2023 was the year that the movie industry came back from the ashes. The years of lulls and restrictions because of the pandemic gave birth to gut-punching masterpieces that are sure to stand the test of time. The industry truly came back with a vengeance, but the real winners here are still the viewers.
Despite the price increase in movie tickets and the still present fear of catching the COVID-19 virus, 2023 gave us a wild ride in terms of our viewing habits. In the last months of the year, we saw that the movie industry had successfully revived people’s interest to go back to the cinema. Here in the Philippines, the recently-concluded Metro Manila Film Festival broke record after record, owing to the quality of the movies that competed last year. But even before the annual film festival, the local movie scene was already seeing renewed audience interest, once again, thanks to the movies that dared to offer something new to the table.
We mentioned Metro Manila Film Fest because, as we all know, during the festival, theatres across the country only show Filipino movies. We are all for supporting Gawang Pinoy, but that shouldn’t stop us from appreciating other international movies that show and celebrate the beauty of life. Here are three of the movie masterpieces of 2023 you must see:
MONSTER
Deceived by its title and movie posters, ‘Monster’ will bite you when you least expect it.
In every child’s mind, do adults really understand what constitutes a ‘monster’? The comeback movie of the Japanese filmmaker Horikazu Kore-eda is a great depiction of how much of a child’s life is hidden from their parents. It is a dark story about kindred friendships, family issues, and manipulation told from the perspective of a child, a mother, and a teacher. It is an intellectual film that displays different forms of humanity and how a single lie from a kindred spirit could affect the lives of the surrounding adults.
Life is often challenging and with the chaos around us, we often search for something we can point our finger on. A monster to take the blame for all of our inner cruelty. But for children, these are things that may be difficult for them to process or deal with. For them, who is the monster, then?
ALL OF US STRANGERS
If there is a designated shelf for movies that can haunt you for days, All of Us Strangers would probably be right on the top shelf. The movie doesn’t only revolve around a certain demographic. It’s an all-encompassing story about people who lost a loved one, how it changes their lives, how grief manifests, and how they arrive at the point of acceptance.
It is also a romantic, yet excruciatingly isolating story about missed chances, borrowed time, and reclaiming of stolen memories. The first few clips and imagery of the movie will offer answers to many questions, but it will also haunt you as it unveils the gut-punching plot twist.
PAST LIVES
One thing’s for certain, life rarely heeds to our well-crafted and laid-out plans. That’s at least what we’ve learned from watching ‘Past Lives’. A story about how two old friends had to part ways and were reunited during one pivotal week. The movie speaks to its viewers on a personal level about the passage of time and how our aspirations change as we grow older.
Past Lives meticulously explores the profound influence of the people we meet and how they change our perspectives. It is a heartwarming story that reminds us that no matter how long it takes, regardless of how many bumps and obstacles we encounter, we are meant to be wherever we are now. It could be a pitstop, a detour, or a quick pullover, but all these are essential for our growth. So, if you keep asking yourself why you do what you are doing and if where you are now is where you are destined to be, Past Lives might just offer some reminders, if not answers.
