Pictures that were not released in Russia or were lost amid high-profile premieres.
1. Roma
Roma
- Mexico, USA.
- Drama.
- Duration: 135 minutes .
- IMDb: 8.7.
In a neighborhood of Mexico City called Colonia Roma, there lives a family whose maid, Cleo, works. She finds out she's pregnant and her boyfriend leaves her because of it. And at the same time, problems begin in the family where the girl works.
Director Alfonso Cuaron (“Gravity”) made a very personal film, telling about the area where he himself once grew up, and about the life of ordinary people in the capital of Mexico. He wrote the script himself, acted as director, cameraman and even editor. Spectators and critics appreciated the beautiful and touching confession. The film has already received many awards, and soon it will probably compete for an Oscar.
2. Capernaum
Capharnaüm
- Lebanon, USA.
- Drama.
- Duration: 121 minutes .
- IMDb: 8.0.
Zain is only 12 years old, but he already has to be an adult, having been born into a poor family in Beirut. The boy works and helps his brothers and sisters, but openly hates the whole world for his plight. One day he stabs a man and receives a five-year prison sentence. And then Zane sues his parents for giving him life.
The idea for the film originated with director Nadine Labaki when she saw a woman beggar on the street with a screaming child in her arms. The film was not turned into a melodrama – it is a tough and truthful story about the difficult life of a child who was forced to grow up early. And the young actor played the role surprisingly believably.
3. Eighth Grade
Eighth Grade
- USA.
- Drama, Comedy.
- Duration: 93 minutes.
- IMDb: 7.6.
Eighth-grader Kayla feels insecure. She is withdrawn into herself, and life at school sometimes seems like real torture to the heroine. But soon she will be in high school, where everything must change. In the meantime, she is doing what other children do: blogging.
Another teen drama creates a very different mood than Love, Simon. This film is shot as naturally as possible and sometimes seems almost like a documentary (largely thanks to the excellent acting). The picture often makes the viewer feel uncomfortable and uncomfortable along with the main character. And this makes the action seem even more alive.
4. Profile
Profile
- Russia, USA, UK, Cyprus.
- Thriller, detective.
- IMDb: 7.5.
< li>Duration: 105 minutes.
Freelance journalist Amy receives an assignment from the editor: to figure out how Islamic terrorists recruit women. She creates a fake profile on social networks and gets in touch with one of the representatives of the radicals. But she soon realizes that she has sincerely become attached to him.
Timur Bekmambetov releases films one after another, the action of which takes place on the screens of computers and smartphones. But “Profile” still stands out among them. First of all, it has a serious topic and relevance (especially since the story is based on real events). In addition, the picture is captivating with its ambiguity, and until the very end it is unclear whether this is a romantic story or a thriller about terrorists.
5. Crazy Rich Asians
Crazy Rich Asians
- USA
- Melodrama, comedy.
- Duration: 120 minutes.
- IMDb: 7.1.
Chinese-American Rachel travels with her boyfriend Nick to Singapore for his best friend's wedding. There she meets her lover's family and finds out that he comes from a very rich family. And now Rachel becomes the object of envy of others, although Nick's mother does not approve of their union.
In the USA, this romantic comedy became a box office hit. After all, this is the first major Hollywood release where all the main roles are played by Asians, and the plot is not dedicated to martial arts or history. Overall, Crazy Rich Asians is an enjoyable film about a modern-day Cinderella.
6. American Animals
American Animals
- Great Britain, USA.
- Drama, crime.
- IMDb: 7.0.
< li>Duration: 116 minutes.
Spencer, who dreams of fame as an artist, believes that to get what he wants he needs not only talent, but also a serious life shock. And then, together with his restless friend Warren, he decides to steal a very expensive book by a famous artist from the library.
The film directed by Bart Layton is constructed in a very unusual way. The action is presented on behalf of the heroes themselves, and at the same time they are given the opportunity to get confused or deceive. This approach allows you to add a comedic component (when reality changes depending on the words) and simply make the plot more lively. Moreover, the introduction states: “The story is not based on real events. This is reality.”
7. If Beale Street Could Talk
If Beale Street Could Talk
- USA.
- Drama, melodrama, crime .
- Duration: 119 minutes.
- IMDb: 7.0.
Twenty-two-year-old Fonny and his nineteen-year-old fiancee Tish are planning to get married, especially since the girl is already pregnant. But their idyll comes to an end when the guy is arrested for rape, which he did not commit. The couple is trying not to lose their feelings for each other, and the girl's mother wants to talk to the crime victim.
Perhaps the plot of this film is too simple and was made precisely to please the public. But director Barry Jenkins, who directed the 2016 Oscar winner Moonlight, knows how to tell touching stories in a way that makes audiences feel close and sympathetic to the characters.
8. Time of Monsters
Ang panahon ng halimaw
- Philippines.
- Musical, history.
- Duration: 234 minutes.
- IMDb: 7.0.
The film is dedicated to the seventies, when a state of emergency was introduced in the Philippines, abolishing the constitution. Doctor Lorena opens a clinic for the poor in a small village, but soon disappears. Her husband, a dissident poet, is trying to find his wife and understand what is happening.
Before watching this film, you should pay attention to the running time – 4 hours. And all this time, in black and white scenes, a gloomy story unfolds, flavored with music and chants. But “Time of Monsters” cannot be called a musical or a rock opera: this technique only adds gloom and artistry to the picture. But in fact, this is a brutal historical drama about real events.
9. Naked Juliet
Juliet, Naked
- Great Britain, USA.
- Drama, melodrama, comedy, music.
- Duration: 97 minutes.
- IMDb: 6.7.
Annie lives in a quiet town on the coast and has been years has been dating Duncan, who has one main hobby – singer Tucker Crowe. He hung the entire room with posters of his idol and runs a website about his work. Tired of this, Annie one day leaves an angry comment on Tucker's song. And after that the singer himself finds her, and they begin an affair.
This is in many ways a naive film about people who themselves do not really understand what they are spending their lives on. You want to sympathize with every character here, but light jokes and simple plot twists often defuse the situation, leaving only a pleasant viewing experience.
