Finding a Good Foreign Film
I enjoy watching foreign films occasionally. They offer me a way to experience other cultures, to go places I may never have a chance to go, to explore other lifestyles, and experience events I might never have even imagined.If you aren't accustomed to watching foreign films I would reassure you that viewing a movie with subtitles is much easier than you might imagine. The first few minutes can be awkward but you will adjust and by the end of the film you are unlikely to recall that it wasn't in your native language.
I made this page to provide some brief foreign film reviews from those that I have watched. It offers a perspective from the average person; something to guide you in selecting a foreign film.
Be sure to add your two cents and make your own recommendations
Contents at a Glance
Interested in Viewing Any of These Foreign Films?
The Color of Paradise
The Color of Paradise
Amazon Price: $20.49 (as of 11/28/2009)
Foreign Film Review: Although rather melodramatic, this is a very worthy film. The story, set in Iran, showcases the natural beauty of the northern country side and the traditional lives of the people. The story centers on a young blind boy who returns home on holiday break. He is an exceptionally sensitive, curious, and intelligent child and is well loved by most of his family and many of the other people he encounters. Throughout the film I was struck by the surrounding beauty that he was able to sense despite his blindness as well as the accentuated sound which seemed to reflect his own experience.
The boy's father however, is absorbed in his own tragedy and feels little but shame for his son. His rejection is explained as the film examines some of the social aspects of life in his village. The fear of losing face, the struggle of courting a new wife and gaining the acceptance of her family, patriarchial dominance, and so forth are all on display.
As with many foreign films I enjoyed seeing both the similarities and differences between our cultures. A glimpse into life in a traditional Iranian village was captivating while the need for a father's love was a universal theme.
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Tsotsi
Tsotsi
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 11/28/2009)
Foreign Film Review: This movie is one of my favorite foreign films. It tells the story of a young man in South Africa who has grown up in extreme poverty and alone. He is a heartless thug and the leader of a small band of street criminals. After stealing a woman's car and shooting her, he finds that her baby is still tucked away in the back seat. His struggle to care for the child and to save himself forces Tsotsi to examine his past and his uncertain future.
Although this story is set in South Africa, it could potentially occur in almost any urban area. The damaging influence of poverty and abuse and the barriers to changing a life gone wrong aren't unique to any given culture.
The story is engrossing and the acting impeccable. I was very impressed with Presley Chweneyagae as the title character. He was convincing as an indifferent and violent criminal and yet able to gain my sympathy as a man who had suffered greatly and struggled with a fateful decision.
Some graphic violence and harsh language
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Maria Full of Grace
Maria Full of Grace
Amazon Price: $9.49 (as of 11/28/2009)
Foreign Film Review: This is another suspenseful film. The story focuses on a teenage Columbian girl who is in search of a better life. She accepts the "opportunity" to become a drug mule for heroin trafficers in return for the money she could never otherwise earn.
Her experience is, of course, fraught with danger: surviving leakage from ingested heroin, possible capture by US authorities, and threats from drug trafficers which all threaten to put an end to any hope she has to pull herself up to the life she envisions.
This is an interesting film that takes a look at a world unknown to many of us and offers a great deal of detail about the process of trafficing drugs via drug mules. Catalina Sandino Moreno plays the title character and received acclaim for her role.
Some violence and adult content
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Autumn Spring
Autumn Spring
Amazon Price: $9.98 (as of 11/28/2009)
Foreign Film Review: This Czech film is a funny and somewhat light hearted look at aging and what society expects of us. Fanda is the title character, and he is indeed a "character". He's a true prankster who prefers to live a full and adventurous existence despite the efforts of his somewhat self-centered son and his very responsible yet death-obsessed wife.
Fanda's pranks are harmless but grand until he makes a mistake that will cost him much of their savings. Through a series of events, Fanda finally must agree to his wife's efforts to change him but in the end, perhaps it is she that has a change of heart. Like many spouses who try to change their partner, she comes to realize she loves him for many of the traits that bother her the most. Even more importantly, she also becomes aware that perhaps there is still some life yet to be lived.
I love this film for it's simple and humorous approach to a reality that many face as they age.
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Amelie
Amelie
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 11/28/2009)
Foreign Film Review: A sweet and somewhat whimsical film about Amelie, a young French girl who grows up without the demonstrable love of her parents. As an adult she is disconnected and quirky but sweet and impish. She finds her calling by working to help others find some of the happiness that eludes her, resulting in some rather ingenious and hilarious antics. In the end, the primary question in the film is whether or not Amelie will find the love she needs to restore her own life.
This film is not run of the mill, it makes use of narration, flashbacks, dream sequences, some unusual special effects and camera work to make it a more than an ordinary romantic comedy.
Some nudity and sexual content
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Journey of Hope
![Journey of Hope [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51EEW2ZC1KL._SL160_.jpg)
Journey of Hope [VHS]
Amazon Price: (as of 11/28/2009)
Foreign Film Review: This film presents the story of a Turkish man who is convinced he must travel to Switzerland to improve his lot in life. He, his wife, and one of his sons leave several other children behind in the care of his family.
Throughout the film, the financial and even physical risks that are involved in this journey of hope are evident. Dishonest strangers, dwindling money, and foreign languages converge to make their plight desperate at times. The young son who accompanies his parents on the trip provides some of the inspiration and hope that's needed to continue.
I will have to admit that although this story is suspensful and well told, it's the utterly adorable and charming young son that broke my heart and made this film unforgettable.
I recommend renting this one as this particular DVD is a region 2 copy that won't play on typical US DVD players
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The Cup
The Cup
Amazon Price: $26.99 (as of 11/28/2009)
Foreign Film Review: This is a surprising film about a young boy adjusting to the life of becoming a Tibetan monk. The story takes place in a remote Himalyan monastery and follows the life of the main character as you experience the traditions and teachings of the elders. The more chaotic contemporary world is juxtaposed with this existence of quiet meditation as the young boy and his fellow apprentices go to all lengths to be able to watch the world soccer championship.
I loved the rare opportunity to peek into the lives within the monastery and to see that those in training are still just boys. It is a cultural experience and an uplifting theme which shows that even in societies that seem remote and mysterious, we have commonalities.
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Au Revoir Les Enfants
3 Films by Louis Malle (Au Revoir Les Enfants / Murmur of the Heart / Lacombe, Lucien) - Criterion Collection
Amazon Price: $71.99 (as of 11/28/2009)
Foreign Film Review: Au Revoir Les Enfants (1987) is an older film done by Louis Malle. It is an autobiographical film which focuses on the lives of the young students at a Catholic boys school in France during World War II. Julien Quentin, the title character suffers the seperation from his upper class family in Paris but is a bright, although somewhat rebellious, student. When a new boy arrives mid-term, Julien becomes involved in a bit of mystery surrounding him. With an uncomfortable Nazi occupation, there is a sense of uncertainty and impending danger for the youngsters. Julien and his classmates ultimately experience the realities of their wartime situation as their childhood innocence is lost.
This copy of Au Revoir Les Enfants is part of a 4 disc set which also includes Murmur of the Heart, Lacombe Lucien, and related supplements.
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Rabbit Proof Fence
Rabbit-Proof Fence
Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 11/28/2009)
Foreign Film Review: In 1931 the Australian government was working to incorporate half-caste Aboriginal children into their society as domestic workers. Children were removed from their families and sent to camps to prepare for their lives in white society. They were required to live apart from all they knew, to learn English, to adopt the Christian faith, and to live their lives in the service of white people. The film Rabbit Proof Fences is the true story of three such children.
Molly, a 14 year old girl is the main character. She is captured with Gracie and Daisy her cousin and younger sister. Molly quickly decides to escape and attempt the 1,300 mile trek back to her home with her younger family members in tow. The three children must overcome the struggle to find food and shelter, rough terrain, and pursuing captors if they're to return to the family and home they love.
The feat of the three girls is truly amazing but the film is also worthy simply as a good history lesson as many people are unaware of the events of this periiod in Australian history.
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Nobody Knows
Nobody Knows
Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 11/28/2009)
Foreign Film Review: Nobody Knows is a Japanese film that tells the story (based on real events) of four abandoned children and their struggle to survive after their mother leaves them to fend for themselves in the city.
At the beginning of the film, single mother Keiko moves into a new apartment with her 12 year old son, Akira. It's soon revealed, that she in fact has three other younger children that she must hide from the landlord to avoid being kicked out. The children live quiet, repressed lives as only Akira is allowed to leave their small home while the mother is away at work and none are allowed to go to school. The children dutiful complete all of the chores including cooking, laundry, and watching over the younger kids while making sure no one is aware of their existence.
Eventually, it becomes clear that the children each have different fathers, all of whom are absent from their lives. Keiko, in search of a better life, leaves the children for increasing stretches of time, leaving all responsibility for their care in the hands of Akira.
The isolation that the children experience is overwhelming but well portrayed by the quiet and slow moving nature of the film. Akira's responsibilities are far more than any 12 year old boy should ever have to shoulder but the loss of childhood is experienced by all of them. As money dwindles, their situation becomes more dire. The film does an outstanding job of demonstrating their slowly declining circumstances without being overly dramatic.
This is not an action film nor a light comedy but it does present characters that you will care about and although some may reject if for it's slow pace, the style of the film is perfectly suited for conveying the relentless realities that the children face and should leave you thinking about it for some time.
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The Lives of Others
The Lives of Others
Amazon Price: $14.94 (as of 11/28/2009)
Foreign Film Review: The Lives of Others is a German film which was released in 2006. It's a thriller, but not an action film in the traditional sense. There aren't guns, car chases, or even a fist fight. The film follows Capt. Gerd Wiesler who is a member of the Stasi or secret police, in 1984 Berlin. He is a dutiful defender of the government. At this time, many writers and artists were monitored and perhaps blacklisted or worse, when they were found to be disloyal or disruptive to the party's goals. Wiesler becomes involved in the surveillance of a talented writer, Georg Dreyman.
You'll get to know Dreyman and other significant people in his life; their dreams, hopes, and their weaknesses as viewers peer into their lives from Wiesler's vantage point. Over time, Wiesler learns that his party superiors don't necessarily have pure intentions or reasons for their activities against ordinary citizens.
This foreign film does a good job of displaying how the government of the time served to stifle creativity, imagination, thought, and even more importantly, to eliminate hope for residents. In the climax of the film, Wiesler must choose between taking action on the part of the party he believes in or the individuals he has come to know.
I found the movie engaging and enjoyed the mental thrill minus some of the intense action present in many modern films. The film does include a graphic sexual scene.
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Blind Flight
![Blind Flight [Region 2]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XauPuE1bL._SL160_.jpg)
Blind Flight [Region 2]
Amazon Price: (as of 11/28/2009)
This movie is the story of Brian Keenan and subsequently John McCarthy as well. Brian left Belfast to teach in Beirut in the 1980's but was captured by Shi'ite militiamen and held hostage for over 4 years. The film depicts his isolation and later his emerging friendship and co-dependence on fellow prisoner John McCarthy.
The film forces one to think about the way men have tortured and imprisoned each other over the centuries and how the hell that we create with these actions is shared by both the victims and the perpetrators. The lines begin to blur.
The film is in English of course although many Americans will find Brian's dialect a bit hard to understand at times. This DVD is a region 2 edition and it can not be played on most players sold in the US and Canada. I would recommend Netflix to find a compatible disc if you aren't in a region 2 country.
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What Foreign Films Would You Recommend?
Add them below
Pan's Labyrinth
Visually stunning and watch. You feel transported more...1 point
The Motorcycle Diaries
Epic tale of a young Che Guevara traveling around more...1 point
Babette's Feast
1988 Best Foreign Film - Oscar Winner. Beautifully more...1 point
Other Top Foreign Films for Sale
![Lola Montès (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mEcTu7DCL._SL75_.jpg)
![Revanche (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51-3pzjSIRL._SL75_.jpg)
Foreign Film Reviews: Stop in and say Hello!
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- AndyPo AndyPo Sep 23, 2009 @ 1:10 pm
- Some excellent suggestions.
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- TheWhistler TheWhistler May 28, 2009 @ 7:50 pm
- My favourite foreign film, "The Red Balloon. Thanks for the lens.
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- The_Book_Garden The_Book_Garden Sep 1, 2008 @ 3:39 pm
- about a plexo module to allow people to vote for their favorite foriegn film?
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- Aug 26, 2008 @ 5:10 pm
- Thanks. I'll try these. About one-third of the movies I watch are foreign. They offer a fresh perspective.
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- RichLeigh RichLeigh Aug 6, 2008 @ 6:15 am
- Nice lens which looks at some interesting films. Enjoyed the read, and will definitely have to view a few of these that I've not seen already.
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- bbug bbug Jul 14, 2008 @ 7:58 pm
- I have never watched foreign films, or none I can remember. These sound interesting so maybe I will try one on a rainy day.
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- The_Homeopath The_Homeopath Jul 12, 2008 @ 1:09 am
- Great reviews. I really love foreign cinema.
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