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Around the World
Written by The Monthly Staff / Designed by Cynthia Zhang AROUND THE WORLD AROUND THE WORLD
From manga to movies, The Monthly’s staff shares our international recommendations
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In today’s increasingly global society, audiences have access to arts and entertainment from creatives in many countries. For our future-themed March issue, e Monthly sta has rounded up a list of nine recommendations — movies, manga, albums and more from around the world — that we think you’ll enjoy. “Bacurau” can be enjoyed on two levels: as a junky, fun gorefest and as an engaging parable about colonialism and inequality. Centering on the citizens of a very small Brazilian town as intruders invade, “Bacurau” (Brazil) the movie transforms into a pulpy, gloriously bloody thriller when directors Kleber Mendonça Filho and Juliano Dornelles drop the curtain halfway through. Go in blind, and the experience will be a rollercoaster.
Inspired by a 13th century novel, Spanish singer-songwriter
Rosalía’s second studio album takes you on an emotional journey through a toxic relationship that transcends language. e rst and last songs on the album, “Malamente” and “A Ningún Hombre,” reveal that dichotomy. In omas “Another Round” (Denmark) Vinterberg’s Danish lm, Mads Mikkelsen gives a phenomenal performance as a history teacher struggling with depression. Desperate to feel alive again, he and three coworkers embark on a “social experiment,” consuming small amounts of alcohol throughout the day. e result is a joyful tribute to the pleasures of drinking that also doesn’t shy away from the tragedies of hi ing the bo le too hard. Majimbo is a charismatic comedian who’s received stamps of approval from Rihanna and Beyoncé. She’s best known for short, humorous Instagram videos where she dons ‘90s sunglasses, snacks on chips and laughs throughout her commentary Elsa Majimbo (Kenya) on everyday dilemmas (“I didn’t ask for work, work came to me. You can’t come to my territory with your demands, this is my house!”).
With titles that remind you of the Crayola crayons you used as a kid, Colombian artist J Balvin’s fourth studio album is a must for a (post-COVID) party playlist. e album’s artwork was designed by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, and the music videos are just as colorful as Balvin’s sound.“Colores” (Colombia) is psychological thriller follows a group of children who accidentally witness a murder. Constant twists and turns unfold over 12 riveting episodes, “The Bad Kids” (China)brought to life by a talented young cast. Watch with a friend — you’ll want someone to share in your sympathy and outrage and shock, and to process the ending with.
“El Último Tour del Mundo” (Puerto Rico)
Bad Bunny’s late experiment with Spanish punk, rock and hip-hop pushes both the singer and li eners out of their comfort zone. Where else could you li en to a workout jam like “BOOKER T” and then a Puerto Rican Chri mas song right a er?
“Kaguya-sama: Love Is War” (Japan)
Aka Akasaka’s manga is a rom-com that mixes razor-sharp humor with surprisSabrina Cruz’s YouTube channel is perfect for those who love going down Wikipedia rabbit holes. Cruz and her friends have a knack for educational yet entertaining content, whether that’s exploring the ethics and safety of facial recognition tech by teaching Sabrina & Friends (Canada)ing emotional sincerity to form a perfect concoction. Following two teen geniuses and their convoluted mind game war to force the other to confess their crush, the series turns common rom-com tropes into a series of high-pressure farces that are as suspenseful as they are hysterical. an AI to recognize K-pop stars or asking why dating apps suck while creating a dating simulation for soup. Subscribe, and you’re sure to both learn and laugh.
