David Farnor | On 12, Dec 2015

Not getting your art house fix from Netflix? Wish there were more indie films on Amazon Prime? Every week, we round up the new releases on MUBI, a subscription VOD service that hand-picks films from around the world.

This month, MUBI continues its Eric Baudelaire retrospective, catches up with Terry Gilliam and even finds the time for the exclusive online premiere of Michael Nyman’s new movie, War Work.

Here’s what’s new and coming soon this week…

Note: Future release dates subject to change.

The Big Heat – 5th December

Fritz Lang established himself as one of the most exciting directors in cinema history with Metropolis and M, but that talent didn’t stop once he moved to Hollywood – and this 1953 noir, starring Glenn Ford as a cop assigned to investigate a corrupt officer’s supposed suicide, proves it.

Nowhere Boy – 6th December

Sam Taylor-Johnson and future partner Aaron Johnson worked together on this 2009 drama that imagines John Lennon’s childhood and what inspired the musician.

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen – 7th December

Terry Gilliam’s barmy fantasy adventure about the Baron’s supposed travels sees the director stick close to his Monty Python roots. The result is a wonderfully enchanting exploration of stories, storytelling, fantasy and reality.

Children of Heaven – 8th December

Majid Majidi’s amusing 1997 film sees Ali lose his sister’s school shoes, only for them to come up with a charming solution: share his and hope nobody notices.

My Winnipeg – 9th December

Just as Guy Maddin’s The Forbidden Room heads to cinemas (and Curzon Home Cinema) on Friday 11th December, MUBI takes us back to his 2007 portrait of his home town in Manitoba.

Nuit et Jour (Night and Day) – 10th December

MUBI marks the departure of the late Chantal Akerman with the release of this 1991 film, which follows Jack and Julie, a couple in Paris. He drives a taxi at tonight, while she wanders the city – until she meets Joseph, the driver of Jack’s cab in the daytime. A threesome emerges.

War Work – 11th December

Michael Nyman’s new movie – exclusively released on MUBI just after its premiere at the Barbican – pieces together music, period text and footage to create a tribute to the centennial anniversary of World War I. (Read more here.)

Airplane! – 12th December

“Surely, you can’t be serious!” “I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley.” David Zucker, Jim Abrahams and Jerry Zucker’s spoof has one of the highest joke-to-minute ratios in movie history. Every one of them is a gem.

Cast Away – 13th December

Before Robert Zemeckis’ CGI period, this moving drama told the all-too-human tale of a FedEx exec stranded on a desert island. Tom Hanks delivers a cracking turn, from his beard to his beach ball best friend.

Our Children – 14th December

Joachim Lafosse’s film follows Murielle and Mounir, who decide to get hitched, but continue to live with his father, Dr. Pinget, which puts a tragic strain on their relationship.

The Unpolished – 16th December

Director Pia Marais’ debut from 2007 presents the perils of grown up bohemian.

Festen – 17th December

Thomas Vinterberg’s knack for raw truths and family dynamics is at its peak with this 1998 drama, which sees the Klingenfeldt clan gather to celebrate Helge’s 60th birthday.

Sister – 18th December

Ursula Meier’s Sister, which follows two siblings who make a living stealing things at a ski resort, plays out like The Kid with a Stolen Ski. Featuring an excellent turn from Léa Seydoux, this sad, simple character piece is moving proof that happiness is relative.

A MUBI subscription costs £4.99 a month. To find out more, visit www.mubi.com

Add to Watchlist