July on MUBI UK sees the UK streaming debut of Davy Chou's acclaimed Return to Seoul, a season focussed on music on film, a Ken Loach retrospective
and more.
Return to Seoul
Following the theatrical release in May, MUBI brings
Davy Chou's
Return to Seoul
(2022) exclusively to UK streaming this July. Featuring a revelatory
performance from newcomer Park Ji-Min, the film tells the story of
25-year-old Freddie, who impulsively returns to her birthplace of South
Korea for the first time since she was adopted and raised in France. This
bittersweet journey of self-discovery sees Freddie travel from South
Korea's vibrant, neon-soaked capital to its tranquil port cities, in
search of a better understanding of her own identity, culture and home.
Return to Seoul (2022) is an unpredictable and refreshingly
authentic story of a young woman's search for identity, and of the
ever-shifting relationships that shape it.
Turn It Up: Music on Film
Returning this July is MUBI's Turn It Up: Music On Film focus.
Encompassing both documentary and fiction, MUBI's selection of music films
celebrates the electric magnetism of performance, but also moves beyond
the glitz and glamour of the stage to dive into the lives, trials, and
tribunals of the artists themselves. Spanning multiple musical genres,
this special includes Lian Lunson's intimate tribute documentary
Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man (2005), Max Minghella's
spirited debut Teenage Spirit (2018) and Todd Haynes'
impressionistic portrait of Bob Dylan,
I'm Not There (2007).
Ken Loach
Ken Loach has established himself as a prominent and influential
filmmaker known for his socially conscious storytelling and unflinching
portrayals of working-class struggles and political issues. The first film
in this focus is the historical drama
Land and Freedom (1995). Set during the Spanish Civil War,
this heart-wrenching depiction of camaraderie amidst conflict follows a
young Englishman who joins the fight against fascism in Spain. Following
this MUBI brings Loach's contemporary drama,
Bread and Roses (1993), which focusses on the plight of
immigrant workers in Los Angeles, shedding light on issues such as labour
exploitation and immigration rights. This special director focus continues
into August with Raining Stones (1993) and
Carla's Song (1996).
Trouble on Set
This July, MUBI presents Trouble On Set, a series with a focus on films
that explore the behind-the-scenes aspects of filmmaking and more
specifically, the challenges and complexities of it. Whether it's
technical difficulties, personal conflicts or creative differences, the
films in this series all show the chaotic aspects of working on sets.
Kicking the series off on July 6th is the satirical drama
Birdman
(2014), followed by Michael Winterbottom's metaphorical adaption of
the novel Tristram Shandy,
Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story (2005). Also included
in this series are Beware of Holy Whore (1971) and
Living in Oblivion (1995), both of which are available to
view now.
Short Films Big Names
Mia Hansen-Løve's exceptional talent to capture nuanced, subtle
emotions on screen are showcased in her atmospheric short film
Un Pur Esprit (2004). An early example of her gentle touch
and the empathy afforded to her protagonists, the film follows a girl
walking reflexively in a park observing the activity of the people around
her. Shot softly in black and white on Super 16 and sonically focusing on
evocative, natural soundscapes.
Rude Boy
Set against a background of riots, racist and anti-racist
demonstrations, Jack Hazan and David Mingay's infamous
pseudo-documentary Rude Boy (1980) is an energetic, raw
and iconic portrait of 1970s Britain. Featuring extensive live concert
footage and behind-the-scenes access to The Clash at the peak of the
punk-era, including the iconic Rock Against Racism performance in
London's Victoria Park.
Ray Gange, an aimless Soho sex-shop employee friends with The Clash's
commanding frontman Joe Strummer, transforms from fan to roadie.
However, his questionable work ethic and politics are not in line with
the band's plan to rage musically against the growing nationalism of the
time.
Meet Doug
Théo Jollet plays with genres and expectations combining
horror and sci-fi tropes with the aesthetics of hip-hop music videos in
his fantasy hip-hop musical Meet Doug (2020).
In a small town in the centre of France, Doug and his friends hang
around the municipal stadium forming a little aimless community, having
fun making jokes and rapping freestyles. This frail balance is soon
disrupted when a mystical figure emerges to upset the lives of those who
see it.
Everybody Loves Jeanne
Everybody Loves Jeanne (2022) is the charming and tender
debut feature from award-winning animated film director,
Céline Devaux. The amusing anti-romantic comedy explores serious
themes like depression, climate anxiety and grief with lightness.
Everybody has always loved Jeanne, but, these days, she hates herself.
Up to her ears in debt, she has to go to Lisbon and sell her late
mother's apartment. At the airport, she runs into Jean, a fanciful and
somewhat intrusive former high school classmate.
