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Four young men standing against a graffiti-covered wall, wearing casual urban clothing and baseball caps.

Exploring black masculinity in Boyz n the Hood and Moonlight

by Kambole Campbell

John Singleton and Barry Jenkins’ films understand what it means to grow up young, black and American.

Two individuals embracing each other in a dimly lit room.

Before you see Moonlight, seek out Medicine for Melancholy

by Nick Chen

This San Fransisco-set drama from 2008 is the perfect primer for Barry Jenkins’ critically-acclaimed latest.

A close-up image of a man's face with an exaggerated, surprised expression on a television screen.

Six great films that show the dark side of the TV industry

by Tom Bond

From Network to Nightcrawler, cinema has a long history of exposing television’s rotten core.

Close-up of a man's face in black and white, with intense, brooding expression.

Love La La Land? Seek out Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench

by Danilo Castro

Damien Chazelle’s low-budget debut has plenty in common with his awards-sweeping musical.

Colourful figures in traditional dress, including a person in a red coat and hat, and a dancer in an orange dress, with soldiers in blue uniforms in the background against a scenic backdrop.

Eight films to watch before you see La La Land

by Ella Donald

Get in the mood for Damien Chazelle’s swooning musical with these toe-tapping classics.

Close-up of a person's face playing the piano, with hands visible on the keyboard.

How Blue Velvet reflects the voyeuristic gaze of Rear Window

by Tom Watchorn

Paranoia, mystery and moral ambiguity abound in David Lynch and Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpieces.

A woman's face with eyes closed, covered in electronic wires.

Why Demon Seed is the perfect companion piece to Black Mirror

by Lauren Thompson

Before Charlie Brooker’s dark social satire, there was Donald Cammell’s technophobic sci-fi.

Diverse group of students in a crowded school hallway, one girl with long dark hair looking directly at the camera.

How Train to Busan channels the social panic of Snowpiercer

by Katherine McLaughlin

The end of the world has a familiar theme in these train-based South Korean allegories.

A person in a red shirt lying on a patterned rug, looking pensive and smoking a cigarette.

Beyond Pedro – seven great Spanish films you need to see

by Stephen Puddicombe

Before you see Almodóvar’s latest seek out these lesser seen Spanish gems.

Man in white suit, red tie and sunglasses holding a bottle of alcohol.

10 great debuts by actors turned directors

by Brogan Morris

With The Childhood of a Leader arriving in cinemas, here are some other memorable shifts from stars behind the lens.