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An international hit for Lee Chang-dong, this sensuous and sinister story of obsessive love crackles with the flames of foreboding. Starring Steven Yeun and newcomer Yoo Ah-in, Burning twists a Haruki Murakami story into a profound examination of male violence and contemporary capitalism.

Abbas Kiarostami’s first feature made outside his native Iran is this sumptuous, brain-teasing romance, in which a deceptively simple relationship morphs into something more complex—and keeps the audience guessing. Cannes winner Juliette Binoche is enigmatic, vulnerable and perfect in the lead role.

A withering indictment of American social values, written and directed by a man who has never set foot in America, Lars von Trier’s Dogville is an ambitious provocation. With an all-star cast led by Nicole Kidman, this epic Brechtian drama is a raw examination of small-town hypocrisy and prejudice.

Risking ellipses and question marks, Canadian director Kazik Radwanski traces the ambiguous forms that romance can take with Matt and Mara. Through the surprises and genuine laughs of improvisation, the talented leads articulate a rare, real attraction for which there are, ordinarily, only clichés.

An oddball mix of interrelated shorts, or just an average day in the city of angels? Director, co-writer, and star Al Warren is a filmmaker on the edge in this metatextual comedy, which conveys a sincere wonder at the chaos of both life and cinema with its sunny cinematography and colorful cast.

Collaborating once more with Harun Farocki and lead actor Nina Hoss, Christian Petzold carefully crafts this cleverly plotted, smotheringly suspenseful postwar drama. An especially impressive combination of throwback thriller and genre elements with substantial thematic weight.

With Stranger Things star Joe Keery behind the wheel, Eugene Kotlyarenko’s madcap satire adopts the relentless pace of livestreaming with terrifying accuracy. Turning Los Angeles into a mecca of vacuity, this blood-soaked joyride gleefully twists the knife into the poisonous core of online fame.