The Quarantine Film List: Week 1 | Zafira

Hi,

So, a lot of things have changed since I last posted. It feels like the world has completely flipped and it’s been a roller coaster of a month trying to adjust to all these changes. I hope we’re all staying inside, keeping not only ourselves safe and healthy but others too.

On the brighter side, a lot of us have plenty of spare time on our hands now and I’ve spending mine finally getting through my big fat hefty film list. I thought what better way to stay occupied than with some great cinematic masterpieces so every week for the next month or so, I’ll be sharing a few of my personal fave films with you!

1. Her

I feel like I’ve already talked about this so much on here and you’re all probably bored of me talking about this but I literally could not care because this film is so embedded into my life, my DNA and a good 30% of my entire personality at this point.

This is the perfect film for this current state of everyone’s life because it screams loneliness. Like the entire 126 minutes will make you feel so alone but in the most aesthetically pleasing and well -written way.

Her focuses on the character of Theodore who’s in a not so distant weird future and as you can guess, is very lonely. He gets his hands on a new operating system that’s pretty similar to Siri but so much more lifelike and human and they fall in love. It’s very bittersweet and every frame in the film is done so beautifully.

Also Joaquin Phoenix is this is actually the prettiest human of all time.

2. A Death in the Gunj

I haven’t really ventured out in the South Asian world of films yet but I found this gem on Prime a few months back because my dad was actually watching it. He’ll watch anything on Prime but this is the first Indian movie I’ve watched that falls into the whole weird eerie indie thriller genre. It feels incredibly Western compared to a lot of Indian films that I’m used to.

A Death in the Gunj is about a young man called Shutu, a failing student who is on a family trip away. The entire film focuses mainly on him. He’s a really lonely and grief stricken character (i promise all the films in this list won’t make you feel like you’re going to die alone) and as the film progresses, Shutu learns what’s accepted in society, his family and questions his place in the world. I think it’s such a realistic and blunt take on the whole ‘coming of age’ genre of films.

I read in a review somewhere that this film echos “emotional violence” and the way “society inflicts it upon others and causes destruction” and the film illustrates this so well.

It’s set in 70s in a place called McCluskieganj, Bihar which is a small hilly town in India that was once known for it’s vast Anglo-Indian population. The scenery really brings out the overall theme of loneliness but it’s also just so incredibly stunning.

I also read this amazing review on IMDB that sounds like it’s excerpt of the greatest novel of all time that summarises this film the best way possible.

3. The Emperors New Groove

Amazing. Stunning. A classic piece of cinematic gloriousness honestly.

This is top tier Disney stuff. Like forget Frozen or Moana (ok this was actually pretty good), this is what we 90/00s kids thrived off back in the day and what essentially shaped us into the people that we are today.

If you haven’t already seen this then please get a move on and do so. The Emperors New Groove is about Kuzco, a self centred, bratty Emperor who is mean and cruel to everyone. His adviser Yzma, our long eye lashed evil wannabe queen, attempts to try and kill him off but in the process, her and her dummy but oh so hilarious side kick, Kronk, end up turning the Emperor into a llama.

I’m sorry but if that doesn’t immediately take you off my website and onto watching this then there’s something totally wrong with you.

This was easily one of the best things Disney has ever done.

4. Before Sunrise

When I think about love and what it is, I always think of this film.

Staring everyone’s heartthrob Ethan Hawke and Julie Deply, our 90s French crush, Before Sunrise is possibly the purest form of young love I think you’ll ever see. The shocking thing is that this is all set in the space of the day and accumulates more love than most of us will get in a lifetime.

Jesse, an American on his way to Vienna meets Celine who is a student returning to Paris. They end up talking and Jesse convinces Celine to get off the train in Vienna with him where they spend the rest of their day wandering the heavenly city of Vienna before Jesse has to fly back home to the US.

It’s probably one of the most romantic films you’ll ever watch. Everything from their subtle glances at each other to the way their conversations feel so effortless and authentic will make your heart skip a beat.

You’ll be very glad to know there’s trilogy of the whole ‘Before’ films. So when you’re done with this one you can watch Before Sunset and Before Midnight which should keep you occupied and all loved up for half a day.

5. The Silences of the Palace

I can’t exactly remember how I found this film but I do remember vividly seeing screen grabs somewhere of some scenes and was immediately sold.

Alia, a 25 year old singer, returns to her childhood home which is a palace where her mother Khedjia worked as not only a house servant but a mistress of Prince Sid’ Ali. Sid’ Ali’s death brings her back and as she goes to pay her respects, she roams through the palace remembering her childhood. Her childhood was riddled with sexism, exploitation and spent questioning her father’s identity as well as the French conquest of Tunisia going on in the background.

It’s definitely not an easy watch but it covers a lot of issues still relevant to this day.

6. The Lobster

This entire film was completely ???

This was so weird. Good weird. It’s set in the strangest dystopian future where by law, it’s compulsory to have a romantic partner. Singles are taken to this place literally called The Hotel where they have 45 days to either find themselves a partner or be turned into an animal and set off into the woods.

Despite making me feel a little uncomfortable, I loved every minute of this. It has Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz who surprisingly work together better than butter on toast.

It’s got a lot of dark humour which personally I love accompanied by so much awkward silence and just general awkwardness. It’s great.

7. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

I had no choice but to throw a cringey Bollywood hit in here. The best thing about this is not only was it made in the 90s but it features everyone’s favourite duo, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol.

Simran who by the way has a * chef’s kiss * sense of style all throughout this, persuades her father to let her go on a one month inter-rail holiday all over Europe where she ends up meeting the one and only Raj. Now Raj is a complete douche but as the days pass, their love blossoms and when Simran goes back to India for her arranged marriage, Raj decides to go after her and win her back.

It’s like your typical Bollywood film story line but it’s so good and is one of my all time favourites.

8. The Florida Project

I don’t think I’ll ever watch anything that will capture the true essence of being a carefree kid more than this film.

Set in a rundown garish pink motel filled with people who can’t afford proper homes, the Florida Project focuses on the life of a 6 year old called Moonee who is the most mischievous and wild kid you’ll ever see. The whole film is pretty much about her and her life with her mum Halley and her little group of friends who get up to no good in and around the motel.

It’s aesthetically one of the prettiest films I’ve watched. The entire thing was shot on 35mm film which as a fellow film lover, I obviously couldn’t help but adore.

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed this first list! I’ll post another one around the same time next week so follow me on my socials to know when that’s up.

The Best Rainy Day Movies | Zafira

So as summer is slowly coming to end and we face nothing but endless days of torrential rain, there’s nothing better to do than cosy up inside and watch a great movie.

Not to brag, but I’d say I’ve slowly become quite the movie connoisseur (mainly because I’ve spent my entire summer watching movies) and I’d love nothing more but to share some of my faves that I love to watch on a rainy day.

1. Ever After: A Cinderella Story

Two words. Drew. Barrymore.

In Ever After, she plays the role of the one and only Cinderella who is forced to become the servant of her evil stepmother. We all know the story. What I adore about this version the period it’s set in. It’s in the 16th century and the outfits and settings are so good. Drew Barrymore is a little different from the Cinderella we all know so well. I’m not going to completely bash on the OG Cinderella but she wasn’t an independent woman, she was ditsy and had the typical ‘I need a Prince to save me’ thing going on. Barrymore is sucha strong character which makes me love this movie even more.

This is a great family movie, it’s a movie I think everyone will like in someway or other.

2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

I think I first watched this when I was around 11/12 and I remember being like completely wtf but also absolutely smitten with this movie even at that age.

It’s the best comfort movie, I love watching this when I’m having a bit of poopey day.

The movie is all about the life of Benjamin Button. A man who is born old and starts ageing backwards as time goes on. Benjamin Button is played by Brad Pitt (drools) and he’s plays Benjamin beautifully. It’s a mix of romance, drama and it’s also kinda sad. This is almost 3 hours long but there’s never a moment in the movie where you feel like it drags. I’m not a massive romance drama kind of girl but this is my favourite romantic movie that I’ve ever watched.

3. Lost in Translation

I was debating whether to throw this in or not because it’s a very popular indie movie but it really is a wonderful movie.

There’s no way to really describe the tone of this movie other than quiet and calm. It’s my favourite thing to watch if I’ve had a busy week or when it rains purely because it makes me feel relaxed. The visuals are beautiful, you’ve most likely seen screen grabs from moments in the movie if you’ve ever owned a tumblr account. And it’s directed by Sofia Coppola who is one of my favourite directors of all time.

It’s all about a movie star and a woman neglected by her husband who become who get to know each other whilst both being in Tokyo. The scenery and settings are stunning. It’s amazing rainy day watch.

4. HERCULES

In my opinion, this is the best Disney movie ever made. The songs, the characters, the plot, it’s all just so good. I love it.

Hercules, the son of Zeus and Athena is stolen from Olympus as a baby by Hades, God of the Underworld. He is raised on Earth by mortal parents but one day discovers the truth about his heritage and the only way he can get back to Olympus is by coming a true hero.

Out of all the movies on here, I think this is the most heart warming one. Best. Movie, Ever.

5.The Darjeeling Limited

I don’t think it’s possible to truly enjoy a rainy day without throwing on a Wes Anderson movie. One of my favourites to watch when the weather is a little gloomy is the Darjeeling Limited.

The story focuses on 3 brothers come together a year after their father’s funeral to travel to India to try and reconnect with each other. I love the train that they travel in. It has to be one of the prettiest trains I’ve ever seen. Every scene is like a painting and the colour themes used throughout are just perfect.

This is such a good family movie, filled with humour and most importantly, a lot of love. Owen Wilson, Adrien Borody and Jason Scwartzman play the role of brothers so well. If you have any siblings, you know what it’s like. You argue, you fight but at the end of the day, you love them.

6. MULAN

Pretty much every time it rains really heavily, I think of the scene in Mulan when she decides to go fight in the war and rides off on her horse in the lashing rain.

If you haven’t seen Mulan, then you should be embarrassed because she is the best Disney princess. Mulan disguises herself as a man to go fight in the war instead of her father due to him being very ill and old and ends up becoming one of China’s greatest heroines.

My favourite character has always been Mushu, he’s hilarious and will instantly cheer you up on a gloomy day.

6. High School Musical

Before you laugh at me, you have to understand that this is a classic in my generation. Not a single day passes where I don’t think about High School Musical.

Since it’s a 2000’s movie, it is indeed very cringey but it’s like good cringey. Its’s about Troy and Gabriella, two teens from very different social backgrounds who end karokeing together one New Year’s eve. Gabriella later transfers to Troy’s school and they’re both like wow omg we go to the same school let’s join the school musical. And they do so, secretly. It’s cute and very corny but an amazing thing to waste your time on a rainy day.

7. AMELIE

This is another pretty popular movie but I love it nonetheless. I looooove watching this when it gets a little chillier or when the weather is looking a bit miserable.

Amelie is a very quirky movie, it’s about about a shy waitress in Paris who takes comfort in helping others find happiness in the most unexpected ways as well Amelie’s own journey to finding happiness. I think it might be the most whimsical movie I’ve ever watched. It also has one of the best soundtracks ever. Beautiful movie.

8. HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE

In my opinion, this is easily one of the top 3 Studio Ghibli movies ever made. Me and my brother have loved watching this for years now, it’s definitely a family favourite in our household.

A young woman is cursed by a witch into an old woman and the only way she can break the spell is by finding a young wizard by the name of Howl. It really is a perfect family movie. The animations are stunning, especially inside Howl’s walking castle.

Did I mention Christian Bale voices Howl??

9. Good Will Hunting

I can’t believe I put off watching this until this year. I’m completely disappointed at myself because this is one of the best movies I’ve ever seen.

It’s about a guy called Will who is really clever, he particularly has gift for mathematics (can’t relate) but is struggling to find direction in his life which where he gets some help from a psychologist who is played by everyone’s fave, Robin Williams.

I feel like this is the perfect thing to watch when you’re having an existential crisis or something, it really inspires you to get a move on with your life.

10. CLOSER

A movie that not only stars Julia Roberts but Natalie Portman and Jude Law? Yes please.

I don’t think I picked my jaw up from the floor once when watching this. Everything runs smooth for a bit, then something happens and this cycle repeats for 1 hour and 44 minutes. It’s great.

It’s focuses on the complicated relationship of two intertwined couples and is basically a massive tale of deceit. A man from one couple meets the woman from the other and thus starts literally the most dramatic thing I’ve ever sat through.

Thanks for reading! If you want to see more movie/ TV series based posts then let me know!

Lots of love,