JUNIOR’S BEST OF 2015

Cinema ruled again in 2015 with a breaking-record number of audiences dragged by blockbusters such as “Star Wars”, “Avengers” and “Jurassic World”, which all increased the box-office numbers, with varying grosses rounding between $250 to over $600 million each. As the industry of dreams celebrates its 120^th anniversary, Movies was the center of discussion throughout the year, as it depicted many social issues, immigration, the power of technology, new trends in society, sexual liberation, exposed many outrageous cases related to authorities, but mainly two aspects appeared firmly as the creative conductors for many filmmakers’ works: the continuous search of men-kind to understand the Creator, and the manipulative power of money over people and over interests, proving its ability to hide and deny the Truth. Overall, 2015 was a great year for filmmaking as the industry proved to know, like no one else, how to make dreams come true on the big screen. After watching 195 new films this year, here’s my Top 10 Best Films:

1-A PIGEON SAT ON A BRANCH REFLECTING ON EXISTENCE- Swedish director Roy Andersson concludes his trilogy about Living with a contemplative observation on life itself and all that comes along: family, love, sex, dance, desire, obsession, greed, death, loneliness, to name a few. As two salesmen approach people trying to sell their new items hoping they’ll bring joy into their lives, an immersive collection of images gather characters from the past, real, metaphorical, historical and contemporary in a darkly funny dream-like atmosphere. It’s an exhilarating look on how we behave and treat each other.

2- ARABIAN NIGHTS VOLUME 1- Portuguese filmmaker Miguel Gomes accomplished trilogy is a homage to the power of storytelling as much as it is a love letter to his struggling nation, his people and Europe in general. Trying to avoid punishment after abandoning the set, the director is forced to tell stories to maintain the crew entertained and the result is brilliant surrealist and fascinating social-political manifest.

3- JAUJA- Viggo Mortensen is wonderful as a captain lost in the wilderness of Patagonia, in search of his daughter, who ran away with a soldier. The mystical and suspenseful aspect of the narrative, the sexual tension, and the breathtaking landscape makes it one of the most beautiful films recently made.

4- FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD- Filmed in a gorgeous Technicolor-style, this romance about a young headstrong, played by Carey Mulligan, disputed by three different men, brought back the enlightening glamour of Hollywood Golden Era with impeccable cinematic skills.

5- ABOUT ELLY + TAXI- Two gems from Iran prove the incomparable talent of two controversial auteurs. The first is a late release by Oscar winner director Asghar Farhadi, a suffocating investigation on human compassion as a group of people look for a disappearing teacher, and Jafar Panahi once again goes undercover, as he poses as a cab driver, to capture the devastating consequences of his country’s dictatorial regime.

6- KINGSMAN- This shocking and alarming look on how people get manipulated by technology and dragged to violence is one of the most radical films ever made and the most efficient film about the dangers of consumerism.

7- PHOENIX- After being disfigured during war, a famous singer reconstructs her face and goes on a quest for her husband. German actress Nina Hoss deserves the honor of an Oscar nomination for this courageous and unforgettable performance. An instant noir classic.

8- WHILE WE’RE YOUNG + MISTRESS AMERICA- Noah Baumbach released two amazing films, investigating the complications of being young in contemporary world. He also brilliantly pointed to the insecurities of aging with witty sarcasm and delightful intellectualism.

9- THE SECOND MOTHER– Brazilian Cinema gained the spotlight with this account on family matters, financial and emotional bounds as Regina Casé’s magnificently plays a housemaid trying to get everything, and everyone, in shape.

10- THE LESSON- Bulgarian writer-directors Petar Valchanov and Kristina Grozeva creates a striking study on moral values and integrity, as a teacher faces double dilemmas: find the robber who’s been disturbing her class, and figure a way out of a debt crisis. An accomplished anti-capitalism alert.

OTHER 10 HONORABLE FILMS: The teen comedy “DOPE”, the incredible canine revenge tale “WHITE GOD”, the glamorous lesbian affair in “CAROL”, the stunning revelations of humanity and Nature in “THE SALT OF THE EARTH”, the investigative emergency of “SPOTLIGHT”, the sensibility of the immigration-romances “BROOKLYN” and “LEARNING TO DRIVE”, the amazing conversations in “THE END OF THE TOUR”, Spielberg’s rescuing tale of equality “BRIDGE OF SPIES” and the turmoil of “71” where the soldier Jack O’Connell struggles to escape alive from the horrors of war.