My films of the year 2011

This year was once again marked by crises and an uncertain future. A crisis exists also in Hollywood cinema which produces less and less films that could be called "quality entertainment". It is significant that both the Oscar winner ("The Kings's Speech") and the most successful film of the year ("Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2") were British productions. Many of the important films too were (directly or indirectly) about the end of the world and made clear that we will - should we continue like before - we will inevitably head towards a disaster. Nevertheless there were also some smaller, human films that gave us something we can really need in times like these: hope.

Here are my personal top 10 of the year 2011:

1. Le gamin au vélo (Belgium, Jean Pierre & Luc Dardenne)
2. Le Havre (France, Aki Kaurismaki)
3. Melancholia (Denmark, Lars von Trier)
4. Play (Sweden, Ruben Ostlund)
5. Die Vaterlosen (Austria, Marie Kreutzer)
6. Midnight in Paris (USA/France, Woody Allen)
7. Habemus Papam (Italy, Nanni Moretti)
8. Faust (Russia, Aleksandr Sokurow)
9. The Kids are all right (USA, Lisa Cholodenko)
10. Nostalgia de la luz (Chile, Patricio Guzmán)

There were some interesting films such as "The Turin House", "A Separation" or "The Artist" that I was unable to see.

My film of the year 2011: "Le gamin au vélo"

American Madness (USA 1932)

Where is Frank Capra when we need him?

His 1932 film about the 1929 economy crises should be mandatory viewing for all bankers and economists out there. It tells - naturally in a very simplified version - the story of a sincere bank director who refuses to sell out his financially stricken bank to the sharks. His loans are based on trust and not on credit standing and he is eventually rewarded for his stubborn behavior. One might argue that real life is not a Capra movie and any bank clerk giving out loans based on feelings would be immediately fired but one thing is for sure: the main problem we have in the current economical crises is precisely the lack of trust that the common people have against the authorities. This is what the politicians and bank managers need to earn back first before there can be a lasting recovery of the economy. In 1932, Frank Capra's film certainly contributed to it...

Frank Capra came in at the last minute to direct this film but now no one else seems to be imaginable on the director's chair. It would become the first in a series of very successful "Capraesque" films that promote the positive effects of individual acts of courage.

Films rarely can change the world but their influence on the world and its individuals should not be underestimated. After watching a Frank Capra, it is impossible not wanting to become a better person...

8/10

Show me the money!

The Lion King (USA 1994)

I wouldn't go so far to say that "The Lion King" is the best Disney film - there are certainly more artistic and important ones - but it is my best Disney film. The primary reason for this may be the fact that I saw it for the first time when I was still a kid and just discovering my love for the movies. And as we all know, the films we first saw as kids are the ones that touch as the most. But judging as objective as possible now almost 20 years later, I still regard it as Disney's last classically animated masterpiece before the digital revolution took over.

The story may be simple but it is great, the characters one-dimensional but lovely and the music may please mainstream taste but is still touching. It's very entertaining to be sure but it is also an inspiring film - more inspiring even than most "real" movies. I would also argue that the film has a serious message that is really important. We now live in a society where people shy away from responsibility and nobody wants to grow up anymore. Young people all over the world have unconsciously adopted the "Hakuna Matata" mantra and live a life of carefree pleasures. And not all of them find the way back eventually the way that Simba does in the film. A lot of potential is wasted because people just don't care enough or simply choose the easy way. As a consequence, the people who end up in the power positions are not always those who would deserve them.

Traditions, codes of conducts and growing-up rituals may be values that sound old-fashioned nowadays but as "The Lion King" teaches us, they are crucial for the "circle of life" to stay in balance.

9/10

This review refers to the original version of the film and not the recent and absolutely superfluous theatrical 3D re-release of the film.

With great power comes great responsibility