The best things in life are free.
May has arrived and by this stage, we’ve become pretty good at this isolation thing, but you’ve likely sped through your watch-list by now. But that’s okay, because we’ve come up with another set of fantastic films available to stream completely free without any subscriptions needed!
Kedi (2016)
Settle in with a Turkish documentary about the cute stray cats that roam freely in the streets of Istanbul. For thousands of years, they’ve come and gone from neighbourhoods, creating strong bonds between communities and becoming an important part of everyday life. It’s an ode to the power of pets, our lovely isolation friends who keep wondering why we’re spending so much time with them. Turn this documentary on for a wholesome watch.
Kedi is available to stream through Kanopy.
Frances Ha (2012)
Before the brilliant directorial debuts of Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird, Little Women) and her husband Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story) came a story combining their genius into a light-hearted, noir comedy about friendship. Starring Gerwig as Frances and featuring Adam Driver, the cast delivers a genuine, down-to-earth film filled with soul. A coming-of-age narrative with a comedic twist, Frances Ha reminds us of all the friends waiting for us on the other side of isolation.
Frances Ha is available to stream through SBS on Demand.
Girl Asleep (2015)
Continuing with another coming-of-age tale, this one’s an independent Aussie film from writer and director Rosemary Myers. Girl Asleep invites viewers to journey into the heart and mind of a 14-year-old girl in 1970s Australia, who wanders into a strange parallel world where she can truly be herself. Backed by a funky soundtrack, heavy with symbolism and featuring a superb cast of fresh, homegrown faces, this Aussie classic is not one to miss.
Girl Asleep is available to stream through Kanopy.
Capernaum (2018)
From Lebanese director Nadine Labaki, Capernaum is a real heartbreaker – for all the right reasons. Winning the Cannes Jury Prize, it captures empathy and sorrow while portraying the childlike yet mature mindset of 12-year-old Lebanese boy Zain, who decides to take his negligent parents to court to sue them for giving him life. It’s a real tear-jerker, so get the tissue boxes ready, but its beauty and transparency craft a poignant film.
Capernaum is available to stream through SBS on Demand.
The General (1926)
Old is gold, and there’s nothing better than a good old-fashioned comedic silent film from Buster Keaton, especially when it is The General. Johnny Gray, played by Keaton, is a railroad engineer whose wife is accidentally taken away from him on a stolen train. Gray’s search for his wife is portrayed perfectly through his boundless wit and complexity. Films like The General are an important piece of the puzzle when looking at today’s cinema and exploring how stories were told just as effectively (maybe even more so) through everything but words.
The General is available to stream through Kanopy.
If you missed our last list of films to stream online for free, you can find it here.
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