Each and every year, French outlet Cahiers du Cinema gives us their top 10 earlier than almost everybody and often put some baffling or head-scratching choices in their based on their whims (they throw in TV too any time they deign it necessary. Even if it’s an uneven list, it’s always a fascinating one. As always, their 2021 list gives us a window into seeing what European critics are thinking (sometimes the most arty-farty Ones) and what may end up on other best films of the year list or could end up heading towards the awards races. It’ll be fun to see how this 2021 best syncs up with other outlet’s lists, as this year, titles like “Annette,” “The French Dispatch,” “Memoria,” and “France” seem like strong contenders to land on other similar lists.
Topping their Best of 2021 list is Kelly Reichardt’s “First Cow,” which feels ancient but perhaps speaks to European release patterns versus American ones. Our very own Rodrigo Perez reviewed when the film screened at the Telluride Film Festival back in 2019 (!!). Perez called the film “Meticulously crafted and serene.” Adding that, “It’s a pleasant and subtle film, and the theme of companionship threaded throughout is quiet affecting and sweet in places.”
READ MORE: International Film Oscars 2022 Predictions & Contenders
While most of the films are recognizable, some more exciting selections include the Swiss film “The Girl & The Spider” and the Cannes-awarded “Drive My Car” from Japanese filmmaker Ryusuke Hamaguchi. Our reviewer praised the latter, stating, “Hamaguchi has crafted a rich, skilfully layered masterwork with flawless performances and a script that is a screenwriter’s holy grail. It sticks in your brain for days and nudges you to take it in again.”
Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven’s controversial “Benedetta” also made the cut after people didn’t react too well to the sexuality that was featured front-and-center.
Here’s Cahiers du Cinéma’s full top 10 films of 2021:
First Cow (Kelly Reichardt)
Annette (Leos Carax)
Memoria (Apichatpong Weerasethakul)
Drive My Car (Ryusuke Hamaguchi)
France (Bruno Dumont)
The French Dispatch (Wes Anderson)
All Hands On Deck (Guillaume Brac)
The Girl & The Spider (Ramon & Silvan Zürcher)
The Card Counter (Paul Schrader)
Benedetta (Paul Verhoeven)