Five must-see films you can stream online for free
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17.05.2020

Five must-see films you can stream online for free

'The Babadook'
Words by Sarah Ghassali

With cinemas still closed, a movie night in is the next best thing.

While some restrictions have been lifted, staying home is still crucial in stopping the spread of coronavirus. With most activities still off the menu for at least the next couple of weeks, movie nights are about as good as it gets when it comes to staying entertained, and you can even invite a few mates over to join in on the fun. As many film festivals turning digital this year, such as Melbourne International Film Festival as well as Human Kind Film Festival, there’s a whole lot of brilliant local and international cinema to look out for. But before you turn your attention to new releases, here are some must-sees you may have missed.

My Life as a Zucchini (Ma vie de Courgette) (2016)

A wholesome French stop-motion film, the Oscar-nominated My Life as a Courgette (Ma vie de Courgette) has everything you could ask for. Nine-year-old Icare, who goes by the nickname ‘Zucchini’, is sent to an orphanage after his mother’s death. His journey to develop trust and meaningful friendships is a rocky one, tugging at the heartstrings through a simple yet effective narrative. With the focus on the intricate design of each character, setting and dialogue, My Life as a Zucchini is an ode to how moving and poignant simple stories can be, and how beautiful they are to witness.

My Life as a Zucchini is available to stream on SBS on Demand.

Lovesong (2016)

The blurred line between childhood friends Sarah (Riley Keough) and Mindy (Jenna Malone) in Lovesong makes for a film that feels like a drinking a warm cup of tea during a Melbourne winter. Sarah, stuck in an unromantic relationship with her husband, reminisces on the intimate bond she has developed with Mindy over the years of their friendship, just days before Mindy’s wedding. Lovesong is just as its title presents, an unwritten lovesong between two people, that is shown, rather than told. And it’s done perfectly.

Lovesong is available to stream on SBS on Demand.

The Piano (1993)

The Oscar-winning role of Holly Hunter in The Piano is not one to overlook. Directed by Jane Campion, this 1993 drama follows Ada, a mute mother who arrives on a New Zealand beach with her daughter after a long voyage with but a handful of personal possessions, including her beloved piano. The film is driven by a series of inciting events, all communicated through Hunter’s delicate piano in the midst of the New Zealand forest. With an award-winning cast alongside her, including Sam Neill and Anna Paquin, The Piano is an immersive experience.

The Piano is available to stream on SBS on Demand.

When the Fall Comes (2014)

From filmmaker Adriana Marchione, When the Fall Comes is a 29-minute short film exploring the power of art and dance to heal grief. The film stands as a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit; even through the toughest of times, there are countless pathways that we can take to help us heal. Through multiple interviews conducted, it captivates all the complicated feelings of grief and translates them smoothly onto the screen.

When the Fall Comes is available to stream on Kanopy.

The Babadook (2014)

This one’s not for the faint-hearted. The Babadook is an Aussie cult classic from director Jennifer Kent (The Nightingale). Following a single mother’s tragic loss of her husband, her son becomes petrified by a monster in a children’s book, Babadook. It’s an understatement to say the film keeps you on the edge of your seat, it more so just pulls it right from underneath you. Kent dives into the heart of fear itself and explores it on-screen courageously, we just have to be courageous enough to watch it.

The Babadook is available to stream on Kanopy.

If you missed our last list of films to stream online for free, you can find it here

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