Tag: Identity
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SHADOWS
“Shadows” (1959) is an independent drama film directed by John Cassavetes. The film is celebrated for its improvisational style and unflinching exploration of race relations, identity, and personal relationships in late 1950s New York City. Set against the Beat Generation’s vibrant Manhattan scene backdrop, “Shadows” follows the lives of three African-American siblings: Ben, Hugh, and…
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SHORT FILM: SCORPIO RISING
“Scorpio Rising” is a groundbreaking 1963 experimental short film directed by Kenneth Anger. The film explores themes of rebellion, sexuality, and the intersection of popular culture and subversive iconography. “Scorpio Rising” is a non-narrative film that conveys its themes through visual symbolism, pop music, and a provocative editing style. The film is divided into several…
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HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) is a Japanese animated fantasy film directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli. Based on the 1986 novel by Diana Wynne Jones, the film is a visually stunning and emotionally rich story that explores themes of love, war, personal identity, and the power of compassion. The English-language…
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BEING JOHN MALKOVICH
“Being John Malkovich” is a 1999 darkly comedic and surreal film directed by Spike Jonze and written by Charlie Kaufman. The film explores identity, consciousness, and the human desire for connection and control. The story centers on Craig Schwartz (John Cusack), a struggling puppeteer living in New York City with his pet-obsessed wife, Lotte (Cameron…
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MADRES PARALELAS aka PARALLEL MOTHERS
“Parallel Mothers” (“Madres Paralelas”) is a Spanish drama film released in 2021, directed and written by Pedro Almodóvar. The film stars Penélope Cruz, Milena Smit, Israel Elejalde, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, and Rossy de Palma. The story revolves around two women, Janis (Penélope Cruz) and Ana (Milena Smit), who form a deep bond after meeting in a…
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BLONDE
“Blonde,” a 2022 biographical drama film directed by Andrew Dominik, is a fictionalized retelling of the life of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. Based on the 2000 novel of the same name by Joyce Carol Oates, the film delves into the inner turmoil and complexities of Monroe’s life, exploring her struggles with identity, fame, and personal…
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BELLE DE JOUR
“Belle de Jour” is a 1967 French drama film directed by Luis Buñuel. It is based on Joseph Kessel’s 1928 novel of the same name. The film follows the complex and mysterious life of Séverine Serizy, a young and beautiful woman who harbors secret desires and fantasies beneath her seemingly conventional exterior. Catherine Deneuve plays…
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SOUND OF METAL
“Sound of Metal” is a 2019 drama film directed by Darius Marder. The film stars Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, and Paul Raci in leading roles. The story follows Ruben Stone (played by Riz Ahmed), a heavy metal drummer who unexpectedly begins to lose his hearing. Ruben’s life revolves around his passion for music and his…
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UNDER THE SILVER LAKE
“Under the Silver Lake” is a 2018 neo-noir mystery film directed by David Robert Mitchell, known for his work on “It Follows.” The film stars Andrew Garfield as the protagonist Sam, Riley Keough as Sarah, and Topher Grace as Sam’s friend, Allen. Set in Los Angeles, the film begins with Sam, a young and aimless…
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ATTENBERG
“Attenberg” is a 2010 Greek drama film directed by Athina Rachel Tsangari. The story revolves around Marina (Ariane Labed), a young woman living in a small industrial town, and her relationship with her terminally ill father, Spyros (Vangelis Mourikis). Marina and Spyros share an unconventional and intimate bond, living in their idiosyncratic world. Influenced by…
The Other Cinema 