By Willow Wood, First year
As we enter into the month of November it is hard not to feel stuck in the liminal space between the nostalgia of Halloween nights out and the distant smell of pine and mulled wine that reminds you of the pillar of festivities that awaits you in December. While it seems like the playful crunch of October autumnal leaves has been replaced by a more sobering reality of the soggy silence of rain-soaked paths, I urge you to savour this silence and appreciate the time that November gives us in between the spectacle.
My personal favourite way to embrace the time, the space, the quiet that accompanies November is to watch an abundance of films and fill my life with whimsical soundtracks, hopeful colour palettes and dialogue that feels like a warm hug. Perhaps I used to see this as a way to escape the dreary atmosphere of November or to simply pass the time between October and December whereas now I feel these five watches spotlight the essence of November. Slowing down. Finding the beauty in the mundane. Reconnecting with yourself. Taking a deep breath.
Frances Ha (2012)
Directed by Noah Baumbach, Frances Ha (2012) follows a young Frances (Greta Gerwig) who skips her way through the challenges of adult life, navigating broad questions of identity and belonging while also mastering the arguably scarier skill of conversing with adults that just aren’t as fun as her and paying her rent.
This film feels like a bundle of magic wrapped in a cloak of mundanity as the black and white colouring and painstaking detail to small events and habits suggest an unremarkable portrait of a woman’s life. Nevertheless, Frances’ sincerity, sparkling energy and intense connections, particularly with her best friend Sophie, illuminate the quiet magic hidden within an ordinary life.
While this film does speak to a sense of restlessness as Frances skips through the narrative with a ditsy sense of disorientation anxiously trying to understand her place in the world, it also is grounded in slowing down. One of the pivotal moments is a single glance that ties together her self-searching and reinforces the importance of her connections.
I think this duality encapsulates the choice you can make in November, remain focused on the grey landscape and the menial challenges or notice the sparkle in your best friends' eyes and dance around in public.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
From cult classic director Wes Anderson, this film invites you into an eccentric family full of child prodigies and unspoken pain. The story centres on the return of an estranged father and leads to a weird and wonderful celebration of idiosyncrasies.
A melancholic undertone runs throughout this film, created by a fabulous soundtrack featuring Elliott Smith and the Beatles, which anchor shots of tension and angst built into these family dynamics. However, Anderson complements this with a beautifully rich colour palette and emotional honesty that, although likely to make you cry, also spreads a sense of optimism and unity as Anderson allows his characters to remain flawed.
And if watching this film doesn’t bring some warmth to your November, you will at least be introduced to ‘These Days’ by Nico, which is perhaps the best song to accompany and savour a November day.
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
This film is in a setting of perpetual November. The skies are grey, nothing happens and the biggest event of the week is the trips to the local pub. Martin McDonagh puts this small village lifestyle of constant routine under a microscope examining legacy, prejudices and attachments within normal routines.
The film’s central conflict emerges from two contrasting characters. Padraic (Colin Farrell) is an uncomplicated, endearing character comfortable in his routine and small moments of connection whereas Colm (Brendan Gleeson) is a stubborn character who becomes increasingly focused on his legacy and whether following familiar routine can even amount to anything significant.
This film definitely fits into the slow film category, yet its unhurried pacing, striking cinematography of the Irish landscape and the phenomenal acting allow tension to accumulate gradually, until the stillness is deeply uncomfortable and the ordinary rhythms of the island are transformed.
The Holdovers (2023)
Yes, this is technically a Christmas film. However, its subversion of the usual gleeful portrayal of the festive season makes this a perfect addition to this list. This film is perhaps the best exploration of unconventional connections as it follows a group of people stuck in a boarding school over the Christmas season.
Full of nostalgia, aided by the colour grading and film camera aesthetic, this film feels like hot chocolate for the soul. Alexander Payne takes such a sensitive approach to feelings of isolation and underlying melancholy, recognising that often this season can amplify feelings we might otherwise ignore. However, through his empathetic exploration of these characters, the message is to recognise that you are rarely as alone as you may feel. The three protagonists sit in their isolation together and in turn, create the most unexpected, heartwarming bonds.
Perhaps this is what makes this such a fitting watch for November. While you can still remain excited about Christmas, we also don’t have to pretend that this time isn’t uncomplicated. Beneath the twinkling lights there is room for loneliness and sadness. Recognising that others around us might feel the same way is a good way to find some warmth.
Featured image: IMDb / Greta Gerwig and Mickey Sumber in Frances Ha
What is your favourite example of Slow Cinema?
