David Farnor | On 19, 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 serves up one of the greatest Christmas films of all time and treats us to a film from Noah Baumbach’s early days, not to mention a dance extravaganza and an anime by Satoshi Kon.

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

Note: Future release dates subject to change.

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 – 15th December

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

The Naked Island – 16th December

Kaneto Shindo’s 1960 classic follows a small family as they endure alone on a hot, arid island.

Festen (The Celebration)- 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.

The Squid and the Whale – 18th December

Noah Baumbach’s hilarious, yet painful, study of a family going through a divorce is full of the director’s typically nuanced take on humans and their flaws. Made all too aware of their faults, hazy middle-ground is all that awaits and Baumbach nudges our sympathy around in the mist with masterful precision. With a cast that includes Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney and Jesse Eisenberg, this 80-minute fight is cruel to watch, but a joy to behold. (Read our full review.)

Sister – 19th 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.

The Addams Family – 20th December

Just in time for Christmas comes this family flick, which sees the cartoon characters of old given a live-action make-over from director Barry Sonnenfeld. From Thing (here a desembodied hand) and Christopher Lloyd as Uncle Fester to Christina Ricci’s Wednesday Addams, this perfectly cast outing is creepy, kooky and altogether likeable.

It’s a Wonderful Life – 21st December

What would the world be like if you didn’t exist? Frank Capra’s seasonal classic not only tackles the subject of suicide but also manages to find time for topical anti-bankers commentary, angels and heart-warming family sentiment. It’s hard to think of a Christmas movie that’s more human.

Snatch – 22nd December

D’you like dags? Guy Ritchie’s cockney gangster output inspired a horde of lookalike imitators that didn’t do British crime cinema many favours, but there’s something undeniably entertaining about this swaggering sophomore flick from the 32-year-old director, which features Brad Pitt, Vinnie Jones, Jason Statham, Jason Flemyng, Mike Reid, Benicio Del Toro… and dags.

Tokyo Godfathers – 23rd December

The great anime maestro Satoshi Kon gives us this 2003 story about three homeless friends in Tokyo on Christmas Eve.

All That Jazz – 24th December

There’s no show business like show business – and no person who does it better Bob Fosse. The legendary choreographer and director here tells his own life story in the form of Joe Gideon, a drug-snorting, womanising dancer.

The Red Shoes – 25th December

Powell and Pressburger’s classic 1948 film follows a young ballerina who finds herself torn between two men – a struggling composer and an autocratic impresario. From Black Swan to Martin Scorsese, its influence can be seen dancing throughout cinema history.

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

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