Inspiration: Films with good music
Since I was about 7, my dad often showed me films every Friday night. I just watched them with him because I knew how passionate he was about the films, and he just seemed to like the idea of having little chats about them with me afterward. Although I never got to fully understand what the film was about as I often got distracted by something else, I also enjoyed having conversations with him because it often allowed me to experience a world that I thought never existed.
As most of the films he showed me were usually films with open endings, I always had to come up with my conclusion or interpretation, and I think this is what has become the most intriguing part of the films for me. Because it kind of paved the way for me to learn how to tickle my brain to keep coming up with my own stories and perspective.
As I grew up, films have become very essential in my life. And I have recognized one common thing that my favorite films share. It's the music. I believe that music is one of the main elements that add up to the cinematic aesthetic the most, it helps escalate or deescalate the extent of different emotions therefore the audiences get to experience a wider range of emotions throughout the film.
In this post, I like to share some of my favorite films with their soundtrack.
Melancholia (2011)
About: Two sisters find their already strained relationship challenged as a mysterious new planet threatens to collide with Earth (www.imdb.com)
The protagonist (Bride) and her soon-to-be husband.
I believe this particular instrumental classic song captures the emotional crisis that the protagonist (Bride) goes through in the film. It's so fragile and delicate yet also catastrophic.
2. 嫌われ松子の一生 (Memories of Matsuko 2006)
About: When Matsuko dies of murder, her nephew Sho gets to progressively unveil many details of her mysterious past, discovering she wasn't only a forgotten outcast but led a very interesting yet bizarre life (www.imdb.com)
A younger version of Matsuko
I could not find this particular song officially published on music streaming platforms but if you search it on youtube, you will be able to find it.
This film is one of the films that I would like to be silent about. Because I don't think words can express how impactful this movie was to me so I highly recommend it if you haven't seen the film yet. The story, visual aesthetic, music, everything is indescribably immaculate.
3. Her (2013)
About: In the near future, a lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with an operating system designed to meet his every need (www.imdb.com)
The protagonist (Theodore)
Very melancholy and calming. This song is my favorite just in general.
4. Les Amants du Pont-Neuf (The lovers on the bridge) 1999
About: Alex, who's homeless and addicted to alcohol, and Michèle, who's losing her sight, form a relationship while sleeping rough on Paris's Pont-Neuf bridge (www.imdb.com).
Alex (On the Left) Michèle (On the Right)
Taught me how to view vulnerability in a different way especially when it comes to a relationship
5. 重慶森林 / Chungking Express (1994)
About: Two melancholy Hong Kong policemen fall in love: one with a mysterious female underworld figure, the other with a beautiful and ethereal waitress at a late-night restaurant he frequents (www.imdb.com).
Chungking Express is one of the films that I wouldn't necessarily say it's a sad film but it captures strong melancholy feelings throughout the whole film. I think it's because the movie captures a sense of nostalgic feelings through its own unique on-screen visual elements such as lighting, framing, composition, camera motion, color, exposure, filtration, and camera angles. Overall, this film showcases the oriental aesthetics of Hong Kong but with a layer of beautiful melancholy feelings.