Gloria

Gloria, a Chinese woman in her 70s, lives alone and entertains a simple, monotonous life taking walks in her suburban Bay Area neighborhood, perusing her enormous stack of National Geographics, and avoiding conversations with her son about her failing memory. One afternoon, she encounters an article titled "To Stave Off Dementia, Learn a Language?" Fearful and resentful, she refuses to read it. But after passing the Mexican grocery in her neighborhood, a sense of longing to improve her mental state and connect with her community activates a shift. Gloria dives into teaching herself Spanish, an act that introduces both newfound purpose and friendship.

Directed by Kim Blanck, Gloria leans on a strong ensemble — Emily Kuroda, Hernán Angulo — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 0.