Siddharth

This was beautiful!! A film about a man who comes to watch someone die, and ends up learning how to live a little instead. The sound feels intentionally unpolished, making it feel almost like a documentary, which actually makes it even better, not less. The off-screen conversations, natural performances and patient camerawork make the place feel genuinely lived in. Kiarostami keeps many people outside the frame, letting their voices and presence create a much larger world than what we see. It barely feels like it has a conventional purpose on the surface, but that's exactly what makes it work. It's about how the people and places around us can quietly change our priorities and conscience. Nothing dramatic happens, yet everything does. It taught me patience, perspective and how to pay attention. I'm grateful I discovered Kiarostami.

It had one of the most unforgettable atmospheres, lowkey gave me the vibe of True Detective and Memories of Murder. The muddy landscapes, gloomy weather and the whole isolated countryside setting made everything feel so bleak. The cinematography was insane too, especially those aerial shots of the marshes. The mystery was solid, and I really liked the tension between the Pedro and Juan and how different their personalities were. The slow burn pacing worked really well, letting the investigation gradually unfold without feeling rushed. I also liked the subtle political undertones and how the setting reflected Spain's transition from Francoism. Definitely a really good crime thriller.

My eyes are blessed. I thought the story was just gonna be a fun fantasy in the first half, but the last 30 minutes hit way harder than I expected. Visually, it's one of the most extraordinary films I've seen, with transitions that are nothing short of masterful.

Less colous, less dialogus, yet somehow it says more than most films. The story was pretty simple, the atmosphere does all the heavylifting. Not completely sold on the ending. Also, now I desperately want a trench coat and a fedora.