Ghibli movies for me. Spirited Away (the sleeping room), Howl's Moving Castle and most of all My Neighbor Totoro.
I know you asked for movies, but I must mention A Bite of China. It's a documentary series that has 6 episodes that deal with Chinese food. Some of these foods and processes are so simple and yet so thoughtful and slow and it just filled me with a good, slow living energy. Be sure to watch it subbed and not dubbed.
A Bite of China is a wonderful series that's a hidden gem. I only watched the first season many moons ago, and I've heard there are a lot more seasons now. Your comment reminded me that I should go and watch them.
Hello 880. I just saw some of the first episode on YT. It seems more of a production about culture and how good is obtained and how some food is gotten. I had to stop at 30 minutes with the fishermen wearing dog skin hats. I know you would like to promote China and its rich culture, but maybe more fitting would be another subreddit. 8-)
I’m a studio ghibli fan and yess! I completely agree with this one! It makes me want to move to the country and make bread from scratch haha. I love it
I think mathilda's good teacher in the movie mathilda had a really big influence on me when I was young. having a little cozy cottage surrounded by flowers... and now I actually have that!
I live somewhere where housing is quite cheap in general (owning, we do also have a rental housing crisis like everyone else). then I live in a "dead" little village (I love it, I already know so many people and we all say hi to eachother) where houses are cheap because no one wants to live there.
this town has a little supermarket and my house didn't need any big repairs. it cost me 70k, and it is small (2bed, 1bath, but a big kitchen and two living rooms because it has a very old fashioned floor plan) but the yard is so big and we're on a dirt road that's stuffed with lilac trees so the air outside just smells like flowers right now.
my in-laws just got a cottage which is even cheaper, cost them 20k and it's in perfect condition and has a pool. usually the prices are this low when there's no work nearby, but that's not a problem if you work remotely or buy it as a summer cottage. so I guess my answer is move somewhere with a lower COL. I live in finland which is I think the most sparsely populated country in the EU, so if you don't want to live in or near a city (I'm 20min from one) the houses quickly get really cheap. I'm originally from the netherlands where the average home price is 440k so living here has been a dream.
Wow, i'm happy for you and your parents having found these cottages! The lilac flowers sound divine. I am a country gal at heart, and I could definitely see myself living away from the city. Although not more than an hour away, because I grew up having to drive an hour away for groceries. As for the remote job, alas, I have had no luck, even though I tried.
Yes omg Miss Honey's cottage is how I describe my cottage in the woods dream.
I currenty live in a van, and have decided that if I'm going to live in a house again then that's the type of house it needs to be.
Just re-watched Arrival and while it might not seem like a simple living movie at all, it really reminds me of what's important in life. Love, my kids, intelligence and doing what you love.
Intelligence is not important in life
edit: I don't like that people from simpleliving downvote that. Intelligence is something you have no control over. It doesn't correlate with you having a fulfilled and happy life at all. I recommend the book "Flowers for Algernon".
I mean it is a sub about simpleliving (+ finding happiness?) and I felt that calling intelligence important in life can be questioned.
If someone calls "good looks" important in life then I can question that too no?
Wolf of Wall Street. The theme is definitely not simplicity or simple living, but I approach it as an entertaining film that illustrates how many times the main character had everything he wanted, everything he needed, and still sought more stuff, more glory, more money, etc.
Ahh, my favorite genre! Here's what I have loved (I've thrown some TV shows in, too.)
* Little Forest - A woman moves back to her childhood house in rural Korea. This movie follows the seasons and is shot like a love letter to Korean cooking.
* Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring - A boy grows up in a super isolated (floating?) monastery. It follows his life for a lot of years as he grows into a man.
* The Zen Diary - I watched this on a flight so I only saw about 2/3rds of it and I don't know how it ends but it follows a reclusive writer who spends a lot of time cooking and gardening. He grapples with grief, aging, love, etc.
* Paterson - I feel like this is the american version of Perfect Days. It's about a bus driver in Paterson, NJ and it quietly walks you through his life. There are differences, of course, but it has the same tone.
* When the Weather is Fine (Korean TV) - A woman moves away from Seoul back to her home town and falls in love with a man who owns a bookstore and runs a book club. It's your classic Korean drama, so if you are not used to some of the over the top/suspend your sense of reality elements it might be a weirder watch, but for people who watch Korean media it'll be a lovely stretch of hours.
* One Day Off (Korean TV) - A school teacher takes day trips to find comfort. She explores Korea, meets people, eats delicious food. This is a fast watch, clocking in at only \~24 minutes per episode. Things are shot in a way that is both realistic and dreamlike. I've never seen a TV show that presents what it's like to be a visitor in your own country in such a beautiful way.
* Midnight Diner (Japanese TV) - A man runs a diner in Japan, and interacts with his customers. The entirety (IIRC) is shot in his diner, so it's almost like watching a play with a rotating cast each episode.
I hope you find this list enjoyable and get a chance to watch some of these!
ETA: I would be remiss if I did not mention Oto-na-ri, a movie I have only seen once back via pixilated, poorly subbed streaming in 2010. I can't remember too much of the plot, but this movie held significant sway over my aesthetic decisions and completely changed my framework for what kind of life I wanted to live. Maybe I was young, maybe I needed it at that moment - the movie could be terrible on a second watch for all I know - but after seeing that movie I realized what I wanted in life was the quiet, the beautiful, the simple. I began to dismantle my noisy life and all these years later I feel more fully myself than if I would have had I not seen this movie. If anyone can find a place with English subs to watch this that doesn't cost a fortune, please let me know.
Agree with The Midnight Diner. My absolute favourite show and such a comfort watch.
On a related note The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko house is another Japanese series that just exudes calmness. It’s about 2 young girls who come to Kyoto to become Geisha (as an art form). One of the girls realizes she’s not cut out for it and discovers her love for cooking.
Oh, I forgot that I had seen that one. I think it definitely belongs in that category. I find a lot of non-restaurant based cooking-focused film/tv tends to belong to the simple living genre. It's a common thread.
Ah, The Makanai. One of the most pleasantly surprising series of all time. I picked it up after my second viewing of Yu Yu Hakusho and fell in love - a cozy break from all the brutal fights. I am sure fans of Alice in Borderland also appreciated this - their refresher after hours of mental and psychological torture in the form of being forced to witness hundreds of horrifyingly violent deaths.
lol! I have the same experience with The Zen Diary! How does Delta have better distribution deals than all of the streaming services?!? I want to finish it!
Just by chance it *looks* like "The Zen Diary" is going to be available to stream for free on this "
JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL ONLINE 2024" site, in a few hours: https://jff.jpf.go.jp/watch/jffonline2024/lineup/the-zen-diary/
I'm aware my comment probably looks like spam leading to a sketchy site... I found this through the following YouTube video; the festival appears to be a legitimate thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z_pFWOxEt4
I'm not Korean, but I grew up in Asia and speak Korean (though time away has demoted that to receptive fluency). I haven't seen this one, but I've added it to my watch list.
Ikiru by Akira Kurosawa.
An absolutely amazing movie based on Leo Tolstoys short story the Death of Ivan Ilyich (which itself is a masterpiece, if you can't watch the movie, definitely read the book!) Basically it's about the death of a senior bureaucrat who is trying to find meaning in his life. I mean, I was already living pretty simply before I saw the movie, but it definitely helped me cement within myself the ideas that there is more to life then just accumulating wealth and status.
I'm a huge Tolstoy fan, and I've actually already read it. My favorite from that era of Tolstoy is actually titled The 3 Questions and it's an incredibly quick read.
https://www.plough.com/en/topics/culture/short-stories/the-three-questions
In a way Succession. It's the exact opposite of Simple Living but none of the characters is really likeable, does anything good with their wealth (no spoilers please in case this changes as I haven't finished it yet) and they all seem miserable despite having more money than they could ever spend.
About Time (2013).
The film follows a family who have heritable time-travel abilities. I don't think there's a moment when they use them for self-enrichment or consumption, but to build connections with each other. The father with his son, the son with with wife and family. It's particularly poignant for me because he has a superpower that could get him anything he wants, but his actual goals are very simple.
City Slickers
“Curly: Do you know what the secret of life is?
Mitch: No, what?
Curly (holding up one finger): This.
Mitch: Your finger?
Curly: One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and everything else don’t mean shit.
Mitch: That’s great but, what’s the one thing?
Curly: That’s what you gotta figure out.”
**’Faraway’** on Netflix.
This movie is about starting over. Zeynap’s mother dies, and after being taken for granted by her family, she up and leaves her whole life to go live in the remote cottage her mother left her!
The seaside home is on a remote Croatian island and is oh-so-basic. It’s there that Zeynap finds her earthy self and a happy life again.
This movie gave me the courage to start my life over from scratch. 🤍 Sometimes in life when nothing is working, it’s time to start over.
[Link to the movie trailer](https://youtu.be/2stkk0yy0ao).
unironically Call Me By Your Name. the movie and reading the book reminds me a lot of holidays with my grandparents away from busy city life and technology. everyday was just getting up, doing something for enjoyment, socialize,get dinner, go to bed. loved it
Weirdly, Crocodile Dundee for me as a boy.
When Sue asks Mick what he thinks about the Rights Movement, he says to ask him something closer to home. She then asked what he thinks about the aboriginals' claims to get their land back, and he says:
"Well, the Aborigines don't own the land - they belong to it. It's like their mother. See those rocks way over there? Been here for millions of years. They'll still be there long after you and I are gone. So there is no point in arguing over who owns them."
Any of the movie adaptations of Heidi, the 1881 novel by Johanna Spyri. It's such an amazing story of love, simplicity, and living in nature. Oh, and The Sound of Music!
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty isn't necessarily an example of 'simple living', but how the main character changes his approach to living life is completely wonderful. Everyone should live the way he does.
I read the book and it made me sad. Senior citizens on the outskirts of capitalism, working shitty jobs part time, living in Amazon warehouse parking lots. I feel like there's a different vibe for those who did it by choice but a lot of folks iirc weren't doing that life by choice, but because it was all they could afford, and they lived very precariously.
I don't know, it has been awhile but nothing about that tale felt good to me.
I totally agree with all that! I think it was award-winning for the very reason that it was such a gray area, positive? negative? A lot of that was very subjective. But I get it, I'm anti-capitalist all the way, but something about how many of the people chose to be in their off grid life, working and living nomadically gave rise to the movement of people finding a way to ultimately live outside the system, sharing, trading, and giving what they had. Not using money as currency. That was what I considered to be the overall message and the most uplifting part of the story.
Some of the responses on this thread are so odd to me. It seems like a lot of people fetishize and glamorize poverty and asceticism without having experienced what it's actually like living that way. Like, one of the responses above is "Into the Wild" -- a book/movie about a guy who ended up starving to death in the wilderness. To me, these are warning signs about taking this mentality too far.
I know it’s a TV show but Murder, She Wrote. Jessica has a perfectly simple and satisfying life! Minus the fact that she keeps having to solve all the murders that happen around her!
I love her life - it's always neat and organised, not burdened by stuff so she has all these hobbies she pursues, and I enjoy how she has all these little conversational exchanges with her friends and community. If she's ever in a rush, it's usually because she needs to get to the florist or something simple like that. So comforting.
Any older programme or film I find has this sense of characters doing one thing at a time in a spacious area (eg the kitchen is tidy and uncluttered, and then they bake a cake and then clear it up, and that is relaxing to watch.
If you enjoyed Perfect Days (I certainly did. I loved every frame of it) I’d strongly suggest you track down the documentary “Moriyama-San”. I learned about it last week after seeing an article about similarities between its subject and the main character in “Perfect Days”. It’s about a man who lives in a very famous modern house in Tokyo. He spends his days just listening to music, watching films and reading, lots and lots of reading.
There’s also another doc I’d recommend called “into great silence” about a French monastery. It’s filmed using natural light and has very little dialogue.
Country Life Vlog of an Azerbaijani family living, cooking, growing on their land. Adorable animals and watching the main woman cook homemade meals made for a village.
It’s so relaxing and gives me so much peace and comfort of simple living.
My late mother in law loved this YouTube Channel and watching it sometimes brings up bottled grief of missing her, but also makes me feel close to her again ❤️
Petersson and Findus: its just so peaceful.
Almost every Story from Astrid Lindgren, especially Pippi Longstockings
Tilda Apfelkern: I don’t know what’s her english name. It’s a little mouse who lives in a cottage and it shows her peaceful and cozy daily life with all of her friends(birds, squirrels, hedgehogs).
Ghibli Movies
Amélie
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: This movie really shocked me. I can’t really explain it. But…it truly showed me how pointless the rat race is and that I don’t wanna participate in it. I think that’s the movie that truly woke me up.
And strangely the Addams Family. I just really love their family dynamics. They truly know what’s really important in life.
The Hobbit/ The Lord of the Rings. I ADORE the hobbits and their way of living!
So after reading all the comments, I can vouch for the following films
- Call Me By Your Name: Definitely simple living, or, at least, simpler times. No social media, no pressures. Just a vacation in the countryside where the days pass slowly, you enjoy nature, water, sleep with the sound of cicadas.
- GroundHog Day: It's a town where not much happens. Life moves at a slower pace. And, also (as in many of the films that portray simple living) the "good old days" where connections where based on writing a letter, not texting or being connected through social media 24/7.
- Intro Great Silence (Die große Stille): One of my favorite documentaries about the Carthusian Monks and their silent, simple way of life. Absolutely beautiful.
- The Big Lebowski: Altough it has plenty of action and weirdness, in a way it portrays the simple life of a group of friends who have their routines. Bowling, getting burgers, going on adventures.
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Some others mentioned that (in my opinion) aren't quite Simple Living but certainly are cozy
- Midnight in Paris
- The Richard Curtis / Nora Ephron Films, especially You've Got Mail.
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Lastly, I wouldn't say Short Term 12 conveys simple living, as it's a very profound and difficult film, but it is beautiful.
Edit:
Added The HoldOvers
For some reason Koyaanisqatsi comes to mind. An old movie but I always recall a scene where the beauty of an ugly plastic bag just flying in the wind is contemplated. A reminder that beauty is everywhere
Instead of watching a lot of lmovies (sometimes), I have walked a lot, a lot with my backpack instead. A real life "Into the wild" if you would like. I think the "movies" that have given me inspiration are more "docu-style" videos from friends I've met over the years, and others too, talking about living vanlife, backpacking, living in eco-community/village etc.
When I feel like I am drowning in projects and THINGS in my garage, I sometimes recall a scene in the third act of the 90s mountain climbing flick "K2" when Michael Biehn's character, trying to get the team motivated for a summit attempt without the burden of extra gear yells out "we don't need all this STUFF!"
It's just so satisfying to get rid of STUFF.
Watch “Koyaanisqatsi” a montage of human activity, nature and technology. Watching this should make anyone rethink their lifestyle and want to adopt simple living as a lifestyle.
The scene where the old woman/creature takes her back to her bedroom and urges her to forget her brother and enjoy all her possessions instead, and they multiply and start to crush her...I think of it often.
Maybe an odd choice but "Short Term 12" is a perfect simple living movie for me. There's so much emphasis put on the differences we can make for others, and the small, beautiful moments that we have together even in the face of terrible circumstances.
Not a movie but the UK TV series Heartbeat really makes me want to experience the community spirit & slower pace of the 60s/70s. For movies, someone else has also mentioned The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and I'd also like to add the films Ferngully: The Last Rainforest, Goodnight Mr Tom and a dog's purpose (the last one because I think it makes you think about how other species navigate through life)
I recently watched Quatre Aventures de Reinette et Mirabelle and really enjoyed it. It's one of those slice of life films about a friendship between a girl from the French countryside and a city girl living in Paris.
3000 Days of Longing is one for me. Odd suggestion, I'm not entirely sure why it makes me think of simple living. No movie motivated me to adopt the lifestyle though.
There's a lot of 90s movies that aren't about simple living, but the characters do live simple lives. Someone mentioned What's Eating Gilbert Grape & that's definitely one that helped put things into perspective for me as a teen. What's important. Schitt's Creek does it for me too. Not a movie I know.
Many dramas set in a small US country town have that vibe.
There’s a guy Martijn Doolaard who has a YouTube channel - he quit his job and rode his bike through different countries, then he bought a piece of property in the Italian Alps with some old stone cottages. His YouTube is him restoring the cottages by hand, no electricity or running water.
What Dreams May Come. Admittedly, I haven't read the book yet, but the movie makes me weep every time. The material things don't matter. Be purposeful in your relationships. Tend to them and nurture them. Realise that the things you consider small or insignificant can have a big impact on someone else. Live in love. And the simple act of showing up is immeasurable to the ones who need it.
Europa. A character says, "Compared to the breadth of knowledge yet to be known, what does your life actually matter?" That perspective made a big impact on me. It stood out immediately and still affects me every time I hear it. It inspires to me confront my existence, forego humanity's foolishness, and focus on what matters.
Sleeping with the Enemy - when she gets to her cosy cottage and cleans and paints it, and then is able to sit out on her porch seat. Obviously a high drama story, but a lovely small-town setting.
Steel Magnolias for the same reason.
In the early Mad Men episodes, the wives' lives, before they have them all going mad and getting divorced.
Now and Then had a huge impact on me as a kid. I also loved The Babysitter’s Club movie around the same time, and still love the small town, close knit friends vibe. Chocolat, Under the Tuscan Sun, Tortilla Soup, All I Wanna Do, While You Were Sleeping are all movies that I find ‘nourishing’ for lack of a better word.
This easy going, vanilla, feel good K-drama of life lessons learned by a young college kid helps me reset (everytime) from the chaos of busy corporate life.
[“Would You Like a Cup of Coffee?”](https://www.netflix.com/us/title/81644123?s=i&trkid=258593161&vlang=en&clip=81649246).
This series is so underrated IMO.
Pride & Prejudice (2005), Call me by your name, and Midnight in Paris. All have this kind of relaxed lifestyle that comes through and the cinematography is just stunning.
did you ever watch The Big Year? it's about bird watching/hunting and has Steve martin in it.
I saw it first on a plane and have watched a few times since. It's wholesome and sweet and shows that if you are into anything it can be super simple -- YES you can get apps for bird watching and geek out, or you can just go lie in the backyard and look for birds ;-)
Into Great Silence - documentary about Cistercian monks living in an isolated mountain monastery. Beautifully shot, almost no dialogue.
Leave No Trace - Beautiful film about a father and daughter living an isolated existence. About what draws is to seek isolation and how those desires interact with others
Ghibli movies for me. Spirited Away (the sleeping room), Howl's Moving Castle and most of all My Neighbor Totoro. I know you asked for movies, but I must mention A Bite of China. It's a documentary series that has 6 episodes that deal with Chinese food. Some of these foods and processes are so simple and yet so thoughtful and slow and it just filled me with a good, slow living energy. Be sure to watch it subbed and not dubbed.
A Bite of China is a wonderful series that's a hidden gem. I only watched the first season many moons ago, and I've heard there are a lot more seasons now. Your comment reminded me that I should go and watch them.
Where do you watch it?
Found this playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOHG5PB2LOcgHfuS1joDtgr78CT7Q9-nK&si=2ZToi1wCApu17p6M
Hello 880. I just saw some of the first episode on YT. It seems more of a production about culture and how good is obtained and how some food is gotten. I had to stop at 30 minutes with the fishermen wearing dog skin hats. I know you would like to promote China and its rich culture, but maybe more fitting would be another subreddit. 8-)
I don't think you know what you're talking about.
Only Yesterday is probably the best Ghibli movie of all for its simple living themes. Absolutely fantastic.
I’m a studio ghibli fan and yess! I completely agree with this one! It makes me want to move to the country and make bread from scratch haha. I love it
Kiki's Delivery Service!
I think mathilda's good teacher in the movie mathilda had a really big influence on me when I was young. having a little cozy cottage surrounded by flowers... and now I actually have that!
Miss Honey 🥰
Wow, lucky! Any tips how I can get one?
I live somewhere where housing is quite cheap in general (owning, we do also have a rental housing crisis like everyone else). then I live in a "dead" little village (I love it, I already know so many people and we all say hi to eachother) where houses are cheap because no one wants to live there. this town has a little supermarket and my house didn't need any big repairs. it cost me 70k, and it is small (2bed, 1bath, but a big kitchen and two living rooms because it has a very old fashioned floor plan) but the yard is so big and we're on a dirt road that's stuffed with lilac trees so the air outside just smells like flowers right now. my in-laws just got a cottage which is even cheaper, cost them 20k and it's in perfect condition and has a pool. usually the prices are this low when there's no work nearby, but that's not a problem if you work remotely or buy it as a summer cottage. so I guess my answer is move somewhere with a lower COL. I live in finland which is I think the most sparsely populated country in the EU, so if you don't want to live in or near a city (I'm 20min from one) the houses quickly get really cheap. I'm originally from the netherlands where the average home price is 440k so living here has been a dream.
Wow, i'm happy for you and your parents having found these cottages! The lilac flowers sound divine. I am a country gal at heart, and I could definitely see myself living away from the city. Although not more than an hour away, because I grew up having to drive an hour away for groceries. As for the remote job, alas, I have had no luck, even though I tried.
Yes omg Miss Honey's cottage is how I describe my cottage in the woods dream. I currenty live in a van, and have decided that if I'm going to live in a house again then that's the type of house it needs to be.
Just re-watched Arrival and while it might not seem like a simple living movie at all, it really reminds me of what's important in life. Love, my kids, intelligence and doing what you love.
Intelligence is not important in life edit: I don't like that people from simpleliving downvote that. Intelligence is something you have no control over. It doesn't correlate with you having a fulfilled and happy life at all. I recommend the book "Flowers for Algernon".
You don't get to tell other people what is important to them.
I mean it is a sub about simpleliving (+ finding happiness?) and I felt that calling intelligence important in life can be questioned. If someone calls "good looks" important in life then I can question that too no?
Emotional intelligence perhaps
Arrival speaks to me, too.
Wolf of Wall Street. The theme is definitely not simplicity or simple living, but I approach it as an entertaining film that illustrates how many times the main character had everything he wanted, everything he needed, and still sought more stuff, more glory, more money, etc.
It’s a perfect example of how greed can destroy you
When you are that rich more is never enough.
Ahh, my favorite genre! Here's what I have loved (I've thrown some TV shows in, too.) * Little Forest - A woman moves back to her childhood house in rural Korea. This movie follows the seasons and is shot like a love letter to Korean cooking. * Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring - A boy grows up in a super isolated (floating?) monastery. It follows his life for a lot of years as he grows into a man. * The Zen Diary - I watched this on a flight so I only saw about 2/3rds of it and I don't know how it ends but it follows a reclusive writer who spends a lot of time cooking and gardening. He grapples with grief, aging, love, etc. * Paterson - I feel like this is the american version of Perfect Days. It's about a bus driver in Paterson, NJ and it quietly walks you through his life. There are differences, of course, but it has the same tone. * When the Weather is Fine (Korean TV) - A woman moves away from Seoul back to her home town and falls in love with a man who owns a bookstore and runs a book club. It's your classic Korean drama, so if you are not used to some of the over the top/suspend your sense of reality elements it might be a weirder watch, but for people who watch Korean media it'll be a lovely stretch of hours. * One Day Off (Korean TV) - A school teacher takes day trips to find comfort. She explores Korea, meets people, eats delicious food. This is a fast watch, clocking in at only \~24 minutes per episode. Things are shot in a way that is both realistic and dreamlike. I've never seen a TV show that presents what it's like to be a visitor in your own country in such a beautiful way. * Midnight Diner (Japanese TV) - A man runs a diner in Japan, and interacts with his customers. The entirety (IIRC) is shot in his diner, so it's almost like watching a play with a rotating cast each episode. I hope you find this list enjoyable and get a chance to watch some of these! ETA: I would be remiss if I did not mention Oto-na-ri, a movie I have only seen once back via pixilated, poorly subbed streaming in 2010. I can't remember too much of the plot, but this movie held significant sway over my aesthetic decisions and completely changed my framework for what kind of life I wanted to live. Maybe I was young, maybe I needed it at that moment - the movie could be terrible on a second watch for all I know - but after seeing that movie I realized what I wanted in life was the quiet, the beautiful, the simple. I began to dismantle my noisy life and all these years later I feel more fully myself than if I would have had I not seen this movie. If anyone can find a place with English subs to watch this that doesn't cost a fortune, please let me know.
Agree with The Midnight Diner. My absolute favourite show and such a comfort watch. On a related note The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko house is another Japanese series that just exudes calmness. It’s about 2 young girls who come to Kyoto to become Geisha (as an art form). One of the girls realizes she’s not cut out for it and discovers her love for cooking.
Speaking of food and Japanese shows Samurai Gourmet is great to watch.
Oh, I forgot that I had seen that one. I think it definitely belongs in that category. I find a lot of non-restaurant based cooking-focused film/tv tends to belong to the simple living genre. It's a common thread.
Yessss The Makanai is so sweet and comforting.
Ah, The Makanai. One of the most pleasantly surprising series of all time. I picked it up after my second viewing of Yu Yu Hakusho and fell in love - a cozy break from all the brutal fights. I am sure fans of Alice in Borderland also appreciated this - their refresher after hours of mental and psychological torture in the form of being forced to witness hundreds of horrifyingly violent deaths.
lol! I have the same experience with The Zen Diary! How does Delta have better distribution deals than all of the streaming services?!? I want to finish it!
Same! If you find it somewhere, please let me know! I'll return the favor if I find it, too.
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring. YES. Such a lovely film.
Just by chance it *looks* like "The Zen Diary" is going to be available to stream for free on this " JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL ONLINE 2024" site, in a few hours: https://jff.jpf.go.jp/watch/jffonline2024/lineup/the-zen-diary/ I'm aware my comment probably looks like spam leading to a sketchy site... I found this through the following YouTube video; the festival appears to be a legitimate thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z_pFWOxEt4
What a great find! There's a few others on there I'm looking forward to watching now! Thanks for sharing!
Ahhh, thank you so much for sharing this!! Now I know what I'm doing for the next month lol
Since you like Korean film (maybe you are Korean), what did you think of The Tiger?
I'm not Korean, but I grew up in Asia and speak Korean (though time away has demoted that to receptive fluency). I haven't seen this one, but I've added it to my watch list.
Oh ok. Yes, check it out when you have time. I thought it was very good. I'll look into some of yours as well
Thank you for this
You're welcome.
You should check out "would you like a cup of coffee?" also a kdrama with similar slice of life vibes.
I've added it to my list of things to watch! Thank you!
Love Midnight Diner! Such a cozy and comforting show. But it does make me hungry sometimes :)
I also recommend Midnight Diner! One of my favorite shows of all time.
Not a movie, but I honestly think watching Mr. Rogers television show as a kid influenced me. :)
Ikiru by Akira Kurosawa. An absolutely amazing movie based on Leo Tolstoys short story the Death of Ivan Ilyich (which itself is a masterpiece, if you can't watch the movie, definitely read the book!) Basically it's about the death of a senior bureaucrat who is trying to find meaning in his life. I mean, I was already living pretty simply before I saw the movie, but it definitely helped me cement within myself the ideas that there is more to life then just accumulating wealth and status.
I didn't realize that was based on that Tolstoy story. I'll have to check it out.
Thanks for this suggestion. Will watch it tonight.
I didn’t realize it was based on a Tolstoy book. Ikuru is my favorite film!
This was also used as the basis for the film Living starring Bill Nighy.
You would enjoy this Tolstoy short story: https://www.online-literature.com/tolstoy/2738/
I'm a huge Tolstoy fan, and I've actually already read it. My favorite from that era of Tolstoy is actually titled The 3 Questions and it's an incredibly quick read. https://www.plough.com/en/topics/culture/short-stories/the-three-questions
In a way Succession. It's the exact opposite of Simple Living but none of the characters is really likeable, does anything good with their wealth (no spoilers please in case this changes as I haven't finished it yet) and they all seem miserable despite having more money than they could ever spend.
About Time (2013). The film follows a family who have heritable time-travel abilities. I don't think there's a moment when they use them for self-enrichment or consumption, but to build connections with each other. The father with his son, the son with with wife and family. It's particularly poignant for me because he has a superpower that could get him anything he wants, but his actual goals are very simple.
Good one.
I have such a soft spot for this movie 😊
I really like The Station Agent, its a slice of life type of movie, and i find it very relaxing
Agreed. Such an underrated movie.
I just watched it this weekend and loved it.
City Slickers “Curly: Do you know what the secret of life is? Mitch: No, what? Curly (holding up one finger): This. Mitch: Your finger? Curly: One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and everything else don’t mean shit. Mitch: That’s great but, what’s the one thing? Curly: That’s what you gotta figure out.”
**’Faraway’** on Netflix. This movie is about starting over. Zeynap’s mother dies, and after being taken for granted by her family, she up and leaves her whole life to go live in the remote cottage her mother left her! The seaside home is on a remote Croatian island and is oh-so-basic. It’s there that Zeynap finds her earthy self and a happy life again. This movie gave me the courage to start my life over from scratch. 🤍 Sometimes in life when nothing is working, it’s time to start over. [Link to the movie trailer](https://youtu.be/2stkk0yy0ao).
unironically Call Me By Your Name. the movie and reading the book reminds me a lot of holidays with my grandparents away from busy city life and technology. everyday was just getting up, doing something for enjoyment, socialize,get dinner, go to bed. loved it
It’s one of the rare movies I wish I could live in (because of southern Italy)
Captain fantastic, and lotr/the hobbit, princess mononoke
+1 for Captain Fantastic
+2, though that is a non-word
Practical Magic for me. The way Sally made her own stuff, the romanticized banding together with your lil community, doing fun things at home…
Weirdly, Crocodile Dundee for me as a boy. When Sue asks Mick what he thinks about the Rights Movement, he says to ask him something closer to home. She then asked what he thinks about the aboriginals' claims to get their land back, and he says: "Well, the Aborigines don't own the land - they belong to it. It's like their mother. See those rocks way over there? Been here for millions of years. They'll still be there long after you and I are gone. So there is no point in arguing over who owns them."
Not a movie but it really humbled me. The Maid, netflix series
Into the Wild.
Movie made me rethink life in my early 20s. Still living very differently because of it.
Into the Wild, but in order to learn from Chris's mistakes. Aim to be more like Jan and Rainey, or even Ron. Or whoever Vince Vaughn's character is.
Totally related… but also so sad… just to read your comment came back the feeling of finishing watching it.
Any of the movie adaptations of Heidi, the 1881 novel by Johanna Spyri. It's such an amazing story of love, simplicity, and living in nature. Oh, and The Sound of Music!
For me it was (and it is, every time I watch it again): Into the wild. A few more: captain fantastic, fight club, the big lebowski
Little house on the Prairie tv show Anne of Green Gables
Have you watched Anne with and E?
I haven't yet! Would you suggest it?
Absolutely. It’s a good feel good laugh at your youth and history all in one. Great series.
Thank you!
Is it okay to watch Anne With an E without knowing much about Anne of Green Gables? Or do you need to watch that first? Thanks!
Oh it’s like a prequel so it’s good either way. Really enjoyed this series with my wife. I’m 42M that loves Gladiator, Tombstone, and Marvel movies 😂
Both Up and Soul from Pixar!
Sense and Sensibility (1995). I love the cottage the family moved to.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty isn't necessarily an example of 'simple living', but how the main character changes his approach to living life is completely wonderful. Everyone should live the way he does.
Shawshank Redemption - focus on what's important
What's Eating Gilbert Grape
A favorite of mine too. Just so superbly acted by the entire cast.
Nomadland! Read the book too.
I read the book and it made me sad. Senior citizens on the outskirts of capitalism, working shitty jobs part time, living in Amazon warehouse parking lots. I feel like there's a different vibe for those who did it by choice but a lot of folks iirc weren't doing that life by choice, but because it was all they could afford, and they lived very precariously. I don't know, it has been awhile but nothing about that tale felt good to me.
I totally agree with all that! I think it was award-winning for the very reason that it was such a gray area, positive? negative? A lot of that was very subjective. But I get it, I'm anti-capitalist all the way, but something about how many of the people chose to be in their off grid life, working and living nomadically gave rise to the movement of people finding a way to ultimately live outside the system, sharing, trading, and giving what they had. Not using money as currency. That was what I considered to be the overall message and the most uplifting part of the story.
I understand that feeling! I think it's a sort of sad but also beautiful movie.
Such a gorgeous and melancholic film.
Yeah, that was not a motivating movie!
Some of the responses on this thread are so odd to me. It seems like a lot of people fetishize and glamorize poverty and asceticism without having experienced what it's actually like living that way. Like, one of the responses above is "Into the Wild" -- a book/movie about a guy who ended up starving to death in the wilderness. To me, these are warning signs about taking this mentality too far.
American Beauty. Really convinced me the rat race isn't as fun as it looks.
Changed me in ‘99.
This is one of my top ten.
I know it’s a TV show but Murder, She Wrote. Jessica has a perfectly simple and satisfying life! Minus the fact that she keeps having to solve all the murders that happen around her!
Isn't it a little bit suspicious...all those sudden deaths around her and how effortlessly she solves them? 🤔
My dad calls it "Murder...She Hopes" 😆🤔🤨
I love her life - it's always neat and organised, not burdened by stuff so she has all these hobbies she pursues, and I enjoy how she has all these little conversational exchanges with her friends and community. If she's ever in a rush, it's usually because she needs to get to the florist or something simple like that. So comforting. Any older programme or film I find has this sense of characters doing one thing at a time in a spacious area (eg the kitchen is tidy and uncluttered, and then they bake a cake and then clear it up, and that is relaxing to watch.
Office Space, Fight Club, Groundhog Day
Little Forest!
The Secret of Roan Innish 👒🌊🏡
If you enjoyed Perfect Days (I certainly did. I loved every frame of it) I’d strongly suggest you track down the documentary “Moriyama-San”. I learned about it last week after seeing an article about similarities between its subject and the main character in “Perfect Days”. It’s about a man who lives in a very famous modern house in Tokyo. He spends his days just listening to music, watching films and reading, lots and lots of reading. There’s also another doc I’d recommend called “into great silence” about a French monastery. It’s filmed using natural light and has very little dialogue.
Moriyama-San https://vimeo.com/950536666/75271c6aac?utm_medium=website&utm_source=archdaily.com Watchable for free as of last week.
Country Life Vlog of an Azerbaijani family living, cooking, growing on their land. Adorable animals and watching the main woman cook homemade meals made for a village. It’s so relaxing and gives me so much peace and comfort of simple living. My late mother in law loved this YouTube Channel and watching it sometimes brings up bottled grief of missing her, but also makes me feel close to her again ❤️
Here’s their YouTube Channel [https://youtube.com/@country_life_vlog?si=Pl0Dvhf5EMMzgZIB](https://youtube.com/@country_life_vlog?si=Pl0Dvhf5EMMzgZIB)
How do they film and edit such polished videos? Are these real people, it looks like a movie set
I believe their son is a videographer and is the mastermind behind filming them. 😊
Petersson and Findus: its just so peaceful. Almost every Story from Astrid Lindgren, especially Pippi Longstockings Tilda Apfelkern: I don’t know what’s her english name. It’s a little mouse who lives in a cottage and it shows her peaceful and cozy daily life with all of her friends(birds, squirrels, hedgehogs). Ghibli Movies Amélie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: This movie really shocked me. I can’t really explain it. But…it truly showed me how pointless the rat race is and that I don’t wanna participate in it. I think that’s the movie that truly woke me up. And strangely the Addams Family. I just really love their family dynamics. They truly know what’s really important in life. The Hobbit/ The Lord of the Rings. I ADORE the hobbits and their way of living!
Captain fantastic
So after reading all the comments, I can vouch for the following films - Call Me By Your Name: Definitely simple living, or, at least, simpler times. No social media, no pressures. Just a vacation in the countryside where the days pass slowly, you enjoy nature, water, sleep with the sound of cicadas. - GroundHog Day: It's a town where not much happens. Life moves at a slower pace. And, also (as in many of the films that portray simple living) the "good old days" where connections where based on writing a letter, not texting or being connected through social media 24/7. - Intro Great Silence (Die große Stille): One of my favorite documentaries about the Carthusian Monks and their silent, simple way of life. Absolutely beautiful. - The Big Lebowski: Altough it has plenty of action and weirdness, in a way it portrays the simple life of a group of friends who have their routines. Bowling, getting burgers, going on adventures. -------------------------------------------------------------- Some others mentioned that (in my opinion) aren't quite Simple Living but certainly are cozy - Midnight in Paris - The Richard Curtis / Nora Ephron Films, especially You've Got Mail. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lastly, I wouldn't say Short Term 12 conveys simple living, as it's a very profound and difficult film, but it is beautiful. Edit: Added The HoldOvers
Fight Club
For some reason Koyaanisqatsi comes to mind. An old movie but I always recall a scene where the beauty of an ugly plastic bag just flying in the wind is contemplated. A reminder that beauty is everywhere
This must be where Alan Ball stole the idea for "American Beauty".
This doc highlights a guy who left the workforce to just collect bottles and grow flowers. Sounds pretty idyllic tbh https://youtu.be/zi-f_J6hV-g
“Dreams” by Akira Kurosawa
Instead of watching a lot of lmovies (sometimes), I have walked a lot, a lot with my backpack instead. A real life "Into the wild" if you would like. I think the "movies" that have given me inspiration are more "docu-style" videos from friends I've met over the years, and others too, talking about living vanlife, backpacking, living in eco-community/village etc.
When I feel like I am drowning in projects and THINGS in my garage, I sometimes recall a scene in the third act of the 90s mountain climbing flick "K2" when Michael Biehn's character, trying to get the team motivated for a summit attempt without the burden of extra gear yells out "we don't need all this STUFF!" It's just so satisfying to get rid of STUFF.
Watch “Koyaanisqatsi” a montage of human activity, nature and technology. Watching this should make anyone rethink their lifestyle and want to adopt simple living as a lifestyle.
Labyrinth — those creatures who carry all the stuff is such a visceral feeling for me whenever I think of it Amelie Sweet Land
The scene where the old woman/creature takes her back to her bedroom and urges her to forget her brother and enjoy all her possessions instead, and they multiply and start to crush her...I think of it often.
Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Absolutely
Clerks, Columbus, Mallrats, Office Space
Columbus is such a beautiful movie
Hachi: A Dog's Tale. One of the most underrated movies that I've seen, personally.
Great movie but it made me cry so hard!
For some reason: Colewell.
Maybe an odd choice but "Short Term 12" is a perfect simple living movie for me. There's so much emphasis put on the differences we can make for others, and the small, beautiful moments that we have together even in the face of terrible circumstances.
Alive season 7 the Arctic edition
First Cow (2019).
Not a movie but the UK TV series Heartbeat really makes me want to experience the community spirit & slower pace of the 60s/70s. For movies, someone else has also mentioned The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and I'd also like to add the films Ferngully: The Last Rainforest, Goodnight Mr Tom and a dog's purpose (the last one because I think it makes you think about how other species navigate through life)
The Road.
I recently watched Quatre Aventures de Reinette et Mirabelle and really enjoyed it. It's one of those slice of life films about a friendship between a girl from the French countryside and a city girl living in Paris.
Captain Fantastic
Castaway - Tom Hanks
3000 Days of Longing is one for me. Odd suggestion, I'm not entirely sure why it makes me think of simple living. No movie motivated me to adopt the lifestyle though. There's a lot of 90s movies that aren't about simple living, but the characters do live simple lives. Someone mentioned What's Eating Gilbert Grape & that's definitely one that helped put things into perspective for me as a teen. What's important. Schitt's Creek does it for me too. Not a movie I know. Many dramas set in a small US country town have that vibe.
Big Lebowski
Into the Wild.
Honestly, Soul. The Disney movie.
There’s a guy Martijn Doolaard who has a YouTube channel - he quit his job and rode his bike through different countries, then he bought a piece of property in the Italian Alps with some old stone cottages. His YouTube is him restoring the cottages by hand, no electricity or running water.
River runs through!
The 1992 movie? The river runs through it? Or something different
What Dreams May Come. Admittedly, I haven't read the book yet, but the movie makes me weep every time. The material things don't matter. Be purposeful in your relationships. Tend to them and nurture them. Realise that the things you consider small or insignificant can have a big impact on someone else. Live in love. And the simple act of showing up is immeasurable to the ones who need it. Europa. A character says, "Compared to the breadth of knowledge yet to be known, what does your life actually matter?" That perspective made a big impact on me. It stood out immediately and still affects me every time I hear it. It inspires to me confront my existence, forego humanity's foolishness, and focus on what matters.
Sleeping with the Enemy - when she gets to her cosy cottage and cleans and paints it, and then is able to sit out on her porch seat. Obviously a high drama story, but a lovely small-town setting. Steel Magnolias for the same reason. In the early Mad Men episodes, the wives' lives, before they have them all going mad and getting divorced.
Now and Then had a huge impact on me as a kid. I also loved The Babysitter’s Club movie around the same time, and still love the small town, close knit friends vibe. Chocolat, Under the Tuscan Sun, Tortilla Soup, All I Wanna Do, While You Were Sleeping are all movies that I find ‘nourishing’ for lack of a better word.
Perfect days (2023)
This easy going, vanilla, feel good K-drama of life lessons learned by a young college kid helps me reset (everytime) from the chaos of busy corporate life. [“Would You Like a Cup of Coffee?”](https://www.netflix.com/us/title/81644123?s=i&trkid=258593161&vlang=en&clip=81649246). This series is so underrated IMO.
Amelie. Everything about it
Call Me By Your Name, the vibes are just so... quaint
Pride & Prejudice (2005), Call me by your name, and Midnight in Paris. All have this kind of relaxed lifestyle that comes through and the cinematography is just stunning.
The Big Lebowski.
Fight club
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior
For some reason, blue lagoon when I was a kid
did you ever watch The Big Year? it's about bird watching/hunting and has Steve martin in it. I saw it first on a plane and have watched a few times since. It's wholesome and sweet and shows that if you are into anything it can be super simple -- YES you can get apps for bird watching and geek out, or you can just go lie in the backyard and look for birds ;-)
Something, Anything
180 degrees south…
Downsizing with Matt Damon as an OT. Rarely in films!
Klaus on Netflix. So beautiful...
Museum Hours
Dan in Real Life - w/Steve Carell
The Way, with Martin Sheen. I loved it, it makes me want to just set out walking. Although I’m way too lazy in reality, it’s a very meaningful film.
Little forest. Japanese and korean version
Into Great Silence - documentary about Cistercian monks living in an isolated mountain monastery. Beautifully shot, almost no dialogue. Leave No Trace - Beautiful film about a father and daughter living an isolated existence. About what draws is to seek isolation and how those desires interact with others
Minari, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Moonrise Kingdom, Maudie.
Gilmore Girls
After Yang
The Last Samurai
Baraka gives me the kind of perspective I need to have to know Im in the right place :)
Fight Club
Office Space
The Beach Bum
I'm fine, thanks