Directed by Academy Award-winner Bong Joon Ho, Mickey 17 offers a unique blend of science fiction and existential exploration. The story follows a “disposable” human sent on a mission to colonize the icy world of Niflheim. When one version of him dies, a new clone is regenerated memories mostly intact plunging the character into a mind-bending journey of identity, purpose, and survival. It’s smart, layered, and as visually compelling as it is philosophically rich.

French director Christophe Honoré delivers a heartfelt and imaginative narrative in Marcello Mio, starring Chiara Mastroianni. The film follows Chiara as she begins to embody her legendary father, Marcello Mastroianni, in a whimsical yet emotionally complex journey. Blending fact and fiction, the film becomes a tribute to family, cinema, and the blurry lines between the two. It’s poetic, stylish, and deeply human a perfect arthouse gem.

In I Am Still Here, director Walter Salles transports viewers to Brazil in 1971, a time of fear and repression under military rule. When a family’s life is shattered by random violence, a mother must rebuild her identity while navigating the trauma of political oppression. It’s a gripping portrait of resilience and maternal strength, told with the intensity and compassion that mark Salles’ signature style.

Part of Cinema Akil’s Reel Palestine showcase, To A Land Unknown tells a raw and timely story of two young Palestinian men trapped in Athens. Premiered at Cannes, the film dives into themes of displacement, survival, and brotherhood as the pair risk everything to escape their bleak reality. With tension, emotion, and gritty realism, the film reflects the broader struggles of those caught between borders and broken systems.