Sunday, September 12, 2010

Top 30 Most Significant Indie Films

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Amadeus, GandhiFargo and The Hurt Locker were among the movies in the list of 30 Most Significant Independent Films.
They were the boxbusters in the past three decades, chosen by the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA).

"From Oscar winners to controversial and visionary game-changers, independent films have shaped and defined the film industry and popular culture over the last 30 years," said IFTA Chairman Lloyd Kaufman.
The non-profit trade organisation released the list to mark its 30th anniversary. The list was made by its 27-member Board of Directors. The chosen films are independently financed releases that were produced worldwide.

The IFTA board selected 10 films from each of the past three decades, considering a variety of factors, including features that introduced new cinematic styles; garnered awards; achieved critical acclaim; impact on notable producers, directors or actors; or had other standout qualities.

The IFTA and American Cinematheque will begin a screening series featuring the honorees. The series will begin Sept. 29 with a screening of My Left Foot, followed by a discussion with director Jim Sheridan. The acclaimed 1989 Irish film won two Oscars for Best Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis) and Best Supporting Actress (Brenda Fricker).

According to the group, the most significant films by decade are:
1980s: Amadeus, Blue Velvet, Dances With Wolves, Das Boot, Gandhi, My Left Foot, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Platoon, Sex, Lies and Videotape, The Terminator;
1990s: Braveheart, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Fargo, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Life Is Beautiful, Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, The Silence of the Lambs, The Usual Suspects, Where the Day Takes You;

2000s: Brokeback Mountain, Cras, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Juno, Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, Million Dollar Baby, Monster, The Pianist and Slumdog Millionaire.

Honorable mentions were given to: The Killing Fields, The Last Emperor, The Toxic Avenger, Basic Instinct, Good Will Hunting, Trainspotting, Bowling for Columbine, Memento and Twilight.

Source: Xinhua news agency