James R | On 09, Jan 2016

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, as the world looks forward to the coming year, MUBI takes as back with a season of directorial debuts, while also bringing us a blast from Quentin Tarantino’s past just in time for The Hateful Eight.

Bottle Rocket – 1st January

The new year: a time for looking forward or, if you’re MUBI, a chance to look back at the debut of one of cinema’s greats. Wes Anderson’s 1996 film, co-written with Owen Wilson, follows three best friends, who stage a robbery of a bookstore. Silly, warm and whimsy? That’s Wes, alright.

As Tears Go By – 2nd January

If there’s one streaming service you expect to have Wong Kar-Wai, it’s MUBI, so it’s a pleasure to see the director’s work return in the form of 1988’s As Tears Go By. Andy Lau stars as Wah, a Hong Kong criminal who finds himself caught in a battle of wills between his beautiful cousin (Maggie Cheung) and a turncoat.

Sex, Lies and Videotape – 3rd January

Steven Soderbergh is found more often on TV these days, having hung up his feature film hat, but this debut (January really is the month for those) is a reminder of just how good his indie feature work is – winning Soderbergh the Palme d’Or, despite the filmmaker being a mere 26 years old.

Story of a Love Affair – 4th January

Michelangelo Antonioni’s first directorial effort arrived after he had already made several shorts and written other projects. It follows a wealthy businessman who hires a private detective to investigate his wife’s past – uncovering romance and a possible crime…

Bleak Moments – 5th January

It’s hard to imagine a time before Mike Leigh was making movies, but this 1971 film marked the debut of the Brit, following a girl left at home with her mentally impaired sister.

L’Enfance Nue – 6th January

Maurice Pialat’s directorial debut tells the story of Francois, an orphan who is relocated to live with a kind, elderly couple. As one MUBI user puts it, “Ken Loach with croissants”.

Blood (O Sangue) – 7th January

The last of MUBI’s season of debuts, Pedro Costa’s Blood sees two brothers coming to terms with their father’s death – and the violence and debt he has left behind.

Pulp Fiction – 8th January

Quentin Tarantino’s second film is considered by many to be his best. The fact that this paragraph could simply be a list of quotes is testament to just how witty, intelligent and, despite its many imitators, instantly recognisable it is.

Sin City – 9th January

Quentin Tarantino’s second film is considered by many to be his best. The fact that this paragraph could simply be a list of quotes is testament to just how witty, intelligent and, despite its many imitators, instantly recognisable it is.

 

Last chance to stream: Titles leaving MUBI soon

War Work
Available until: 10th January

Airplane!

Available until: 11th January

Cast Away

Available until: 12th January

Our Children

Available until: 13th January

The Unpolished

Available until: 14th January

The Naked Island

Available until: 16th January

The Celebration (Festen)

Available until: 17th January

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