Last Fall TIFF Cinematheque's Senior Programmer James Quandt conducted a poll among a group of over sixty film curators, historians, archivists and programmers from festivals, cinematheques and similar film organizations around the world. The poll was to find out what the best films of the decade were, or as they are calling it to find the "alternative view" of the best films of the decade.

"Their perspective," says Quandt, "should give us a longer view of the films made in this decade, the films that should stand the test of time and be acknowledged as historically influential works in the decades to come."

The list includes 54 films in total, and features a broad range of titles including four from reputable Canadian filmmakers David Cronenberg (A History of Violence), Guy Maddin (My Winnipeg, The Heart of the World), and Zacharias Kunuk (Atanarjuat, The Fast Runner). TIFF Cinematheque will screen 38 of the 54 films between January 21 and February 23. Below are my must-see picks that should intrigue a wide audience while supporting an "alternative view."

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007)

Set in Romania in the late '80s, 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days follows a young woman as she enlists her roommate to help her get an illegal abortion. It's a disturbing, powerful tale that is sure to stick with you. Screens Thursday, February 18.

A History of Violence (2005)

After small town guy Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) thwarts a robbery at his diner, he becomes a local hero. The attention brings some unsavoury people around who believe Tom is someone else...someone with a violent past. Is he really or are they mistaken? David Cronenberg's adaptation of the graphic novel is strong and tense, and Mortensen delivers one of his best performances. Screens Thursday, February 4.

Caché (2005)

Georges (a television show host) and his family are terrorized with videotapes of themselves left on their front porch. The police refuse to help leaving Georges to investigate on his own when the tapes get progressively worse. Caché is an excellent and disturbing thriller directed by Michael Haneke (Funny Games, The White Ribbon) that could be one of my favourite films ever made. Screens Thursday, February 4.

Elephant (2003)

A haunting film about an "ordinary day" at an "ordinary high school" where two kids show up with guns and start shooting fellow students. Directed by Gus Van Sant, the film was originally protested over its similarities to the real-life Columbine shootings. Screens Thursday, February 11.

Mulholland Dr. (2001)

Bizarro film from David Lynch about a woman who suffers amnesia after a car accident and nothing is as it seems. Although repeat viewings are a must to get the full story seeing it on the big screen again is a delight. Naomi Watts and Laura Harring star. Screens Friday, February 19.

Saraband (2003)

Ingmar Bergman's last film goes back to characters (and actors) he featured in his 1973 film Scenes from a Marriage. Marianne (Liv Ullmann) goes to visit her ex-husband of thirty years, Johan (Erland Josephson), at his summer home. His widowed son and granddaughter live on the property in a separate cottage and Marianne is quickly pulled into the family drama and becomes part of the anxiety and unhappiness of them. Saraband is a very bleak drama that has something very refreshing about it thanks to Bergman's style and Ullmann's performance. Screens Tuesday, February 23.

Syndromes and a Century (2006)

Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul tells the fictional story of his parents' lives before he was born. More of an experimental piece than a linear film, Syndromes and a Century has a lot going for it if you can get over the initial feeling that this is a movie about nothing. Although I don't agree with this being #1 on the poll it is a fine work of art. Screens Thursday, January 21 and Tuesday, January 26.

Talk to Her (2002)

The story of two men and the friendship they form out of their devotion to the women they love, who both happen to be in comas. Directed by Pedro Almodóvar, Talk to Her is a beautiful film that will touch even the coldest of moviegoers. Screens Friday, February 12.

For the full schedule of films playing as part of TIFF's Best Of The Decade: An Alternative View, or to purchase tickets, visit the TIFF Cinematheque site.

brian.mckechnie@citynews.rogers.com

Top image: A scene from A History of Violence. Courtesy Alliance Films.