Lady Bird (2018)
director: Greta Gerwig
On paper, Lady Bird might appear as just another coming-of-age story. However, a deeply felt script and exceptionally witty dialogues by Barbie director Greta Gerwig, coupled with the brilliant duo Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf, elevate this film to near perfection. Christine McPherson (played by Saoirse Ronan) is in her final year at an ultra-conservative girls' school in Sacramento, California. Christine detests everything about her life, even her name. She prefers to be called Lady Bird – "I gave it to myself, it’s given to me by me”– and dreams of studying in New York: “where culture is!”
Persepolis (2007)
director: Marjane Satrapi
A stunning French animated film based on the autobiographical comic of the same name by Marjane Satrapi. The story is told from the perspective of Marji, a firsthand witness to the Islamic Revolution, the rise of fundamentalism, and the Iran-Iraq war in 1980. This background marked her entire childhood and pushed her towards social activism. Can she escape the horrors of war and religion?
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The Virgin Suicides (2000)
director: Sofia Coppola
In the suburb of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, a group of boys – now grown men – reflect on their memories of the five Lisbon sisters. The girls were elusive, unreachable due to their overprotective, Catholic parents. The film marks Sofia Coppola's directorial debut and features actress Kirsten Dunst among the sisters. The soundtrack is equally remarkable, composed by French band Air, who had just broken through with their album 'Moon Safari'. A strange yet beautiful cult classic.
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Rebel (2022)
director: Adil El Arbi en Bilall Fallah
Compatriots Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah dominated the 2020 box office with Bad Boys for Life, both in their home country and the US. Yet, our boys in Hollywood often return for local productions, like Rebel. "In America, there is all the available infrastructure, whereas for an independent project like Rebel, we must find more creative solutions," says Fallah. "But it’s exactly this what attracts me, as it forces us to focus even more on the story." In this case, we follow Kamal, a religious young man from Brussels who travels to Syria to aid war victims. Upon his arrival, he is conscripted into the army. A unique indictment of religious radicalism, told as a semi-musical set to rap music.
Divino Amor (2020)
director: Gabriel Mascaro
Brazil, 2027. In the dystopian future of Divino Amor, it’s a lot about sex. And that’s allowed. As long as it serves the evangelical values of reproduction. A sea of people immerses themselves at an electronic music event (one a lot like Tomorrowland). Yet, this electrifying dance event is just another way to practice religion, where marriage and the associated procreation stand central.
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
director: George Lucas
While this film might initially seem atypical and highly commercial for this selection, its thematic similarity is undeniable. Young Luke Skywalker decides to overhaul his life for the metaphysical 'Force'. Under the mentorship of hermit Obi-Wan Kenobi, he not only masters the tricks of this mysterious force but also becomes fully ingrained in the ancient Jedi order. And those Jedi are - indeed - a mix of magical knights and warriors, as well as religious leaders and monks. May the Force be with you!