Films I'm Re-Watching This Weekend

because the weather forecast says it's going to rain.

*this post contains some spoilers*

Black Orpheus

The first time I watched this film I stayed glued to what seemed to me, a larger than usual MAC computer screen. It was a perfect moment contrasted with the sub par vibes of the person I was on a date with at the time. I’ve found myself unintentionally dating guys based on their taste. I don’t have a physical type per say, but I think history would suggest that I do have an mind type. Needless to say the film was perhaps the only highlight of that tryst and the only thing that stayed with me.

As for the film itself, its one of my favorites because it glides from beginning to end like a vibrant South American daydream, loosely based on the greek Orpheus-Eurydice legend. With the origin notes of bossa nova, the beauty of Marpessa Dawn and the wild joy of carnival, you’re sure to also find this one a treat.

[Watch anywhere on this list (from $2.99 - $3.99USD)]

Rewind And Play

This documentary chronicles a short interval in Jazz pianist Theolonius Monk’s life in Paris, at the end of one of his European tour’s in Autumn 1969.

It was heartbreaking to watch this film at first because of the lack of respect for black musicians that shone like neon throughout it. Monk’s quiet fury in this documentary also lingered in my thoughts for a while. A quality that felt flag-bearing for black culture and also the specific time period.

[You can watch this if you have an Amazon Prime membership or Apple TV]

Atlantiques

This is the only film on this list where I felt the urgency to mention it’s filmmaker. Mark this one as the first public foray into the strange and beautiful mind of Mati Diop. The film stretches the borders of migration, supernatural romance and gives you something to feel.

[You can watch this one with a Netflix subscription.]

Embrace of the Serpent

This film was recommended to me a couple years ago by my close friend Ananda who has superb taste so I knew it would be good. It however made me shake my head at certain points because of the wild but expected behavior played out by its characters. It also conjured up some rage from me at the end of the film. Ciro Guerro’s oeuvre is admirable and this is one of his best films to date, rivaling only his film Birds of Passage.

Expect science, supremacy and religious bastardization in this one.

[You can watch it here]

Have a great weekend everyone and I’d love to hear in the comment box what you all are watching and films you recommend watching on this cozy weekend inside.