Though it’s been a while since I was in school, I still feel the passing of time through the yearly “college entrance exams.” This year is no different, and the cooler weather signals that exam season is almost here, set for next week.
So this week, I’ve prepared a list of films for exam-takers, as well as anyone else standing at the starting line or catching their breath to run again. These are especially meaningful to watch around graduation season, as many of them reflect the experiences of students on the cusp of graduating. Even if you’re not a student, I hope, like me, you can take a nostalgic trip down memory lane through these films.
Wishing all of you at the starting line the best of luck!
Booksmart, directed by Olivia Wilde
Synopsis
At 19, on the brink of adulthood, Amy and Molly, top students with Ivy League dreams, have poured everything into school and their résumés. But on the night of their last high school graduation party, they decide to break free from their usual routine and plan an epic night to be remembered.
Linda Linda Linda, directed by Nobuhiro Yamashita
Synopsis
At Shibasaki High, students are preparing for the school’s culture festival. A band, facing the end of their high school days and dealing with member exits, hears the song “Linda Linda” by the legendary band Blue Hearts and decides it’s the song for them. In search of a vocalist, they recruit a Korean exchange student, Song, despite her limited Japanese skills. The band practices, building friendships that cross nationalities.
The Half of It, directed by Alice Wu
Synopsis
Ellie starts ghostwriting love letters for Paul, but as they spend time together, a friendship forms. However, Ellie finds herself developing feelings for the person on the receiving end of Paul’s letters.
Rebound, directed by Jang Hang-jun
Synopsis
Yang Hyun, a former basketball player, becomes the new coach for a high school team on the verge of disbanding. Despite challenges, he gathers a unique team of players, each with their own struggles. Together, they set out to create a miracle in the high school basketball tournament.
Girls Don’t Graduate, directed by Shun Nakagawa
Synopsis
At a high school about to close down, four girls face inevitable goodbyes. Each has a heartfelt, secret wish — to bid farewell to love, friends, teachers, and the school they’ve come to cherish.
Victory, directed by Park Beom-soo
Synopsis
Set in 1999, Filseon and Mina, who live to dance, team up with cheerleader Sehyun to form a cheerleading squad. Their team, the “Millennium Girls,” begins performing for anyone who needs support, from soccer teams to local workers on strike.
Sing Street, directed by John Carney
Synopsis
Conor falls for a girl named Raphina and impulsively claims he’s in a band. Scrambling to back up his story, he forms a band called “Sing Street” and starts creating music inspired by 80s bands like Duran Duran. As he tries to win over Raphina, Conor finds himself on a journey of musical discovery.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, directed by Stephen Chbosky
Synopsis
Charlie, a high school freshman, struggles with trauma and isolation. But meeting siblings Sam and Patrick opens his world, teaching him to enjoy life’s moments. As he falls for Sam and navigates past scars, his friendships with Sam and Patrick become deeply significant.