My 2014 or 24 films by 24fpsverite

Probably 2014 has been one of the richest cinematic years of my recent memory. Despite the fact that many of my favorite directors returned with extremely interesting films, new emerging filmmakers also managed to capture my attention. What has become even more interesting is the challenging balancing coexistence of new almost experimental forms of expression that could change the language with the traditional forms which still remain extremely prominent.

As always this was another year of discoveries. By attending the major film festivals of Venice and Sarajevo I had the opportunity to explore better that field too. Of course we still need more festivals that dare to present something new and something that doesn’t necessarily follow the ordinary path and not only during their parallel competitive sections. Unfortunately many of these films would never have an appropriate wide release even in their home countries and a festival is usually their only chance to be properly screened.

The selection of the films was quite difficult and for that reason this is not a set in stone list. I tried to include mainly the films that impressed me during 2014 and of course those that I consider our modern masterpieces. The classification doesn’t really play any major role since different genres and films have just to be presented in an interesting order. Six filmmakers are included with their debut or sophomore feature film. Also three documentaries are among the best and there will be soon a specialized selection too. Finally one short film and one TV series managed to be among the best.

24. Patardzlebi / Brides by Tinatin Kajrishvili
23. Viharsarok / Land of Storms by Ádám Császi
22. Theeb by Naji Abu Nowar
21. Nabat by Elchin Musaoglu
20. Blind by Eskil Vogt
19. Ničije Dete / No One’s Child by Vuk Ršumović
18. Belluscone. Una storia siciliana by Franco Maresco
17. Mercuriales by Virgil Vernier
16. Artă / Art by Adrian Sitaru
15. Three Windows and a Hanging by Isa Qosja
14. Maidan by Sergei Loznitsa
13. Fehér Isten / White God by Kornél Mundruczó
12. The Wind Rises by Hayao Miyazaki
11. The Grand Budapest Hotel by Wes Anderson
10. Under the Skin by Jonathan Glazer
9. Maps to the Stars by David Cronenberg
8. Nymphomaniac by Lars von Trier
7. The Postman’s White Nights by Andrei Konchalovsky
6. P’tit Quinquin / Li’l Quinquin by Bruno Dumont
5. Jauja by Lisandro Alonso
4. The Look of Silence by Joshua Oppenheimer
3. Kış Uykusu / Winter Sleep by Nuri Bilge Ceylan
2. A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence by Roy Andersson
1. Adieu au Langage / Goodbye to Language by Jean-Luc Godard
Special Mention: Hard to Be a God by Aleksei German

Aleksei German’s magnum opus is beyond any kind of classification or selection and belongs to a category of its own as it creates an unparalleled cinematic experience that cannot be limited in one year’s list.