ways to pass the time: films, reading & listening recommendations

I’ve probably been through a month of quarantine in total now, and though I’m about to come out of my mandated period of self-isolation many of you wonderful readers will still have to endure indefinite weeks of social solitude. Because of this, I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve been watching and reading and listening to in the past few weeks to keep myself entertained, along with some of those which are just general favourites. Besides, though I’ll soon be no longer under the yoke of self-isolation, the likelihood is that I’ll still be spending more time than usual indoors, so I’ll probably keep updating this space: I figure it’s best to have a reserve of escapism to fall back on in these quarantined times.

Films

I love films based on true stories, or rather films that have the semblance of being based on true stories – dramas and the like. Many of the films listed here fall into that category, but not all. I’ve linked the titles to their trailers, so you can read my little comments and watch some clips before deciding to commit! 

• The Help (2001) – Set in 1960s Mississippi, the epitome of the segregated south, a young aspiring writer decides to interview the black maids – commonly referred to as ‘the Help’ – working for well-off white families. As she attempts to share their stories, she turns the orderly, privileged lives of those around her upside down.

• The Shawshank Redemption (1994) – In 1947, Andy Dufresne, banker, is convicted of the murder of his wife and her lover. Although he claims to be innocent, he is sentenced to life imprisonment at Shawshank State Penitentiary, where over the following decades he bonds with his fellow inmates and becomes involved in a money-laundering scheme. Its profound and inspiring storyline make it an unequivocal classic.

• Marriage Story (2019) – One of my favourite films of the year, following a couple’s journey through divorce and the intricacies of their relationship and family life. I loved the realism and warmth of this film: its delivery renders it so much more than just a story about a broken couple, but rather a grounding insight into everyday human life and love. 

• The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) – I remember watching this on a plane somewhere as a twelve-year-old after hearing some of my parents’ friends raving about it and not really understanding what was going on at all. I rewatched it again recently and absolutely loved it: the rhythm, the fantastic, somewhat ridiculous plot, the quirkiness and the symmetry – all hallmarks of Wes Anderson’s captivating style. 

• Good Will Hunting (1997) – This is film is timeless, and rightfully lauded a classic. It’s also possibly one of my favourite films of all time. Young Matt Damon plays Will Hunting, a genius with humble origins, a gift for mathematics and a tormented past. Following an assault on a police officer, he starts to attend therapy sessions and strikes a bond with his therapist, the impact of which is felt in all aspects of his life.

• Inception (2010) – Christopher Nolan is a master of creating worlds and plots that intrigue any viewer. In this meld of sci-fi and action, a team of specialists in the art of extracting information through dreams put their skills to use in order to clear their leader’s criminal background and win their freedom. 

• A Beautiful Mind (2001) – Based on a novel of the same name and the life of Nobel Laureate John Nash, this film follows his academic achievements and the personal obstacles that he faces starting from his days at graduate school and continuing beyond. A really moving and inspiring film (probably even more so if you’re passionate about mathematics).

• Little Miss Sunshine (2006) – It was an English teacher of mine, later rather infamous, who introduced me to this film by means of a passing comment in class. I always found his allusions and recommendations were valuable, and this was no exception: a heart-warming, funny film about a dysfunctional family who attempt to make their young daughter’s dream – winning a beauty pageant –  come true. 

Korean films

• A Taxi Driver [택시운전사] (2017) – In 1980, the year of the Gwangju Uprising, a German reporter decides to discover the real reason for the government-implemented lockdown in that city. To get to Gwangju, he employs the services of a Seoul taxi driver who unintentionally becomes involved in the socio-political events that unfold. Based on a true story.

• The Age of Shadows [밀정] (2016) – A harrowing, gut-wrenching film following the lives of the Korean Resistance under Japanese occupation in the 20th century and featuring renowned actors Song Kang-ho and Gong Yoo.

• House of Hummingbird [벌새] (2019) – An indie film from one of Korea’s newest celebrated women directors that has won international awards. A delicate coming of age film that follows 14-year-old girl Eunhee in the year of the collapse of Seoul’s Seongsu Bridge.

• Burning [버닝] (2018) – Slow-moving and insidiously subtle, this film is beautiful and haunting at the same time. Its starting point features the coincidental meeting of two former classmates, Jong-su and Hae-mi, and the entanglement of their lives with that of a wealthy and mysterious man Hae-mi meets while travelling abroad. Based on Haruki Murakami’s short story “Barn Burning” from The Elephant Vanishes.

Reading

• The Remains of the Day, Kazuo Ishiguro – I devoured this book within a few days during my internship last year in Paris. It’s written in such a way that you constantly feel frustration with the protagonist Stevens, an uptight and conservative butler (or at least I did) and yet are desperate to read more. Delicate and a different angle into the aftermath of World War Two.

• The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath – I’d long heard of but hadn’t read this novel until last November. Since then it has joined the ranks of my favourite books of all time. I don’t even think it needs a summary – just read it.

• To Live, Yu Hua – I found this novel while researching books to read for uni preparation two years ago. I wanted to learn more about 20th century China in the least painful way possible, and for me that meant fiction. An honest and unpretentious tale of human suffering and strength.

• Ballet Shoes, Noel Streatfeild – A gem of a novel. The plot delves into the lives of three young girls, each with their own ambitions, growing up in early 20th century London. It has the essence of a domestic classic and evokes a sense of nostalgia and yearning for a time of such pure (at least in me). A heart-warming, comforting novel; I always feel inspired to live well and do good after reading books like this.

• Human Acts, Han Kang – Like “A Taxi Driver”, this novel centres around the events of the Gwangju Uprising during Korea’s military dictatorship. Heart-breaking, unflinching and deeply stirring, the contents of its pages and the poetic manner in which they are communicated will stay with you long after you close its covers.

• Norwegian Wood, Haruki Murakami – I read in the afterword of my edition of this book that Murakami had been dismayed at the overwhelming and unexpected success of this novel, a reaction that surprised me. Despite the apparent mundanity of descriptions of its plot, which centre around the protagonist’s recollections of his university days and first love, the humour, loss and beauty of this novel make it an all-consuming read.

• The Happy Prince & Other Stories, Oscar Wilde – Though young, I remember these beautiful stories having such an impact on me when first reading them. Moving and tragic, clever and so elegantly written, if you are looking to indulge a craving for the poetic (without wanting to resort to poetry), this is a collection for you.

Listening

• How To Fail, with Elizabeth Day: I know the name might seem strange, but don’t be put off – this podcast is one of my absolute favourites. Every episode features a renowned guest who shares three of their failures, what they learned from them and how those failures helped them to be where they are now. It’s an extremely insightful podcast where you get to hear the varying perspectives and personal experiences of people like Andrew Scott, Malcolm Gladwell, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Mo Gawdat. *P.S.A – I would recommend everyone listen to the most recent episode with Mo Gawdat on “How to cope with anxiety in the time of Coronavirus”; I personally found it clear-sighted and

• Deliciously Ella: Anyone who knows me will know that I am obsessed with these podcasts, and Deliciously Ella’s brand itself. The podcast centres around holistic well-being and episodes cover topics from gut health to diet myth-busting to how our brains function to starting a business.

• Adulting (Oenone Forbat): A recent find that I’m super excited to listen to more of. The premise of this podcast is to learn and discuss the aspects of life which we weren’t (but should have been) taught in school. This includes discourse on success, empowerment, nutrition, sexuality and other topics of pertinence in today’s society.

• The Halfie Project: A podcast that share the stories of people of mixed race, adoptees and those in interracial marriages (mostly relating to Korea, but I think they’ve started to branch out). For those of you interested in issues of cultural identity and mixed culture, this podcast is for you! There are also episodes on Korean lifestyle and social history.

• For the brave and curious of you, there’s also my city pop playlist on YouTube – my ultimate collection for funky, 80s Japanese disco tunes for you to bop along or dance to in your room.

I ended up investing a lot of time into making this list and I hope it makes your quarantine just a little bit better. I’d really really appreciate any feedback or comments on whether you find these recommendations useful or interesting! With that being said, happy listening/reading/watching/quarantining!!