New Films Preserved for Future Generations
In a move to preserve cultural and historic treasures, the 2023 Film Registry has added a collection of classic movies. This includes the sci-fi sequel “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” the beloved Disney animated classic “Lady and the Tramp,” and the powerful, Oscar-winning drama “12 Years a Slave.” Just in time for the holidays, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is also included.
A Glimpse into the Past and Present
The oldest film to join the registry is from 1921: “A Movie Trip Through Filmland,” providing an early glimpse into the impact of cinema. On the other hand, the newest additions are both from 2013: “12 Years a Slave” and the Oscar-winning documentary “20 Feet From Stardom,” which explores the world of backup singers.
The prestigious registry, housed at the , has been selecting films for preservation since 1988. The latest additions bring the registry’s count to 875 films, representing only a fraction of the library’s extensive collection of 2 million items. To celebrate, Turner Classic Movies will host a special TV screening of selected films on Thursday.
Highlights from the 2023 Film Registry
Here is a glimpse at some of the notable films joining the registry:
- “The Wedding Banquet” (1993): Ang Lee’s romantic comedy about a gay man from Taiwan hiding his orientation from his family, featuring an over-the-top wedding banquet.
- “Bamboozled” (2000): Spike Lee’s biting satire on race in entertainment, starring Damon Wayans as a program executive at a cable network.
- “Maya Lin: A Strong, Clear Vision” (1994): Freida Lee Mock’s Oscar-winning documentary on the artist behind two iconic memorials.
- “Apollo 13” (1995): Ron Howard’s gripping retelling of the near-tragic mission involving U.S. astronauts’ journey back to Earth, starring Tom Hanks and featuring the famous (and slightly altered) quote: “Houston, we have a problem.”
- “Desperately Seeking Susan” (1985): Susan Seidelman’s quintessential New York saga, starring Rosanna Arquette and Madonna as the enigmatic Susan.
- “Matewan” (1987): John Sayles’ powerful story of unionizing efforts in a West Virginia company town during the 1920s.
- “Home Alone” (1990): Chris Columbus’ holiday classic that questions parenting choices while launching the career of the wide-eyed Macaulay Culkin as Kevin.
- “Alambrista” (1977): Robert M. Young’s tale of a Mexican migrant laborer in the United States.
- “Fame” (1980): A captivating story of students seeking stardom at the High School of Performing Arts in New York City, known for Irene Cara’s rendition of the title song.
- “Lady and the Tramp” (1955): The iconic love story between canines, featuring the unforgettable spaghetti kiss in animated film history.
With these additions, the 2023 Film Registry continues to honor and preserve films that have made a lasting impact on our culture and history.