Hey {{name | my friend}},
It is easy to get caught up in the habit of doing things simply because we started them, even when our energy is running low. We tend to measure our worth by how much we can produce without stopping, forgetting that continuing to run on empty rarely leads to anything meaningful.
This weekend, we are looking at three stories about characters who had to step away from the noise to figure out what actually mattered to them.
Before we dive in, I want to share a quick update about this newsletter. Running this weekly project alongside my main career, video editing, and daily life has made me realize I need to evaluate where I spend my time. Because of that, I will be taking an extended break from the newsletter after the final issue of this month, which will be issue #19 on Friday, July 31.
We still have three issues left together this July, and I plan to make them count. If you ever find yourself looking for something meaningful to watch during the break, you can always use the cosmicinema.com web app to discover hidden gems at your own pace.
Here is this weekend's watchlist.
Issue #17 | The Weekend Watchlist
Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival
/ That feeling when you sit on a front porch and just watch the neighborhood go by /
Smoke (1995)
Director: Wayne Wang
The Story: A Brooklyn cigar shop manager takes a photograph of the same street corner every single morning at exactly eight o'clock. A grieving writer who spends time in the shop begins to look closely at the collection, noticing how the neighborhood changes in tiny ways over the years.
Why it’s worth your time: Rushing through life makes us blind to the textures of our immediate surroundings. Spending time with these characters helps you see that looking closely at one familiar place can reveal a whole world of human connection.
Trivia: Screenwriter Paul Auster first published this story as a short Christmas piece in The New York Times before adapting it for the screen.
/ The feeling of walking through a deep forest early in the morning /
Leave No Trace (2018)
Director: Debra Granik
The Story: A military veteran with severe trauma lives completely hidden in a public park in Oregon with his teenage daughter. When park rangers discover their campsite, the two are forced to move into standard housing, testing their bond as the daughter looks for a normal life.
The most reviewed film to ever keep a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes
Why it’s worth your time: Real love sometimes requires letting go of the need to control the other person's safety. The script honors both the father's deep pain and the daughter's need to grow, avoiding easy answers or villains.
Trivia: The production team based the script on Peter Rock's novel My Abandonment, which drew inspiration from a real father and daughter found living in Portland's Forest Park.
The first Iranian film to win the prestigious Palme d'Or at Cannes
/ When you are driving alone at sunset, lost in your own thoughts /
Taste of Cherry (1997)
Director: Abbas Kiarostami
The Story: A middle-aged man drives through the dusty hills outside Tehran looking for someone to perform a specific job for a large amount of money. He needs someone to check on his body in a pre-dug grave the next morning and cover him with dirt if he has passed away.
Why it’s worth your time: Finding a reason to keep going often comes down to the tiniest physical experiences, like the taste of fresh fruit or the color of a sunrise. By focusing on a long drive and simple conversations, the story shows how small moments connect us back to life.
Trivia: This film became the first Iranian production to win the top prize, the Palme d'Or, at the Cannes Film Festival.
A Thought for Sam Neill
Image taken by photographer Fiona Goodall for The Guardian
Losing Sam Neill leaves a distinct space in the hearts of film lovers. For decades, he stood as a steady, reassuring presence on our screens, bringing a grounded nature whether he was facing prehistoric creatures or navigating family dramas. He carried an ease that made you trust him the moment he stepped into a frame. Our thoughts are with his family, and we remain grateful for the many stories he left behind.
Thanks for reading all the way here. I’m ending this week’s newsletter with a quote from Taste of Cherry (1997)
Your mind is ill, but there's nothing wrong with you. Change your outlook.
Quick question: How was your week? I hope you’re doing well.
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