The Farewell and 4 Other Underrated A24 Films You Might Have Missed
A touching tale about a grandmother, unexpected conversations with children and a story about Korean immigrants.
Specializing in the creation of unusual auteur films, the A24 studio has been satisfying the most demanding viewers for several years.
The A24 logo has become a guarantee of quality – Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Lighthouse, The Witch and other popular flicks have been released under it in different years.
However, not all A24 films have become hits – here are the worthy projects you might have missed.
1. The Farewell, 2019
Born in Brooklyn, Billi communicates with relatives in China and is attached to her grandmother. When the old woman is diagnosed with a terminal illness, the family decides not to traumatize the patient with the truth. However, all the relatives gather to say goodbye to her. As an excuse for the meeting, they use a fake wedding.
This movie will be useful for those who think Awkwafina is only a comedic actress. Here, she sometimes makes you laugh, but even the humor is presented through a lively and touching family story.
2. First Cow, 2019
In the early 19th century, Cookie Figowitz travels with rough hunters whom he must feed. The cook befriends a Chinese man, King Lu, who has killed a man and is hiding from justice.
Together, they begin cooking the most delicious pastries in the area. But to do so, they must steal milk at night from the only cow belonging to a local rich man.
For those who have decided that Western is a genre of obligatory chases and shootouts, First Cow will be a real discovery. This is an emotional and funny story that reminds us that there have always been dreamers who create something new, even if it is a cookie or a donut.
3. First Reformed, 2017
Priest Ernst preaches in a small town and writes his thoughts in a diary. He is struggling to come to terms with the loss of his son, who died in the war.
One day, a pregnant woman comes to Ernst whose husband insists on an abortion. The priest tries to convince the husband, but he turns out to be an eco-activist. He says he does not want a new human being to be born because humans are destroying their planet.
4. Minari, 2020
A Korean immigrant family, led by Jacob, moves from California to Arkansas. The man dreams of becoming a real farmer.
Jacob buys a plot of land and tries to grow food for Korean dishes, but the crops dry up and there is not enough money. In addition, their youngest son, David, needs care because he has a heart condition. Then Jacob brings his mother-in-law Soon-ja from Korea.
The movie is inspired by the childhood of director Lee Isaac Chung, who grew up on a farm in Arkansas. It is a movie about the importance of family and trying to overcome difficulties together.
5. C'mon C'mon, 2021
Radio journalist Johnny travels around the US interviewing children and asking them very adult questions. Suddenly, his sister asks the man to babysit her nine-year-old son Jesse. Soon Johnny and his nephew are traveling to different cities and learning a lot from each other.
Joaquin Phoenix is known to many as a master of transformation. It is all the more pleasing to see him in the most basic image. The interview scenes are completely documentary: the actor talked to the children without preparation, the lines were not written in advance.