9) You Don’t Nomi
When I lived in Baltimore, I worked with the cult film series Mondo Baltimore, helping select movies to screen for the Baltimore community, and I still work with them to this day. A key component is that our love for the films we show is sincere (in a weird way). Even if the movies aren’t always great, the fun comes from sharing them with a community, and the laughs we have along the way. You Don’t Nomi perfectly captures that fandom and genuine enjoyment of cult films, and films generally considered “so bad they’re good.” In addition to being a fun deconstruction and love letter of Showgirls, the film explores the cult film fandom with shameless love. It’s a fun film filled with people who I wish I could meet and talk to over a drink, casually chatting about weird movies we like. The film challenges and examines the idea of what makes a film “good” from an emotional standpoint and the type of bonds individuals and communities can have over all types of films. The distinction between a cult film and a “so bad it’s good film” is addressed in the movie, and I love that the film depicts how these types of movies are enjoyable sincerely rather than just ironically. This doc feels fun and inviting, whether you’re a Showgirls fan or a general lover of cinema.
You can read Knockturnal writer Liam Haber’s full review here.
