The must-watch films on mubi
Written by Lara Edwards
Photograph: A24
Published: 05/06/2023
MUBI is a number of things, from a streaming service to curator, publisher and distributor but of course at the company’s heart they’re a cinema lover, as they like to put themself.
At this time I will be diving into MUBI the streamer, they hold a vast array of films ready to stream immediatly upon membership purchase. What makes MUBI, for myself, the preferable service to watch films on is how they’re dedicated to offering the highly acclaimed art house pieces with the hidden independent gems that deserves more love and recognition. It not only can widen someones knowledge on film but also supports people’s love for classics or niche works in the art form. Here are some of the great films they have on offer:
MUBI
Petite Maman
Released in 2021, Céline Sciamma’s fifth and newest film to date following from the success that came with her 2019 film Portrait of a Lady on Fire (Portrait de la jeune fille en feu). With a run time of just 72 minutes, Petite Maman is the perfect film to watch later at night or to unwind during a busy day. The story revolves around a girl, Nelly, and how helping her parents clear out her Mother’s childhood home leads to her Mother suddenly leaving and Nelly meeting, an oddly similar looking, girl out in the woods behind the house. The film showcases what Sciamma does best with her poetic and touching dialogue with clean and simple camera work both of which pair to make a touching film.
It is currently available to watch on MUBI Uk and Ireland, India, Italy, and Turkey.
The Watermelon Woman
A great film to watch during pride month, directed by Cheryl Dunye, The Watermelon Woman has been said to be culturally and historically significant as it’s the first feature film to be directed by a black lesbian. The film shows Cheryl working in a video store while trying to make a film on the side that explores a famous actress from the 1930s that was always relegated to the stereotyped roles for black women. This July the film will get a Blu-ray release by the Criterion Collection.
It is currently available to watch on MUBI Uk and Ireland.
Ma vie de courgette
An example of beautifully curated animation Ma vie de courgette or My Life as a Zucchini is a French film that is perfect for family viewing. The sad but sweet story of Zucchini finding friendship and comfort in a police officer that helps him find his way in life after the death of his less than caring Mother. One of my favourite uses of clay animation, directed buy Claude Barras released in 2016.
It is available to watch on MUBI uk and Ireland.
Aftersun
One of the most popular releases from last year (2022) among audiences and critics, even securing itself many awards for it’s direction and screenplay by Charlotte Wells, as well as Paul Mescals performance as Callum. Aftersun carefully and intimately depicts the struggles of living with depression and the relationship between Mescal’s character and his daughter Sophie, played by new comer Frankie Corio. The film is wrapped up in it’s holiday resort setting which contrasts with the themes of the film, but also intertwined with moments of a grown Sophie which implies to the fate of their relationship after that era of her childhood.
It is now available to watch on MUBI.
Mustang
This 2015 film by Deniz Gamze Ergüven tells the story of five sisters who become orphaned and while they try to live their new lives in a strict household. The girls family start to prepare for all the girls arranged marriages all while the sisters come together to rebel against the rules that have been put upon them. Mustang is Ergüven’s debut feature length film which went as far to gain her an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film in 2016.
It is available to watch on MUBI Uk and Ireland.
Shiva Baby
One of the few films able to make it’s release in 2020 and it’s a great one. Shiva Baby directed by Emma Seligman is a one room film done well. With interesting characters such as Danielle (Rachel Sennot) it’s a gripping 77 minutes mixed with overbearing relatives at every turn and a new take on bisexual panic with a sudden appearance from an ex-girlfriend along with a sugar daddy that is in attendance with his secret wife and baby.
It is available to watch on MUBI UK and Ireland, Brasil, Germany, India, Turkey and Latin America.
Lara Edwards.