The National Film Registry of the Library of Congress Adds 25 Films In 2020, Including Shrek and The Dark Knight
What do Batman, a groundbreaking story of Chinese heritage, Sidney Poitier’s breaking of the Best Actor color barrier, and a donkey that seduces a dragon have in common? They’ve all been added to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress as part of its 2020 batch. That means The Dark Knight, The Joy Luck Club, Lilies of the Field, and—yes—Shrek have been selected for preservation “because of their cultural, historic or aesthetic importance to the nation’s film heritage.” Smash Mouth’s musical opening is now linked forever with the history of the medium.
But this is just a small sample of the Registry’s 25 additions in 2020, which had a greater focus on female filmmakers and filmmakers of color than in years past. “The National Film Registry is an important record of American history, culture and creativity, captured through one of the great American artforms, our cinematic experience,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. “With the inclusion of diverse filmmakers, we are not trying to set records but rather to set the record straight by spotlighting the astonishing contributions women and people of color have made to American cinema, despite facing often-overwhelming hurdles.”
There are significant steps in the subgenres of superhero and Blaxploitation cinema, slapstick and heartwrenching silent films, musical hits like Grease…and Shrek, a film that ends with various animated characters doing the Macarena. This might be a good time to remind everyone that Shrek and its sequel both competed for the Palme d’Or at Cannes.