‘Dark Knight,’ ‘Grease’ added to National Film Registry

LOS ANGELES (AP) — This year's inductees into National Film Registry include a record number of female directors and filmmakers of color as well as a new crop of movies ranging from a silent short film thriller, classic musicals and an acclaimed Batman film.

Library of Congress anunced Monday that films including “ Dark Knight,” “Suspense,” musicals “Grease” and “ Blues Brors” along with Sidney Poitier’s Oscar-winning performance in “Lilies of Field” are among 25 movies tapped for preservation this year.

national library said this year’s selections include a record nine films directed by women and filmmakers of color.

“With inclusion of diverse filmmakers, we are t trying to set records but rar to set record straight by spotlighting astonishing contributions women and people of color have me to American cinema, despite facing often-overwhelming hurdles,” Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, said in a statement.

Hayden and film historian Jacqueline Stewart will discuss new selections in a television special on Turner Classic Movies on Tuesday at 8 p.m. EST.

library has selected movies for preservation because of ir cultural, historic and artist importance since registry began in 1988. This year’s picks bring total number of films in registry to 800.

Music was featured in this year’s selection including film aptation of Broway musicals “Cabin in Sky” in 1943 and “Grease,” which starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in 1978.

“ Blue Brors” director John Landis called film’s selection into registry a “delightful surprise.”

“ film is result of Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi’s genuine passion for rhythm and blues and our mutual love for se great African American artists and city of Chicago,” said Landis, who has two projects in registry including “Animal House” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

library chose a few more memorable titles such as Kathryn Bigelow’s “ Hurt Locker,” animated film “Shrek” and “ Joy Luck Club,” a movie based on Amy Tan’s bestselling book that told saga of two generations of Asian American women. 2010 documentary “Freedom Riders,” also making its way into registry, told an inspiring story about civil rights activists who fought against racial segregation on buses and trains in 1960s.

Christopher lan’s 2008 Batman film “ Dark Knight” was a blockbuster and top public vote-getter.

or films directed by women include Lois Weber’s “Suspense,” Ida May Park’s “Bre,” Aloha Wanderwell’s “With Car and Camera Around World,” Ida Lupi’s “Outr,” Kathleen Collins’ “Losing Ground,” Julie Dash’s “Illusions,” Lourdes Portillo’s “ Devil Never Sleeps” and “Mauna Kea: Temple Under Siege” by Joan Lander.

ditional films on list include “Kid Auto Races at Venice” (1914), “ Battle of Century” (1927), “ Man with Golden Arm” (1955), “A Clockwork Orange” (1971), “Sweet Sweetback’s Baasssss Song” (1971), “Wattstax” (1973), “Buena Vista Social Club” (1999) and “ Ground” (1993-2001).

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