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Selection of the Best Films of 2023

In the past year, the world of cinema has seen several major events, such as the „Barbenheimer“ phenomenon, Hollywood screenwriters and actors strikes, and more. Many significant films have graced the screens, showcasing the diversity of cinema in the past year. As is customary every year, BBC critics have curated a list of the most interesting, best, and simply noteworthy films of the year, encompassing a wide range of genres from animation to big-budget Hollywood productions to independent films.

„Saint Omer“ is a poignant and heart-wrenching drama that delves into issues of race, societal layers, and the role of mothers in modern society. The film, submitted by France for the Oscars last year, has left critics puzzled as to why it was not nominated. Director Alise Diop found the inspiration for the film in a real-life case where a Senegalese man in France was tried for the death of a child due to neglect.

„Holy Spider,“ a film from Denmark, France, Sweden, and Germany, is based on a true story of a maniac who murdered 16 sex workers in the holy city of Mashhad, Iran, in 2000 and 2001. The film follows a young journalist who arrives in the city to write about these incidents and takes on the investigation herself. The lead actress, Zara Amira Ebrahimi, was awarded at the Cannes Film Festival for her role in the film.

„Polite Society“ is a comedy with martial arts elements that BBC critics describe as one of the freshest and most enjoyable films of the year. The story revolves around a young girl who aspires to become a stuntwoman, with her older sister being her biggest supporter. The plot thickens when the older sister decides to marry a wealthy and handsome man, whom the girl suspects has sinister intentions.

„How to Blow Up a Pipeline“ is a tense thriller inspired by Swedish author Andreas Malm’s book of the same name, where sabotage is seen as a logical form of activism against climate change and environmental pollution. The film follows a group of eco-activists planning to destroy an oil pipeline in western Texas as a way to combat the climate crisis and environmental pollution.

„Past Lives“ has been hailed as one of the best films of the year by BBC and many other critics. The story follows Nora, a girl who moves with her family from South Korea to Canada. Twenty years later, now happily married and settled in New York, she reconnects with her childhood friend Hesun. The film explores not only romantic relationships but also identity, culture, a sense of belonging, and the ability to preserve them.

„Suzume“ tells the story of a schoolgirl who discovers that abandoned doors in deserted Japanese towns can be used as portals to another dimension. Her task is to prevent a monster from emerging through these doors, with the help of a boy turned into a chair and a talking cat that may be a deity. BBC critic describes this new apocalyptic anime by Makoto Shinkai as a dazzling work of imagination, already awarded with several international film awards.

„Oppenheimer,“ directed by Christopher Nolan, tells the story of „the father of the atomic bomb,“ Robert Oppenheimer, and has been a major cinematic event both in Latvia and worldwide. The film has been praised as a stunning work of art that draws direct parallels with the golden periods of Hollywood cinema, especially the 1970s and the so-called „New Hollywood“ era.

„Broker,“ a film by renowned Japanese director Hirokazu Koreeda, follows a man who sells unwanted children to couples looking to bypass the legal adoption process, but only after ensuring they will be ideal parents for a specific child. South Korean actor Song Kang-ho received the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival for his role in this film.

„Anatomy of a Fall,“ a tense courtroom thriller by French director Christine Treille, has won the main prize at the Cannes Film Festival and garnered accolades at the European Film Academy Awards ceremony in the category of „European Film.“ The film tells the story of a German writer whose husband is found dead in mysterious circumstances, leading to her being accused of murder. The complex relationship and secrets of both spouses are scrutinized in the trial.

„Reality“ is based on true events surrounding Reality Winner, an American government translator who was suspected of leaking classified documents. The film has been described as one of the most intense and suspenseful works of art of the year, shedding light on the complexities of Winner’s story and guilt.

„Killers of the Flower Moon,“ directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, explores a dark and often forgotten chapter in American history – the murders of Osage Native Americans in the 1920s for their oil wealth. The film sheds light on the greed-driven atrocities committed by white Americans against the Osage tribe, who became the wealthiest community in America due to oil reserves.

„Barbie“ became one of the most talked-about and popular films of the past year, becoming the highest-grossing film of the year. Aivars Madris writes in Delfi that „this is the best possible film the world could have expected on the theme of ‚Barbie,‘ and at the same time the most incredible and anti-Hollywood of all potential options.“ Thanks to „Barbie,“ summer box office revenues in the US exceeded four billion dollars for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.

„American Fiction,“ the debut film by director Corda Jefferson, follows an African-American novelist and professor who jokingly writes a book full of stereotypes about African-American history that becomes extremely popular. Based on Percival Everett’s 2001 novel „Erasure,“ the film has already won several international film awards and has been hailed as one of the sharpest films of the past year.

„The Creator,“ a high-budget science fiction film, is set in 2070 when Los Angeles has experienced a nuclear bomb explosion, and humanity is forced to fight against Artificial Intelligence (AI) robots. Critics have praised the film’s special effects, thoughtful plot, and its clear signaling of potential issues in human-AI relationships.

„Origin,“ directed by Ava DuVernay, is a heavy and emotionally charged biographical drama based on Isabel Wilkerson’s book „Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents,“ which explores the history of racism and violence in the US. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival and will be released in theaters worldwide in early 2024.

„The Holdovers,“ a film by intellectual comedy master Alexander Payne, tells the story of a situation during Christmas in 1970 when a teenager has to spend the holiday without friends and family. The boy is taken in by a teacher and a cook who share a story about family ties, belonging, and the search for one’s path in life. Like several of Payne’s other works, „The Holdovers“ is filled with subtle humor and emotionally charged drama.

„All of Us Strangers,“ a film about a middle-aged writer named Adams who imagines he can travel back in time to meet his deceased parents as an adult. BBC critics describe „All of Us Strangers“ as not a story of ghosts and spirits but rather an attempt to „step into“ memories, telling an emotional tale of the departed and the present. The film recently received the „Best British Independent Awards“ for the best British independent film of the year.

„Poor Things,“ a dark comedy for adults in the science fiction genre by Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos, stars popular Hollywood actress Emma Stone in the lead role. The film follows Bella, who commits suicide but is revived by her husband – an eccentric scientist – by transplanting her unborn child’s brain. This experiment is successful, and „Poor Things“ has won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

„The Boy and the Heron,“ another anime work, has been included in BBC’s list of the best films of the past year. The legendary Japanese animator, director, and screenwriter Hayao Miyazaki’s new masterpiece „The Boy and the Heron“ has already been hailed as a masterpiece by several critics. The film is set during World War II, with the story focusing on a boy named Mahito – his mother perished in the bombing of Tokyo, and his father works for a company building Japanese warplanes. The lonely and fearless Mahito walks on the fragile edge between life and death.

„Maestro,“ a film about the legendary American composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein’s life, emotional marriage, and love for music, has been a major cinematic event. Bernstein, who received seven Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards for theater, and 16 Grammy Awards for his contributions to the recording industry, including a lifetime achievement award. The film „Maestro“ is directed by Bradley Cooper, who, like in his 2018 film „A Star is Born,“ portrays the lead role himself.

In conclusion, the past year has been filled with a diverse range of compelling and thought-provoking films that have captivated audiences and critics alike. From powerful dramas to thrilling thrillers to heartwarming comedies, the world of cinema continues to push boundaries and explore new territories. As we look forward to the upcoming year, we can only anticipate more groundbreaking and unforgettable cinematic experiences to come.

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