Last year, we have all enjoyed highly acclaimed movies as well as long awaited blockbusters. At the end of December we all thought we have seen the best of the best, but there are some some hidden gems only few of us have heard of. Featuring original cinematic techniques, incredible performances and realistic stories, these lesser known great movies of 2015 deserve more recognition. The following list comprises seven must-see motion pictures that have not received the attention they deserved.
1. Eden
Genre: Drama, Music
Country: France
Director: Mia Hansen-Løve
Focused on the story of a young DJ, this movie captures more than the sound of music. The Paradise Garage songs along with the city of Paris come together and strike a chord within the viewers. The motion picture reaches other aspects of the protagonist’s life, such as his desperation and confusion when his obsessions no longer have the expected effect on his life.
2. Hard to be a God
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Russia
Director: Aleksey German
The next one of the lesser known great movies of 2015 can be described as a wild combination of Game of Thrones with sci-fi elements. This motion picture that took decades to be produced is set in another galaxy, in a world that looks terribly similar with our own medieval times. The protagonist is a knight who goes on a rampage in order to achieve enlightenment. However, the immersive storyline could have been created by Terry Gilliam and helmed by Andrei Tarkovsky, and it would have probably achieved the same result.
3. James White
Genre: Drama
Country: USA
Director: Josh Mond
This heartbreaking drama tells the story of a young man played by Christopher Abbot who has to look after his terminally ill mother (Cynthia Nixon). The motion picture is half-based on a true story, and the powerful performances of the actors come so close to reality, it is impossible to avoid shedding some tears. The combination of aspects in the protagonist’s life (his confusion on life and his caring for the mother) blend perfectly, which makes the movie one of the best of last year.
4. Phoenix
Genre: Drama
Country: Germany
Director: Christian Petzold
Lesser known great movies of 2015 also include stories from the last century. In the Phoenix movie, a nightclub singer is returning from the camps of the Second World War with numerous scars. Having her face surgically reconstructed, she goes to Berlin to find her lost husband. However, he is not as well-intentioned as her and plans to make her impersonate his dead wife in order to receive an inheritance. The motion pictures combines tragical elements, from the heroine who is ready to risk all in the name of love to the country who is struggling to rise again from the desolation of war.
5. Slow West
Genre: Western
Country: UK
Director: John Maclean
Even though the last western blockbuster ended up as a flop (see The Lone Ranger), this doesn’t mean the genre is dead and it might yet make a comeback. In Slow West, a young man has to travel through the 19th century Wild West to find his lost love. He is accompanied by another traveler with his own agenda, played by Michael Fassbender. All aspects of the western style are present, from assassins to absinthe benders and bad decisions to good intentions, and they all come together to create an enjoyable movie of high quality.
6. The Tribe
Genre: Drama
Country: Ukraine
Director: Miroslav Slaboshpitsky
The next motion picture on our lesser known great movies of 2015 list is truly unique, and can be compared with the famous Lord of the Flies. Its story follows a young student at a boarding-school who makes friends with the ill-famed gang of the institution. All goes well until he falls in love with a prostitute. If that didn’t impress you, here’s the best part: all characters are deaf and they communicate through the sign language. The Tribe is an example of originality at its best.
7. Victoria
Genre: Drama
Country: Germany
Director: Sebastian Schipper
Among the many elaborate displays of virtuosity of the lesser known great movies of 2015, one of the top is Victoria. The motion pictures follows the story of a Spanish ex-pat in Berlin who meets someone she considers a soul mate. However, she ends up being recruited as a getaway driver in a heist. All takes place in a single shot that lasts for 138 minutes. But the movie is much more than a perfect example of cinematic virtuosity, since it features stunning performances.
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