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This year, it felt as if every good movie was also an argument for why movies matter. They reward your attention, engage your feelings and respect your intelligence.

Petite Maman £¨Céline Sciamma£©

The death of a grandmother, the sorrow of a parent, the acquisition of a new friend- these ordinary experiences, occurring in the life of an 8-year-old girl, provide the basic structure of this spare, perfect film. Whether it's best described as a modern-dress fairy tale, or a low-tech time travel fantasy is up to you. What's certain is that the performance of the cast causes maximum emotional impact. £¨Coming to theaters. £©

Summer of Soul£¨Questlove£©

This documentary about a series of open-air concerts in Harlem in 1969, connecting impressive performances with interviews with musicians and audience members, is a shot of pure joy. But the film is more than a time capsule: It's a history lesson and an argument for why art matters, and what it can do, especially in time of anxiety. £¨Streaming on Hulu. £©

Bring Your Own Brigade£¨Lucy Walker£©

This documentary about California wildfires of September 2021 is also, almost by accident, an exploration of the country's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The picture Walker paints is complicated, partly because that's the way people are: panicked, generous, stupid and brave. The movie is hardly optimistic, but its open-mindedness provides a buffer against despair. £¨In theaters. £©

The Velvet Underground £¨Todd Haynes£©

Like “Summer o f Soul”, this documentary revisits the music of the 1960s in a spirit that is more historical than just recalling the past. Rather than gathering present-day musicians to celebrate their ancestors, Haynes concentrates on the Velvet, a band, and on the artistic scene that inspired them. In particular, he focuses on their connections to the experimental cinema that boomed in New York. £¨Streaming on Apple TV+. £©

1. What's the highlight of Petite Maman?

A. Its low cost.                            B. Its modern style.

C. Its unusual story.                       D. Its impressive acting.

2. What do Summer of Soul and The Velvet Underground have in common?

A. Being available offline.                 B. Sharing the same director.

C. Involving music in the 1960s.            D. Interviewing contemporary musicians.

3. Which movie involves current issues?

A. Petite Maman.                        B. Summer of Soul.

C. Bring Your Own Brigade.              D. The Velvet Underground.