The Best Films of 2021
For the last 2 years I have offered you my suggestions for the best films of the year. (Best Films of 2019, Best Films of 2020)
Again this year, the Dutch broadcaster VPRO invited submissions to its website for the 10 best films of the year. They offer a long list of films that were issued in The Netherlands in 2021. (The pandemic has meant that many films that were made in 2019 & 2020 did not reach the cinema until 2021, which means that the year of the actual issuing of the film may be different from the year it was made.) And I have of course only seen a selection of all the films issued.
These films are chosen because they have given me something special to think about and they might enrich your film experience as well! For some of these films you can click to find an article I have written previously.
1. The Power of the Dog by Jane Campion (Australia, USA)
2. The Father by Florian Zeller (UK)
3. First Cow by Kathy Reichardt (USA)
4. Quo Vadis, Aida by Jasmila Zbanic (Bosnia – Herzegovina)
5. Beginning by Dea Kulumbegashvili (Georgia)
6. Passing by Rebecca Hall (USA)
7. Nomadland by Chloe Zhao (USA)
8. Charlatan by Agnieszka Holland (Poland)
9. And Tomorrow the Whole World by Julia von Heinz (Germany)
10. Give Me Liberty by Kiril Mikhanovsky (USA)
What would make your top 10 best films of 2021?
Rinus, Jan 2022
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I’ve seen your #1 film twice and feel inspired to watch it a third time, soon. It’s so richly layered with meaning.
I have seen # 1 and 7. The depth of the films as well as the amazing interpretations by the protagonists continue to impact me weeks after viewing them. I look forward to the other 8. Thanks for the ideas.