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THEME EXPLORATION

modernization vs. preservation

12 films · 3 directors
FILMS THAT EXPLORE THIS
Le mura di Sana’a
Le mura di Sana’a
1971 · Pier Paolo Pasolini
Earth
Earth
1930 · Alexander Dovzhenko
Flowers & Banana Wind
Flowers & Banana Wind
2020 · Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Ip Man
Ip Man
2008 · Wilson Yip
Fort York
Fort York
1972 · David Cronenberg
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
2009 · Shawn Levy
Once Upon a Time, Cinema
Once Upon a Time, Cinema
1992 · Mohsen Makhmalbaf
The Last Samurai
The Last Samurai
2003 · Edward Zwick
24 City
24 City
2008 · Jia Zhangke
Broads
Broads
1989 · Christian Petzold
Chinese Animation: A Century
Chinese Animation: A Century
2026 · Lijun Sun
Dracula
Dracula
2026 · Radu Jude
DIRECTORS WHO EXPLORE THIS
Andrei Tarkovsky → Soviet Union/Russia

His films elegantly meditate on the spiritual and temporal costs of modernization, contrasting technological progress with human memory and authenticity.

Hirokazu Koreeda → Japan

He explores tension between rapid urbanization and traditional family values, often depicting ordinary people caught between preserving their heritage and adapting to contemporary life.

Agnès Varda → France

Her documentaries and narrative films capture the disappearing landscapes and communities of modern France, mourning loss while celebrating resilience and human connection.

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