Comfort can be found by immersing yourself into unknown realities. Seeing a life that would otherwise be unreal to you is eye-opening, and forces you to confront aspects of your own life that have gone unnoticed. Movies illustrate the diversity that comes with existence, especially those that come from overseas. These works provide a whole new, refreshing perspective on the artistry of filmmaking. Here are a few that deserve worldwide recognition.
Amelie (French)
Amelie Poulain is a young woman who’s childhood (or rather, lack thereof) shapes her search for companionship. At an early age, her mother dies suddenly in a freak accident, which causes her already-reserved father to relapse into a state of shock, refusing to assimilate into society. Lacking parental affection, Amelie quickly adapts and uses her vivid imagination to cope with her seemingly constant internal loneliness, which takes the audience on numerous adventures of the heart. Dedicating her life to giving happiness and joy for others, Amelie also learns that even with all that is said and done, the most courageous thing a person can do is finding happiness for oneself. This movie was very comforting to watch personally, because I feel like a lot of people (myself included) feel the same way Amelie does at least once in their lives.
Amelie Poulain is a young woman who’s childhood (or rather, lack thereof) shapes her search for companionship. At an early age, her mother dies suddenly in a freak accident, which causes her already-reserved father to relapse into a state of shock, refusing to assimilate into society. Lacking parental affection, Amelie quickly adapts and uses her vivid imagination to cope with her seemingly constant internal loneliness, which takes the audience on numerous adventures of the heart. Dedicating her life to giving happiness and joy for others, Amelie also learns that even with all that is said and done, the most courageous thing a person can do is finding happiness for oneself. This movie was very comforting to watch personally, because I feel like a lot of people (myself included) feel the same way Amelie does at least once in their lives.
Pan’s Labyrinth (Spanish)
Guillermo del Toro’s craft for solemnly hopeful fairytales glistens in the light of this movie. Though there are definitely parts of this movie that will make your skin crawl, del Toro takes a very romantic take on a somber story where reality meets the imaginary. It’s the middle of the civil war in Spain--republican rebels and communist powers quarrel while Ofelia, a young girl who’s prospecting step father is the general of the communist party, tries to escape it all to find her true father: King of the Underworld. The visual effects and soundtrack all add to the overall theme of this film: being true to who you are, and having courage in your convictions. This movie, though unconventional, strikes the audience to inspire others and be true to yourself.
The Illusionist (French)
The Illusionist is a quirky animated movie that follows an aged, out of work magician who feels out of place in a rapidly modernizing world. He eventually meets a kindhearted girl named Alice while performing, who helps expose the magician to a world of empathy and nuance. She is able to tame both the magician and his pet rabbit’s irritated nature. Sylvain Chomet exposed the various levels of “love,” showing how platonic and romantic love seem to compete for the spotlight within our lives. The movie ends on a cynical note, but the journey--the journey of understanding how magic can be manifested into our own lives, if only we allow it too--is the main point. The animation of this film sets a nostalgic theme, about times where life seemed better than what it is now, adding to Chomet’s goal of how “growing up” does not have to mean sacrificing your vulnerabilities, but rather embracing them. As a cynic, this movie was eye-opening. It gave light to the true depth of a reality without hope and unwillingness to change with the tides of life.
Guillermo del Toro’s craft for solemnly hopeful fairytales glistens in the light of this movie. Though there are definitely parts of this movie that will make your skin crawl, del Toro takes a very romantic take on a somber story where reality meets the imaginary. It’s the middle of the civil war in Spain--republican rebels and communist powers quarrel while Ofelia, a young girl who’s prospecting step father is the general of the communist party, tries to escape it all to find her true father: King of the Underworld. The visual effects and soundtrack all add to the overall theme of this film: being true to who you are, and having courage in your convictions. This movie, though unconventional, strikes the audience to inspire others and be true to yourself.
The Illusionist (French)
The Illusionist is a quirky animated movie that follows an aged, out of work magician who feels out of place in a rapidly modernizing world. He eventually meets a kindhearted girl named Alice while performing, who helps expose the magician to a world of empathy and nuance. She is able to tame both the magician and his pet rabbit’s irritated nature. Sylvain Chomet exposed the various levels of “love,” showing how platonic and romantic love seem to compete for the spotlight within our lives. The movie ends on a cynical note, but the journey--the journey of understanding how magic can be manifested into our own lives, if only we allow it too--is the main point. The animation of this film sets a nostalgic theme, about times where life seemed better than what it is now, adding to Chomet’s goal of how “growing up” does not have to mean sacrificing your vulnerabilities, but rather embracing them. As a cynic, this movie was eye-opening. It gave light to the true depth of a reality without hope and unwillingness to change with the tides of life.