Debate: Films that amplify, scrutinse, argue, and surprise

So Long My Son – An Epic Cross Generational Drama

So Long My Son Film Difficulty Ranking: 4

If you’re looking for an epic cross generational drama with tragedy, family rivalry, and common people subject to the government, you’ve come to the right place. So Long My Son is the story of two families driven apart by China’s infamous one child policy and their differing fortunes. It’s just over three hours, so there’s plenty of time to build each of the characters, but it also doesn’t feel too long. This might be because of the narrative that pieces together different time periods without ever leaving the present. It forces us to figure out which part of the protagonist’s lives we are at, but also slowly reveals more and more about the characters and their lives to add to our mental picture. It’s like a Memento of cross generational drama with a dramatic Chinese one child policy backdrop.

From: China, Asia
Watch: Trailer, Vimeo
Next: A Touch of Sin, Summer Palace, The Son's Room

Beauty and the Dogs (Tunisia) – One Victim Against the Police

Image result for beauty and the dogs full movie

Beauty and the dogs Film Difficulty Ranking:3

Beauty and the Dogs is one traumatic roller coaster ride. There’s no respite from the very first cut and once you’ve strapped in you have to watch until the end of the ride.

From: Tunisia, Africa
Watch: Trailer, Amazon Buy
Next: Irreversible, The Insult, Dogville

The Insult (Lebanon) – Words Can Start Wars

The Insult Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

The Insult demonstrates just how powerful words can be. The trials between the Tony the Lebanese Christian and Yasser the Palestinian refugee are like the OJ Simpson trials on steroids.

From: Lebanon, Asia
Watch: Trailer, Amazon Prime, Rent on Amazon, Buy on Amazon
Next: OJ Simpson: Made in America, Silvered Water, Ajami

The Stranger – A Long Lost Relative Unexpectedly Reappears

The Stranger Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

If you’re a fan of mellow conversation led family dramas, The Stranger might become your next favorite film. It features the unexpected return of a long lost relative after 30 years of traveling the world. On his return he finds a changed city and an unwelcoming family that are skeptical of his identity. What follows is a film that could take place on the stage. Shot mostly in a spacey urban Indian apartment, The Stranger focuses on the conversational duels between the returning outcast, Uncle Mitra, and his niece Anila and her husband. It swings between debates about civilization, religion, culture, identity and traveling the world. Plus there’s a heartwarming relationship between Uncle Mitra and his young grand-nephew, the only person that trusts him.

From: India, Asia
Watch: Trailer, JustWatch, IMDb
Next: Naseem, My Dinner with Andre, Pyaasa

Honeyland – Traditional Lifestyle on the Brink

Honeyland Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

If you love documentaries that stray into the fictional or very real docu-dramas, you’re in for a treat. Honeyland is one step up: it’s a docu-epic. It follows a middle-aged bee keeper in rural North Macedonia living on her own with her frail grandmother. Their survival is delicately in the balance when a large family join them looking for a better life. It’s a tale of modernity vs. tradition, and greed vs. modernity: a real showdown for the ages. Plus it’s shot beautifully.

From: North Macedonia, Europe
Watch: Now Showing in the U.S, Screening Times Elsewhere 
Next: Makala, Hale County This Morning, This Evening, Nobody Knows

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