Take Shelter (2011) dir. Jeff Nichols
Jeff Nichols has a way of telling a story that is just so captivating, taking you on a journey you just have to surrender to. Take Shelter is a film about so many things—some read it as a quiet meditation on the environment whilst others see religiosity weaved throughout. I go for the former, but there’s so much more at stake here, with issues around mental health and family being treated with an unusual sensitivity. There are plenty of poignant moments around protagonist Curtis (Michael Shannon), who at one point has to be convinced of reality by his wife, Samantha (played magnificently by Jessica Chastain). If you like this, check out Nichols’ 2016 film Midnight Special for another mind-bending treat.
Poison (1991) dir. Todd Haynes
A classic of new queer cinema. This is a great place to start exploring the movement, introducing the viewer to a mesh of stories based on the writings of Jean Genet. Told in three parts, “Hero,” “Horror,” and “Homo” we’re taken on a wild ride that explores the form of visual mediums, switching from documentary to horror B-movie. Each story works to navigate the nature of sexuality and how one breaks away from the conventions of “normal” society. We watch prisoners consumed by erotic attraction, and children who retaliate against the constraints of abuse.
Fish Tank (2009) dir. Andrea Arnold
A wonderful piece of social realism set on a British council estate which deals with the harsh realities of class violence. Made on a small budget and using non-actors (bar an appearance by a then less well-known Michael Fassbender), Holland’s film follows Mia (a powerhouse Katie Jarvis in her first role), a troubled teen who seeks to escape the pressures of her family and the enclosed environment of the estate. Arnold’s filmic style lends itself to some really touching moments, and by the film’s end, you might find yourself simultaneously broken and uplifted by the experience.
Persepolis (2007) dir. Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi
Persepolis is a favorite of mine to teach—adapted from the graphic novel of the same name, the film is converted to the form in the most wonderful way. The use of innovative techniques coupled with the fascinating story of protagonist, Marji, makes for a great way to spend a couple of hours. Weaving the cultural memory of the Iranian revolution with the punk and Bruce Lee, this story takes you from Iran to France and Austria to map a young woman’s journey to find herself amongst the backdrop of history and family.
Under the Skin (2013) dir. Jonathan Glazer
Starring a then less problematic Scarlett Johansson, Under the Skin is a film that will mesmerize you as long as you award it some patience. A slow-burn of a film that blends genre between arthouse and sci-fi, it will leave you profoundly taken aback due to some amazing performances and the direction of Glazer who uses a low-fi approach along with the use of non-actors to create a sense of creeping voyeurism that also questions what it means to be human.
The Host (2006) dir. Bong Joon-ho
Now infamous for his Oscar winning film, Parasite, Bong Joon-ho has an oeuvre well worth exploring. All of his films make profound statements, but The Host does so in a way that is wonderfully bizarre. Riffing b-movie aesthetics, the film follows the Park family as they try to save one of their own in a movie that explores the environment impact of state power. It’s also just a fun watch with its own unique sense of humor, much like the rest of Bong’s work.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) dir. Edgar Wright
Returning to graphic novel adaptations, this film is the ultimate geek fest. Wright uses visual techniques amazingly in a loving recreation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s original series. The offbeat sense of humor leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy while you will also feel like you are in a comic book cum video game. Scott (Michael Cera) meets Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Whitehead) and ends up being pitted against her legion of ex’s. Featuring a bunch of great cameos, the film uses real locations and bands in a heartfelt ode to local band scenes and Toronto.
Event Horizon (1997) dir. Paul W.S. Anderson
A film so bad it’s good. If you want to spend 90 unadulterated minutes being taken down a rabbit hole of gore, violence, and mind-bending visuals, then Event Horizon is for you. The crew of recovery ship Lewis and Clark respond to a distress signal from a ship that has been missing for over seven years. What they find is a bizarre mix of a classic haunted house and the body horror of films like Alien led by a delightfully camp performance from Sam Neill. There are no dinosaurs but there are still a few shocks in store.
Beach Rats (2017) dir. Eliza Hittman
Originally screened at Sundance, Beach Rats is a story about navigating the pressures of one’s sexuality and masculinity. Threading the lines between sex, gender, and class, this film—Hittman’s second—switches between adolescent desire and the threat of violence in a dreamlike way, offering a soft, almost trip-like experience that will leave you equally enthralled and on the edge of your seat all at once.
eXistenZ (1999) dir. David Cronenberg
You might never have thought you wanted to see a film that blends body horror and VR, but believe me, you want to watch Cronenberg’s late 90s film that follows game designer, Allegra (Jennifer Jason Leigh), as she goes on the run from activists who want to kill her for deforming reality. It’s as wild a ride as it sounds and Cronenberg is a master of exploring abstract themes in a way that feels grounded. A palette cleanser for a world that grew up with The Matrix, offering an alternate exploration of the nature of reality.
Christopher W. Clark (@chriswillclark) reads and watches things then talks and writes about them. You can find poems and stories about queerness, mental health, and class among other things, or chapters on things like why Final Destination is actually quite a queer movie. Their book Queering Memory and National Identity in Transcultural U.S. Literature and Culture is due out sometime in 2020. They also make videos about critical reading, which you can find on YouTube (ReadingWithChris).
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