7 great existentialist films that will make you reflect on life

Existentialism is a philosophical current that defends that The human being is defined by the reaction to his life experiences. The best films about existentialism coincide in showing how important it is to experience certain events and reflect on them. Thus, this current of thought finds in cinema a perfect slate for the reflection it proposes.

The best films about existentialism will deal with topics such as the meaning of life, purposes, human suffering, love or death. All of these themes will confront the characters with a reality that, in most cases, they have not chosen.

The best films about existentialism

We are going to select a series of films that represent the large number of themes that existentialism has represented in cinema and that we consider unmissable.

Live by Akira Kurosawa (1952)

A film that reflects on old age, illness and the meaning of life. Mr. Watanabe discovers that he has terminal cancer and sets out to make his last days meaningful. His attempts to communicate his distress to his son and daughter-in-law only lead to distress.

Finally, inspired by the ideas of a co-worker, focuses its efforts on bringing happiness to others by building a playground in a low-income neighborhood. Thus, as his project takes shape he also prepares for his destiny.

The great beauty by Paolo Sorrentino (2013)

Jep Gambardella is 65 years old and is a writer and journalist who, between bourgeois parties, passionately recalls the memories of his youth. Following his walks, parties and meetings in Rome, we see how everything seems apathetic to him, as if the movie The sweet life by Fellini was being filmed in decadence.

We do not understand why Gambardella is so disappointed until Sorrentino’s film shows us that the memories of a past life evoke a love of youth, the intellectual awakening and ambition; that now contrast with an existential emptiness for having lived “too much and good“.

Three ads on the outskirts (2017)

The best existentialist films can also be argued in the form of black comedy. That is how Three ads on the outskirts conquered critics and the public, with a mother who faces rape and death following her own methods.

Frances McDormand gives her best performance since fargo as a brave vigilante who faces both the police and the tragedy, by hanging three billboards around the city to demand justice and denounce the lack of means and slowness in solving her daughter’s crime.

Redemption (The Department Q Cases) by Hans Petter Moland (2016)

Department Q cases are a trilogy of films by the screenwriter of Millennium. Police Inspector Carl Morck and his assistant investigate unsolved cases in a special department, Department Q. The third installment is called Redemption and it is a chilling thriller that tries to solve the mystery of a bottle thrown into the sea that contains a cry for help written in blood.

It is the film in the saga that touches on the most existential themes. related to religion and its plot is more complex and dramatic. All three films have been successful at the box office and Redemption He managed to make history in Danish cinema. It became the best premiere of a national production with more than 150,000 spectators in its first weekend.

Cleo from 5 to 7 by Agnes Varda (1961)

Cleo from 5 to 7 represents a highlight of the New Wave French and reflects all the genius of the late Agnès Varda. A director with a career full of existentialist, feminist films with a unique narrative style. Especially recommended is the work on his own existence, Varda by Agnès; that reflects the struggle and work of the brilliant Belgian director.

In Cleo from 5 to 7 the story of the pop singer Cléo is told (Corinne Marchand). Cléo has two hours to wait for the results of her biopsy to come back. Wandering through Paris, she finds solace talking to a soldier in a park who puts her problems into perspective. As they talk and walk, Cléo accepts her selfishness and finds peace before the results are revealed.

million dollar Baby by Clint Eastwood (2004)

Clint Eastwood’s career leaves behind many existentialist films, perhaps it is the philosophy that surrounds almost all of his plots and characters. Definitely, million dollar Baby It is one of his most iconic films and reflects the harshness of a person’s experiences in a completely hostile world.

It tells the story of Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), a 31-year-old waitress whose dream is to be a professional boxer. To achieve this she travels to Los Angeles to train at Frankie Dunn’s (Clint Eastwood) gym.

The relationship between them and between them and the rest of the people around them makes us reflect on the meaning of the word family. On the other hand, the film reminds us that our future is often not fair to our work or our enthusiasm. There will always be factors beyond our control that can drive or deprive us of our dreams.

Andrei Rublev by Andrei Tarkovsky (1966)

That only one by Andrei Tarkovsky appears in a list of existentialist films is questionable., since the director made his cinematographic work the visual mirror in which to reflect all the themes of existentialism. All of his films are a search for the meaning of being and life.

In Andrei Rublev The director tells the story of this painter monk who goes with his companions to Moscow to paint the frescoes of the Dormition Cathedral in the Kremlin. Outside the isolation of his cell, Rublev will begin to realize the torture, crimes and massacres that have terrified the Russian people. An absolute masterpiece, profound and visually beautiful that you cannot miss.

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