Strands Best Films- Page 4 of 41

Timbuktu – Experience Life in the Sahel of Mali

“What!? You haven’t seen any films from Africa!?”

Timbuktu Film Difficulty Ranking: 4

“What!? You haven’t seen any films from Africa!?”

Well, honestly, I was in a similar position a few months ago. I’d only seen a few films set in the continent, such as the brilliant District 9, the heart-warming Africa United, and the heart-wrenching Hotel Rwanda. So when I saw Timbuktu gather critical acclaim at Cannes as well as a nomination for the Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film, I gave it a watch. Safe to say, it was well worth it!

From: Mali, Africa
Watch: Trailer, Rent on Amazon, Buy on Amazon
Next: Abouna, Zerzura, Amores Perros

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

Shoplifters – Let this Oddball Family guide you around Japan

Shoplifters Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

If you’re looking for a heart warming family to guide you around contemporary Japan, check out Shoplifters. Everyone is welcome to join this oddball family and find beauty in life’s simple pleasures.

From: Japan, Asia
Watch: Trailer, Hulu, Rent on Amazon, Buy on Amazon
Next: Boyhood, Kikujiro, Little Miss Sunshine

Tremors – An Upper Class Satire as One Gay Family Man is Outed

Tremors Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

Unfortunately Tremors carries the same name as a much more famous B-movie monster film from Hollywood. However, whilst they’re vastly different, they do share one thing in common: they’re both tongue-in-cheek comedies. Instead of laughing at the absurd huge worm like monsters in the 1990’s American version, you can laugh at the absurd response to the outing of a closeted gay man embedded in an upper class family life in Guatemala. It’s fun watching their stiff upper lips curl in long periods melodramatic weeping. The extremist gay conversion therapy that Pablo’s devout catholic family force him to attend to keep them together takes the satire to another level. All we can do is enjoy the levels the family goes to in order to hide their shame. Pablo’s out-and-proud lover is the only sane person in the film and watches Pablo’s family bewildered like us as it slowly disintegrates.

From: Guatemala, North America
Watch: Trailer, IMDb, JustWatch
Next: Dakan, Jose, I Am Not A Witch

Vitalina Varela – An Artistic Meditation on Mourning

Vitalina Varela Film Difficulty Ranking: 5

Why Watch Vitalina Varela

For an entry point into the world of Slow Film
If you like classical painting – this film is a piece of art
It’s a stoical story of grief and recovery

From: Portugal, Europe
Watch: Trailer, JustWatch
Next: Horse Money, From What is Before, Cocote