Best movies of 2020 to watch at home

'Little Women', by Louisa May Alcott, is a classic of American literature, read by generations and generations of girls since its release in 1861. There have also been several adaptations for cinema and TV. Here, we have the version of director Greta Gerwig (from 'Lady Bird: A Hora de Voar'), which brought together a star-studded cast: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Laura Dern and Meryl Streep, as well as appearances by Timothée Chalamalet (from 'Call Me By Your Name') Bob Odenking ('Breaking Bad') and Louis Garrel ('The Formidable'), among others. The result is a film full of soul, romance, lightness and great performances (especially Saoirse, for which she was nominated for the Golden Globe), in a story that moves us from the small facts of everyday life. It is worth noting that Greta (who also signs the adapted screenplay) adopted a non-linear path to tell the story, which differs from the book - and which requires more attention from the viewer to understand the different ages of time. That's why the way we know the story of the March family and their young women happens differently from previous versions. Highlights include the excellent period reconstruction, including costumes and sets, and also the beautiful photography, signed by Yorick Le Saux (from 'Eternal Lovers' and 'Above the Clouds'). The original soundtrack by Alexandre Desplat (Oscar winner for 'The Shape of Water') jumps to the ears.

The Palme d'Or winning film from the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and Best Picture Oscar winner in 2020 is one that must be seen. Though the story takes place in South Korea, the social commentary on inequality in 'Gisaengchung' is as universal as it is masterfully presented by director Bong Joon-ho ('Okja'), aided by a cast whose performances are truly noteworthy. The South Korean filmmaker manages to draw us in with an electrifying and adrenaline-filled story that plays with all expectations of being a funny and acidly satirical social satire. All the unexpected twists and turns of the plot, as well as its shocking conclusion, make this a feature film that will have you thinking long after the credits roll. At the Golden Globes, it took home the gold in the Best Foreign Language Film category, as well as being nominated for Best Director and Best Screenplay.

'Jojo Rabbit' is undoubtedly one of the most surprising movies of the 2019-2020 awards season. Director Taika Waititi ('What We Do in the Shadows' and 'Thor: Ragnarok') uses a child's mind to present the evils of extremism with a lot of humor. In the name of leaders we never see and through brainwashing we prefer not to see, we fight wars, repeat prejudices and preach ideals that have little to do with ourselves. Special mention for the performances of Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell and Waititi himself, but the show is really from young Roman Griffin Davis and Thomasin McKenzie. It is definitely not a story for all tastes and there is more drama and tears than the funny trailers let on, but it is certainly a movie that needs to be seen - and unfortunately and frighteningly, echoes a lot of today's world.

This provocative French drama takes place in a time of greater modesty and social controls, but that does not prevent the blossoming of a forbidden love between a young bride and the artist who must portray her in a painting. Thus, 'Portrait de la jeune fille en feu' mixes an excellent period reconstruction, beautiful photography and an intense romance - which only gains with the performances of Adèle Haenel ('The Unknown Girl') and Noémie Merlant ('Curiosa'). Another highlight in the filmography of director and screenwriter Céline Sciamma, who has already signed productions such as 'Tomboy', 'Girls' and 'Lírios d'Água'.

Nominated for Best Documentary and Best Foreign Film at the 2020 Oscars, 'Honeyland' is truly unique. This Macedonian production is one of those well-edited and scripted documentaries that doesn't even feel like a documentary, as it has a well-defined story, a climax, and character transformation - just like 'Virunga' did with a war around a natural reserve in Africa. In this film by Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov, the focus is on a solitary woman in the Macedonian countryside who takes care of her elderly mother and hundreds of bees, which are responsible for her livelihood. It's hard not to be moved by this woman's journey, so simple yet so strong. It's a slow, quiet, simple, still movie. But it has an intrinsic poetry in its sequences, full of feelings. You need patience to watch it. But afterwards, it's hard not to Hatidze Muratova.