The annual Cahiers du Cinema Top 10 of 2011 list has been revealed, naming works by the likes of Terrence Malick, Lars von Trier, Jerzy Skolimowsky, and Manoel de Oliveira. Also in the winners' circle? J.J. Abrams! See the full eclectic list after the jump, not to mention the crazy ties in votes that make this early Top 10 a doozy to wrap your mind around...
The good folks at Mubi got a look at the December issue of Cahiers du Cinema, which lists the Top 10 selections in a swirling vortex design on its cover. A copy-holding reader wrote in to share the actual rankings listed inside. Are you ready for three two-way ties and a fourth split between three films?
1. We Have a Pope (Nanni Moretti)
2. The Strange Case of Angelica (Manoel de Olveira) & Tree of Life (Terrence Malick)
4. Outside Satan (Bruno Dumont) & Essential Killing (Jerzy Skolimowski)
6. Melancholia (Lars von Trier) & A Burning Hot Summer (Philippe Garrel)
8. Super 8 (J.J. Abrams) & House of Tolerance (Bertrand Bonello) & Meek's Cutoff (Kelly Reichardt)
Of course, the annual Cahiers list has a reputation for wide-ranging, sometimes random seeming eclecticism mixing foreign festival faves with surprise mainstream picks. Why not Super 8?
Fun facts:
Last year's Top 10 placed Toy Story 3 over The Social Network, with both eclipsed by number one pick Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives.
2009's list honored Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds and Kathryn Bigelow's Hurt Locker (both Oscar pics, admittedly).
And back in 2008, Matt Reeves beat mentor Abrams to the punch when Cloverfield hit the Top 10 (at the number 3 spot) alongside the likes of the Coen brothers and Steve McQueen. The number one pick that year? Brian de Palma's Redacted.
Speaking of McQueen... where's Shame on your list, Cahiers? Sigh. No love for the Fassboner?
• Daily Briefing. Cahiers du Cinéma's Top Ten of 2011 [Mubi]