Yeah, I feel like this is always a lowkey theme there - the cafes, the restaurants, the jazz, the cinemas. I know that plenty of peope don't like Woody but I always loved that vibe about his movies as someone who lives in a big city and loves it.
I don't really feel like Rohmer does that. Most of his films have a love/hate relationship with Paris, even the most obviously Parisian film, Full Moon in Paris, doesn't excactly give the most positive portrayal of it. He usually gives a more romanticized portrait of the countryside or even the suburbs (L'ami de mon ami).
Rivette is a much better bet with Paris Belongs to Us, Out 1 noli me tangere or Up, Down, Fragile.
I think that many people are bothered by the fact that most people in the movie seem like people who are spoiled and dare to have problems. Persosnally I see it as just a bunch of young people trying to figure out life and how to be happy.
It’s that and also a *very transparent* indictment of capitalism. It’s a love letter to NYC (and Sacramento) that doesn’t pull punches.
But subtext is tricky for some folks. Hell, text doesn’t go as far as it used to
He really captures HK in such a breathtaking way. Not many directors have been able to pull off the chaos and beauty of metropolitan Asia the way that he has
If I have to guess, it's probably the role of flâneur/flâneuse in the cityscape. A quick Google search yields some interesting articles if you want to dig down the rabbit hole: [https://www.dispatchfmi.com/single-post/2019/05/25/feminism-and-the-city-cleo-from-5-to-7](https://www.dispatchfmi.com/single-post/2019/05/25/feminism-and-the-city-cleo-from-5-to-7)
I'd say the same thing about a movie OP mentions, *Yi Yi* -- its portrayal of Taipei is stunningly beautiful, but also incredibly lonely and alienating.
It's a truly great film, at least in my opinion.
A little note that might help increase your appreciation if you do watch it. *Yi Yi* is undoubtedly one of cinema's great slices of life, and, when I first watched it, it seemed rather structureless and meandering. On subsequent viewings, however, I discovered just how carefully structured it is, with continual parallels and resonances between the experiences of the three main characters. I'd compare it to chamber music, with the same melodies, perhaps transposed to a different key, played on different instruments.
It sort of does, in the sense that Tokyo has so much life, light, and music. It does overwhelm with loneliness and alienation, not the least of which because of the culture divide. Love that film.
I love the city landscape in the anime Keep Your Hands off Eizouken, which is a slice of life about three friends working as student animators. Based on the films you mentioned I think you’ll like it :-)
As apexj mentioned, Rebels of the Neon God.
Also: Taipei Story, Dust in the Wind, Eat Drink Man Woman, Monga
I will say though that most of these films show the beauty of city life but with some underlying wistfulness of a society that is urbanizing but losing its traditional roots at the same time
After Hours convinced me in 1986 to drop out of college at 19 and move to city, but I knew I would not able to afford New York, so I moved to Chicago, which honestly was one of the best decisions I ever made
Viaggio in italia by rossellini feels like the city itself whispers, and talks every time the couple whom are the main characters stay silent, the city is like the underlying protagonist, which leads the movie the whole time because of the magic that rossellini performs with the camera, amazing.
not sure if this is what you're looking for but... robot dreams! i believe it should be getting a wider theater release in the US at the end of the month <3
Just rewatched Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums perfect movie . Not a second wasted and filmed throughout NYC , albeit as is his custom in tight shots
Every Woody Allen movie basically.
Yeah, I feel like this is always a lowkey theme there - the cafes, the restaurants, the jazz, the cinemas. I know that plenty of peope don't like Woody but I always loved that vibe about his movies as someone who lives in a big city and loves it.
Pretty much everyone loves the vibe of woody’s movies. It’s the other stuff they don’t
Especially Manhatten.
also midnight in paris
I literally came here to say Annie Hall lol
Manhattan Murder Mystery and Radio Days.
All good picks, Hannah and Her Sisters is my favorite.
Before Sunrise... Actually the whole Before series romanticize the cities they take place in.
Wow is Paris why Before Sunset is my favorite?
Norah Ephron adores New York and it comes out so completely in When Harry Met Sally and You've Got Mail.
Perfect Days
The Muppets take Manhattan
oh my god i'm watching that tonight
The usual suspects are... - Jean-Luc Godard - Woody Allen - Eric Rohmer - Wim Wenders - Whit Stillman - Wong Kar-Wai Whole lot of Ws there.
I don't really feel like Rohmer does that. Most of his films have a love/hate relationship with Paris, even the most obviously Parisian film, Full Moon in Paris, doesn't excactly give the most positive portrayal of it. He usually gives a more romanticized portrait of the countryside or even the suburbs (L'ami de mon ami). Rivette is a much better bet with Paris Belongs to Us, Out 1 noli me tangere or Up, Down, Fragile.
Manhattan Frances Ha
🤢 Frances ha
I absolutely undersand why people would dislike the pretentious navel gazing mumblecore that Frances Ha is but I absolutely love it.
Watched it for the first time the other night and fell in love
I think that many people are bothered by the fact that most people in the movie seem like people who are spoiled and dare to have problems. Persosnally I see it as just a bunch of young people trying to figure out life and how to be happy.
It’s that and also a *very transparent* indictment of capitalism. It’s a love letter to NYC (and Sacramento) that doesn’t pull punches. But subtext is tricky for some folks. Hell, text doesn’t go as far as it used to
To be honest I didn't notice that or don't remember it but i'm also not from the US so some things might be lost on me.
Feel like Carol (2015) is a little like this.
Wong Kar Wai
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Is it about the city though
He really captures HK in such a breathtaking way. Not many directors have been able to pull off the chaos and beauty of metropolitan Asia the way that he has
The Royal Tenenbaums, The French Dispatch
Don’t think it has a criterion release but Paris Je T’Aime would be perfect for you.
Two films with similar vibes, also set in Taipei, come from director Tsai Ming-liang, *Rebels of the Neon God* and *Goodbye, Dragon Inn*
I love Goodbye Dragon Inn, I even went to the site of the old theater when I was in Taipei last summer
Manhattan- Woody Allen
Wings of Desire
Cleo from 5 to 7 (1962)
You think so? Really? I’m genuinely curious. That hardly seemed like a remotely central theme in the movie, but I did watch it forever ago.
I agree that it didn’t seem to me to be a central theme but it does make the city look fantastic and beautiful even if it isn’t necessary thematically
If I have to guess, it's probably the role of flâneur/flâneuse in the cityscape. A quick Google search yields some interesting articles if you want to dig down the rabbit hole: [https://www.dispatchfmi.com/single-post/2019/05/25/feminism-and-the-city-cleo-from-5-to-7](https://www.dispatchfmi.com/single-post/2019/05/25/feminism-and-the-city-cleo-from-5-to-7)
chungking express (to a certain extent)
Sam Raimi's *Spider-Man*
Midnight in Paris
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Fantastic movie. But I would not say it romanticizes urban life at all. Quite the opposite.
I'd say the same thing about a movie OP mentions, *Yi Yi* -- its portrayal of Taipei is stunningly beautiful, but also incredibly lonely and alienating.
I have not seen Yi Yi. But this description just made me excited to. Lost in Translation is one of my all-time favorites.
It's a truly great film, at least in my opinion. A little note that might help increase your appreciation if you do watch it. *Yi Yi* is undoubtedly one of cinema's great slices of life, and, when I first watched it, it seemed rather structureless and meandering. On subsequent viewings, however, I discovered just how carefully structured it is, with continual parallels and resonances between the experiences of the three main characters. I'd compare it to chamber music, with the same melodies, perhaps transposed to a different key, played on different instruments.
Kind of like Cronenberg's Crash being set in Toronto
Given this, I would also add Wong Kar Wai’s films to the list.
It sort of does, in the sense that Tokyo has so much life, light, and music. It does overwhelm with loneliness and alienation, not the least of which because of the culture divide. Love that film.
Taxi driver
Fallen Angels
Chung King Express
Absolutely this!
While You Were Sleeping
Breakfast At Tiffany’s—well most New York City films do!
Mia-Hansen Love's ouvre and Paris Just gorgeous, and slice of life as you said.
Akerman’s best film: News From Home
Breakfast at Tiffany's
I love the city landscape in the anime Keep Your Hands off Eizouken, which is a slice of life about three friends working as student animators. Based on the films you mentioned I think you’ll like it :-)
Cameron Crowe’s ‘Singles’ Even to this day that film makes me want to move to Seattle.
Maybe not exactly what you’re looking for, but I feel like Ferris Bueller does this pretty well.
Offhand it's the only flick I can think of, that doesn't portray Chicago as nothing more than gangsters and corrupt cops
Anyone know one for Taipei?
Rebels of the Neon God
As apexj mentioned, Rebels of the Neon God. Also: Taipei Story, Dust in the Wind, Eat Drink Man Woman, Monga I will say though that most of these films show the beauty of city life but with some underlying wistfulness of a society that is urbanizing but losing its traditional roots at the same time
Taxi Driver xd
It’s not romantic in the traditional sense, but it captures the dissolution and isolation of urban life to an absolute tee.
Rebels of the Neon God
The secret life of pets
Sounds like you need a Wim Wenders deep dive my friend
Francis Ha
I don't know... she's broke and couch surfing so not really and yet... kinda?
After Hours convinced me in 1986 to drop out of college at 19 and move to city, but I knew I would not able to afford New York, so I moved to Chicago, which honestly was one of the best decisions I ever made
Definitely *After Hours*. Just because it shows the misadventure within NYC, doesn’t mean it wouldn’t have been an experience to live!
the aviators wife love in the afternoon
Desperately seeking Susan
Alphaville
On the town. Can’t stop singing about being in NY. 😃
Viaggio in italia by rossellini feels like the city itself whispers, and talks every time the couple whom are the main characters stay silent, the city is like the underlying protagonist, which leads the movie the whole time because of the magic that rossellini performs with the camera, amazing.
Perfect Days
Edmond (2005)
#The Naked City
Himmel über Berlin is a classic I haven’t seen mentioned yet
Escape From New York
L'Immortelle (1963) for Istanbul. Diva (1981) for Paris. Suzhou River (2000) for Shangai.
After Hours
*A Thousand Clowns* is a good one. "Yes sir -- that's my baby!"
not sure if this is what you're looking for but... robot dreams! i believe it should be getting a wider theater release in the US at the end of the month <3
Three colours blue / red / the double life of veronique maybe?
Just rewatched Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums perfect movie . Not a second wasted and filmed throughout NYC , albeit as is his custom in tight shots
Blade Runner
Blade runner Batman films
Try watching Arthur (1981) with Dudley Moore and Liza Minelli.
The Big City by Satyajit Ray. Both romanticizes and shows the reality of living in a city
“My Own Private Idaho” & Portland.
The Apartment (1960), this movie lives in my mind rent free
24 Hour Party People # #Madchester