Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
The year 2023 was a remarkable one for cinema, not only because of the recovery of the industry after the pandemic, but also because of the diversity and quality of the films that graced the screens. While the mainstream audiences were entertained by the likes of Shazam!, The Suicide Squad, and John Wick, Chapter 4, the critics and connoisseurs were delighted by a plethora of alternative films that offered original and interesting stories, styles, and perspectives.
I will highlight 20 of the best alternative films of 2023. These films are not the usual Hollywood fare, but rather works from different countries and genres, that challenge, inspire, and provoke the viewers. Some of them are already acclaimed by festivals and awards, while others are hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Here they are, in no particular order:
Asteroid City, directed by Wes Anderson. The quirky and whimsical filmmaker returns with his first sci-fi comedy, set in a futuristic city on an asteroid, where a group of eccentric characters live and work. The film boasts a stellar cast, including Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Timothée Chalamet, Saoirse Ronan, Edward Norton, and Frances McDormand, among others. The film is a visual feast, with stunning production design, costumes, and cinematography, as well as a witty and whimsical script. The film was nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.
Close Your Eyes (Cerrar los ojos), directed by Victor Erice. The legendary Spanish director, who has made only four films in his 50-year career, delivers another masterpiece with this drama about a blind woman who regains her sight after a surgery, but struggles to adapt to the new reality. The film stars Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem as the woman and her husband, who try to cope with the changes in their relationship and their lives. The film is a profound and poetic exploration of vision, perception, and identity, with superb performances and direction. The film won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and was nominated for four Oscars, including Best Foreign Language Film, Best Actress, and Best Actor.
On Dry Grass (Kuru Otlar Üstüne), directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan. The Turkish master of slow cinema returns with another epic drama, this time about a family feud over a piece of land, that escalates into a violent and tragic conflict. The film stars Haluk Bilginer, Mert Fırat, and Melisa Sözen as the father, son, and daughter-in-law, who represent different generations, values, and aspirations. The film is a stunning portrait of the Turkish society, culture, and history, with breathtaking landscapes, nuanced characters, and powerful dialogues. The film won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, and was nominated for three Oscars, including Best Foreign Language Film, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.
One Beautiful Morning (Un beau matin), directed by Mia Hansen-Löw. The French filmmaker, known for her naturalistic and intimate dramas, surprises with a comedy about a middle-aged woman who decides to change her life after a series of mishaps. The film stars Isabelle Huppert as the woman, who quits her job, leaves her husband, and embarks on a series of adventures, from joining a circus to becoming a spy. The film is a hilarious and heartwarming ode to life, freedom, and happiness, with a brilliant performance by Huppert, who shows her comedic skills and charisma. The film was a box office hit in France, and was nominated for two Oscars, including Best Actress and Best Original Screenplay.
Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig. The acclaimed director of Lady Bird and Little Women takes on the challenge of adapting the popular doll franchise into a live-action film, with a feminist and satirical twist. The film stars Margot Robbie as Barbie, who is expelled from Barbieland for not being perfect enough, and ends up in the real world, where she learns to embrace her flaws and find her true self. The film also stars Ryan Gosling as Ken, Barbie’s love interest, and Nicole Kidman as Raquelle, Barbie’s nemesis, who tries to sabotage her journey. The film is a clever and fun commentary on beauty standards, consumerism, and gender roles, with a stellar cast and a catchy soundtrack. The film was a smash hit worldwide, and was nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
These are just five of the 20 alternative films that I recommend you to watch in 2023, if you are looking for something different and original. The other 15 are:
Asteroid City, directed by Wes Anderson, a sci-fi comedy set in a futuristic city on an asteroid, starring Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Timothée Chalamet, and Saoirse Ronan.
The Graveyard of Cinema (Au cimetière de la pellicule), directed by Thierno Suleiman Diallo, a documentary about the history and preservation of African cinema, featuring interviews with filmmakers, critics, and archivists.
The Boy and the Bird (Kimitachi wa Dō Ikiru ka), directed by Hayao Miyazaki, an animated film based on the 1937 novel by Genzaburo Yoshino, about a boy who learns about life and philosophy from a talking bird, voiced by Tom Hanks.
Mad Fate, directed by Pou-Soi Chin, a Hong Kong action thriller about a cop who is framed for a murder and has to clear his name, while being chased by a ruthless assassin, played by Donnie Yen.
The Trial (El juicio), directed by Ulises de la Orden, an Argentine drama based on the true story of the trial of the military junta that ruled the country during the dictatorship, starring Ricardo Darín, Mercedes Morán, and Leonardo Sbaraglia.
Killers of the Flower Moon, directed by Martin Scorsese, a historical crime drama based on the 2017 book by David Grann, about the murders of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma in the 1920s, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Jesse Plemons.
Eureka, directed by Lisandro Alonso, a western drama set in the 19th century, about a group of European immigrants who search for gold in the Patagonia, starring Viggo Mortensen, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Gael García Bernal.
Earth Mama, directed by Savanah Leaf, a musical documentary about the life and legacy of Nina Simone, featuring archival footage, interviews, and performances by artists inspired by her, such as Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and Alicia Keys.
Youth (Spring) (Qingchun), directed by Wang Bin, a Chinese coming-of-age drama about a group of high school students who face the challenges of growing up in a rapidly changing society, starring Zhou Dongyu, Jackson Yee, and Ma Sichun.
Chile 76 (1976), directed by Manuela Martelli, a Chilean political thriller about a young journalist who investigates the assassination of a former president, and uncovers a conspiracy involving the CIA, the military, and the media, starring Daniela Vega, Alfredo Castro, and Luis Gnecco.
Seven Blessings, directed by Ayelet Menachemi, an Israeli comedy-drama about a family of seven sisters who have to deal with their eccentric mother, their romantic troubles, and their religious traditions, starring Shira Haas, Hadas Yaron, and Noa Koler.
Wasteland on Fire (Mato Seco em Chamas), directed by Adirlei Queiroz and Joana Pimenta. A Brazilian dystopian thriller about a group of rebels who fight against a totalitarian regime that controls the water supply in a desertified land, starring Wagner Moura, Alice Braga, and Rodrigo Santoro.
Mantagheye bohrani, directed by Ali Ahmadzadeh. An Iranian drama about a young couple who travel to a remote area to escape from the political turmoil in their country, but find themselves in a dangerous situation, starring Leila Hatami, Peyman Moaadi, and Shahab Hosseini.
Pacificion – Tourment sur les îles, directed by Albert Serra. A French experimental film that recreates the voyage of Captain Cook and his encounters with the native peoples of the Pacific islands, using non-professional actors, natural locations, and improvised dialogue, starring Jean-Pierre Léaud, Mathieu Amalric, and Denis Lavant.
Silver Dollar Road, directed by Raoul Peck. A Haitian-American historical drama about the life and struggles of a black family in Mississippi during the Jim Crow era, based on the novel by Jesmyn Ward, starring Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, and Lupita Nyong’o.
Trenque Lauquen, directed by Laura Citarella. An Argentine documentary that follows the daily lives of the inhabitants of a small town in the province of Buenos Aires, capturing their joys, sorrows, hopes, and dreams, with a minimalist and observational style.
A Thousand and One, directed by A.W. Rockwell. An American indie drama about a teenage girl who runs away from her abusive foster home and joins a group of street kids, who teach her how to survive and find her voice, starring Zendaya, Caleb McLaughlin, and Jharrel Jerome.
These are the 20 alternative films that I think you should watch in 2023, if you want to broaden your cinematic horizons and discover new stories, styles, and perspectives. They are all different and unique, but they have one thing in common: they are all made with passion, creativity, and vision, by filmmakers who have something to say and share with the world. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did, and I look forward to hearing your opinions and feedback. Thank you for reading, and happy watching!
