you’d expect from an extended music video

The Breakdown

First off, if you haven’t heard of Sampha, you should check out his latest Mercury Prize winning album Process before you watch this film – give it a listen here. Then you’ll need to know that this album was created after he lost his mum to cancer. He deals with loss in the music, but it is also the focus of this film.

Throughout the film, Khalil Joseph cuts to the image of Sampha’s mum trapped in a chrysalis. Her image appears between the beautiful beaches of Sierra Leone and urban London, connecting the two different cities. As a result, she is the link that connects Sampha to Sierra Leone. Her death, along with her mother’s old age (she’s the last of 14 siblings), threatens the link.

Image result for sampha process kahlil joseph

Conclusion

Sampha: Process is a film you should watch if you want to see how to adapt a music album into a film. Khalil Joseph takes a brilliant, complete album and manages to add more depth to it.

For more, check out this art/music video Khalil Joseph made for Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City album.

3 Idiots – A Feel Good College Buddy, Road Trip Musical

3 Idiots Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

Why Watch 3 Idiots?

It’s a feel good movie led by one of the best friends ever
It taps into many genres you’ll be familiar with from Hollywood blockbusters
For a bromance and love story that’ll make you forget it’s flaws

From: India, Asia
Watch: Trailer, JustWatch, Netflix, Amazon Prime
Next: Ferris Bueller's Day Off, PK, Y Tu Mama Tambien