By Matthew Kwan, Co-Editor-In-Chief
With many people stuck at home searching for original and entertaining content to watch, art films can be a refreshing way to diversify watchlists. Here are some outstanding figures in the world of art cinema whose works are worth watching. Films mentioned below are accessible on Netflix, HBO Max or the Criterion Channel.
Jean-Luc Godard
Disappointed with the state of French cinema at the time, Jean-Luc Godard became a leading figure in the innovative French New Wave movement with his groundbreaking debut film “Breathless.” An instant classic, Godard’s hypercool take on the crime genre follows a criminal hiding from the police with his unknowing girlfriend. Aside from its unconventional jump cut editing, suave style and documentary-like visuals, the film grips its audience’s attention with an underlying tension of whether the protagonist will successfully escape. Godard’s debut broke barriers in the filmmaking world and remains a highly beloved and influential film to films and moviegoers since.
Unconventionality and innovation are Godard’s specialties, but his unique style may be frustrating for more mainstream audiences to watch. The best choice for those who are not used to art films but want to explore Godard’s work is the heist film “Band of Outsiders.” Following three people planning to rob one of their own homes, this film is just as cool as “Breathless” with super suave performances from its actors and charmingly iconic race through the Louvre and Madison dance scenes.
Though Godard’s work after the late ‘60s became progressively less accessible to viewers, Godard’s impact on modern film remains incalculable. His influence persists today in films such as Netflix’s “Malcolm and Marie,” and references to his work are countlessly made in pop culture, including the TV show “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”
Wong Kar Wai
Countless movies are filmed in Hong Kong every year, but few filmmakers can portray the city as authentically as Wong Kar Wai. A key figure in Hong Kong cinema and often compared to Godard, Wong is often noted for his films’ ability to capture the lively atmosphere of Hong Kong. Nonchronological plots, stunning cinematography and atmospheric feelings all contribute to the tender, romantic nature his films are known for.
Wong’s most iconic works are arguably those in collaboration with cinematographer Christopher Doyle, with their magnum opus being “In the Mood for Love.” The film follows two people who slowly fall in love while their spouses have an affair. The subtlety in the acting and plot combined with its flawless visuals and amazing score make this film breathtaking in every way.
The best way to watch Wong’s films is to simply experience them without trying to follow the plot. By letting the film take lead, viewers can be sure to have an immersive and emotional experience watching his films.
Barry Jenkins
Filled with beautiful Wong-influenced visuals, incredible performances and emotional delicacy, “Moonlight” cemented Barry Jenkins as one of the best American directors of recent years. Particularly impressive of Jenkins is his ability to develop his characters into complex people that all audiences can relate to regardless of their background. By following protagonist Chiron from childhood to adulthood in “Moonlight,” audiences watch him develop into a multifaceted, sensitive person that is a product of his experiences rather than just his environment, a departure from traditional gangster films.
Jenkins’ knack for humanizing and developing complex characters is in his earlier works too, including his short film “My Josephine.” Revolving around two Arabic laundromat workers washing American flags for free in a post-9/11 world, within nine minutes viewers immerse into a world of tenderness and melancholy. Much like “Moonlight,” though “My Josephine” focuses on its characters, the social context surrounding them is inescapable to its viewers and pushes audiences to see the world from their perspectives as people impacted by situations out of their control.
While Jenkins’ filmography may not be as long as Godard’s or Wong’s, his work is no less impressive. With upcoming projects such as Amazon Studio’s “The Underground Railroad” series and Disney’s “The Lion King” prequel, audiences are sure to see Jenkins’ name more in the future.