Christopher Nolan's debut, an alluring noir exercise, is now streaming on OTT

Mubi is known for its eclectic collection of films from across the world. The platform has served as the host to some of the most revered but equally inaccessible titles from World Cinema, including those from the lesser explored areas of the Indian independent space. 

The folks at Mubi have now kicked off 2024 with another exciting array of films which comprises the works of some of the masters of the game. One of them is Christopher Nolan's debut feature 'Following', a 70-minute-long black-and-white labyrinth of mystery that he wrote, shot, co-produced and, of course, directed. 

'Following' was released in 1998 and though was a limited release at the time, it caught the attention of cineastes around the world for its sheer inventiveness. For starters, the film was imbued with noir sensibilities that were exemplified by the black-and-white photography. More importantly, the non-linear structure of the narrative accentuated the effect and helped Chris Nolan announce himself as the filmmaker to watch out. 

His approach to bend and use "cinematic time" would go on to be one of his main trademarks, which we all got to witness in films like 'Memento', 'Tenet' and others.

'Following' is part of Mubi India's First Films First collection that attempts to shine a light on the first works of noted filmmakers like Nolan, Olivier Assayas ('Disorder'), Barry Jenkins ('Medicine for Melancholy'), Justine Triet ('Age of Panic'), Ruben Östlund ('The Guitar Mongoloid') and others.

Also streaming on Mubi currently is Spanish auteur Pedro Almodóvar's Oscar-nominated 'Pain and Glory'. The 2019 film stars Antonio Banderas in the lead role of an ageing filmmaker, Salvador Mallo, who is on the decline, both mentally and physically. Flanked by consistent pain and misery, Mallo looks back at his past and reminisces about many pivotal moments of his life, including love and heartbreak. In this unsolicited recounting of memories, the master filmmaker then mulls over what life and art mean after all.