The never-ending scrolling on VOD platforms can take over our lives. To help you decide what you should watch on Mubi next, here are some of my recommendations based on what I’ve watched recently.
Shiva Baby
Whilst at a Jewish funeral service, a young woman awkwardly faces her sugar daddy and her ex-girlfriend. Directed and written by Emma Seligman, the story was originally a short film which has now been explored in feature length and showcases incredible performances, witty dialogue and plenty of bagels.
Pleasure
Definitely not one to watch without headphones if your flatmate’s mum is visiting (I like to live on the edge), Pleasure follows Bella Cherry who moves to LA with dreams of becoming an adult film star. We’re taken on the whirlwind journey with her, seeing the great highs of this mesmerising world, as well as the horrific lows that so many people face when working in it. It doesn’t seek to condemn or praise pornography, instead to invite the viewer to see the truth behind how some of it works.
Return to Seoul
A French woman returns to South Korea, in hopes to find her biological parents. With great music and deep emotion from Ji-Min Park who stars, this film spreads itself over almost a decade, allowing us into the world and mind of an adopted child and how their journey to discover who they are can be painful, messy but also incredibly healing.
Medusa Deluxe
Truths and lies come bubbling to the surface as this one take journey of neon-lit hairstyles takes us on a murder mystery ride. Cinematographer Robbie Ryan is a genius at pulling this story together through the camera movements, working with the director to add theatricals, comedy, glamour and extravagance to this hairdressing competition gone wrong.
Close
Close friends Léo and Rémi start a new school, where their friendship is questioned to be more than just platonic love by their schoolmates. This wedge drives deep between the boys, meaning that they begin to struggle with their responsibilities to each other. As well as the gorgeous flower fields that create a delicate yet muddy setting for this innocent world, for me, it’s the performances of Eden Dambrine (Léo) and Gustav De Waele (Rémi) that shine intensely. This feature is hard hitting, feeling even more extreme due to the characters being around 13 years old, but they are constant champions of their craft and I look forward to seeing their careers continue to blossom.