LOS ANGELES (AP) – Distressed by thoughts of war, terrorism and natural disasters? Maybe an uplifting movie will take the edge off.
For its ninth annual celebration of cinema, the American Film Institute aims to uncover the “most inspirational films of the century.”
“When times are darkest, during war and depression, movies … provide a remarkable way for us to find ourselves again,” said Jean Picker Firstenberg, AFI’s director and chief executive. “We need to feel good again, and that’s how these movies make us feel.”
A list of 300 films deemed inspirational by AFI historians will be considered. Ballots went out this week to more than 1,500 actors, producers, writers and others in the industry.
Among the suggestions: “The Passion of the Christ,” “The Sound of Music,” “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “8 Mile.”
Tom Hanks and Henry Fonda each appeared in eight flicks on the list. Sidney Poitier, Gary Cooper and Denzel Washington have each been in seven of the suggested films.
Voters have until Dec. 16 to pore over the list. They can also write in titles AFI may have overlooked.
Firstenberg has her favorites, but she’ll only reveal them on the secret ballot. “The stories that these movies tell are a constant source of inspiration,” she said.
The top 100 uplifting films will be announced in “100 Years … 100 Cheers” on CBS in June 2006.
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