Cinematography has a special ability to remain engraved in our memory, whether due to the story it tells, the cinematographic techniques used or the characters, and the United States is in charge of preserve a selection of the most iconic films that will go down in history. Although every year, new proposals are awarded at galas such as the Oscar or the Goya in Spain, the US Congress also rewards some of the most iconic films in the history of US cinema, saving them each year in the National Film Registry.

Some of the highest-grossing films in history, such as Home alone, Apollo 13 and Terminator 2: Judgment Day are among those chosen this year to be preserved for posterity by the United States Library of Congress. A list of twenty-five titles announced this Wednesday by the library, the largest in the world, will become part of the select club of films whose preservation is already guaranteed by law.

To choose which titles will pass the screening, a consults the American public involved in the selection of titlesand two of the most voted were Home alonethe well-known story of a boy (Macaulay Culkin) forgotten by his family who stays home alone for Christmas and manages to appease two thieves, and Terminator 2the second film in the futuristic and apocalyptic saga starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The great story about slavery 12 years of slavery (2013), directed by Steve McQueen, and the endearing story of DisneyThe Lady and the Tramp They are found in this list of movies. Also included is a title from more than a century, A Movie Trip Through Filmland (1921), an educational documentary made at Kodak headquarters about how films are made, and a classic of the stature of Dinner at eight (1933), by George Cukor, one of the first great films of sound cinema. Not missing from this list is the film that tells of the failed lunar trip of the Apollo 13a failure that for many ended up becoming NASA’s greatest success and that Ron Howard featured on the big screen with Tom Hanks as the protagonist.

Iconic are two other films included, both marked in one way or another by music: Fame (1980), which made many dream of succeeding in the world of entertainment, and Desperately looking for Susan (1985), Madonna’s great film success.

Tim Burton’s dark Christmas fantasy Nightmare Before Christmascelebrates his thirtieth anniversary entering this list, just like The wedding banquetthe emotional comedy by Ang Lee, who shares the same birthday.

There are also stories that deal with issues of our time that were already told 46 years ago inAlambrista!the documentary that deals with immigration accompanying a Mexican farmer entering the United States illegally to work and support his family. And as, the racismin this case counted not only in the already mentioned 12 years of slaverybut also in Bamboozledthe satire by African-American director Spike Lee that recalls the television shows that mocked black people by painting actors’ faces with black and red makeup.

What are the requirements to enter the registry?

In compliance with the National Film Preservation Act, each year the Librarian of Congress names 25 films to the National Film Registry. “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant. The tapes chosen must have at least a decade old and the librarian selects them after consulting with members of the National Film Preservation Council and a group of Library specialists. The titles proposed by the public are also taken into account. On this occasion the citizens proposed 6,875 titles.

The 25 movies

The twenty-five titles chosen this year, in chronological order, are:

  • A Movie Trip Through Filmland (1921)
  • Dinner at eight (1933)
  • Bohulano Family Film Collection (1950s-1970s)
  • Helen Keller: In Her Story (1954)
  • The Lady and the Tramp (1955)
  • Where the city ends (1957)
  • We’re Alive (1974)
  • Cruisin’ J-Town (1975)
  • Alambrista! (1977)
  • Passing Through (1977)
  • Fame (1980)
  • Desperately looking for Susan (1985)
  • The Lighted Field (1987)
  • Matewan (1987)
  • Home alone (1990)
  • Queen of Diamonds (1991)
  • Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
  • Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
  • The wedding banquet (1993)
  • Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision (1994)
  • Apollo 13 (nineteen ninety five)
  • Bamboozled (2000)
  • Love & Basketball (2000)
  • 12 years of slavery (2013)
  • 20 steps from fame (2013)