15 philosophical films that will help you rethink your life

15. Zero's theorem

The zero theorem

• USA, 2013.
• Science fiction, drama.
• Duration: 106 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.1.

Computer genius Cohen Leth is trying to prove the unsolvable "Zero Theorem", working on which his predecessors went crazy. He moves away from the bustle of the world and locks himself in his dilapidated house, so as not to miss the call from God, who must tell the hero about the meaning of everything.

Terry Gilliam's parable is originally built on contradictions. On the one hand, the main character tries to contact the Creator. On the other hand, he himself proves that the world appeared by chance, without any reason. Moreover, the open ending of the picture not only allows the viewer to independently choose a side, but also makes one wonder whether it is worth spending his life looking for answers to unsolvable questions.

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14. Tree of life

The tree of life

• USA, 2010.
• Drama, fantasy, parable.
• Duration: 139 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.8.

In a midlife crisis, Jack seeks answers to pressing questions in his childhood memories. He grew up with a very tough dad who insisted that personal interests come first. At the same time, my mother taught Jack that you need to be kind.

Terrence Malick's film draws unusual parallels between the growing up of one person and the development of life on Earth since ancient times. A significant part of the picture is devoted to philosophical reasoning about the movement of all things towards inevitable destruction.

13. Bicentennial man

Bicentennial man

• USA, Germany, 1999.
• Science fiction, drama, comedy.
• Duration: 126 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.9.

In the future, people are increasingly adopting humanoid robots instead of pets. One of these machines, Andrew, gets into the average family and forges relationships with its members. For 200 years, the hero has been trying to understand his loved ones and gradually he himself becomes indistinguishable from them.

Based on the story of the same name by Isaac Asimov, the painting is primarily devoted to complex philosophical questions: what makes a person a person and from what moment does artificial intelligence approach the usual thinking? But besides this, the film contains discourses about death and even a story about the struggle for one's rights.

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12. The fountain

The fountain

• USA, Canada, 2006.
• Science fiction, drama, parable.
• Duration: 97 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.2.

Oncologist Tom is trying unsuccessfully to find a cure for cancer for his wife. He becomes disillusioned with traditional medicine and searches for the mythical Tree of Life. But the spouse, already resigned to the imminent death, asks her husband to finish her book "The Source".

In a complex picture Darren Aronofsky reality mixes with dreams and the plot of the book. But together all this is a discourse about death, eternal life and reincarnation.

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11. Melancholy

Melancholia

• Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, 2011.
• Science fiction, drama.
• Duration: 130 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.2.

The beautiful Justine argues with her husband right during the wedding and soon becomes depressed. Sister Claire helps her to cope. But soon personal problems fade into the background, because the planet Melancholy is moving towards Earth. In the event of a collision, the whole world will perish.

Famous Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier long ago received the glory of a provocateur. But Melancholy is one of the author's most calm films. Here he talks about accepting the inevitable and expecting death.

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10. Dead Man's Letters

• USSR, 1986.
• Science fiction, drama.
• Duration: 88 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.6.

After a nuclear war, which began by an absurd accident, Nobel laureate Larsen lives in the museum's dungeon. Communicating with other survivors, he tries to understand the reasons that push humanity to cruelty.

Konstantin Lopushansky shot one of the most scary movies Soviet cinema. But, in addition to the creepy pictures of post-apocalypse, in the tape you will find arguments on interesting philosophical questions. For example, what is the reason for humanity's desire for self-destruction?

9. Awakening life

Waking life

• USA, 2001.
• Drama, fantasy.
• Duration: 99 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.8.

The unnamed protagonist travels through a surreal world. He observes the life of various unusual personalities, and sometimes even the simplest visitors to the cafe. But gradually the man realizes that he is living in a dream. Then he begins to participate more and more in discussions devoted to everything in the world: cinema, literature, philosophy.

Richard Linklater created a very unusual picture. First, the author filmed real actors, and then the animators turned the whole action into a cartoon. In the course of the plot, the question of the perception of life is repeatedly raised. Linklater shows that reality can be one moment, and dreams help to look into infinity.

8. Mr. Nobody

Mr. Nobody

• Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, 2009.
• Drama, fantasy.
• Duration: 138 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.8.

In the distant future, people have conquered death and stopped aging. Now they all watch a very unusual TV show: a single elderly man named Nemo tells a journalist stories from his past. However, many facts of his biography contradict each other.

A film starring the famous Jared Leto, talks about the variability of worlds. Literally every major decision of the protagonist creates a new universe. Which, of course, is reflected in an infinite number of options for how the life of each person develops.

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7. Night at Maud

Ma nuit chez Maud

• France, 1969.
• Drama, melodrama.
• Duration: 110 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.9.

The unnamed protagonist follows the precepts of Christianity and regularly goes to church. There he sometimes sees a sweet girl with whom he dreams of building a family. But one day the hero is left alone for the night with a very attractive Maud.

It is no coincidence that the character of this film is fond of Blaise Pascal's books. In the situation described in "Night at Maud's", the hero is faced with a moral choice: to allow himself to retreat from principles and get pleasure or give up the momentary joy, but, perhaps, deserve more good after. This completely coincides with the famous "Pascal's Wager".

6. Sky over Berlin

Der Himmel über Berlin

• Germany, France, 1987.
• Fantasy, drama, melodrama.
• Duration: 130 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.0.

Invisible angels watching the inhabitants of Berlin. They know the innermost thoughts of people and secretly envy them, because they themselves are doomed to immortality and lack of feelings. But one day an angel falls in love with a circus acrobat and is ready to fall to the ground for her.

The film by Wim Wenders is built in a very unusual way. The whole action, shown through the perception of the protagonist, is filmed in black and white. But at a certain moment, the frame becomes colored. This partly reflects the main philosophical idea of ​​the picture: the character is faced with a choice between eternal life and short-lived, but vivid emotions.

5. Sweet life

La dolce vita

• France, Italy, 1960.
• Drama, comedy.
• Duration: 179 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.0.

Journalist and writer Marcello observes the life of Italian bohemians. Women fall in love with him, the hero is adored in elite circles. But he himself is always looking for something: either in fleeting novels, or in attempts to help others. However, nothing brings Marcello peace.

One of the most famous and critically acclaimed paintings of the great Federico Fellini consists of several separate episodes, gradually developing into a coherent story. The plot, dedicated to a successful but lost person, makes you think about fatigue and the search for your place in life.

4. Stalker

• USSR, 1979.
• Science fiction, drama.
• Duration: 163 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.1.

After mysterious events on earth, a mysterious Zone was formed, in which strange and frightening, but sometimes amazing things are happening. The authorities forbid access to the territory, but Stalker secretly leads his two companions - the Professor and the Writer - to the room. In it, as they say, the most cherished desires are fulfilled.

The great Andrei Tarkovsky, based on the novel brothers Strugatsky Roadside Picnic turned the work from crime fiction into a philosophical parable. In a strange way, the true essence of each person is manifested in the Zone. And not all people are ready to see themselves as real.

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3. Rashomon

Rashomon

• Japan, 1950.
• Drama, detective.
• Duration: 88 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.2.

During a thunderstorm, three people meet in the ruins: a woodcutter and a monk, who recently testified at the trial of the murder of a samurai, and a bystander. The heroes tell the circumstances of one crime. But their versions do not match.

Movie Akira Kurosawa at one time made a revolution in cinema. For the first time, the director showed the same event on the screen from several points of view. Thus, the author hints that for everyone the truth may look different.

2. Seventh seal

Det sjunde inseglet

• Sweden, 1957.
• Drama, thriller.
• Duration: 96 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.2.

Knight Antonius Blok returns to his home country from the Crusade. Together with his servant, he drives through the cities covered by the plague. Seeing devastation everywhere, Blok thinks more and more about the true meaning of life and begins a chess game with Death itself.

Ingmar Bergman's parable is dedicated to the inner reincarnation of the hero, who for the first time in his life begins to think about real values ​​and self-sacrifice.

1. This wonderful life

It's a Wonderful Life

• USA, 1946.
• Drama, family.
• Duration: 130 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.6.

George Bailey tries to be a caring husband and father and a great worker, but failures in his life fall one after another. One day he breaks down and decides to commit suicide. Suddenly George meets his guardian angel.

kind christmas movie reveals a simple but important idea. Each person is important to their loved ones and strongly influences the lives of those around them. Even if he himself does not notice it.

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Tell us, what films made you think about your life and, perhaps, change it?