Christiane F.

6. The Handmaiden

“Is it stupid to love someone being someone like you? ...” I think this may be the only film that I have seen in my life with so many twists that you don’t know what the fuck is going on at some points. Directed by Chan Wook-Park, it’s inspired by the novel “Fingersmith” by Welsh writer Sarah Walters. It tells the story of a pickpocket and a con man that plot to seduce a Japanese heiress that lives with her dominating uncle. Sounds simple? Trust me, it’s not. You will be mesmirised and surprised throughout, not only with the storyline but the outstanding acting from the cast.

7. Shoplifters

"Do you think she chose us?" In this beautiful film, a family living on the edge of poverty in Tokyo, experience a hard life and encourage their children to shoplift in order to survive. Funny in parts, you really start to warm towards the family but when their son has an accident, truths are exposed with an unexpected twist. Both heartwarming and sad, it’s a unique storyline with an ending that many women could sympathise with.

8. Enter The Void

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Do you remember that pact we made? We promised to never leave each other.” I have never seen a film made in this style. You watch with a human eye view as the main character, Oscar, shuffles through Tokyo while living his life as a drug addict. Casually smoking DMT, you get to experience the trip with him. Extremely psychedelic and beautiful but when Oscar is killed by police, you travel on his journey through his life.

9. The Florida Project

“I can always tell when adults are about to cry.” A young single mum and her daughter, Moonee, experience poverty whilst living in a motel in Orlando, Florida. Moonee and her best friend try to escape the boredom of being poor by creating their own adventures which can lead them to dangers unbeknown to their childhood innocence. The motel manager constantly tries to prevent such dangers happening. Personally, I never warmed to Moonee’s mother, I don’t think you are meant to do and you will see why when you watch the film.

10. Christiane F “We Children from Bahnhof Zoo”