“Four Films and a TV is a very special column that has been giving out very special recommendations. Every month, the editor has made a list of underappreciated but unparalleled films (four) and (TV) series (one). The intentions of this no-nonsense column have ranged from the dissemination of lesser-known films and the promotion of non-Anglophone media to the betterment of film and TV-related choices. For the last-ever edition, the editor is flipping things around, recommending four TV series and one film perfect for the long, lazy hours of summer. Four TV Series My Liberation Notes (2022) Written by Park Hae-young, this Korean drama is a masterclass in restraint and realism. The story: The Yeom siblings live in the countryside and are forced to travel to the city of Seoul for work every day. They are restless, dissatisfied and searching for something without a name. From office politics to societal pressures to even a little bit of crime, this show tackles all that it means to be human in this day and age. This is a Netflix series wherein summer is all about loneliness, friendships, worship, liberation and a whole lot of green Soju bottles. Demons (2014) This Russian miniseries is an adaptation of the Dostoyevsky novel of the same name. The show is rich in imagery and performances, and although it doesn’t quite cover the same ground as its source, it is still a worthy window into the world of Dostoyevsky. The story: two sons from two legendary families return home, inciting political reactions and mayhem in the local residents. In this four-episode series (available on YouTube), summer is as philosophical as it is tragic. Trishna (1985) Would it be summer without Jane Austen? Instead of debating which English adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is better, I offer you Trishna, a Hindi-language 13-episode series made by Doordarshan (available on YouTube) that trumps them all. The story: Rekha meets the rich and arrogant Rahul, and the two become instantly prejudiced against each other due to their own pride. This show is intelligent, smart and perhaps the most faithful adaptation of Austen’s novel. Love is in the air, with a summer of drama and redemption. Spring Burning (2025) This Chinese drama is a no-frills, no-complications watch. With a predictable storyline and simple characters, it offers a comforting and relaxed viewing experience, ideally followed by an afternoon nap. The story: In the 80s, when university student Lu Ran is forced into marriage, she runs away only to end up crashing into her fiancé, the kind and gentle Qi Sheng Feng. The 24-episode drama (available on YouTube) is shot entirely in the Chinese countryside, where summer is not sweltering but sweet. And a Film Shoplifters (2018) Another masterpiece from Hirokazu Kore-eda, this Palme d’Or winner is a beautifully messy film about messier people. The story: a scrapbooked family that survives by shoplifting welcomes a new member into their midst, Yuri, a little girl who was being abused by her parents. If you need to have a good cry or smile a lot, this is the one for you. The summer of Shoplifters is soft, sticky, sad and even a smidge sexy.
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