Because a Top 10 list seemed too self-indulgent, Tribeca Cinemas Manager of Operations Loren Hammonds shares his Top 5 Films of 2012.
**The following views are personal thoughts on each film, and do not reflect the opinion of Tribeca Enterprises or any of its affiliates.
War Witch
This narrative feature made by Canadian director Kim Nguyen, tells the tale of a Congolese young girl who is abducted from her village and forced to act as a child soldier. Labeled a witch due to her ability to sense impending attacks, the girl becomes a valued member of the militia until she attempts escape. Lyrical, and quite beautiful, the film was one of the standout titles from the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival, and is currently on the short list for the Academy Awards Best Foreign Language film. It's scheduled to be released by Tribeca Film on VOD in February, with a theatrical bow in March.
Searching For Sugar Man
This knockout documentary from 1st time filmmaker Malik Bandjellou uncovers the amazing story of Sixto Rodriguez, an American musician who faded into obscurity decades ago without the knowledge that he is revered as a legend in South Africa. Initially taking the structural form of a mystery, the film was one of the most satisfying cinematic experiences I had all year. From the dynamic music to the magnetic presence of Rodriguez himself, the film has it all.
Beasts of the Southern Wild
A magical fable with grit and texture to spare, Beasts of The Southern Wild is a completely unique film with fantastic performances from a cast of 1st time actors. Bringing to mind both the pain and resurgence of post-Katrina New Orleans, this story of 6 year-old Hushpuppy and her fellow residents of the (fictional) township of The Bathtub managed to resonate with me long after I left the theater.
Amour
Filmmaker Michael Haneke's meditation on love, age, and death is a masterpiece of acting and direction. The film managed to be horrifying and beautiful simultaneously. Amour drew me in almost imperceptibly, lulling me with its pace before eventually punching me in the gut with a fistful of dead roses. The lead performances are perfection, and Haneke once again exhibits why he is widely considered a master of his craft.
Holy Motors
Impossible to explain and deceptively simple, Leos Carax' Holy Motors is a truly transcendent piece of cinema. The film follows a man (Denis Lavant) who, over the course of 1 day, inhabits multiple personalities during a series of mysterious "appointments". The film confronts the artifice of acting head-on, while still managing to be an entertaining thrill. With it's free-form sequence of ever-evolving characters and set pieces, Holy Motors is wholly unpredictable and I loved every minute of it. I ended up having to go back to enjoy Carax' previous work, including his segment of the anthology Tokyo!, in which the unforgettable character of Merde (featured prominently in Holy Motors) first appears. Click below for a bonus clip of Merde in action!
