BM Nominated

Blindspotting follows Collin, a Black man navigating the final three days of his probation in the rapidly gentrifying Oakland, California. He’s desperate to stay out of trouble and build a better life, but witnessing a police officer shoot an unarmed Black man shatters his fragile sense of security. This traumatic event forces him to confront his own past, including his volatile relationship with his childhood best friend, Miles – a white man who struggles to understand Collin’s anxieties about race and police brutality.

As the three days unfold, Collin grapples with internal demons and external pressures. He’s haunted by the shooting, struggles to control his anger, and fears violating his probation. Meanwhile, Miles, oblivious to the gravity of Collin’s trauma, continues his reckless behavior, further straining their already fragile bond. Their friendship is tested as they attend a lavish party thrown by a wealthy tech entrepreneur, where they encounter the stark contrast between their own struggling lives and the privileged world they’re now excluded from.

Collin must ultimately decide whether to conform to the system that seeks to keep him down or to rebel against the injustices he witnesses. The film explores themes of race, class, gentrification, and the complexities of male friendship, culminating in a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the Black experience in America.

In Japanese-occupied Korea, a conman operating under the alias “Count Fujiwara” devises a scheme to seduce and marry a Japanese heiress named Lady Hideko, with the intention of committing her to an asylum to steal her inheritance. To facilitate this plan, he hires Sook-hee, a young pickpocket, to become Hideko’s maid and encourage her to marry him.

As Sook-hee integrates into Hideko’s household, she discovers that Hideko lives under the oppressive control of her uncle, Kouzuki, a Korean man who collaborates with the Japanese occupiers and has a disturbing obsession with rare books. Sook-hee’s primary duty is to assist Hideko in preparing for readings that Kouzuki hosts for his guests.

During this period, Sook-hee and Hideko develop a complex relationship that evolves into a romantic and sexual bond. This unexpected connection leads to a series of double-crosses and shifting alliances, as both women seek to liberate themselves from the manipulative men controlling their lives.

The narrative unfolds in three parts, each offering different perspectives and revealing hidden motives, culminating in a gripping and intricate tale of deception, love, and empowerment.

The Handmaiden received widespread critical acclaim for its direction, performances, and visual style, and it won the Best Film Not in the English Language at the 71st British Academy Film Awards.