by Charlie Fabre
Are you as excited as us to get your copy of issue 06 in the mail? It’ll come soon, but in the meantime, why not watch these films on the theme of desire to grasp the mood and the vibe of it all!
1. Poor Things (2023)
One of the most spoken about films of 2023, Poor Things has divided audiences for it’s bold and unconventional story. Love it or hate it, though, Poor Things is undeniably about desire – in more than one form!
The obvious is to talk about sexual desire in the film, as Bella Baxter, the protagonist, goes through a sexual awakening and engages in plentiful ‘furious jumping’ as she calls it. However, my favourite aspect of Poor Things, and my main takeaway from the movie, is that this is the story of Bella Baxter, a woman, with a deep desire to learn and know the world around her, and even more than that with a deep desire to live.
2. her (2013)
Living in a hyper-modern digital world, protagonist Theodore Twombly writes heartfelt letters for people to send to their loved ones. But Theodore, on the other hand, has no loved ones of his own. her is about a man’s search for companionship and desire for human connection in a world that is increasingly more and more online.
3. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Probably one of the most iconic and well-known movies on this list, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is equal parts beautiful and sad as Joel played by Jim Carrey attempts to erase his ex-girlfriend Clementine from his mind after the couple endured a breakup.
What follows is a bittersweet trip down memory lane, and a story about the desire to love and the desire to heal and forget.
4. Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Is desire better placed elsewhere than in the summery Italian countryside? Romantic and hazy, Call Me By Your Name has become a cult-classic in queer romances, and it follows the story of Oliver and Elio as they spend a tumultuous summer together while the former stays at the latter’s house for the season on a research project.
Tender, explicit, and deliciously strange, Call Me By Your Name is one of my favourite queer movies (and an amazing novel as well!).
5. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
On the grittier side of film recommendations, Requiem for a Dream is often lumped into lists titled ‘Movies you only need to watch once’ or ‘Movies so disturbing it’ll never leave my mind.’ Personally, it’s a favourite of mine, but I completely get why the very heavy themes aren’t for everyone.
There’s a big trigger warning for this film as it deals with drug addiction, eating disorders, and sexual abuse – but it is about the desire to escape reality, the desire to make something of yourself, and the desire to be beautiful. A tale of tragedy and warning, if you can face it Requiem for a Dream is worth a watch and the original score is beyond amazing.
6. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
Another LGBTQIA+ love story, but this time it’s a period drama between two women who form an unlikely bond in the French countryside by the beach.
Filled with moody scenes and atmospheres and incredibly beautiful cinematography (as well as an amazing title), Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a quiet story of love which doesn’t indulge itself too much and leaves you wanting (or desiring!) more.
7. Corsage (2022)
This movie came out at the end of 2022 very quietly – I almost feel like I was one of the only people to see it, but it’s an absolute stunner and a must watch! Corsage follows a semi-fictional version of a year in the life of Empress Elizabeth of Austria as she comes face to face with her restricting royal duties and quietly fights to forge a path of her own.
Corsage is about the desire for freedom and a portrait of the constraints that even the most powerful people in the world must deal with, and how their lives are truly not their own. It’s gorgeous and sexy, and fans of rebellious monarchs will love this.
8. Blue Valentine (2010)
Split into two timelines, Blue Valentine is another notch in Ryan Gosling’s belt of romantic films – but as the title may suggest this is more on the sadder side.
A failing couple drifts more and more apart and we get to see both the present and past and discover how the couple met and what went wrong along the way. A look into the desire to make things last and also the desire to leave, Blue Valentine will 100% pull at your heartstrings so be prepared.
9. Whiplash (2014)
An incredible movie about the desire to achieve perfection, Whiplash is tense and frustrating and all about resolve and determination, and how dreams can push us too far.
Miles Teller plays Andrew, a drummer who has newly enrolled at a music conservatory under the harsh and sometimes abusive tutelage of Terence Fletcher. On the one hand it’s a story of a terrible professional relationship between a master and student, and on the other hand it’s an examination of the damages our goals and desires can have on us if taken too far. I’m sure most of you have seen this one already, but if not, watch it now!
10. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
And rounding off this list is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful and gut-wrenching films ever made – partly because of the subject matter, and partly because of the death of Heath Ledger who plays one of the leads.
Two cowboys take on the job of watching over sheep herds in the mountains over the summer. They camp together and are essentially all alone for two weeks, and eventually a relationship of lust and love forms between them. But this is at a time when homosexuality is not yet accepted, and set in a town where it is entirely frowned upon and hated. The bond between Jack and Ennis is strong, and they will face many challenges just to express their love.
You can now pre-order issue 06 desire!
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