By Charlie Kendellen
MUBI have been single-handedly knocking it out of the park recently with their dedication to showcasing contemporary cinema. From distributing Aftersun (2022), Shiva Baby (2020), The Worst Person in the World (2021), and last year’s Oscar winning The Substance, they have been, in my opinion, a pioneering force in contemporary cinema as a whole.
There are a variety of independent, underground, and international films streaming on MUBI to suit all tastes. Some of the best currently available in Ireland are as follows.
Revenge (2017)
Coralie Fargeat’s electrifying directorial debut Revenge is a neon gory romp that is an absolute essential viewing for anyone that enjoyed The Substance and crave more of Fargeat’s unique approach to filmmaking. The film stars the talented Matilda Lutz as Jen, a mistress to a wealthy married man whose romantic getaway goes awry, leading to a deliciously chaotic series of events.
The Girl With The Needle (2024)
Magnus von Horn’s gripping The Girl With The Needle was snubbed at this year’s Academy awards, receiving a nomination for best international feature but ultimately losing out to I’m Still Here. This is by no means a testament to this film’s ability as it truly was one of the best and most overlooked films of last year. The horror-adjacent film follows a freshly pregnant Karoline, who is taken under the wing of a kind older woman in order to make ends meet in post-WW1 Copenhagen.
Working Girls (1986)
Lizzie Borden’s snapshot of 1980’s New York is captured in her dialogue driven, yet exhilaratingly entertaining, Working Girls. In a pre-Sean Baker cinematic universe, Borden delved into the day-to-day life of sex workers with an empathetic and unerotic lens. This film is one of the most overlooked of the decade, and is well deserving of your attention.
How to Have Sex (2023)
Molly Manning Walker’s hyperrealistic directorial debut How to Have Sex is an unflinching look at teenage clubbing culture in the United Kingdom. This film is an absolute must watch for anyone who enjoyed Aftersun, as these films emotionally destroy you (in the best way).
Paris is Burning (1990)
Jennie Livingston’s Paris is Burning is an absolute classic documentary that should be seen by everyone, as it has had such a substantial influence on contemporary popular culture. The film delves into the African American and Latinx Harlem drag-ball scene in 1980’s New York.
Witches (2024)
Elizabeth Sankey’s highly original and beautifully personal documentary Witches draws connections between the cinematic representation of witches, and the universal experience of postpartum depression. The film beautifully intertwines heartbreaking testimonies from women and devastating depictions of witches in cinematic history.
MUBI has no shortage of incredible films to suit even the most refined of cinephilic tastes. Not only has their catalogue of films been cherry picked for cinephiles, by cinephiles, but their passion for great cinema is worth the subscription price alone.