I don’t think anyone could argue that this has been a very strange and challenging year for all of us and it certainly has been for Cinema. With cinemas closed we have seen distribution models adapting to a new normal, releasing films online instead of the big screen and more and more people have engaged with online film screenings.
Cinema has, however, encountered and survived many threats and set-backs in the past and we have no doubt it will weather the storm of Covid-19, with audiences continuing to return to the hallowed space of the cinema auditorium.
And what do we do there, but watch the best films the world has to offer! Before we wave a grateful farewell to 2020, let’s take a moment to reflect on the films that have made the biggest impact on us this year with our Film Hub Member’s Top 18 films of 2020.
1. Portrait of a Lady on Fire
2. Parasite
3. Rocks
= 4:
= 5
CLEMENCY
Dir: Chinonye Chukwu | USA
Writer-director Chinonye Chukwu’s critically acclaimed film follows a prison warden (Alfre Woodard) whose world is upended by the fate of death-row inmates.
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival 2019, Clemency is a radically empathic look at life inside death row, brought to life by Alfre Woodard’s performance-of-a-lifetime alongside Aldis Hodge, Wendell Pierce and Richard Schiff.
A HIDDEN LIFE
Dir: Terrence Malik | USA | Canada
Based on the true story of Franz Jägerstätter, an Austrian farmer who refused to join the army during World War II, Terrence Malick’s latest is a spiritual epic on convictions in times of crisis.
Ambitious and visually absorbing, A Hidden Life debuted at Cannes to rave reviews with many hailing the film as Malick’s greatest achievement since his award-winning The Tree of Life – deconstructing religion and nationalism to present a defiant portrait of faith in crisis.
Terence Malick was in danger of disappearing up his own astral plane in his recent films but A Hidden Life – anchored by a real life drama – demonstrated how he is still pushing the language of filmmaking to startling and stunning effect.
- Mark Cosgrove, Watershed
I found A HIDDEN LIFE so mesmerising after seeing it in preview — I was awestruck and emotionally moved by both cinematography and soundtrack — that I went all the way to Exeter just to see it a second time on a big screen.
- Donna Anton, Hayle Film Club
POSSESSOR
Forget Christopher Nolan’s over-egged wicked web of confusion, Brandon Cronenberg’s second feature is the head**** you only need to watch once to understand. Andrea Riseborough continues to prove her range in this body horror that pulls no punches, and yet transforms into a statement on duty and memory.
- Neil Ramjee, Moviola
SciFi, the genre of ideas which is so often starved of good ideas, gets a blessing with a picture you can’t tear your eyes from. Brandon Cronenburg hits his stride and Andrea Riseborough has become a gold standard signifier for Horror. If she’s in it, it’s good.
- Oliver Treasure-Smith, Curzon Cinema & Arts
QUEEN & SLIM
Dir: Melina Matsoukas | USA
This stylish love story is the feature film directorial debut from Melina Matsoukas (Insecure, Beyoncé’s Formation) as well as the feature screenwriting debut of Lena Waithe (Master of None, The Chi).
A powerful, consciousness-raising tale of love that confronts the staggering human toll of systemic racism, continued police brutality towards African-Americans, and the life-shattering price of violence.
There is so much heart in this movie. As well as hitting all the thrills and dark comedy of a great crime film, this film breaks your heart for the eponymous leads in this brilliant, timely tale.
- Oliver Treasure-Smith, Curzon Cinema & Arts
THE LIGHTHOUSE
Dir: Robert Eggers | Canada | USA
This psychological thriller from Robert Eggers (The Witch) follows the slow descent into madness of two lighthouse keepers (Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson) on a remote New England island at the turn of the 19th century.
The first film to pick me up, slap me around the face and throw me back into my seat – quite brilliant performances and original filmmaking.
- Mark Cosgrove, Watershed
1917
Dir: Sam Mendes | UK | USA
Award-winning director Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Spectre) teams up with renowned cinematographer Roger Deakins (Blade Runner 2049, Sicario, Skyfall) for this elaboratively choreographed WWI drama.
Should certainly get a mention in despatches.
- Malisa Sledmere, No.6 Cinema
A full on cinematic experience
- Claire Marshall, C Fylm / Carn to Cove, Cornwall
LITTLE WOMEN
Dir: Greta Gerwig | USA
Writer/director Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird) returns with a fresh interpretation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved 1868 novel, the Civil War era story of the March sisters, four young women each determined to live life on their own terms – and the result is extraordinary.
I LOVE Gerwig and Florence Pugh’s fresh take on Amy, especially the way it makes us challenge our own internalised (taught) misogyny which values the boyish ways of Jo over the feminine style of Amy.
- Holly Tarquini, FilmBath
DA 5 BLOODS
Dir: Spike Lee | USA
Fierce energy and ambition course through Da 5 Bloods, coming together to fuel one of Spike Lee’s most urgent and impactful films.
Not quite Blackkklansman-level Spike Lee but a wonderful war film/thriller about racism/living with the consequences of our actions/grief and so much more.
- Timon Singh, Film Hub South West
Great storytelling and fabulous performances. Loved it.
- Claire Marshall, C Fylm / Carn to Cove, Cornwall
NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES ALWAYS
Dir: Elisa Hittman | USA
Written and directed by Eliza Hittman, Never Rarely Sometimes Always is an intimate portrayal of two teenage girls in rural Pennsylvania. Faced with an unintended pregnancy and a lack of local support, Autumn (Sidney Flanigan) and her cousin Skylar (Talia Ryder) embark across state lines to New York City on a fraught journey of friendship, bravery and compassion.
Eliza Hittman’s third film (following IT FELT LIKE LOVE and BEACH RATS) this is a highly acclaimed and powerful film that affirms Hittman as one of the most exciting new American cinematic voices.
SYSTEM CRASHER
Dir: Nora Fingscheidt | Germany
The debut feature from German director Nora Fingscheidt, System Crasher is a powerful drama about a troubled nine year-old girl caught in an overstretched social welfare system. Driven by a powerhouse performance from Helena Zengel as the young Benni, the film was a highlight of the Berlin International Film Festival in February this year, winning the Silver Bear Alfred Bauer prize which recognises films that “opens new perspectives on cinematic art”.
For Helena Zengel’s performance alone this film is a stand-out.
- Anna Navas, Plymouth Arts Cinema
THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD
Dir: Armando Iannucci | UK | USA
Master satirist (and avid Dickens fan) Armando Iannucci (The Thick of It, In The Loop, The Death of Stalin) brings David Copperfield fizzing to life with this gloriously frenetic, hilarious adaptation.
With a stunning supporting cast including Tilda Swinton, Hugh Laurie, Peter Capaldi, Benedict Wong, Gwendoline Christie and Ben Whishaw, a whip-smart script and visual surprises (walls literally fall away to make room for flashbacks), this is a hugely compassionate, funny and optimistic film – a Dickens reworking unlike any you have ever seen.
Was just plain fun all around and a bit bonkers too. Iannucci’s style brought a welcome freshness to Dickens.
- Donna Anton, Hayle Film Club
These films have been voted for by our Members in the South West – thanks to everyone who shared their lists with us! There were many more great films that were included in the long list so if you want further ideas for what to catch up on over the holidays, check out the long list here.
Happy holidays everyone and here’s to many more great films in 2021.