National Film Registry Announces List

In film history news, a new batch of 25 flicks has been selected for preservation in the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry. The registry, established by the National Film Preservation Act of 1988, selects certain films that have been deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” to be preserved for future audiences. This year’s films were selected by Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, the first African-American and the first woman to hold the position,  after she consulted with a panel of experts on the National Film Preservation Board. Some standouts include The Breakfast Club, The Lion King, The Princess Bride, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, and my personal favorite, Paris is Burning. Director Jennie Livingston’s 1991 documentary about New York City’s lively gay ballroom scene shot several holes in Hollywood’s standard depiction of gay life. Instead of campy comedic stereotypes, audiences were introduced to an LGBT community that was more ethnic, more impoverished, and less squeaky clean, but still remained sympathetic and, most importantly, human. A lot of the film’s subjects have passed on to the great ballroom in the sky since the film’s release, but I’d like to think they can look down on us happily knowing that a copy of their voguing, duck walking, suicide dropping exploits is nestled safely beneath Capitol Hill for all of eternity.