26. 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS, AND 2 DAYS
 
Romania
dir. Cristian Mungiu
world premiere 2007
U.S. release 2007

 

 
Because one of the decade's greatest Palme d'or victors, despite being one of the least heralded in advance of the festival, has the combined air of unimpeachable excellence and fresh discovery, from its phenomenally assured acting and direction to its mature collapsing of any line between politics and "real life."