National Film Registry Adds ‘Clerks’, ‘Boys Don’t Cry’, ‘Purple Rain’, ‘Sleeping Beauty’ & More
Another year has almost come to a close, and that means it’s time for the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress to add 25 more movies to their archive that protects and preserves “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant films.”
This year, there seems to be a concerted effort to better represent a more diverse slate of films rather than common beloved classics. While there are entries likeClerks, PlatoonandSleeping Beauty, this year’s entries also include the LGBTQ documentaryBefore Stonewall, the true storyBoys Don’t Cry, and even an old recording of immigrants arriving fresh off the boat at Ellis Island in New York City. Get the full list of 2019 National Film Registry movies below.
Librarian of CongressCarla Haydenannounced the annual selection of 25 of America’s most influential motion pictures to theNational Film Registry. Hayden said in a statement:
“The National Film Registry has become an important record of American history, culture and creativity. Unlike many other honors, the registry is not restricted to a time, place or genre. It encompasses 130 years of the full American cinematic experience – a virtual Olympiad of motion pictures. With the support of Congress, the studios and other archives, we are ensuring that the nation’s cinematic history will be around for generations to come.”
As of this year, the library of films in the National Film Registry has reached nearly 800 movies, including everything from blockbusters to documentaries, silent movies to animation, independent films, and some of the earliest film footage every recorded.
The selections this year span 100 years of filmmaking from 1903 through 2003. The oldest entry from 1903 is merely a small piece of documentary footage chronicling the arrival of immigrants in New York on Ellis Island. Immigration has always been part of America’s history, and this was the first time it was ever captured on film. Check it out here:
Speaking of people still dealing with prejudice,Boys Don’t Cryrepresents the plight that transgender men and women are still dealing with today. Despite being made 20 years ago, transgender rights are still under siege everyday by people who refuse to let others be true to themselves. In 1999, it was amazing that this movie was even made. And in 2019, it’s frustrating that people still refuse to accept transgender people like the film’s subject, Brandon Teena, a role that earnedHilary Swankan Oscar. That makesBoys Don’t Crya worthy and important entry in history.
While we’re talking about sects of the population that continue to be underrepresented, the National Film Registry added seven movies from female directors, who still don’t get nearly as many opportunities as their male counterparts. That’s the most movies from female directors since the first time the National Film Registry preserved movies in 1989. In addition toBoys Don’t Cryfrom director Kimberley Peirce, the selected films include the LGBTQ documentaryBefore StonewallfromGreta Schiller; the indie dramaGirlfriendsbyClaudia Weill; an avant-garde film calledMy Name Is OonafromGunvor Nelson;Patricia Cardoso’s coming-of-age indieReal Women Have Curvesstarring a youngAmerica Ferrera, the civil rights documentaryI Am SomebodyfromMadeline Anderson; andA New LeaffromElaine May, the first woman to write, direct and star in a major American studio feature.
Other significant entries includeKevin Smith’sClerks, which perfectly captures the voice of a generation, depicts a decade that is slipping further and further away in time, and perfectly represents the spirit of independent cinema in young filmmakers. There’s also Disney’sSleeping Beauty, the last of the classic era of animated fairytales from the studio,Oliver Stone’s harsh and gritty war dramaPlatoon, and the touching story of a boy and his dog inOld Yeller.
As for the rest of the movies, you can find the full list below and get more information on each movieover here.
1. Amadeus (1984)
2. Becky Sharp (1935)
3. Before Stonewall (1984)
- Body and Soul (1925)
5. Boys Don’t Cry (1999)
6. Clerks (1994)
7. Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980)
8. Emigrants Landing at Ellis Island (1903)
9. Employees Entrance (1933)
- Fog of War (2003)
