A Buddhist monk lives in seclusion on a floating temple, experiencing the seasons and stages of life. He grapples with guilt, remorse, and the cycle of life and death.
Goodbye, Dragon Inn is a slow and contemplative film that captures the lonely atmosphere of an old-fashioned cinema in Taipei, Taiwan. Set in a cinema showing the 1967 martial arts film Dragon Inn, the movie follows various characters, including a Japanese tourist, a projection booth operator, a cashier, and a swordsman. The film explores themes of existential loneliness, incommunicability, and the end of an era. With very little dialogue, the movie uses long takes to create a haunting and melancholic atmosphere.
Satantango is a contemplative cinema masterpiece that takes place in Hungary. The nonlinear timeline follows a group of impoverished individuals facing despair, suicide, and the abuse of animals. The film is known for its long takes and slow pacing, as well as its exploration of mental illness and the postmodern condition.
The Turin Horse is a dark and minimalistic film that follows the story of an old man and his horse as they face the relentless miseries of life. With very little dialogue, the film explores themes of nihilism, despair, and existentialism. The slow and contemplative pace emphasizes the emptiness and nothingness that surrounds the characters.
Werckmeister Harmonies is a contemplative cinema experience that follows a man's journey through a small town filled with darkness and chaos, as he encounters a traveling circus and witnesses the unraveling of societal harmony. With long takes and stunning visuals, the film delves into themes of faith, immortality, and the disillusionment of anarchy.
The Man from London follows a man who witnesses a murder after stumbling upon a suitcase full of money. As he delves deeper into the crime, he becomes entangled in a web of mystery, family relationships, and dark secrets. Set against the backdrop of a fog-covered seaside town, the film explores themes of contemplative cinema and the complexities of human nature.
Unknown Pleasures is a comedy-drama film set in provincial China, depicting the struggles of unemployed teenagers. The story follows their experiences with boredom, unemployment, and the search for purpose in life. It explores themes of ennui, urban decay, and the futile prospects faced by the youth. The film also touches upon topics such as cell phones, smoking, hospitals, and the impact of television on society. The plot involves a failed attempted bank robbery, relationships, and the pursuit of happiness.
A Journey takes viewers on a mesmerizing journey through various landscapes and experiences, using stunning cinematography and a non-narrative approach. The film captures the essence of nature and the human spirit, highlighting themes of mindfulness, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of all things.
In a post-apocalyptic world where humans are rare, a package delivery android travels through space on a spaceship, delivering packages to various planets. With its minimal cast and black-and-white aesthetic, the film explores themes of isolation and the human condition. Through the use of inner-titles and voice-over narration, the android reflects on its purpose and the meaning of existence.
Damnation is a surreal crime drama that takes place in a rainy city. The story follows a man who becomes entangled in a web of deceit, adultery, and magic realism. As the rain pours down, the characters grapple with existential questions and engage in slow, contemplative moments. With its dreamlike atmosphere and Tarkovsky-esque visuals, Damnation is a unique and thought-provoking film.
Set in a small town in China, 'Pickpocket' tells the story of a skilled pickpocket who struggles with love and friendship. The movie explores the inner turmoil and contemplative nature of the main character as he navigates through his life of crime.
Two lonely people cross paths while working in a coffee shop. Even with opposite personalities, they both want to move forward with the business which they use as a conduit to heal their wounds, even though they know nothing about coffee.
British Sounds is a thought-provoking documentary that delves into British politics and social commentary. Through its contemplative and avant-garde approach, it examines topics such as socialism, feminism, and the struggles of working-class individuals in a car factory.
Platform is a drama film set in China during the 1980s, specifically during the Cultural Revolution. It follows the story of a theatre group and explores themes of Maoism and the impact of the revolution on the country. The film presents a contemplative perspective on this period in Chinese history.
A quiet killer is looking for a room. The real state agent, shy and expressionless, guides him through Tokyo, towards the ruins the decadent economy has left behind, in hopes of finding The Room.
Indulging in frivolous passions and contemplating the essence of being, a young woman reflects her feelings that seem to be doomed and rejuvenating at the same time.
A meditation on memory around Iceland's famous Ring Road.
A couple is on vacation with their car. They drive past green hills and small roads. Suddenly the man realises he lost his way. They drive into a forest. How thin is the layer veneer of civilisation?