Transcendent Love: A Valentine’s Day Watchlist
In these days of isolation that we have all found ourselves in for nearly a year, sometimes we need a reminder of some of the good things in life. This Valentines Day, FACETS has curated a watchlist highlighting films that demonstrate love’s ability to overcome all obstacles and barriers.
From queer films about love in the face of discrimination and adversity, to films about love in times of hardship, to films about the implications of love in the face of familial disapproval, this watchlist can serve as a reminder to all of that even though we may not be able to see our loved ones on this special day, the love we share can overcome these difficult times.
Two of Us
Directed by Filippo Meneghetti
This Golden Globe Nominated, Academy Award shortlisted film is about two retirees, Nina, and Madeline who live across the hall from each other in an apartment complex, secretly in love for decades. The pair comes and goes between their two apartments, sharing the tender delights of everyday life together. They wish to move away from where they have spent their lives in secret and go spend the rest of their days on the beaches of Greece, living together no longer as best friends, but openly as lovers.
Their plan does not go as they would have hoped when one day their relationship is turned upside down by an unexpected event leading Madeleine’s daughter to slowly unveil the truth about them. In this new reality, their secret cannot remain hidden if they are to stay together, and their unconditional love is put to the test in this captivating story and moving tribute to love’s ability to overcome all obstacles.
Two of Usis available to stream at FACETS Virtual Cinema until February 25.
Electra, My Love
Directed by Miklós Jancsó
In this surreal film about love and revenge, an ancient Greek myth is brought into the 20th century. A demonstration of how a 2000-year-old myth can still resonate with audiences today, or a demonstration of how love can even overcome the barrier of time itself. Its themes are timeless, political, emotional, and romantic.
The story follows Electra, who waits for the return of her brother. With his help, she hopes to topple the current tyrant who himself overthrew her father years ago. The film is hard to sum up with plot details alone, as it employs techniques of extended long-takes and visual poetry to paint a picture for the audience of love in a time of turmoil.
Purchase Electra, My Love from the FACETS Catalog today.
Desert Hearts
Directed by Donna Deitch
English professor Vivian Bell is an uptight woman who is waiting for her divorce at a dude ranch where she encounters a beautiful casino worker named Cay Rivvers. The film evolves into the story of Vivian finding her true self through a relationship with Cay, a more self-confident, free spirited woman.
Issues arise as the relationship blooms and the owner of the ranch accuses Vivian of seducing Cay, kicking her off the ranch. The women’s love in this film faces a lot of obstacles. From the time period, to the location, to the individual people in their lives. Vivian and Cay’s love is something that is not tolerated and is something that can put them in danger. They try to learn how they can make their relationship work in these strange circumstances they find themselves in.
Rent Desert Hearts now from FACETS.
Saving Face
Directed by Alice Wu
A warm-hearted romantic comedy from director Alice Wu has become a cult classic among audiences looking for queer films with happy endings. It follows a young woman whose matchmaking mother does not realize she is a lesbian.
Wilhelmina is a successful surgeon who thinks she has found her soulmate in graceful female dancer, Vivian Lu. However, Wilhelmina’s pregnant, unmarried mother won’t accept their relationship, and moves in with Wilhelmina to try to hook her up with an eligible bachelor. Wu skillfully interrogates cultural and generational divides in a comedy that shows a great example of how different generations view love and how an overbearing family member can be an incredibly difficult barrier to overcome.
Rent Saving Face now from FACETS.
Rafiki
Directed by Wanuri Kahiu
This film about a romance that grows between two young Kenyan women takes place amidst family and political pressures surrounding LGBTQ+ rights in the country. It had its release blocked in Kenya and is still banned there to this day for portraying a romance between two young woman.
This film in itself is a statement of love overcoming boundaries. As a modern Kenyan film banned in its native country, it reveals the active discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ people globally. Within the film we see the characters face this oppression which only brings them closer together. Rafiki is a powerful statement that is important for everyone to see, especially those who may take the love they get for granted.
Rafiki is available to watch on Hulu.
Love Exposure
Directed by Sion Sono
This 4-hour unorthodox epic follows a convoluted love triangle, composed of three emotionally abused individuals on the fringes of society. The first of the three, Yū is a catholic boy who’s father makes him confess his sins. Having none, Yū sets out to sin and falls into a questionable crowd.
The second piece of this triangle, Yoko is an anti-family, misandrist who Yū literally envisions as his Virgin Mary. The third piece of the triangle falls in here as Yoko falls for Yuu’s alter ego, Sasori AKA “Miss Scorpion.” All of this is complicated further when Aya Koike (Sakura Ando, Shoplifters), a member of the cult “Zero Church” manipulates those around Yū and Yōko to get caught up in the cult themselves.
A truly unbelievable set of events takes place over this film’s runtime to remind us all that social, religious, and familial connections can be barriers for our true feelings, but breaking through them can lead us into our true love.
Rent Love Exposure now from FACETS.
Softie
Directed by Sam Soko
This documentary about photojournalist and activist, Boniface “Softie” Mwangi, follows a journey of protest, dedication, and hope. As Softie goes from a protestor and photographer to attempting to run for elected office. In a country full of corruption, bribery, and police brutality, it takes a lot for someone to face all of this head on, but Boniface does, and he does so for his children’s future.
This film is not only about Softie, but about his family and the struggles they face not only because of his dangerous work, but because of the way the country operates. His wife, Njeri and their children are who is he fighting for.
The hardships that Softie and Njeri’s love face in this film are the same that all the disenfranchised and marginalized people face, not only in Kenya, but all around the world. Their love may not be at stake directly, but their safety and their lives are. The strength found in love may be the only way to take down the powers that be. Softie is a great story of how a family can stay together in the hardest of times.
Softie is available to stream at FACETS Virtual Cinema until February 25.
Tyler Meder is an Editorial Assistant Intern at FACETS. He received his B.A. in Communication, Film, and New Media from Carthage College after completing his thesis on shot on video horror films. He has contributed work in video and writing to multiple industries including live theatre, which earned him an honors in Animation and Video Production from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
