Chris & Jonny’s Watchlist – 1.5.20

Chris & Jonny’s Film(in the)house Watchlist

Whilst the world is on pause and your Filmhouse Sunderland visits aren’t possible, we’re keeping the independent cinema flag flying with our new weekly watch lists from Chris & Jonny, the people behind the project. 

Each Friday, we’ll post a list of four films that are currently available across BBC iPlayer, All4, Netflix and Amazon Prime that we think you should seek out. 

Our first selection is:

Border (2018) (All4)

A truly original Swedish fantasy drama from John Ajvide Lindqvist, the writer of Let The Right One In and director Ali Abbasi. Tina is a customs officer on the Swedish border with an unusually strong sense of smell which helps her smell guilt on anyone passing by her station. When she notices the suspicious yet oddly familiar man Vore whilst at work, Tina is drawn into an unusually strong bond with Vore, as well as a mystery that involves her own heritage and Swedish legends…

If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) (Amazon Prime)

Barry Jenkins’ haunting and emotional film tells a story of the bonds of family and a passionate love affair through the eyes of Tish, a young woman swept up by artist Alonzo. Freewheeling, packed with beauty and deeply powerful, Jenkins’ film takes |James Baldwin’s source novel and follows up his Oscar-winning Moonlight with another masterpiece.

Thunder Road (2018) (Netflix)

Inspired by the music of Bruce Springsteen, this American indie black comedy from director Jim Cummings tells the story of Police Officer Jim Arnaud, manic, hurting, fragile and in need following the death of his mum.  We follow Jim as he unravels, trying to reconnect the dots of his life, make amends with his young daughter and hold down his job.  Bittersweet and distinctly human, Thunder Road is a low-key delight.

Night Of The Living Dead (1968) (BBC IPlayer)

George A. Romero’s zombie classic marked its 50th year in 2018, and it remains a gripping, unnerving masterpiece to this day. Far beyond a mere guts n’ gorefest, Night Of The Living Dead turns its view on the America of the 60s, told through the eyes of a disparate group of survivors holed up in a remote farmhouse as the dead close in on them…

We’d love to hear what you think of the films we recommend – let us know!

See you next week!

Chris & Jonny