FilmsThe Big DurianLike this

Films like The Big Durian.

The Big Durian (2003) reads as Sombre, steady, gentle drama / documentary, grounded in texture. Nihilistic, intimate, measured. Every film below is ranked by distance across the same twelve hand-scored axes — with what it keeps, and where it walks away. Not a genre dump.

Mahjong (1996) (1996) poster
1. Mahjong1996

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Daddy Longlegs (2009) poster
2. Daddy Longlegs2009

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Alila (2003) poster
3. Alila2003

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart (2002) poster
4. I Am Trying to Break Your Heart2002

Keeps the patient, unhurried pace and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

A Christmas Tale (2008) poster
5. A Christmas Tale2008

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Great Expectations (1998) (1998) poster
6. Great Expectations1998

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Heartbeats (2010) (2010) poster
7. Heartbeats2010

Keeps the patient, unhurried pace and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Kings and Queen (2004) poster
8. Kings and Queen2004

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Woman Is the Future of Man (2004) poster
9. Woman Is the Future of Man2004

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality; trades toward a patient, unhurried pace.

The Edukators (2004) poster
10. The Edukators2004

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Brother's Keeper (1992) poster
11. Brother's Keeper1992

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003) poster
12. Los Angeles Plays Itself2003

Keeps the patient, unhurried pace and the heightened unreality; trades toward a cold, bleak undertow.

These are The Big Durian’s neighbours — where are yours?

Rate five posters and the same twelve axes read you — then tonight’s pick comes from your own centre of taste.

Find my film for tonight — 60 sec →