Cover Photo By Danni Lim
Cover Photo By Danni Lim.

Recs with context: 2021 films you may have missed


Whether you’re rushing into the cinemas to check out a blockbuster spectacle or watching newly-released films online, we got you covered with these films that may have gone under your radar.


By Ralph Regis | Thursday, 30 December 2021

It’s no doubt that 2021 delivered another plethora of films around the world. Cinemas have started to reopen and allow moviegoers to flock and experience must-see blockbusters, while producers and filmmakers continue to strategize film distribution into the realm of streaming. 

 

As the year ends, you might want to check out our list of films that can be considered as 2021 gems.

 

1230 Drive My Car

 

Drive My Car is based on the short story of the same name from “Men Without Women,” the 2014 short story collection written by beloved Japanese writer Haruki Murakami.

 

Two years after his wife’s death, Yūsuke Kafuku (Hidetoshi Nishijima), a widowed theater actor, is offered to direct a production of Uncle Vanya at a theater festival. With the help of Misaki (Tōko Miura), a 20-year-old chauffeur he was assigned with, the two develop a bond that eventually helps them heal from their past.

 

In a span of three hours, the film captured grief in a melancholic way. Best experienced the cinematic way makes the characters break free from the screen. The unspoken connection between Mr. Kafuku and Misaki becomes heartwarming and comforting. Lastly, the driving scenes feel oddly satisfying. They serve as heading forth towards the destination of moving forward.

 

Drive My Car premiered at the 2021 QCinema International Film Festival’s “Screen International” section.

 

1230 The Worst Person In The World

 

The world needs more of Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier. The third film in Trier’s “Oslo Trilogy” following Reprise and Oslo, 31 August一the dark romantic comedy is divided into a prologue, 12 chapters, and epilogue. 

 

The film follows for years in the life of a young woman named Julie (Renate Reinsve), as she navigates her indecisiveness towards her love life and career path in modern day Oslo.

 

Trier masterfully crafts fragments of Julie's life, with the story extending within the confines of conformity. There’s much visual cues that make it look captivating and enigmatic. You would want to hate Julie for her decisions but it sort of reflects how most people would handle the uncertainties life offers. We are bound to hurt another, it’s inevitable. But it’s how we bounce back and still try to do good in this world is what matters.

 

The Worst Person in the World premiered at the 2021 QCinema International Film Festival’s “Screen International” section.

 

1230 Mighty Robo V

 

A documentary crew gives us a glimpse on the Philippine Giant Monster Defense Institute latest kaiju-defense robot program.

 

One of the more stellar short film entries in this year’s QCinema Shorts competition of the film festival, MIGHTY ROBO V features a satirical approach on the current government, as well as capitalizing on the country’s adoration for the Japanese anime “Voltes V.” In a mockumentary-style fashion ala American sitcom The Office, there’s a lot of excitement and passion overflowing through the 20-minute short film. 

 

We follow the not-so-reliable crew of the new “MIGHTY ROBO V” program which includes Filipino stand-up comedians James Caraan and Red Ollero, Filipino-British actress and musician Rachel Coates, Filipino content creator Macoy Averilla (Macoy Dubs), and Japanese model, musician, and actress Nami Onuma.

 

MIGHTY ROBO V competed at the 2021 QCinema Shorts competition and took home the Audience Choice Award.

 

1230 C’mon C’mon

 

“Whatever you plan on happening, never happens. Stuff you would never think of happens. So you just have to, you have to come on. Come on, come on, come on, come on.” -Jesse

 

Off the heels of his 2016 20th Century Women, which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, American filmmaker Mike Mills returns for his fourth feature film with C’mon C’mon.

 

Joaquin Phoenix stars as Johnny, a documentary filmmaker, who travels across states interviewing various kids about their thoughts concerning their world and their future. As he is tasked by his sister to take care of his young nephew Jesse (Woody Norman), the two try to make sense of the world through their different perspectives.

 

The black-and-white film is part documentary, part fiction. It offers a lot of questions but not a lot of answers. Thus, Mills' powerful screenplay stems from his experiences and insights from the world today.

 

Unfortunately, C’mon C’mon is currently unavailable on streaming. 

 

1230 Scenes From A Marriage

 

Adapted from legendary Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman's 1973 Swedish miniseries of the same name, HBO’s English-language remake of “Scenes from a Marriage” tells the story of a marriage falling apart in contemporary times.

 

Acting powerhouses and longtime friends Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain reunite after starring together in 2014’s crime drama A Most Violent Year. Their chemistry as Jonathan and Mira packs for provocative performances, giving their characters enough emotion and vigor to their hot and cold interactions.

 

Although not as strong as the 1973 original, HBO’s five-part limited series rendition opens the door for contemporary ideas on marriage and relationships through different cultural backgrounds.

 

“Scenes from a Marriage” is currently streaming on HBO Go Asia.

 

1230 Bergman Island

 

2021 has paid homage to Bergman quite nicely with Bergman Island offering a piece of the celebrated filmmaker’s craftsmanship.

 

The film follows Tony and Chris Sanders, an English-German filmmaking couple played by Tim Roth and Vicky Krieps, respectively. They retreat over to the island of Fårö, where Bergman shot mostly his films, to find inspiration and solace in writing their screenplays for their future films.

 

References to Bergman's filmmaking career and personal life are present. But the film reflects finding inspiration amidst a place that has served its purpose to a legendary filmmaker. It's a well-crafted tribute, but also showcases its own identity of creating something more.

 

Bergman Island premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival. Unfortunately, it is currently unavailable for streaming.

 

Supplementary recommendations

 

  • Titane - Fans of the 2016 coming-of-age body horror Raw are eating good this 2021 with the return of French filmmaker Julia Ducournau for her sophomore feature Titane. Injured in a car accident as a child, a woman named Alexia (Agathe Rousselle) has a titanium plate on her head.

 

  • Val -  A24’s documentary glancing at the career of American actor Val Kilmer that spans for over 40 years. Opening up about his battles with throat cancer and reminiscing about his once celebrated career, Kilmer becomes up close and personal.

 

  • Nobody - If you’re looking for a high-octane balls-to-the-wall action thriller, then we do have a film for you! The film stars Bob Odendirk (“Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul”) as Hutch Mansell, a former CIA government assassin, returning to his old life of danger to protect his family.

 

 
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Last updated: Thursday, 30 December 2021