100 movies to watch during the quarantine

What movies to watch tonight? I bet that after few weeks of confinement, some people are running out of ideas.

 

Those of you that know me already know that I am a cinephile. I love movies, especially independant movies, which dare to go where money does not dare to go. People often ask me what my favorites movies are, which ones would recommend. This quarantine is the perfect situation to share with you a short list of independent movies to watch. The idea is therefore to introduce you to new, different, original, unexpected works. You may tell me that this list is incomplete, but the idea was simply to make a selection, not to include everything. Don’t hesitate to tell me which is your favorite independent film. Maybe I have already seen it, or not. So, I will add it to my own list of things to see during containment.

 

Is this list accessible to everyone?

 

Of course, this list is accessible to everyone, except for a film or two not recommended for those under the age of 16 (ex: Climax, The house that Jack Built). Then again, when I was 12 I had already seen Alien and The Exorcist, and I loved them both.

 

I would imagine that most of these movies cannot be found on Netflix or other streaming services, or maybe they can, but since you’ve never heard of them, you never noticed them before. It may also be difficult to find a version to download, but I recommend them anyway. Some movies on the list are well known, but not as much as Star Wars. Don’t worry, I would add movies that are too “indie”. These movies can be watched by everyone. There is no risk of being bored, or of saying that they are dedicated to a sophisticated audience. The list includes everything from light to poignant movies, documentaries, comedies and thrillers.

 

Even though the list includes a lot of French and American films, I tried to make the selection as international as possible, just to let you travel from your living room. The only catch: don’t be afraid to read subtitles.

 

The films are classified by country, according to the nationality of the director, and in alphabetical order.

Enjoy!

Afhgan movie

American movies

American independent cinema is much richer than we imagine. On the one hand, there are many independent productions. On the other hand, the movies are high quality. Thanks to A24 productions for existing and funding works other than blockbusters. Here is a non-exhaustive but varied selection.

Algerian movie

Argentinian movies

Australian movies

Austrian movies

Belgian movies

It is not necessary to include Dikkenek here because everyone already knows this masterpiece, at least I hope you do. Belgian cinema is cheeky, funny and complete. Whether it is a comedy or a tragedy, it is always pushed to the limit. We are rarely disappointed.

Brazilian movie

Canadian movies

Chinese movies

Chinese cinema is rich and beautiful, and often also very committed. Here is a selection rather accessible to all.

Colombian movie

Danish movies

I think Danish directors are all a little crazy, if not very. Please note, the list presented here is not recommended for children.

Dutch movie

At first glance, the only known durch director is Paul Verhoeven and his superb movie Basic Instinct. That being said, the director of the film The Human Centipedes is also Dutch … So do not be surprised by the film that I propose here.

English movies

Here we could talk about Ken Loach, Stephen Frears or Mike Leigh. But having seen all of their works, they are directors who do not renew themselves. So I preferred to present directors who dare more.

Egyptian movies

French movies

French independent cinema saves the face of French cinema altogether. Nevertheless, the subjects are rarely deep, or well treated. Most of the time, the story is about what is happening in the neighbourhood… But hey, I managed to find some talents to offer you.

German movies

Greek movies

Hong Kong movies

Indian movie

Iraqi/Kurdish movie

Iranian movies

Israeli movie

Italian movies

Italian cinema is doing very well. It is funny, committed and aesthetic. French directors have a lot to learn from them!

Japanese movie

Kenyan movie

Korean movies

Korean cinema is one of my favorites. I have rarely been disappointed with a Korean film. They remind me of the Greek tragedies. They allow us to experience a real catharsis, with an almost unrivaled aesthetic.

Libanese movie

Mauritanian movie

Mexican movies

Mexican cinema is doing very well. In addition, Mexican directors win oscars quite regularly. However, these are often violent films. It’s a shame, because Mexico is a superb country with much more to offer than violence.

Moroccan movie

Norway movie

Polish movie

Russian movies

Saoudi movie

Spanish movie

Thai movie

Turkish movies

Uruguayan movie

Zambian movie