TOP 8 WLW MOVIES OF ALL TIME
For this pride month I've made this list, I hope you guys enjoy it.
Disclaimers: It's just my opinion, and not in any particular order except for number one. I still have some classic movies to watch like Persona, Desert Hearts, Bound and Mulholland Drive. And no, Carol and Disobedience are not in my top 10.
8. You Can Live Forever
Info: Canada, 2022. Directed by Sarah Watts and Mark Slutsky. Main cast Anwen O'Driscoll and June LaPorte.
7. Summerland
Info: UK, 2020. Directed by Jessica Swale. Main cast Gemma Arterton and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.
6. The Favourite
Info: UK/USA, 2018. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. Main cast Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz and Olivia Colman.
5. The Summer of Sangailė
Info: Lithuania, 2015. Directed by Alante Kavaite. Main cast Aistė Diržiūtė and Julija Steponaitytė.
4. The Handmaiden
Info: South Korea, 2016. Director by Chan-wook Park. Main cast Kim Min-hee and Kim Tae-ri.
3. Thelma
Info: Norway, 2017. Directed by Joaquim Trier. Main cast Eili Harboe and Kaya Wilkins.
2. Saving face
Info: USA/China, 2004. Directed by Alice Wu. Main cast Michelle Krusiec and Lynn Chen.
1. Portrait of a lady on fire
Info: France, 2019. Directed by Céline Scimma. Main cast Adèle Haenel and Noémie Merlant.
Yes, POLOF is my favorite MOVIE of all time. And one day I'm gonna watch a movie who is worth of this list so I can complete number 9 and 10.
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Underrated historical pieces (for when you're looking for recommendations)
I don't know if it's just me, but historical movie rec lists have become supersaturated with the same few titles lately (yes I have seen Hacksaw Ridge, yes I have seen Little Women, leave me alone) - so I thought I'd come up with a shortlist of my own! Below the cut are a few titles I haven't seen anyone talk about anywhere NEAR enough in my opinion, in case you need something new to watch!
Summerland (2020), dir. Jessica Swale
Summerland is set in Devon, England during the Second World War, and follows Alice Lamb as she is forced to take in Frank, a young evacuee boy, against her will. As their relationship develops, Alice learns to open herself up to others, and her budding friendship with Frank leads her back towards another relationship she thought was lost forever.
If you're looking for an LGBT period drama - THIS ONE RIGHT HERE!!! Alice Lamb, you are my favourite grumpy lesbian academic. Seriously though, this movie is so so lovely - definitely a good one if you're looking for a happy-cry.
This is England (2006), dir. Shane Meadows
This is England follows Shaun, a young boy struggling to fit in in 1980s England, who finds support and friendship among a gang of local skinheads. At once gritty and sensitive, it provides a personal look at the darker side of British culture and the process of indoctrination into racist ideologies.
This movie arguably receives the attention it deserves within the UK, but falls into the underrated category everywhere else. Despite being almost 20 years old, it remains alarmingly relevant, and every single member of the cast puts in an incredible performance. (I'd recommend checking for content warnings before giving this (or its subsequent TV shows) a watch)
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018), dir. Mike Newell
Set in the aftermath of the Second World War, this movie follows writer Juliet Ashton as she travels to the island of Guernsey to meet a group of locals who found solace in her book during the Nazi occupation. However, as she grows closer to the group, she begins to uncover the tragedy at their core.
This is such a perfect comfort movie. Every character is so so lovely, and honestly I've wanted to visit (/live on) Guernsey since the first time I watched this. It's a really wonderful watch, and sheds a nice insight into the experiences of the Channel Islands during WW2, which isn't something I've seen covered in other films set during this period.
Small Axe (2020), dir. Steve McQueen
Small Axe is an anthology series documenting the lives and experiences of London's West Indian population as they struggle through and fight against racial discrimination.
I feel like the hype for this show died as soon as the year's awards season finished, and that's a CRIME. Britain's history of racial activism is generally overlooked in popular media, and this series did a wonderful job of showcasing both the pivotal and personal events that shaped the experiences of the Windrush generation. My personal favourites from this series were Education and Mangrove, but every episode is unique and well worth the watch.
Detroit (2017), dir. Kathryn Bigelow
In Detroit, public outrage is sparked when a police raid is carried out against black patrons of a local club, which grows more violent as the night progresses.
This movie is terrifying. Every performance is excellent and harrowing, but Will Poulter's in particular has stuck with me since I first watched Detroit because it's just horrifying to watch. It's intense and brutal, but an important representation of the kind of violence that acted as a catalyst in the American civil rights movement.
Gosford Park (2001), dir. Robert Altman
Gosford Park follows a group of 1930s English aristocrats as they gather at a country estate for a weekend of socialising. However, when a member of the party is murdered, suspicion is cast upon everyone, and illicit secrets begin to come to light.
Think Downton Abbey with murder. But then again, both were created/written by Julian Fellowes, so it makes sense. Almost painfully British, Gosford Park is a quick and clever indictment of the English upper classes that is thoroughly entertaining the whole way through.
Alias Grace (2017), dir. Mary Harron
Alias Grace follows Irish immigrant Grace Marks as she sits down with a doctor to attempt to recall the details of a murder she was accused of committing a decade prior. Based on Margaret Atwood's fictionalised retelling of a controversial, real-life case, this series offers an interesting insight into the oppression of Victorian working-class women, and the enduring cultural fascination with female violence.
It's been a few years since I watched this show, but GOD I was so obsessed with it, so it's definitely time for a rewatch. Sarah Gadon is an absolutely brilliant lead, and Grace's recounting of events will leave you forever wondering what truly happened in this story.
Pride (2014), dir. Matthew Warchus
Set amidst the 1984 miners' strikes, Pride follows a small LGBT group from London as they raise money to support a small Welsh mining town, whose lives are badly struck by Thatcher's threats to close the mining pits they have built their lives around. Through their efforts, the group finds an unlikely community of supporters, breaching social barriers to lift each other up in times of hardship.
Evidently I believe in saving the best for last, as Pride is definitely my personal favourite on this list - hell, it's one of my favourite movies EVER. Surprisingly niche despite its excellent cast (Andrew Scott, Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton - to name a few), this movie is just utterly wonderful, and I guarantee you will spend the entire time either grinning or sobbing - trust me, I always do.
(not-so-subtle letterboxd plug, but for anyone interested, I've compiled a larger list of movies about British history HERE)
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