“Spy Kids” (Mini Spies), the legendary 1974 horror thriller “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (chain massacre), “Dirty Dancing” (Baile Caliente) and other films were chosen by the Library of Congress (LOC) of the United States to be preserved so that future generations can enjoy them.
On December 17, members of the LOC announced the 25 feature films selected this year for inclusion in the National Film Registryrecognizing them for their “cultural, historical or aesthetic importance” in the preservation of the cinematographic heritage national. This addition raises 900 the total number of films registered, consolidating the institution’s commitment to cultural conservation.
Among those selected are also emblematic films such as “Beverly Hills Cop” (Hollywood Detective) starring Eddie Murphy in 1984 and “Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan” (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan).
The Registry also hosts films recognized in recent years, such as “The Social Network” (The Social Network), directed by David Fincher, which narrates the creation of Facebookand the Oscar winner for Best Picture, “No Country for Old Men” (No place for the weak). Likewise, historical classics and less conventional works were included, such as the experimental short “Annabelle Serpentine Dance” (The Serpentine Dance of Annabelle) from 1985 and the shocking “Zora Lathan Student Films” from 1975-76.
The new additions, as announced in a statement, were chosen from more than 6,700 proposals of the public and elevate 900 the total number of titles included in the registry.e
In the words of Carla HaydenLibrarian of Congress, this was a “collective effort” by the film community to “preserve our heritage.”
“Films reflect the history and culture of our nation and should be preserved in our national library for future generations. “We are honored by the responsibility of adding 25 new and diverse films to the National Film Registry each year as we work to preserve our cultural heritage,” Hayden added in his statement.
Jacqueline Stewart, president of the National Film Preservation Boardstated that the Registry now has 900 titles. “The richness of American film history is sometimes quite overwhelming, and people often ask, ‘How would you recommend this or that movie?’” he said.
Stewart stated that it is through “a lot of research, conversation and debate,” as well as a great commitment to “showing the true diversity of filmmaking.”
“I am delighted that we recognize student films and films independent, animation, documentaries and experimental works, as well as feature films of narrative drama, comedy, horror and science fiction in this year’s registry,” emphasized the president of the National Film Preservation Board.
The 25 movies that were recently added are:
- Annabelle Serpentine Dance (La danza serpentina de Annabelle) from 1895.
- KoKo’s Earth Control from 1928.
- Angels with Dirty Faces (Angels with Dirty Faces) from 1938.
- Pride of the Yankees (Sus Dos Pasiones) from 1942.
- Invaders from Mars (1953).
- The Miracle Worker (Ana de los Milagros) from 1962.
- The Chelsea Girls de 1966.
- Ganja and Hess de 1973.
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre, 1974.
- Uptown Saturday Night (It Happened on a Saturday) from 1974.
- Zora Lathan Student Films the 1975-76.
- Up in Smoke (En Humo Se Va) from 1978.
- Will de 1981.
- Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan) 1982.
- Beverly Hills Cop (A Detective Loose in Hollywood) from 1984.
- Dirty Dancing (1987).
- Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt de 1989.
- Powwow Highway de 1989.
- My Own Private Idaho (Idaho: El Camino de mis Sueños) from 1991.
- American Me (Santana? American Me) from 1992.
- My Family from 1995.
- Compensation of 1999.
- Spy Kids (Mini Spies) from 2001.
- No Country for Old Men (2007).
- The Social Network (La Red Social) de 2010.
