Un Prophète by Jacques Audiard (2009)

Taking place within a hostile prison in modern-day France, Audiard’s “Un prophète” tells the story of 19 year-old inmate Malik who finds himself in the midst of a racially divided war. As he struggles to stay neutral between the Corsican mafia and his fellow Arab inmates, Malik must not only decide where his loyalty lies, but also how far he is willing to go to survive. This story contains an exhilarating dynamic energy as it explores themes of identity, race, and morality during a phase of metamorphosis. One finds themselves rooting for this film’s unconventional hero as it actively humanizes the incarcerated, and highlights how humanity’s pursuit of happiness has no notion of race or faith. “Un prophète” is not the typical prison film filled with classic tropes of systemic failures and brutality, but a film that deconstructs the prototype of the Arab man in today’s France, whose will to survive is hindered by societal limitations.

The Royal Tenenbaums by Wes Anderson (2001)

Wes Anderson’s “The Royal Tenenbaums” depicts the complexities of a dysfunctional New York family whose “perfect” image is not quite what it seems. The family of three extremely successful and accomplished children is eventually split up by the departure of it’s patriarch – Royal Tenenbaum. This major event eventually shapes the course of the family’s future, as each child develops their own personal issues after achieving so much success at a young age. Many years later, the family’s patriarch makes a reappearance and fights to regain the respect and love of his own family. What then ensues is a tidal wave of dark secrets, tragedy, and chaos as the Tenenbaums struggle to reinvent themselves after so many years of being fractured. This tragicomedy tells its unusual story in true Wes Anderson-fashion- with a great cast of eccentric, complicated, and flawed characters, and an off-beat yet charming sense of humor. Anderson’s deliberate use of rich color and symmetry in his visuals takes the idea of a family home and enhances it to magical proportions. Every visually striking shot contributes to the perfectly imperfect (and borderline absurd) world of the Tenenbaums.

Chungking Express by Wong Kar-wai (1996)

Wong Kar-wai’s psychedelic and tantalizing imagery is usually what first grabs audiences’ attention when watching “Chungking Express”, a film from Hong Kong with an unapologetically off-beat flair. Consisting of two separate stories of heartbreak and loss, the film depicts two cops stumbling into new love affairs largely by accident. These criss-crossing vignettes of chasing romance, although similar in their spontaneity, are nothing alike in their outcome. As the lens takes you through the food stalls, night clubs, concrete plazas, and drug underworlds of Hong Kong, viewers are taken for a convoluted yet hypnotic ride. The film’s infectious energy and neon-lit imagery leave you thinking about those daily insignificant encounters, and the possibility of them taking you somewhere you could have never imagined.

Persona by Ingmar Bergman (1976)

Considered by some critics to be Bergman’s magnum opus, “Persona” is a film that is often left open to interpretation by the viewer. It centers around the relationship between two young women: a stage actress named Elisabet and her nurse Alma. While the cause of her condition is unknown, Elisabet suddenly stops speaking or reacting to outer stimulus. After many attempts to find a solution, her doctor sends the patient and her nurse to a seaside cottage in the hopes that this change in environment would benefit her health. The time these two women spend alone unfolds into a volatile relationship filled with past traumas, transparency, and an eerie silence. As previously mentioned, the film’s experimental nature leaves many wondering about the true message behind Bergman’s masterpiece. There are clues to themes of duality, split personality, and the distinction between good and evil. The film also touches on the topic of motherhood and the psychology behind it. Whether or not you’re someone who is fascinated by the human psyche and all its wonders, Bergman’s eerie psychological thriller is one that will leave you thinking for some time afterwards.

Head-On by Fatih Akin (2004)

Cahit and Sibel are not a conventional couple, but it’s their similar and tumultuous pasts that draw them together. Both being of Turkish descent, they often find themselves at odds with their heritage when trying to assimilate to life in Germany. The two first meet in psychiatric clinic, where they both receive treatment after failed suicide attempts. After a disastrous first few impressions, the two eventually form a pact to get married in order for Sibel to leave her traditional family. The relationship, although explosive and unpredictable, is one defined by a shared pain and desire for unconditional love. Akin’s “Head-On” intertwines this peculiar love story with the trials and tribulations that many first-generation citizens experience when finding their personal identity apart from their heritage. Not only will this film have you experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions from beginning to end, but your perception of its characters will continuously change as they too transform in their search for happiness.