This year in films represented a lot of very interesting and unique stories. As opposed to movies being stuck on sequels and Reimagining, this year saw some truly unique stories. In a world where we hear so often that nothing new is being created, it is a look back that Sometimes highlights the stories that inspire something new and different. I hate to admit that the parental phrase “We have food at home” applies, but sometimes it is about looking to what is already here and finding the stories you’ve overlooked.

Two specific films this year captured true stories that I had not encountered until watching the films. These stories felt so fantastical That I was engaged to Research afterward how much of the stories had actually happened. To my surprise these stories capture the truth without much variance and I was confounded as to how I had never heard these stories before and so grateful to be hearing about them now.

The first Film is “Kneecap“

directed by Rich Peppiatt.

This film tells the Story of the struggle over traditional irish dialect as it is being erased by the incoming government language. The story is so fantastical that I was hard pressed to believe that much of It was true. To my surprise, many of the plot points including staging death, a high school music teacher turned rap duo manager, and music that was so politically divisive it incited riots, were all true events that Occurred within the last 10 years. I implore you to take the Time to watch this Diamond of a film that highlights a true story in such a unique and Creative way and becomes part of the idea that we have all the tools that we need, already, to make something fresh and new. We just have to take the time to look at it.

The second Film is “los Frikis”

directed by Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz

Another film that feels “beyond belief” in the way that it captures real events that are larger than life. This film Tells the Story of Cuba in the 90s, when fidel castro had made rock music illegal and their culture had reached a Point of desperation for art. groups of people intentionally injected themselves with HIV+ blood in order to be taken to “camps” where they would be left alone to die. In these spaces, they created the most Incredible meaning and Connections with music, art, and love and found purpose in a shortened version of their lives, because at least they could live their lives freely. This is a story and film that will stay with you long after seeing it and has implications well beyond what is told Within the runtime. I could myself lucky for seeing such a special story and project in a theater with others who were willing to take that journey along side me.

This year has been incredible for films, but the only way to truly build from something great is to understand why it was so great. I urge anyone that loves the art of film, to take some time to watch these two films and understand the importance of telling stories.