The modern world is full of contradictions. We created social media and dating apps to bring people closer and help them communicate without much hassle. Yet, the same tools led to a myriad of issues. You never know what red flag you will stumble upon. So, everyone wishes to be with a ‘green-flag’ person who radiates warmth and compassion. Such people make everyone around them feel at ease and give a warm, fuzzy feeling with their mere presence. They offer us the comfort we often crave.
With the same thought, MUBI has curated a list of 11 titles that exude a ‘Green Flag Energy.’ These films feature characters or feel-good experiences that give us the same cuddly feeling. They offer a window into their kind hearts and compel us to be better human beings. Their liveliness makes our lives feel less burdensome, and their empathy warms our souls. Despite our different life experiences, we resonate with them in one way or the other.
Here are seven Movies on MUBI that radiate the Green Flag Energy:
1. Happy as Lazzaro (2018)
Italian filmmaker Alice Rohrwacher has a distinct body of work. It has garnered her a dedicated global fanbase that includes the star of her later film, Josh O’Connor. Josh was so enamored with Alice’s work that he wrote her a letter requesting a role in her next project, and the rest is history. Regardless, the film that led to their gorgeous collaboration is “Happy as Lazzaro,” a profoundly humanist tale about a kind-hearted soul trapped in a world used to taking advantage of him.
The film’s protagonist, Lazzaro, is a naïve young man who works on a farm with utmost devotion, unaware that he is trapped in an illegal practice and being exploited. While the film gradually sheds light on its cerebral undertones, it shines due to Lazzaro’s endearing presence. He seems too pure for the world he lives in, feels everything deeply, and trusts people with astounding sincerity. Even when people trick him for his kindness, he remains just as nurturing of a presence in their lives.
2. Joyland (2022)
Set in Lahore, Said Sadiq’s “Joyland” revolves around three characters – Haider – an unemployed, married man; Mumtaz – his working wife; and Biba – a strong-willed trans woman and a dancer. Haider finds a job working as a backup dancer for Biba and falls for her. Forced to leave her job, Mumtaz seeks freedom and agency over her life’s choices. Although a love triangle by definition, the film is more about the complexity of their relationships affected by patriarchal norms and barriers. It provides a scathing look into the effects of repression.
At the same time, “Joyland” is a heartwarming portrait of compassion. Even through its bleak narrative, it shares some unforgettable moments of pure joy. It shows these characters in their journey of self-discovery by overcoming internalized shame, guilt, and fear of judgment. The film shows them to seek happiness even when the world around them tries to break their resilient spirit. Through brief glimpses of shared joy and laughter, the film becomes a deeply humane tale that advocates for love over pain every chance it gets.
3. Toni Erdmann (2016)
Maren Ade’s “Toni Erdmann” is one of the most effective portraits of a father-daughter relationship. The film follows Ines, a workaholic woman who receives a surprise visit from Winfried, her father. Due to her busy schedule, she says she cannot spend time with him. He observes her during her business meetings, being formal and courteous even when it hurts her to be so. So, he creates the titular alter ego to be in her presence to learn about her new life and to support her with her emotional battles.
“Toni Erdmann” seems like a natural progression of father-daughter dramas that do not rely on generational judgements to prove a point. Instead, it empathizes with both the characters despite their flaws or insecurities. It uses absurdist humor to examine the inauthenticity prevalent in the modern world but stays rooted to its emotional core. Under its outlandish garb, it is a heartening tale of a father and daughter who just want to spend some time with each other.
4. The Farewell (2019)
Lulu Wang’s “The Farewell” is not a conventional feel-good film. It shows a Chinese family reuniting for a wedding as they realize their grandmother has less time to live. The film centres around Billi, her 30-year-old American granddaughter, who stays in touch with her. They share an endearing bond across borders. It breaks her to realise that it may not last long. However, she cannot express herself truthfully since her family decided to hide the diagnosis from Nai Nai.
As the family reunites in China, they keep up with the façade, burying their sadness underneath their plastered smiles. They pretend to be happy so that Nai Nai does not get consumed by fear about her fate. The film presents an honest portrait of Asian families where love is not expressed as in the Western world. Here, the characters rarely express their mutual affection. Yet, you sense it through their small gestures or occasional emotional outbursts. Although a bittersweet tale, “The Farewell” feels like a warm hug we all seek.
5. Moonlight (2016)
Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight” is a monumental achievement for many reasons. It is an indie film with an all-black cast that won the Best Picture Oscar. However, beyond the awards and recognition, it is a poignant coming-of-age drama in its own right. It follows Chiron, a young, black kid through three stages of his life, growing up through emotional repression. While living with an addict mother, he seeks someone who would listen to him without judgment. That’s when Juan comes into the picture. He helps Chiron get past his internalized homophobia and see the world in a new light.
Despite its minimal plot, “Moonlight” is a vivid display of comfort and compassion. Juan remains the kind father figure who loves and accepts Chiron unconditionally. Later, Kevin becomes the comforting lover that Chiron craved for most of his life. Inspired by the likes of Wong Kar-wai, the film is filled with evocative moments bound to remain etched in our memories. Thanks to the power of its music, direction, and heartfelt performances, the film feels like a comforting embrace for those who feel disheartened by simply being their true selves. Here, Juan and Kevin appear to be green flags that Chiron needs to survive.
6. Fallen Leaves (2023)
Aki Kaurismäki is known for films about the plight of the working class. “Fallen Leaves” is the latest addition to his brilliant filmography. It revolves around Ansa and Holappa, two lonely workers leading humdrum lives, working at places that do not value their contribution. While struggling through the ordeals of their daily lives, they find each other. Through chance encounters and missed opportunities, their romance eventually blooms and reaches an endearing note.
While it may not be Kaurismäki’s finest work, “Fallen Leaves” is filled with an irresistible charm. Set in his usual, minimalistic style with a subdued colour palette, the characters feel at ease with each other. They watch a Jim Jarmusch film together and keep meeting each other outside the same theatre. In their otherwise muted lives filled with personal struggles and the dreadful news of global violence, Ansa and Holappa seek the warmth in each other they badly crave.
7. Perfect Days (2023)
Wim Wenders’ “Perfect Days” is one of the most comforting recent films, at least on the surface. It follows Hirayama, a toilet cleaner in Tokyo, going through his daily rituals with precision. He wakes up, takes care of his indoor plants, gets ready, and completes his work. In between, he has his lunch looking at sunlight gently passing through his favourite tree. He enjoys listening to music on his cassette tapes and reading books in his spare time. Although he leads a lonely existence, he embraces his solitude.
There is something too sweet and honest about this man, embracing the present for what it is rather than worrying about the future. Ultimately, the film puts a mirror on his life to examine his strained familial relationship and the ever-changing nature of the world. Still, Hirayama remains a comforting figure that we all would want to be in the presence of. He does not look down on any kind of work, finding contentment in his almost stoic approach to life.
