Francine Stock presents a two-part series on Hollywood, Hollywood: The Prequel.

1. Best Film of 20th Century

(Impossible to answer and changes from minute to minute.) Virtuosity? Citizen Kane
Simple truth? Tokyo Story
Complex and moving evocation of political and private lives, past and present? Hiroshima Mon Amour
Sensory riot of sentiment and haunting melodies? Umbrellas of Cherbourg

2. Best Film of 21st Century so far...

Mulholland Drive or possibly Russian Ark

3. Earliest Film Memory

Very small, peeping through the banisters, seeing on television Russell and Monroe dancing in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (it was a shock to realise later they were actually in bright red rather than tasteful monochrome). Also Magwitch and Miss Havisham in Lean's Great Expectations. In the cinema those trippy flowers in the titles of My Fair Lady - more magical than the film itself. Then the obelisk in 2001, of course, which haunted my nights.

4. Scene that changed your life

So many and with such oblique results - the final dance in Fellini's 81/2; Binoche alone in the house in Three Colours:Blue; the fatal glance across a schoolroom in Au Revoir Les Enfants; Kathleen Turner and William Hurt in the bath in Body Heat; Stroszek in the amusement arcade.

5. Best going to the flicks experience

A drive-in in Los Angeles when I was eight. Exciting then, even more so in retrospect.

6. Best director working today

Martin Scorsese for technical brilliance and knowledge of film history.

7. Best actor working today

Too many to list - Daniel Day-Lewis, Matt Damon, Ryan Gosling, Romain Duris, Leonardo DiCaprio, Javier Bardem, Sean Penn .....

8. Best actress working today

Ditto - Meryl Streep, Annette Bening, Michelle Williams, Carey Mulligan, Frances McDormand, Jodie Foster, Emily Watson, Tilda Swinton, Melissa Leo, Gena Rowlands, Emmanuelle Devos, Kati Outinen .....

9. Most exciting new film prospect

Greater access to new films from outside Hollywood.

10. Most interesting new development in cinema

Despite the sophistication of home entertainment, we still prefer to watch films together.

11. Will watching movies on mobile phones take off?

There may be a place for specifically designed phone drama features but for the most part, it's an irrelevance - something better is coming. Just wait.

12. Are Hollywood's days numbered?

In the classic sense, certainly, but those powerful interests will mutate and cross-breed with new markets and talents across Asia and Latin America.