10 best films of the XXI century according to The Guardian, which will definitely brighten up self-isolation

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

In response to the lamentations that the film industry was dying, numerous publications began to rank the best films of this century. The list of the best films according to The Guardian includes only a hundred films, among which there are gangster films, science fiction, detective stories, thrillers, dramas - it seems that films of all existing genres are presented here. We invite you to get acquainted with the top ten best films.

Squad America: World Police, USA, Germany, 2004

The puppet film is a comedy action movie in which the creators heartily ridicule everything that is possible, from ostentatious American patriotism to celebrities. Even composer Harry Gregson-Williams has written music that clearly features notes from famous blockbusters. True, watching a cartoon with children is strictly not recommended, there are too many scenes in it that are not intended for persons under 16 years old.

Zama, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Dominican Republic, France, Netherlands, Mexico, Switzerland, USA, Portugal, Lebanon, 2017

The film, directed by Lucrecia Martel, tells the story of an official working for the Spanish crown who fell into madness while awaiting transfer in Paraguay in the 18th century. Critics describe the historical drama as a disorienting dream that can put you into a trance without outside influence. "Zama" is a painting about longing, despair and hopelessness.

Moonlight, USA, 2016

The film is based on the play "Black Boys Look Blue in the Moonlight" by Tarella McCraney. Director Barry Jenkins managed to achieve an incredible harmony between artistry and emotional immediacy, which is why the story of a young African American and the stages of his growing up is so strong. British critics compare the film with Leo Tolstoy's trilogy “Childhood. Adolescence. Youth". True, in those days when the Russian classic lived, it was not accepted to talk about non-traditional sexual orientation and the problems associated with this definition.

New York, New York, USA, 2008

Writer Charlie Kaufman's directorial debut was called by critics "the strangest and saddest film imaginable, a work imbued with an almost evangelical zeal in the service of disillusionment." It would seem that the age-old themes about the inevitability of the end of earthly life cannot surprise the viewer with anything new. But the creator managed to surprise by creating a film that simultaneously resembles the paintings of David Lynch, the early films of Woody Allen, the works of Franz Kafka and the films of Federico Fellini.

"Hidden", France, Austria, Germany, Italy, 2004

Michael Haneke's film is, according to critics, "a compelling political-psychological essay on denial and guilt." The main character begins an independent investigation, trying to find a person who sends him cassettes, which capture footage from his life and the life of his loved ones. The police refused to help him, and George is step by step closer to solving a secret hidden somewhere in his past.

In the Mood for Love, Hong Kong, 2000

Wong Kar-wai managed to turn an ordinary melodrama into a real sensual masterpiece, while watching which the viewer can smell the heroine's perfume and feel the smoothness of her skin. A story of love and betrayal is filled with keen feelings, opaque puzzles and mysterious riddles.

"Stay in my shoes", Switzerland, UK, USA, 2013

Jonathan Glazer rarely pleases viewers with his new films, but you can be sure: if the director released the picture on the screens, it will be a real masterpiece. And this time he did not deceive his fans, presenting to their court a sci-fi horror that makes you hold your breath with horror and delight.

"Boyhood", USA, 2014

The filming process lasted for 12 years, with the same person playing the main character. First, a six-year-old boy, then a teenager, and in the final - an 18-year-old boy. Critics called the film "A Gentle Revolution", and viewers noted the extraordinary vitality of Richard Linklater's painting.

"12 years of slavery", USA, UK, 2013

The real story of the real person Solomon Northup, kidnapped and sold into slavery in Louisiana in the 19th century. He was free exactly until he was mistaken for a fugitive slave. And after that there were 12 years of slavery in his life, when it was important to carry himself through pain, despair and horror. Don't break down, don't lose your self-esteem. It seems that only Steve McQueen could have made such a powerful film in all respects.

"Oil", USA, 2007

Paul Thomas Anderson filmed the novel of the same name by Upton Sinclair, published back in 1927 and telling about the events of the 1920s in California. The film is not only about industrial wars, about progress and development. Rather, it is about the drama of a man who achieved his dream and did not receive any pleasure from it.

Forced vacations due to the coronavirus pandemic continue around the world. And this means that you can spend time usefully, do things that are waiting for their turn for a long time due to lack of time, or watch films in which events develop according to a scenario that desperately resembles today. However, how similar are the directors' ideas about epidemics and the realities of our time, you can understand only after getting acquainted with the pictures from our selection.