These were my ten favourite films that were released in the U.K between January 1st 2020 and December 31st 2020. There were no particular criteria for a film to be shortlisted bar the above release dates. The following films were chosen for a myriad of reasons.
10.) Tenet - directed by Christopher Nolan
I must admit that Tenet had a slightly unfair advantage for getting on to this list because it was the first film that I saw after a long break from the cinema due to COVID restrictions. I was so happy to be back in the cinema that I knew that whatever film I saw would earn a special place in my heart.
Tenet really divided audiences and I can totally understand why many struggled with it because it’s certainly not an easy film to watch. However, I loved watching a film which challenged me and pushed boundaries with the audience. Not only that but Tenet felt like an exhibition of the scale of cinema - big, loud, brash and visually awesome.
9.) End of the Century - directed by Lucio Castro
This beautiful Argentine film is an understated, existential, meditative film which looked at love and memory in a way that I’ve not seen in a film before.
End of the Century plays like a love letter to Barcelona, and it made me long to go there again. And actually this film specialises in longing - longing for the life you had or the life you hope to have, longing to remember precious moments and most importantly, longing for someone who you have a special connection with.
End of the Century is very evocative and after having no expectations of it, it ended up leaving me with a myriad of emotions - something all the best films do.
8.) Possessor - directed by Brandon Cronenberg
This sci-fi/horror hybrid was a dark, difficult and often uncomfortable watch and yet it was certainly worth it. Possessor is a slow burn and cerebral film which is unique and highly engaging throughout.
Possessor completely draws you into its curious and unsettling world and doesn’t let you go easily.
7.) Parasite - directed by Bong Joon-ho
A wonderfully observed social drama which not only boasted a brilliant script, great performances and wonderful cinematography, it also became the first foreign language film to win the Best Picture Academy Award.
Parasite’s historical win introduced many newcomers to the glory of world cinema. And any film which encourages audiences to embrace cinema is a film that I cannot help but love.
6.) Portrait of a Lady on Fire - directed by Céline Sciamma
Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a beautifully shot film, almost like painting itself and it centres purely on the female gaze - something rarely seen in cinema.
I loved the love story portrayed in this, it was so touching and effective and I was completely invested in it. Portrait of a Lady on Fire made me laugh, it made me cry and my heart ached after watching it.
5.) Relic - directed by Natalie Erika James
Relic was one of the most effective horrors I’ve seen in recent years - it uses the horror of something so recognisable, tangible and grounded in reality and transforms it into something supernatural.
Not only is Relic incredibly scary, it certainly made me jump, it is also incredibly touching. It’s a film that stays with you.
4.) Jojo Rabbit - directed by Taika Waititi
Funny, touching and so very watchable - Jojo Rabbit was one of my most watched films of the year. In fact, I even watched it three times in a row at one point.
A great cast, brilliant satire and Waititi’s directorial trademarks all over it - Jojo Rabbit looks to be a film that I will continue to return to.
3.) Ammonite - directed by Francis Lee
Ammonite was be of those films that really got into my head and then proceeded to take up residence there - I have thought back on it often.
A terrific cast, beautiful cinematography and a love story which I was engaged in and rooting for from the start, Ammonite felt so raw and natural. I truly loved it.
2.) Saint Maud - directed by Rose Glass
Easily the best horror of the year for me and it also proved to be a great divisive cinema experience - with people walking out and then others berating the film afterwards.
Saint Maud was such a visceral film. It was unsettling, creepy and uncomfortable with a brilliantly jarring score and terrific performances.
This is one of the best debut films of the last few years and arguably contains the best last shot of the year.
1.) 1917 - directed by Sam Mendes
I think I knew as soon as I’d seen this film that I’d seen my film of the year. I still remember sitting in the cinema as the credits rolled with tears streaming down my face - I just found 1917 so incredibly beautiful. It was everything cinema should be - evocative, emotional, engaging. And visually and technically astounding to boot. What more can a cinephile ask for? I have since watched it several more times and every time it evokes so many emotions in me and I love it. Without a doubt, my film of 2020.
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