During three months of film school I watched over 70 movies.
Since film school ended in March, I’ve watched three:
The Kindergarten Teacher (2018) US. Directed by Sara Colangelo. Maggie Gyllenhaal is riveting in the title role. This film explores what it means to hold enlightened cultural principles. To what lengths can we go for great art? Who gets to be an artist? Are we capable of more than our mediocre society can nurture in us? How do you protect and nurture pure talent? The increasingly creepy intensity made it difficult for me to watch, but it felt appropriate to the challenging questions posed.
Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) US. Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. Watch if you love googly eyes, hot dog fingers, and martial arts. The four main performances are fantastic from start to finish. This film impressed on me the principal that the more personal your story is, the more universal, or meta-versal, it is. I especially appreciated the wrenching portrayal of the desolation experienced as a result of endless options, nothing mattering, and no foundation of Truth. Thankfully the resolution the writers leave us with is not an easy fix, but instead a satisfying and nuanced deepening of relationship. Depending on how you interpret what you see, you can find both Christian themes and post-modern conclusions here—I encourage you to be the bee. This film may be overstimulating and a bit long for some at 140 minutes.
The Seventh Seal (1957) Sweden. Directed by Ingmar Bergman. Black and white and in Swedish. A returning crusader plays chess with Death on his return to Sweden during the Black Death. I saw this during an outdoor screening on the lawn and my favorite memory was being out with others on a summer evening. But it is a movie ripe for discussion, rich with themes of faith, death, and art, explored in the apocalyptic context of a deadly plague.
At first glance these three films have nothing in common except that I either watched them in Sweden or they were in Swedish. I found these films speaking to each other, however, through their themes, my experiences, and over time. This led me to think about intentionally curating film flights—grouping and viewing a few films united by a common theme or setting. Some of these correlations are accidental or comical, but the idea is serious—art speaks to each other and how we experience it can be influenced by what we read or view together with it.
Here are some film flights for your consideration.
On Trial for Truth flight
These protagonists inspire courage.
The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) Sweden & France. Directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer. Silent, black and white, and visually stunning. This film was lost for fifty years and then rediscovered miraculously in 1981 and re-released.
Sophie Scholl - The Final Days (2005) Germany. Directed by Marc Rothemund. This is a moving film to watch and discuss, especially with teens and young adults similar in age to Sophie. In 2003, Sophie and her brother Hans were voted by young Germans as the most important Germans of all time. Sophie’s real-life friend and fellow student, Alexander Schmorell, who was also executed by the Nazis in 1943, was later canonized as an Orthodox saint.
A Hidden Life (2019) US. Directed by Terrence Malick. Completely beautiful. The first things I noticed were the organic movement of the camera in response to the actors, and the patchwork style of editing. The story is told mostly in voice over with very little dialogue. Absolutely worth watching with the people you love.
Mourning Your Dead Wife in Japan flight
These films are about more than grief.
Ikiru (1952) Japan. Directed by Akira Kurosawa. A black and white classic in which a lonely widower comes alive to joy and generosity.
The Sea of Trees (2015) US. Directed by Gus Van Sant. This film was not well received, but I’m willing to overlook the weak spots and recommend it because of the beautiful cinematography and surprisingly powerful impact it had on me. Great performances by Matthew McConaughey, Naomi Watts, and Ken Watanabe.
Drive My Car (2021) Japan. Directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi. It won the Academy Award this year for Best International Feature Film. It is based on the eponymous short story by Haruki Murakami.
Struggling Priests flight
Curated by my friend Mary who warns the final two “wrecked” her.
Winter Light (1963) Sweden. Directed by Ingmar Bergman.
Calvary (2014) Ireland. Directed by John Michael McDonagh.
First Reformed (2017) US. Directed by Paul Schrader. Influenced by Bergman’s Winter Light.
India Changed My Life flight
Films celebrating encounters with the rich culture and complexity of India!
Eat Pray Love (2010) US. Directed by Ryan Murphy. Love it or hate it, this book and film were part of a soul-searching phenomenon. It’s easy to relate to the purposeful journey of the main character, which is both internal and international. I’ve eaten, prayed, and loved across a trio of countries more than once now and the part that resonated deeply was when she reflected on all the meaningful new friendships she made as a result of her travels.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011) UK. Directed by John Madden. I appreciate the way this film joyfully captured the colors and spirit of life in India, while also addressing culture shock and distaste for aspects of the experience. The first time I saw this film, I left the theater inspired to visit India. Watching this movie again on the plane leaving New Delhi helped me process the richness of everything that had just happened.
After the Wedding (2006) Denmark & Sweden. Directed by Susanne Bier. Only a brief portion of this film is set in India, and it is formative for the main character, played by the dynamic Mads Mikkelson. I appreciate the intimacy of the cinematography and the twists in the story. This film is so brilliant, I feel reluctant to watch the 2019 US version.
Adults Doing Their Best for Young Sons flight
These are definitely the coziest films with the happiest endings.
Kolya (1996) Czech Republic. Directed by Jan Svěrák, starring and written by his father, Zdeněk Svěrák. The performance of the 5-year-old actor who plays Kolya is remarkable. This film won the Best Foreign Film Oscar.
Dear Frankie (2004) Scotland. Directed by Shona Auerbach and inspired by Kolya. Emily Mortimer shines among a wonderful cast.
Belfast (2021) UK. Directed by Kenneth Branaugh. Black and white and completely heart-warming in the best way, including a nostalgic 1950s soundtrack.
Your Turn
What film flights would you recommend, either seriously or for fun? For extra credit—what snacks and beverages would you pair with them?
I’d love to hear from you—regarding great films or whatever is new in your world. All you have to do is press ‘reply’ and your note will land in my private email inbox.
Looking forward to…
…receiving the 2023 Calendar of Liturgical Seasons from the printer this week. I can’t wait to share this new edition with you. It is a pilgrimage to Ireland all year long!
Thomaida