The Curator’s Canon
The Essential Ten
The ten we’d start anyone with — restorations that arrived like new releases, and modern films already built to last. Each one earned a second, third, fourth watch.
- 1
AftersunA camcorder holiday becomes the saddest film about memory in years — the one we kept coming back to.
- 2
The SouvenirJoanna Hogg’s exacting memory-piece: love as a slow, deliberate undoing.
- 3
Saint MaudFaith curdles into obsession in 84 razor-wire minutes.
- 4
Under the SkinAn alien gaze turned on us — still the most hypnotic thing on the platform.
- 5
45 YearsA marriage subsides in a single week; Rampling’s final shot is the year’s best.
- 6
The Red ShoesThe 4K restoration that played like the boldest new release of the year.
- 7
Black NarcissusTechnicolor delirium, restored — altitude, wind and memory undoing a convent.
- 8
The Third ManShadow-soaked Vienna, sharper than ever in the new transfer.
- 9
Lawrence of ArabiaStill the widest screen cinema can offer.
- 10
NakedThewlis talks through one long London night; Leigh at his darkest.