2021 has not been an easy year for anyone and it is during these difficult times that finding a source of comfort is incredibly important. For me, this was through watching films and despite the pandemic, there have been many quality films released this year with a lot of directors and filmmakers using the pandemic to their advantage. I had aimed to watch 100 films before the end of this year and have managed to watch 93 films so far with just under a week to go and have been keeping track using Letterboxd and ranking the films on there. Bear in mind that this list includes films made in 2020 but released in the UK in 2021.
As well as aiming to watch 100 films, I wanted to make sure that I watched as many films directed by women as possible. In an industry that is dominated by the male gaze and male perception, it is now more important than ever to include different voices into this narrative and films such as Titane and The Power of the Dog have proven that not only is the female perspective just as important but proving how women can push the boundaries of filmmaking and elevate the filmmaking and viewing experience.
Here are my top 10 films of 2021 according to my Letterboxd with links to my reviews:
As you can see, half of my top ten were directed by women and in a year that has seen a woman win the Palme d’Or (Julia Ducournau for Titane) and Jane Campion as the favourite to win the Best Director Oscar for The Power of the Dog (which would mark the first time women have won the award consecutively after Chloe Zhao’s win for Nomadland at the last ceremony), 2021 has been a year of many breakthroughs and stellar filmmaking.
What were your top films of the year? Let me know in the comments below!
Another Round has steadily become the favourite to win the Best International Feature Film Award at tonight’s Oscars thanks to its brilliant mix of comedy and drama. Directed by Thomas Vinterberg, the film follows four uninspired teachers who decide to start an experiment where they retain a certain amount of alcohol in their blood throughout the day and note the effects. With a cast led by Mads Mikkelson, Another Round is bonkers and disorientating as we follow the downwards spiral of the men as their lives descend into chaos as they constantly increase the alcohol intake. The film has garnered a lot of attention thanks to the film’s originality as well as Mikkelson’s perfect leading performance as history teacher, Martin.
Based on a script written by Vinterberg and Tobias Lindholm, Another Round has the perfect balance of comedy and drama. The film is filled with physical comedy as well as an extremely sharp script that gives each of the teachers a clear story and motivations for taking part in the experiment. Combined with Vinterberg’s sharp direction, the film can be disorienting and chaotic to reflect the drunken displays occurring onscreen while at the same time portraying the happiness that the characters are feeling. The final scene in which Martin performs an incredible improvised dance that acts as a release for all of the emotions and events that have happened in the film and is perfectly choreographed and directed. Vinterberg’s inclusion on the Best Director nomination list was an incredibly welcome surprise in what has been a fantastic awards season.
Mads Mikkelson is on top form as history teacher, Martin. His life seems uneventful and unexciting as he goes to work, comes home, goes to sleep and repeats the process. He has clearly broken down as he is distant from his wife and kids and his students are dissatisfied with his teaching. When he partakes in the experiment, it is as though Martin is a completely different man and starts to come out of his shell before the drinking overtakes everything and has a gigantic fall from grace. Mikkelson is on top form from beginning to end. We feel the disorientation that goes with the loss of control as well as the highs that come with his initial success in work and family. With such a complex character in a role that is physically and mentally demanding, it was great to see Mikkelson recognised with a Best Leading Actor nomination at this year’s BAFTAs and it would have been even better to see him among the nominations at the Academy Awards as well but being able to demonstrate his ability to play any genre with ease, this film serves as another great addition to a fantastic filmography.
The supporting cast does a brilliant job of portraying the chaos that surrounds Martin with Thomas Bo Larsen bringing a performance that will have you crying by the end. Larsen plays Tommy, the PE teacher who works with the younger children in the school. When the experiment is underway, it is Tommy whose life begins to spiral out of control almost immediately and it gets to the point where he loses that control and cannot retain it. Hiding numerous bottles of alcohol in the gymnasium equipment room is only the start of the bottle. After the men agree that their alcohol consumption is getting to a point where they are concerned about alcoholism, they stop the experiment but Tommy continues to drink. The scene in which he turns up to a staff meeting inebriated beyond belief is heartbreaking as he has lost all sense of self. The final encounter we see between Tommy and Martin is upsetting and it’s thanks to Larsen’s incredible performance that we really feel the despair for the character.
Another Round is a film that is bold and daring while also remaining a celebration of life. The four men work in the same school and yet lead entirely different lives and the experiment brings forth a common denominator between them as everything is put into perspective. Vinterberg has created a film that feels revolutionary in its fearlessness and the highly charged emotional scenes juxtaposed with literal song and dance in a way that feels real and grounded. Mikkelson proves again that he is capable of performing any role in any genre as he excels and carries off what is easily a career best in a career that is filled to the brim with impeccable performances.
What did you think of Another Round? Let me know in the comments below!
It goes without saying that the pandemic has certainly flipped every sector of life upside down. In terms of films, we have seen the industry reach a point where the fate of cinemas will now be in the hands of 2021. In the meantime, we have seen the majority of award frontrunners released on streaming websites, particularly Netflix who have a huge chunk of award worthy films this time around. The topic of streaming service films being up for major awards has been subject of much debate. I personally think that a film that can transfer the emotion and grandeur from the big screen to small screen and still keep its impact is a hugely difficult challenge and commend filmmakers who are able to do so.
Bearing this in mind, in the 13 years I have actively followed awards season, watching films for this awards season is turning out to be a unique experience. I love the fact that I can revisit the films for multiple views whenever I want. That being said, I cannot wait for cinemas to reopen and experience the full magic of the movies again.
I’ll be discussing my award season predictions in a week or so when I have watched a few more but for now, I’ll be leaving the links to the reviews I have written thus far and add to them as my film list grows.
There are so many more films for me to see and I am very excited. I’ll be posting links to those reviews in this article as well so you can follow any updates here.
Which film has been your favourite so far? Any potential Oscar winners on your list? Let me know in the comments below!
