Do you have any recommendations?
Some. It's an interesting category to nail down. The ones that are there or come close blur the line between an actionable plot and a story told through character actions. It's almost like they have a plot, it's just almost too subtle. The story on display fills in those blanks.
Deprisa Deprisa (1981) and Cria Cuervos (1976) come to mind. Spirit of the Beehive (1973) is borderline, but because it's a film that one could stress into having a plot. Girl is inspired by Frankenstein film, girl seeks out Frankenstein... it's almost all character and the lack of exposition really helps one feel like a viewer, but it's...almost a plot. That's a good one, though. El Sur (1983), that's very engaging.
Michelangelo Antonioni's L'Eclisse (1962) had a lot of deeper inner lives of character driving the story.
Lynne Ramsay's Ratcatcher (1999) is another one.
A chunk of Ozu's films. I really liked Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice (1952) and Late Spring (1949). A couple of those, notable Late Spring, could have what almost passes for a plot, but there's so much more character interaction than plot that the plot is really more of a premise. Just a backdrop for other things to happen.
The Warped Ones (1960) is not an Ozu, but that also wraps up near the end in a manner that says a story has been happening all this time, amid the aimless frustrations of the characters.
The Photograph (2007). Insiang (1976) comes...sort of close to a refine plot, maybe? But it's so much more concerned about coping with the world it shows, so it could also be more of a premise than a plot.
I really liked Autumn Sonata (1978).
Yi Yi (2000) Yi Yi may be my crown jewel of films I'd recommend for people who're into films like, well, Yi Yi. That's a film that spurs me into hunting down other films from that director. That film really fleshes itself out. It's just shy of 3 hours but the ending still sneaks up on the viewer because it's so engrossing. That's a life story that gives itself the time to make you feel like you're part of it.
My Neighbor Totoro (1988). I don't know if you're into cartoon/family children movies, but I have heard that movie described as uniquely plot-less, or lacking in a villain because the conflict exists elsewhere, perhaps towards growing up?
Yep, those are some films I think are in or near the stream/life in motion type films.
