New to Netflix: June 9 – June 15

Here’s what’s new to Netflix Instant for the week of June 9.

Top Picks

Omar (2014)

Directed by Hany Abu-Assad

Politically savvy viewers will immediately be familiar with the Israeli-Palestinian struggle that serves as a backdrop for this film, but director Hany Abu-Assad avoids giving too much context, instead focusing on the personal drama that can unfold amidst a much larger conflict. Omar (Adam Bakri) is a revolutionary, and is in love with the sister of his long-time friend and leader of his faction. When he is captured by Israeli agents, they use this relationship to try and turn him into an informant. Bakri’s stoic performance and the slow-building, almost film noir atmosphere recall the work of Jean-Pierre Melville at his best. The tension that builds as Omar is caught between his friends, his love, and his freedom is engrossing, and the script does just the right amount of twisting and turning to keep things interesting without being convoluted.

Rapid Fire

The Missing Picture (2013)

Directed by Rithy Panh

Another Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, this documentary recreates memories of life under Khmer Rouge using painted figurines.

World War Z (2013)

Directed by Marc Forster

Zombie apocalypse. Helicopters. Brad Pitt. How many more words until this short description becomes merely a formality?

4:44: Last Day on Earth (2011)

Directed by Abel Ferrara

Willem Dafoe stars in this low-key drama about how people spend their last hours when they know the world is set to end at 4:44 the next morning.

Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same (2012)

Directed by Madeleine Olnek

Though it sounds more like an intergalactic personal ad, this movie is actually just another entry in that most popular of genres: the indie sci-fi rom-com.

Jug Face (2013)

Directed by Chad Crawford Kinkle

This movie is a unique blend of horror and gothic drama, set in a community in the woods and featuring a sacrificial pit with special healing powers.

 
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