There’s no doubt that MUBI has carved out a niche for itself in the ever-competitive streaming marketplace. There really are few better places to hunt down exquisite arthouse and independent films – and its collection ranges from old favourites such as Argento’s 1977 horror Suspiria, to newer releases such as Alice Diop’s Saint Omer.
In August, another selection of exciting films will be released on the site. From tender romances to thought-provoking mystery, here’s our pick of the best films coming to MUBI this month – and, even better, Evening Standard readers can get 30 days of MUBI free.
La Chimera (Rohrwacher, 2023) – August 2
This tender comedy-drama from Alice Rohrwacher features Challengers star Josh O'Connor as a British archaeologist embroiled in an international network of stolen Etruscan artefacts during the Eighties. A surreal tone runs throughout the film: Rohrwacher uses sped-up sequences and round-edged frames to create the feeling of a silent movie which reflects the title's translation of the ‘impossible dream’.
Slow (Kavtaradzė, 2023) – August 9
This intelligent film showcases the relationship between dancer Elena and sign language interpreter Dovydas who slowly embark on a romantic relationship. Dovydas identifies as asexual; the new couple construct their own version of closeness and physical love. This story challenges stereotypical understandings of what it means to be intimate and provides a thoughtful romance movie that reflects the rarely depicted asexual experience.
The Sacrifice (Tarkovsky, 1986) – August 9
The Sacrifice takes the notion of a man doing whatever it takes to achieve success and pushes it to the absolute extreme. The acclaimed film, which won the Grand Prix at Cannes, centres around protagonist Alexander who endeavours to make a deal with God so that he can prevent an approaching nuclear holocaust. Dark, opaque and exploring Christian themes, the film was described by one critic at the time as “a symbolic gesture of great emotional impact”. Director Andrei Tarkovsky was too sick to attend the Cannes screening, being diagnosed with cancer shortly after wrapping up production.
The Hypnosis (De Geer, 2023) – August 16
The Hypnosis, from Swedish director Ernst De Geer, tells the story of young entrepreneurial couple Vera and André who are given the opportunity to pitch their female health app at a prestigious competition. Before attending the event, Vera decides to try hypnotherapy to help her stop smoking. From this moment on, her attitude shifts and she starts to behave unexpectedly. André’s reaction to the new Vera provokes questions about social etiquette, authenticity and values.
Robot Dreams (Berger, 2023) – August 16
Set in Eighties Manhattan, Pablo Berger’s Oscar-nominated Robot Dreams introduces us to a dog who grows tired of living alone so builds a robot companion. Over time the pair become inseparable and Dog is in a far happier state of mind than he was at the beginning. But one summer night, Dog is forced to abandon his robot companion at the beach. Has their friendship ended for good or will they meet again one day?
The film, an adaptation of a 2007 French comic of the same name by Sarah Hardy, includes no dialogue whatsoever. A major hit with the critics, it was described by one reviewer as “one of cinema’s most devastating and profound studies of loneliness and the fragility of emotional connections”.
Crossing (Akin, 2024) – August 30
In this captivating film from Swedish director Levan Akin, elderly Georgian school teacher Ms Lia (Mzia Arabuli) travels to Istanbul to honour her late sister’s dying wish of finding her estranged daughter, Tekla (Tako Kurdovanidze). Akin uses Crossing, which critics described as “thoroughly intelligent” and “a journey into empathy”, to raise awareness about the experiences of the trans community in Turkey’s historic capital. His previous film, And Then We Danced, also sensitively portrayed LGBTQ stories on the big screen.
