I asked Trespassees to list their Top 3 Films of 2009. Here are my picks,
3. Rachel Getting Married (Jonathan Demme, USA)
Rachel Getting Married is a lovely homage to the dysfunctional nature of families everywhere. Playing out over a weekend of wedding celebrations, a family desperately struggles to paper of the cracks- none able to forgive or forget past grievances. Demme’s respect for his characters and use of eclectic music and design has beautifully combined to create a film which I found charmingly funny and devastatingly sad.
2. Let the Right One In (Tomas Alfredson, Sweden)
This Swedish film is like no other vampire flick of recent times, with striking wintry landscapes and unglorified violence (for the most part) it exudes loneliness and isolation. I went into the cinema knowing absolutely nothing about this film and left completely gobsmacked. With perhaps the best pool scene ever conceived, Let the Right One In is like a fable for bullies- eventually you’ll meet someone stronger, bigger or just plain scarier!
1. The Class/Entre Les Murs (Laurent Cantet, France)
Based on the writings of former teacher François Bégaudeau, who plays a version of himself, this French film highlights the delicate balance of power that exist in every classroom. With issues of race, culture and bureacracy ever ready to boil over, the film explores its characters without favouritism- leaving me both hugely frustrated but also sympathetic to their actions. Probably not great viewing for would-be teachers!
click here to see all the picks at Trespass
