Top Picks from Belarus: Must-Watch, Must-Read, and Must-Listen

Looking for an engaging yet not overly complex film? Check out “In Bruges” or “Snatch.” If you’re in the mood for some serious reflection and self-improvement, dive into the book “Be Kind to Yourself.” And for a pleasant jog in the park, let the album by Yamakasi Miyagi & Andy Panda be your soundtrack. Here are some recommendations from Belarusians on what to watch, read, and listen to.

Movie Picks from a Yandex Manager

Daria Shendrikova, Yandex Manager

“In Bruges”: A Beautiful, Sad, and Funny Story About a Hitman

Director: Martin McDonagh (2007)

I love this movie with all my heart for its beautiful and poignant scenes, but even more for its plot. It tells the story of a would-be hitman. The film isn’t about gangster showdowns but about honor and the sadness that each person carries within.

I recommend watching it when you’re in a melancholic mood and need a good cry. From the first scenes, you’ll empathize with the main character, and his universal sadness will draw you in. The movie is about giving everyone a second chance. You never know what a person you meet on the street has been through. Maybe they think about death every day but can’t bring themselves to do it.

About the Film

The story unfolds on the fairy-tale streets of Bruges, a city that has barely changed its appearance over the centuries. The same can’t be said for the characters.

The main character finds himself in the city at his boss’s behest and is tormented by a guilty conscience for something he did. We know he and his friend are killers, but we sympathize with them. With bated breath, the viewer hopes that the hitman will find a way out of any hopeless situation and turn his life around.

Throughout the film, the characters ponder existence in a way that is both funny and sad. And in the end, each character gets what they truly desired.

Interesting Fact

To create the feeling of the holiday season in the film, street Christmas decorations were needed. The municipality made an official announcement to the residents of Bruges that the decorations would not be removed until the end of March due to the film shoot.

“Snatch”: Brutality, Sarcasm, and Brad Pitt

Director: Guy Ritchie (2000)

A film I can quote in its entirety. Brutality, sarcasm, Brad Pitt. English black humor spiced with cool tracks and witty dialogues that stick in your memory from the first listen.

A gangster story that teaches the viewer that everyone gets what they deserve. Greed and the thirst for power drive many to vile deeds that lead to nothing good. In the end, the one who cares for their loved ones, not their wallet, wins. We learn that even gangsters have principles and loved ones. And as long as you support your loved ones, you live.

Interesting Fact

Brad Pitt himself asked to be in Guy Ritchie’s film. But he only got the role of a gypsy because he couldn’t mimic the required British accent.

Quote: “Cool is someone who can love, not someone who strives for wealth.”

TV Series “Girls”: A Coming-of-Age Story

The story of four friends and their journey into adulthood. In the first episodes, we see twenty-year-old girls who grow up with each season.

The series is about girls’ worries, existential crises, love, betrayal, and the fact that life is sometimes about victories. The main characters have completely different personalities and appearances of ordinary girls, not models from glossy magazines. Watching this series, you realize that a beautiful and successful life only exists on Instagram.

Interesting Fact

The well-known fem-activist Lena Dunham, who played the lead role, is the creator of this series.

Book Shelf of a Graphic Designer

Nadezhda Grechko, Graphic Designer

“The Girl You Left Behind”, Jojo Moyes: Two Stories, Two Times

One of my favorite books. I read it many years ago. It’s easy to read, and the author’s style is simple, without pathos. The book shows two storylines, two stories, two times—this is the highlight of the work.

Personally, I was more interested in the storyline of the First World War times—about love, choice, and hard trials. The intrigue lasts until the last pages of the book. Despite the many deaths, losses, and sufferings on the pages, the book is not boring; it has a very exciting plot.

Quote: “I have always thought that the ability to earn money doing what you love is one of the best gifts of fate.”

“Be Kind to Yourself. A Book About How to Value and Cherish Yourself”, Olga Primachenko: A Bestseller Whose Title Speaks for Itself

The title of the book tells you what it’s about. Some may think that it describes banal things, but they clearly have a place. Try opening any page and remembering something important.

What attracted me to this book was the lack of fluff. You don’t need to beat around the bush to extract meaning; everything is clear and to the point. The author’s rich experience and knowledge of life are reflected in the pages and become simple and understandable ideas that easily fit into the mind.

“Where the Crawdads Sing”, Delia Owens: Autobiographical, Atmospheric, Memorable

Both the book and the author are unique. The novel is largely a reflection of the biography and inner world of its creator. Like the main character, Delia Owens lost her mother in a way, lived far from people for a long time, and has a special connection with nature.

After learning about her biography, I was genuinely impressed by this person. The world of the swamp, described throughout the book, enchants and fascinates; the lovingly described details simply cannot leave you indifferent.

The author also managed to skillfully, vividly, and intriguingly intertwine a detective story, poetry, the laws of nature, a love line, and the vices of society in one work. The book is quite non-trivial and memorable with its characters and atmosphere. I recommend it!

Playlist of a Marketer

Alina Pashkevich, Marketer

Album “FLOWJOB” by Marat Sqwoz Bab

The cheeky and witty Marat wins the listener’s heart not only with his beats. Today, in Russian rap, it’s hard to hear something not just “cool,” as the youth say, but interesting, with its own story within the song.

Each track by SQWOZ BAB is a whole story with revealed characters and issues. Marat Gazmanov jokes about the current problems of society and relationships. But don’t think that he makes fun of these problems. Not at all!

But in comedy rap, this guy is definitely the best. Have you seen his social media? So funny that it’s even fashionable. In general, this “Tatar prince” has conquered me for a long time and irreversibly. Because every girl has definitely met an alpha male or a “Mr. Take my microloan” from his tracks. From the album FLOWJOB, I’ve listened to the track HIPPIHAP to death.

Interesting Fact

Guests of the release included LSP, Eldar Djarahov, and Goody.

Quote: “For any of the Disney princesses, living in the ordinary world is stress.”

Album by Yamakasi Miyagi & Andy Panda

As always, to the bone. Fundraising for medicine for Arnella, the background of the performers themselves. It’s impossible to separate human qualities from creativity. That’s why the album touches even more.

For more insights and recommendations, visit gorodw.by.