LOS ANGELES (AP) \u2014 This year\u2019s inductees into the National Film Registry include an epic Star Wars and Lord of the Ring films, projects starring Jennifer Lopez\u2026<\/b>
\nLOS ANGELES (AP) \u2014 This year\u2019s inductees into the National Film Registry include an epic Star Wars and Lord of the Ring films, projects starring Jennifer Lopez and the late Cicely Tyson along with films that took on racially motivated violence against people of color. The Library of Congress announced Tuesday that films including \u201cStar Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi,\u201d \u201cThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,\u201d and \u201cA Nightmare on Elm Street\u201d are among the 25 movies tapped for preservation this year. Lopez\u2019s starring role in the 1997 biographical film \u201cSelena\u201d and Tyson\u2019s \u201cSounder\u201d in 1972 made the registry as well. The national library said this year\u2019s selections date back nearly 120 years. The oldest was the \u201cRingling Brothers Parade Film\u201d in 1902. \u201cFilms help reflect our cultural history and creativity \u2014 and show us new ways of looking at ourselves \u2014 though movies haven\u2019t always been deemed worthy of preservation,\u201d Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, said in a statement. \u201cThe National Film Registry will preserve our cinematic heritage, and we are proud to add 25 more films this year.\u201d Hayden and film historian Jacqueline Stewart will discuss the new selections in a television special on Turner Classic Movies on Friday at 8 p.m. EST. The library has selected movies for preservation because of their cultural, historic and artist importance since the registry began in 1988. This year\u2019s picks bring the total number of films in the registry to 825. \u201cReturn of the Jedi\u201d and \u201cThe Fellowship of the Ring\u201d drew significant public support through online nominations. \u201cIt is a great honor to have \u2018The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring\u2019 selected this year by the National Film Registry,\u201d said Peter Jackson\u2019s filmmaking team, which includes Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. \u201cWe are proud to be part of an archive that celebrates and preserves the art of visual storytelling, for generations to come.\u201d Two animated features made registry including Pixar\u2019s Oscar-winning film from 2008 \u201cWALL-E\u201d and Disney\u2019s \u201cFlowers and Trees\u201d released in 1932. Several films on list that address racially motivated violence includes \u201cThe Murder of Fred Hampton,\u201d \u201cWho Killed Vincent Chin?\u201d and \u201cRequiem-29.\u201d The library chose a few more memorable titles such as \u201cCooley High,\u201d \u201cRichard Pryor: Live in Concert,\u201d \u201cChicana,\u201d \u201cThe Long Goodbye,\u201d \u201cThe Watermelon Woman,\u201d \u201cStop Making Sense\u201d and \u201cStrangers on a Train.\u201d Additional films on the list include \u201cThe Wobblies,\u201d \u201cPink Flamingos,\u201d \u201cEvergreen,\u201d \u201cWhat Ever Happened to Baby Jane,\u201d \u201cHellbound Train,\u201d \u201cThe Flying Ace\u201d and \u201cJubilo.\u201d Copyright \u00a9 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.<\/p>\n