THEME EXPLORATION

high-stakes competition

27 films · 3 directors

Tracing the thread…

FILMS THAT EXPLORE THIS
Haikyu!! The Movie: Battle of Concepts
Haikyu!! The Movie: Battle of Concepts
2017 · Susumu Mitsunaka
Youth: The 50th National High School Baseball Tournament
Youth: The 50th National High School Baseball Tournament
1968 · Kon Ichikawa
Rebound
Rebound
2023 · Chang Hang-jun
A Brighter Summer Day
A Brighter Summer Day
1991 · Edward Yang
The Company’s in Love
The Company’s in Love
1932 · Max Ophuls
Raise the Red Lantern
Raise the Red Lantern
1991 · Zhang Yimou
Grease
Grease
1978 · Randal Kleiser
The Age of Innocence
The Age of Innocence
1993 · Martin Scorsese
Five Fingers of Death
Five Fingers of Death
1972 · Cheng Chang Ho
Reprise
Reprise
2006 · Joachim Trier
Salesman
Salesman
1969 · Maysles Brothers
Woman in the Moon
Woman in the Moon
1929 · Fritz Lang
2DIE4
2DIE4
2026 · André Abdala
Indian Institute of Zombies
Indian Institute of Zombies
2026 · Gaganjeet Singh
Doubles Match
Doubles Match
2026 · Hung Po-hao
The Long Walk
The Long Walk
2025 · Francis Lawrence
The Plague
The Plague
2026 · Charlie Polinger
Au Bonheur des Dames
Au Bonheur des Dames
1930 · Julien Duvivier
Children Galore
Children Galore
1955 · Terence Fisher
E la Nave va
E la Nave va
1983 · Federico Fellini
Film For Guitar
Film For Guitar
1966 · Bruce Beresford
Giraffe Football or “The Alternative”
Giraffe Football or “The Alternative”
1973 · Jean Rouch
The House of Mirth
The House of Mirth
2000 · Terence Davies
The Long Night
The Long Night
2001 · Paolo Sorrentino
The Saddest Music in the World
The Saddest Music in the World
2003 · Guy Maddin
The War Game
The War Game
1963 · Mai Zetterling
The Last Trick
The Last Trick
1964 · Jan Švankmajer
DIRECTORS WHO EXPLORE THIS
David Fincher USA

His films like The Social Network and The Game obsessively explore psychological warfare and competitive ambition through meticulous visual storytelling.

 Darren Aronofsky USA

Black Swan and The Wrestler dissect the psychological toll of pursuing excellence and defeating rivals through visceral, immersive cinema.

 Sidney Lumet USA

Films like Network and Dog Day Afternoon examine individuals pitted against systems and each other under intense pressure with unflinching realism.