I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK (2006)

Distinctly Korean with its stark humor and outrageous acting, director Park Chan-wook gives us a delightful romantic comedy in this queer tale of boy meets girl inside an insane asylum.

Silent Light (2007)

Johan (Cornelio Wall Fehr) has long been married to Esther (Miriam Toews). Along with their children, they live a life of faith as a Mennonite community in Mexico. However, underneath his conservative façade, Johan faces a moral dilemma in having an affair with another woman within their group, Marianne (Maria Pankratz). Johan does not deny his fault, as we witness his torment manifesting in his solitude.

Once (2007)

The premise is basic: the guy (Glen Hansard) tries to earn a living by playing his guitar and performing in the streets of Dublin; one night, the girl (Markéta Irglová) hears him sing and is instantly enchanted by his music; after finding out that he also repairs vacuum cleaners, she negotiates to make him fix her vacuum. They eat lunch together the next day; the girl catches the guy’s attention after she reveals that she too is a musician - she plays the piano. With the guy wanting to hear her play, the two visit a music store where she is allowed by the owner to use the instruments. The guy teaches the girl an original piece, which she is able to learn very quickly; the two then play and sing together, solidifying their connection with one another.

Blissfully Yours (2002)

Simply put, “Blissfully Yours” is basically about a boy taking his girlfriend to a scenic spot in the forest by the mountains, one sunny afternoon. The plot however, despite its simplicity, is actually multi-layered as director Apichatpong Weerasethakul masterfully conceals and reveals information throughout the film, as he fully develops his characters in this 125-minute slice-of-life, delicately unfolding. Extra attention is required to fully appreciate its intricate beauty but patience is sure to be rewarded.

Suzhou River (2000)

Lou Ye’s “Suzhou River” is a harrowing tale about one man's search for lost love. It begins with an anonymous videographer (Hua Zhongkai) serving as the film’s narrator and his encounters with Meimei (Zhou Xun), the girl he desires. From there we would be introduced to the character of Mardar (Jia Hongsheng), a courier who would do anything to find Moudan (also played by Zhou Xun), his most beloved girl. We follow their story from how they met, through their parting until Mardar’s return and sighting of Meimei, who needless to say, looks exactly like Moudan. All this results to the characters’ discovery of their true love, or at least the beginning for at least one of them.

Todo Todo Teros (2006)

I won’t pretend that I completely understand every piece that was placed in the bewildering puzzle that is John Torres’ “Todo Todo Teros”, but my inability to fully grasp this beguiling Filipino film doesn’t mean that I don’t have the right to say that I enjoyed it. Although I would have to admit that my mind was initially drifting as I was hypnotized by its melancholic voiceover and its mesmeric score, I know I loved every minute of it as I truly felt I was taken into its heart – and yes it is most notable that the film truly has one. Beyond comprehending its socio-political statements (which I’d rather not tap into, to avoid the risk of simply speaking bullshit), what I value most about this film is the emotional experience it gave me while seeing it. Accompanied by lyrical poetry and intriguing passages, the film is intimate as it is spellbinding. The raw lines and how they were delivered are so sincere and evocative, every spoken word lingers.

A Prophet (2009)

After successfully combining the genres of crime and romance in his previous film “The Beat That My Heart Skipped” (2005), French director Jacques Audiard returns with an even stronger piece in his latest work, the Grand Prix winner of the 62nd Cannes film festival - “A Prophet”. This time, Audiard delicately balances the sensibilities of both arthouse cinema and genre filmmaking in this enthralling film that arguably rivals the best crime films in the history of world cinema.

2 Days in Paris (2007)

Taking from her role in “Before Sunrise” and “Before Sunset”, Julie Delpy returns to direct her own take on an intercultural relationship between an American man and a French woman. Using comedy to portray the relationship between the film’s leading couple, the movie is witty with its well-crafted script, written by Julie Delpy herself. In addition to writing and directing, the French actress who also plays the lead in the film together with Adam Goldberg, is also the producer, editor and the composer of the film’s musical score. Indeed the film is a celebration of all things Julie Delpy.

Climates (2006)

The opening scene is probably one of the most effortlessly gripping I’ve seen from contemporary cinema. Few words are exchanged but the intensity from Bahar’s (Ebru Ceylan) facial expression, which is unnerving as anything from the best silent film actors tells it all – there’s something wrong in their relationship. We wonder whether the fault is hers or her husband’s (played by director Nuri Blige Ceylan himself). We see her crying as we hear the sound of a fly. Awestruck, one is left anticipating.

Paris, Je T'aime (2006)

A two-hour film composed of eighteen five-minute shorts, “Paris, Je T’aime” boasts an astounding cast and an impressive collection of directors, which is enough reason for one to see this fantastic film. Set in the different arrondissements (districts) of Paris, we get to witness the stories ranging from the funny to the emotional, the obscure to the bizarre. Despite being made up of different independent stories, each segment is connected by their dealings with love. There’s probably a story for everyone to relate to, whether one is romantic or not, so long as one has experienced love at least once in his/her lifetime.

Let the Right One In (2008)

Oskar is a twelve-year old boy often bullied by his classmates. The son of separated parents, he likes spending most of the time alone. One day he meets a girl named Eli, also twelve years old, who had just moved in next door to the compound where he lives. As they get to meet almost every night, the two end up liking each other until finally they realize that they’re in love. The conflict? Eli is a vampire.

Lost in Translation (2003)

I'd like to start off with something that got me into writing about film - an article I wrote that was published in the Philippine Star, March 25, 2006, almost four years ago. It was for their "My Favorite Movie" column and it's probably a bit too personal; then again, I was just a college freshman then, bursting way too much emotions. Haha.

Have you ever been lost? Have you ever tried escaping your life by going somewhere far and distant? And in that place, have you unexpectedly found that oh-so special someone you’ve been searching for all your life? If you answered yes to these questions, you and I have something in common with Bob Harris.