A quick calculation of the top 10 films (from the perspective of this writer) that have been viewed since the beginning of the year. This list reveals, to some extent, a continuous richness in tackling purposeful themes through artistic methods that deserve appreciation, despite the challenges of Artificial Intelligence, the dominance of superhero movies, and meritless forms of entertainment.
اضافة اعلان
Father and son in "The Jacaranda" (Le Film Belbouke)
1- The Jacaranda
Director: Hassen Ferhani (Algeria)
A documentary journey undertaken by the director into the memory and life of his father, the Algerian writer Amziane Ferhani. The title refers to those beautiful trees that the father longs for, among what he misses from a bygone world in a city that has changed from what it once was. The film is not a nostalgia that contents itself with emotion and avoids depth; rather, it is a blending of the writer's life and his city, each carrying its own history and moving along its own path.
2- Safe Exit
Director: Mohamed Hammad (Egypt)
A drama centering on a young man working as a residential building guard, constantly surrounded by the concerns and problems imposed on him by his environment. Samaan (masterfully played by Marwan Walid) experiences harsh fears and loneliness in a reality that is no less brutal. There are no heroics, victories, or even achievements in a closed, small world. The director adopts a rhythm that does not betray the monotony and nature of the environment, skillfully addressing his protagonist's fears of the social surroundings that weigh heavily on him.
3- To Those Who Dare
Director: Danielle Arbid (Lebanon, France)
This is the best film Danielle Arbid has directed to date. A woman saves a Sudanese young man several years her junior from a physical assault. An emotional relationship quickly develops between them, as each needs the other in confronting society's racially motivated rejection. Hiam Abbass continues to bring something new and excellent to every role she plays. She is a strong and stubborn woman in the face of her social surroundings.
Victoria Luengo and Javier Bardem in "The Beloved" (Caballo Films)
4- The Beloved
Director: Rodrigo Sorogoyen (Spain)
A drama about a stern film director (Javier Bardem) who asks his actress daughter to star in his upcoming movie. The tense relationship between them in real life carries over into the film-within-a-film that we watch. Director Sorogoyen's work bears the hallmarks of a striking visual talent; his scenes are sharp yet honest, and Javier Bardem, in himself, provides immense artistic pleasure.
5- Fatherland
Director: Paweł Pawlikowski
Part of the biography of novelist Thomas Mann after the end of World War II and his attempt to escape the crises of searching for both identity and place. The film captures the tension existing between Mann (Hannst Zischler) and his daughter (Sandra Hüller). The film might not reach the level of Pawlikowski's previous works, but it comes close.
6- Flies
Director: Fernando Eimbcke (Mexico)
A character study of a woman past her youth (Trestina Sánchez) who lives alone and relies on herself for everything. She is forced to rent out a room in her house to a man whose wife is bedridden in a nearby hospital. She stipulates that no children are allowed in the room, but the man is forced to bring his child with him. At that point, the woman discovers a meaning to a life she had long missed. Sparse dialogue and directing that relies primarily on visual undertones.
7- In Waves
Director: Phuong Mai Nguyen (France)
A technically masterful and color-rich animation that flows smoothly to tell the story of a young man who cannot surf, until a girl helps him learn. His life changes as if he needed a hand to lift him from innocence to self-confidence. The film stands out not only in its story but also in its style, which is geared toward adults.
The list reflects a remarkable geographical and artistic diversity extending from Algeria to Chile.
8- The Loneliest Man in Town
Director: Rainer Frimmel and Tizza Covi (Austria)
The protagonist of this film is a man influenced by the blues music he is addicted to hearing, and he sings what he memorizes of it in a small bar in front of a limited audience. He lives alone with no family, relatives, or friends, until he decides to emigrate to America at the end of the film. Minimalist directing for scenes that do not compose a complete story as much as they paint the features of a lonely man's life.
9- Project Hail Mary
Director: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (United States)
A sci-fi film about a space mission led by Ryan Gosling to prevent a cosmic body that threatens to block sunlight from reaching Earth. The film combines suspense, polished visual effects, and a moving story about friendship, offering enjoyment for sci-fi fans and a treatment capable of attracting a wider audience.
10- The Red Hangar
Director: Juan Pablo Sallato (Chile)
An officer supervising an aircraft hangar in Chile in 1973 finds himself under the authority of a military command launching a sweeping campaign of arrests following the coup that overthrew the previous government. The location turns into a prison and a torture center, placing the officer before difficult choices. The director captures this pivotal moment and builds upon what goes on in the depths of his character.
