“Carol” has been named the top LGBT film of all time by a panel composed of 100 film experts.
The British Film Institute conducted the poll, described as the first major critical survey of LGBT films, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of BFI Flare: London’s LGBT Film Festival.
The poll featured international titles from 12 countries, including Japan and Spain. Other titles to be recognized include 2005’s “Brokeback Mountain” and 1950’s “Un chant d’amour” (“A Song of Love”).
“Carol” didn’t receive a Best Picture nominee at this year’s Academy Awards — much to the chagrin of its many ardent supporters — but the lesbian love story starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara clearly resonated with these voters.
“’Carol’’s win excites us because it’s great to see a film about two women in love enjoy such prominence, particularly given cinema’s relative lack of lesbian content,” said Tricia Tuttle, deputy head of festivals BFI.
Phyllis Nagy wrote the script for the film based on Patricia Highsmith’s 1952 novel “The Price of Salt.”
Check out our podcast with the producers of “Carol,” Liz Karlsen and Christine Vachon.