- WHEEL OF FORTUNE AND FANTASY (Hamaguchi Ryusuke, 2021)
One of the two Hamaguchi movies to grace our screens in 2021, Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy is a witty, fun piece about chance and human connection.
The film is divided into three segments. In the first one, a woman tells her friend about a man she’s met recently and is really excited about. In the second, a student tries to seduce her professor as a favour to her lover, who has a personal grudge against him. Lastly, two former classmates meet by chance – or do they?
2. ANAÏS IN LOVE (Charline Bourgeois-Tacquet, 2021)
Anaïs is nearing 30, but she still hasn’t her love life quite figured out – or anything else, really. Not that it matters much, going day-by-day is quite enough for her…
Anaïs runs from one place to the other, always out of breath and seemingly so-very-busy. Her life looks like it’s falling apart, but there is no drama at all here. And as much as we wouldn’t want to be a part of her chaos, this film is deviously fun to watch.
3. GRASS (Hong Sang-soo, 2018)
In typical Hong Sang-soo fashion, the movie’s premise seems quite simple: a woman sits at a café and watches and listens to the patrons. Is she writing about them on her laptop? And why is she there anyway?
Director Hong and actress Kim Min-hee have collaborated in a number of features already, and this is probably one of their most under-the-radar works. Unfairly so, as this movie definitely deserves all the praise it gets and more.
4. A GOOD MARRIAGE (Éric Rohmer, 1982)
If you like Hong Sang-soo, chances are you are also familiar with Éric Rohmer, one of his biggest influences and inspirations.
A Good Marriage spins the tale of Sabine, who has decided that she wants to marry and sets off to pursue Edmond, although he does not seem to be very interested in her.
Amusing, lively and sparkly in equal measure.
5. THE LAST DAYS OF DISCO (Whit Stillman, 1998)
And lastly, a classic banger – Stillman’s The Last Days of Disco has a very specific time in mind, but it is very universal in the way it deals with the last days of youth as well.
The movie follows to friends as they juggle their burgeoning careers with the ups and downs of dating in your late 20s. Once you hear what Chloë Sevigny has to say about Scrooge McDuck, you won’t be able to unhear it, though – so be warned.
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