Who doesn’t love a good romantic story? ? It’s a shame though how many of them rely on the same clichés to make us go “awwww”. Thankfully, there are filmmakers who can mix it up ? The sparks, the butterflies, the high that comes with a new love – all of that can appear in the strangest of places!
5 to 7 – for the fans of Woody Allen and poetic souls
Who loves who: “Cinq a sept” affair involving a gorgeous French version of Ms. Robinson and a young American writer
Stars: Anton Yelchin, Berénice Marlohe, Olivia Thrilby, Glenn Close, Lambert Wilson
What’s the story? Brian, a young aspiring novelist, meets an enchanting older woman, Arielle. She’s married, but she wants to see him again – between the hours of 5 and 7 each evening. Perfect time, as that’s when her husband meets his mistress ?Certainly a provocative story that suggests there’s more than one way to have a happy marriage.
Barefoot – for the lovers of quirky romantic comedies
Who loves who: The “black sheep” son of a wealthy family falls for a young psychiatric patient who’s been raised in isolation her whole life
Stars: Evan Rachel Wood, Scott Speedman, J.K. Simmons, Kate Burton
What’s the story? Jay needs to pay off his gambling debts, and his wealthy dad can help. He just needs to show up at his brother’s wedding and prove to everyone that he lives a proper life and is in a long-term relationship. He brings adorable, beautiful Daisy, a psychiatric patient who follows him anywhere he goes. She hates shoes, possibly killed her mother, grew up imprisoned at home, and is totally crazy – as well as sooo lovable…
Elsa and Fred – for those who refuse to give up on dreams
Who loves who: Two people find some magic at the end of their life ??
Stars: Christopher Plummer, Shirley MacLaine, Marcia Gay Harden, Wendell Pierce
What’s the story? It’s never too late to love and make dreams come true ?Elsa has lived for the past 60 years dreaming of a moment that Fellini had already envisaged: the scene with Anita Ekberg in ‘La Dolce Vita’ at the Fontana di Trevi. She wants to be in it – not with Marcello Mastroianni, but with that love that took so long to arrive. Fred has always been a good man who did everything he was supposed to do. But then he meets Elsa and everything changes. Elsa bursts into his life like a whirlwind, determined to teach him that the time he has left to live — be it more or less — is precious and that he should enjoy it as he pleases. And despite his daughter’s worries, Fred surrenders to Elsa’s frenzy, to her youth, to her boldness, to her beautiful madness. One tiny problem: Elsa lies. A LOT.
Dora or The Sexual Neuroses of Our Parents – controversial & thought-provoking
Who “Loves” Who: Mentally challenged Dora is enchanted with her new-found sexuality, and by extension, with a man who uses her for sex
What’s the Story? When her mother decides to stop administering medication to her mentally challenged daughter, 18-year-old Dora awakes, as if from a deep sleep. Dora discovers her body, and with it, he sexual drive. Her mother struggles to protect her, and Dora falls for a sleazy man who uses her for sex and gets her pregnant. She wants to keep the baby, but her parents won’t accept it, even more so because they couldn’t have another child. It’s a very, very uncomfortable story, but at the same time, it opens an important taboo topic.
The Marriage – a heartbreaking hidden gem
Who Loves Who: Bekim loves Nol, but the two men can’t be together in conservative Kosovo. Anita loves Bekim – and has no clue about his secret.
What’s the Story? The Marriage is set in Kosovo, slowly recovering from the 1999’s Kosovo War. Anita and Bekim are supposed to get married soon: even if passionate sparks are long gone in their beautiful relationship. The status quo is shaken when Bekim runs into an old “friend,” Nol, except… Anita has no idea about neither the turmoil inside her soon-to-be husband nor the fact that the two men still love each other. Slowly, the attention shifts from clueless Anita to Bekim and Nol’s secrets. Bekim’s reluctant to surrender to his desires, but we can’t just dismiss it as cowardice – not in a country where homosexuality is a taboo. Yes, he could revolt against a traditional trajectory of life his family expects. But that would mean losing everything.