2020 Q2: Top Five Films
- Heather German
- Jul 2, 2020
- 3 min read
WIth the general fatigue brought on by the quarantine and the overall lack of variety between indie/art dramas and high concept genre films that I normally thrive off of, it was hard during the last quarter to see the good works that were coming out for what they were. But in hindsight, there were even more consistent offerings than in the first quarter. There are films that I left off of this list that I would rank higher than, say, Onward, which placed number five in my top five films of Quarter 1.
Here, I'm going to go over and talk about the best films I watched over the past three months (again, not including films from my Black Lives Matter Spotlight or Pride Month 2020 series). Together, these films represent a satisfying batch of dramas, with an animated genre film thrown in for good measure. They dive deep into themes of oppression and human experience, and reflect the tumultuous climate we live in in their own quiet, speculative ways.
5. Bad Education
One of many films I've reviewed lately that first premiered in the 2019 festival circuits, Bad Education finally made its way to a wider release via HBO at the end of April. What we got was one of the most humanistic stories of investigative journalism since 2015's Spotlight. With an impeccable performance from Hugh Jackman and a sobering real life story, Bad Education is an eye-opening look into the flaws of a world that serves as a micro-cosm of the systems that hold our society together - and the implications these have for our country as a whole.
4. And Then We Danced
Another film that premiered in the 2019 festival circuits before finding a home in the virtual theaters independent cinemas set up during the pandemic, And Then We Danced is a flawed but revolutionary coming of age story from the perspective of an LGBTQ+ youth in ultraconservative Georgia. Portraying dance as a form of personal expression co-opted by the rigid structures of patriarchy, this is a tale of how society attempts to stifle individuals - and how those individuals can fight back and loudly proclaim that they exist, and there's nothing that can be done to stop them. The final dance scene stands as one of the most powerful cinematic sequences of the year so far.
3. Made In Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul
As a fan of anime (and animation in general) I'm always on the lookout for quality stories and worlds, and while my appreciation for Made In Abyss is somewhat complicated due to some problematic elements of its source material (the manga and its author are gross don't read it), the animated adaptation is one of the better ones out there, with excellent world building, impeccable music and atmosphere and an emotionally compelling story. Dawn of the Deep Soul is perhaps the best entry in the multimedia franchise yet, with an epic installment full of action, horror, emotion, and beautiful animation and music. It's definitely not for newcomers to the series, but it's excellent for those who are already on board.
2. Never Rarely Sometimes Always
Never Rarely Sometimes Always is perhaps the film that caught my eye the most at this year's Sundance Film Festival, and it definitely lived up to its reputation. It's a striking work of neo-realism that casts aside melodrama in favor of telling a story about real people facing real problems and acting like real humans. There's a deceptive simplicity to its outer layer that covers up explorations of female companionship, patriarchal oppression, anti-abortion propaganda and personal autonomy and self determination. It's a beautiful, emotional experience that is only topped by one other film this quarter.
1. Disclosure: Trans Lives On Screen
As a trans person, it can be downright disheartening to see the amount of derogatory and downright abusive narratives constantly pushed about us throughout the history of cinema. As a community, we have been viciously marginalized, which is why this documentary's importance cannot be understated. It's not a fully comprehensive view of transgender representation - it could stand to include more nonbinary issues, for starters - but it is a vitally important battering ram, busting open the doors for trans people to finally tell their own stories in the spotlight, and take back the medium which has been used to harm them for decades. It's an emotional yet liberating viewing experience for me, and important for practically everyone to watch, especially anyone claiming to be allies to the community.
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