About the project
Art’s hidden kinship
In the vast landscape of cinema, some works are like hidden paths waiting to be found. Sometimes works of art feel as if they’re speaking to each other across time and space — a certain mood, a shared heartbeat, a glimmer of the same light in two very different stories. For years, I’ve been building and refining a set of unique recommendation technologies to find that hidden kinship — between films and creative works of all kinds — and to bring it into view.
Let me tell you how I ended up here.
It was in my university days on the faculty of history. A wonderful, seductive young woman — who introduced herself online as Jennifer, a future archaeologist or perhaps an ethnologist — stood before me, the late-afternoon light lingering in her dark-blonde hair as if reluctant to let her go. In one hand, she held a 3.5-inch floppy disk with a “Dear John” letter; in the other, a VHS tape of What Dreams May Come (1998), starring Robin Williams.
“I was going to write much more, but I’m very tired and feel insanely sleepy... Yes... why did I choose this film to give you?” — her letter ended.
My heart was broken — the kind of break that etches itself deep, sharp at first, then slow and aching. Yet in the quiet that came only many months later, a different presence emerged: a question, persistent and unyielding, about the place creative works — and films in particular — hold in people’s minds, and the profound meanings they can carry.
I’ve watched many thousands of films since then, and some have stayed with me so strongly that I can’t help but share them. They are often the ones that slip quietly past the spotlight — overshadowed by heavily marketed blockbusters, overlooked because of modest opening-weekend numbers, puzzling «professional» reviews, or, worse, questionable audience ratings.
And yet, these overlooked works are sometimes true cinematic treasures — the kind that stay with you, quietly shaping the way you see stories and the world. Discovering them feels like unearthing rare artifacts buried under layers of dust and time — pieces overlooked by the crowd, yet carrying the weight, beauty, and craftsmanship of something meant to last.
The system I’m developing doesn’t just match films by genre or cast — it looks for deeper connections: shared themes, creative visions (I’ve worked for over twenty years in a production company and know how it works), and distinctive visual and sonic signatures.
I continue to refine this technology and will collect user ratings to provide better, more personalised recommendations for you in the future. At present, access to some interactive features is limited to testing participants and will be made available later.
And yes — I admit I’m in love with Mélanie Laurent, Rose Leslie, Rebecca Ferguson, Eva Green, and Scarlett Johansson. I also have a soft spot for Teresa Palmer, Juno Temple, Charlize Theron, Kaya Scodelario, Emily Blunt, Kristen Stewart, Saoirse Ronan, Milla Jovovich, Stana Katic, Amy Adams, Elizabeth Debicki, Emma Stone, Jennifer Lawrence, Ana de Armas, Kate Beckinsale, and Peta Wilson. Films and series featuring certain people are also where I’m developing another recommendation approach, one that will keep growing over time.
If you notice any mistakes, have ideas or suggestions, or would like to join the closed testing, I’d be happy to hear from you — just drop me a line at: a@skirlan.com
Embark on an exploration through these pages, and together we’ll seek out and uncover the hidden treasures of the cinematic world.
