005: Loneliness + Isolation 👀

Instagram

Hello again friends,

Well, we've lost track of time—suddenly the weeks are starting to feel like a constant loop of repeated Fridays. We no longer have the Sunday scaries because, let's face it, everyday carries its own updated version of dread. On a brighter note: there are endless things to watch, and at least a few more evenings to watch them.

For this week's edition we decided to introduce 5 films that speak to the solitude of the self, isolation and the painful ache of loneliness. If anything, we hope these films remind anyone feeling alone—that you're not. You can begin with The Beginners, because every single character apart from Andy has a loneliness issue. There is a beautiful scene with Ewan McGregor talking to his dog and the background is yellow—doesn't yellow sometimes feel like just the right color for loneliness? We think yellow is misrepresented as happiness, loneliness feels more yellow to us. A single banana. One tulip. A stick of butter. One lemon. The last bite of scrambled eggs.

After The Beginners you can move onto Wanda—there never was a more lonely woman, and she let herself get lost. Aren't we all at times? Then you can go live in Kirsten Dunst's mind for a little bit in Melancholia. Connection is obviously the unassigned theme for 2020, and Sofia Coppola got there first with Lost in Translation. We can't help but feel like we should rename 2020 "Lost in Translation"—we're all running around zoom call after zoom call wondering: will we ever hold a normal in-person conversation again? Will we be able to look people in the eyes? Read body language? Finally, you can finish up this series and feel less alone watching Taipei Story, which is all about a city in transition, and echos similar themes to Her and Lost in Translation. We watch Lung and Chin's fleeting exchanges and these moments of what's left unsaid, lost opportunities, missed human connection and feelings of melancholy.

Remember to call a friend who lives alone this week, and perhaps watch a film at the same time or something.

Emma + Beth

The Beginners
2011 / Dir. Mike Mills / United States
Synopsis: Favorite opening sequence ever made. I would do more to explain this film but if I can’t convince you with the opening sequence then don’t bother watching.
Watch if you like: Dogs. Talking to your dogs. Looking at other people’s dogs. Explaining House music to your parents. Feeling sad at work. Meeting people at parties.
Recommended by: Emma
Watch it now on: Amazon Prime + Hulu + Apple

Watch trailer

Wanda
1970 / Dir. Barbara Loden / United States
Synopsis: The first and only film made by Barbara Loden—truly a shooting star who abandons her family, in pursuit of some sense of self… This was the only film she wrote, directed and acted in—inspired by a bizarre newspaper clipping she saw about a woman who would rather go to prison than continue on with her life. Each scene feels like a film photograph: the grimy hotel rooms, bar rooms, and bathrooms scattered across Pennsylvania, and the unbathed rawness of Barbara Loden’s performance will not leave you. She is a woman persuaded by what she doesn’t want, killing time and, as it happens, on the fly with a bank robber she barely knows. There is a great little post-film read by Dorothy Publishing Project called ‘Suite for Barbara Loden’ by Nathalie Léger.
Watch if you like: Female writers, actors and directors.
Recommended by: Emma
Watch it now on: Criterion Channel

Watch trailer

Melancholia
2011 / Dir. Lars Von Trier / United States
Synopsis: A planet is headed towards Earth and two sisters, unconsciously, have been preparing for this moment, with acceptance or fear. The opening scene is slow and operatic and moving, like a disclaimer that the movie will require patience, both for its characters and others around you. If isolation has also allowed you to think about mortality, then this movie might be a trigger.
Watch if you like: Operatic shots. Co-dependent sisters. The sublime. Prime Kirsten Dunst.
Recommended by: Jessica
Watch it now on: Vudu + Tubi + iTunes

Watch trailer

Lost in Translation
2003 / Dir. Sofia Coppola / United States
Synopsis: Although it’s one of those bleak comedies, ‘Lost in Translation’ has a great romance at its heart. It really captures what it feels like to be traveling somewhere completely unfamiliar and wanting a connection (aren’t we all, always?). It’s simple but poetic, quietly reminding us of our shared loneliness while making us smile with quintessential Bill Murray humor dotted throughout. Pour yourself a whisky before watching. And then book a karaoke session with friends for afterwards, if you’re still feeling lonely.
Watch if you like: Traveling solo. Karaoke. Tokyo. Hotel bars.
Recommended by: Beth
Watch it now on: Hulu, Amazon Prime + Netflix (AU)

Watch trailer

Taipei Story
1985 / Dir. Edward Yang / Taiwan
Synopsis: A former national Little League team player finds solace by hanging out with hedonistic youths.
Watch if you like: Domestic life. Alienated urban structures. Changing careers. Adaptable personalities. Cultural influences.
Recommended by: Amy Li
Watch it now on: Criterion Channel

Watch trailer

Recommend a film

Visit full catalogue

Very Good Films

Street

Brooklyn, Ny 11221

Add us to your address book

/ New York
Update your preferences / unsubscribe

Very Good Films

Save this email to start commenting

Save this email to start commenting