Ten Foreign Films to See
After watching the rather disappointing “No Country for Old Men,” I got to thinking about other films starring the wonderful Javier Bardem. (Okay, that sentence sounds contradictory but Bardem, even in this film, is always interesting to watch. If you don’t believe me, check out “Goya’s Ghosts.” His character is despicable but you still lust… sort of.) Anyway, my mind started thinking about his films and went on to a tangent of other foreign films I’ve seen. So… guess what?!?!?
Ten Foreign Films You Should See.
In no particular order…
Sophie Scholl – Die Ietzten Tage (Sophie Scholl – The Final Days). Scholl was a member of the anti-Nazi resistance movement called The White Rose. Arrested by the Gestapo for distributing anti-Nazi flyers at university, Scholl displays courage against the oppressive regime. This was my first German film and my unfamiliarity with the language had me going back to reread subtitles (trying to gauge the emotional responses of actors with the dialogue), but this film shows that there were those who did not cower in face of the evil that had taken over the country.
Te doy mis ojos (Take My Eyes). This film does what so few films about domestic violence ever do. This film displays all the emotions, not just the violence and rage, but the fear, the sadness, and the (misguided) passion of an abusive relationship. Watching the film, one wonders why the wife stays, why she returns after his promises and why it takes that one final act of complete humiliation for her to leave at last. It’s not an easy film to watch but it is honest.
Paradise Now. This film is a gritty, realistic portrayal of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from the eyes of two young Palestinian men who decide to give themselves over to jihad. As they make their way to Tel Aviv and “paradise,” they discuss the events that have brought them to this destiny. One is eager to fulfill his promise, the other merely frustrated with life. In these times, we as Americans tend toward an “us vs. them” worldview; this film provides a look into the lives of the “them.”
Trois couleurs: Bleu, Bialy, Rouge. (Three Colors: Blue, White, Red) I was lucky enough to see these three films in a “triple feature.” Each film deals with human relationships in these modern times, be that grief, marriage, or chance encounters between people who connect on a level beyond physicality. See all three in order and be prepared to be blown away. Sadly, the mastermind behind this trilogy, Krzysztof Kieslowski, passed away two years after Red was released.
Shichinin no samurai (Seven Samurai.) This is a masterpiece. I’ve probably written about this film before but it is one of the best films ever made. It has action, human drama, romance, and is the pen-ultimate samurai film. Akira Kurosawa, who was a master filmmaker and I urge anyone reading this to do a search and pick five of his films and watch them, made many films before and after but this is the one he will be remembered.
Mar adentro (The Sea Inside.) What makes this film a stand-out is not just the outstanding performance from Javier Bardem (you knew he was going to make an appearance somewhere on this list, right?) but also because of the “controversial” subject matter. Based on the story of Ramon Sampedro, the film follows his lifelong campaign to end his own life after a diving accident left him paralyzed. It is not preachy nor is it overly sentimental. The film simply argues that each person’s life is his/her own.
Diarios de motocicleta (The Motorcycle Diaries.) True confession time. I absolutely hated Y tu mama tambien. Really. Hated it. This film, starring Gael Garcia Bernal, follows two young doctors as they travel around South America on a dilapidated motorcycle. One of the young men, Ernesto Guevara, is greatly changed by the poverty—and all the sadness and disease that results from it—he witnesses. Both Bernal and Rodrigo De la Serna deliver honest, thought-provoking performances and it is nice to watch the two young men mature as their eyes are opened to the realities of 1950s South America.
Sjunde inseglet, Det (The Seventh Seal.) This film is another one of those classics that must be seen. It’s not an easy film to sit through, and the late Ingmar Bergman had a very heavy-handed directing style, but if you haven’t seen it, you should. Just to see the iconic images Bergman brought to the screen. Is it merely a tale set during the crusades or an allegory of the death of the human spirit in the modern age? You decide. To quote the brilliant Jennifer Saunders, just “watch it now and pretend to understand it and then, read a book about it later.”
Hadashi no Gen (Barefoot Gen.) This is a Japanese anime film. But this is not your typical anime film. There are no saber-wielding robots or superhero vampires. This is a story about the bombing of Hiroshima and, despite the fact that the film is animated, it pulls no punches. It spares nothing, not the disintegration of children on their way home from school nor dogs grimacing in pain as flesh is burned from the bone. And the film does not stop there but goes on to show the after effects, the disease and slow deaths suffered by tens of thousands. Gen, a young boy who is charged by his father to care for his mother and little brother, watches his world crumble while never succumbing to vengeance. Great film but not for the squeamish.
El Laberinto del fauno (Pan’s Labyrinth). If you haven’t seen this film, stop reading this and go out and rent it or add it to your Netflix queue. It’s a fairy tale but not for kids. It is one of the most brilliant films I’ve ever seen. The story follows young Ofelia as she fulfills three quests charged by Pan who claims she is the long-lost princess of a magical realm. Juxtaposed with this story is the Spanish Civil War and the rebels who fought to free Spain from Franco’s tyranny. Ivana Baquero is amazing as Ofelia, Maribel Verdu is brilliant as the brave Mercedes, who takes Ofelia under her wing. Guillermo del Toro, who I just read will be directing the upcoming film version of The Hobbit, has a unique vision and this film is the result of that exceptional talent.
So, there you have it. Ten foreign films I think everyone should see. And, if you can make any recommendations, I am always up for something new!
Ten Foreign Films You Should See.
In no particular order…
Sophie Scholl – Die Ietzten Tage (Sophie Scholl – The Final Days). Scholl was a member of the anti-Nazi resistance movement called The White Rose. Arrested by the Gestapo for distributing anti-Nazi flyers at university, Scholl displays courage against the oppressive regime. This was my first German film and my unfamiliarity with the language had me going back to reread subtitles (trying to gauge the emotional responses of actors with the dialogue), but this film shows that there were those who did not cower in face of the evil that had taken over the country.
Te doy mis ojos (Take My Eyes). This film does what so few films about domestic violence ever do. This film displays all the emotions, not just the violence and rage, but the fear, the sadness, and the (misguided) passion of an abusive relationship. Watching the film, one wonders why the wife stays, why she returns after his promises and why it takes that one final act of complete humiliation for her to leave at last. It’s not an easy film to watch but it is honest.
Paradise Now. This film is a gritty, realistic portrayal of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from the eyes of two young Palestinian men who decide to give themselves over to jihad. As they make their way to Tel Aviv and “paradise,” they discuss the events that have brought them to this destiny. One is eager to fulfill his promise, the other merely frustrated with life. In these times, we as Americans tend toward an “us vs. them” worldview; this film provides a look into the lives of the “them.”
Trois couleurs: Bleu, Bialy, Rouge. (Three Colors: Blue, White, Red) I was lucky enough to see these three films in a “triple feature.” Each film deals with human relationships in these modern times, be that grief, marriage, or chance encounters between people who connect on a level beyond physicality. See all three in order and be prepared to be blown away. Sadly, the mastermind behind this trilogy, Krzysztof Kieslowski, passed away two years after Red was released.
Shichinin no samurai (Seven Samurai.) This is a masterpiece. I’ve probably written about this film before but it is one of the best films ever made. It has action, human drama, romance, and is the pen-ultimate samurai film. Akira Kurosawa, who was a master filmmaker and I urge anyone reading this to do a search and pick five of his films and watch them, made many films before and after but this is the one he will be remembered.
Mar adentro (The Sea Inside.) What makes this film a stand-out is not just the outstanding performance from Javier Bardem (you knew he was going to make an appearance somewhere on this list, right?) but also because of the “controversial” subject matter. Based on the story of Ramon Sampedro, the film follows his lifelong campaign to end his own life after a diving accident left him paralyzed. It is not preachy nor is it overly sentimental. The film simply argues that each person’s life is his/her own.
Diarios de motocicleta (The Motorcycle Diaries.) True confession time. I absolutely hated Y tu mama tambien. Really. Hated it. This film, starring Gael Garcia Bernal, follows two young doctors as they travel around South America on a dilapidated motorcycle. One of the young men, Ernesto Guevara, is greatly changed by the poverty—and all the sadness and disease that results from it—he witnesses. Both Bernal and Rodrigo De la Serna deliver honest, thought-provoking performances and it is nice to watch the two young men mature as their eyes are opened to the realities of 1950s South America.
Sjunde inseglet, Det (The Seventh Seal.) This film is another one of those classics that must be seen. It’s not an easy film to sit through, and the late Ingmar Bergman had a very heavy-handed directing style, but if you haven’t seen it, you should. Just to see the iconic images Bergman brought to the screen. Is it merely a tale set during the crusades or an allegory of the death of the human spirit in the modern age? You decide. To quote the brilliant Jennifer Saunders, just “watch it now and pretend to understand it and then, read a book about it later.”
Hadashi no Gen (Barefoot Gen.) This is a Japanese anime film. But this is not your typical anime film. There are no saber-wielding robots or superhero vampires. This is a story about the bombing of Hiroshima and, despite the fact that the film is animated, it pulls no punches. It spares nothing, not the disintegration of children on their way home from school nor dogs grimacing in pain as flesh is burned from the bone. And the film does not stop there but goes on to show the after effects, the disease and slow deaths suffered by tens of thousands. Gen, a young boy who is charged by his father to care for his mother and little brother, watches his world crumble while never succumbing to vengeance. Great film but not for the squeamish.
El Laberinto del fauno (Pan’s Labyrinth). If you haven’t seen this film, stop reading this and go out and rent it or add it to your Netflix queue. It’s a fairy tale but not for kids. It is one of the most brilliant films I’ve ever seen. The story follows young Ofelia as she fulfills three quests charged by Pan who claims she is the long-lost princess of a magical realm. Juxtaposed with this story is the Spanish Civil War and the rebels who fought to free Spain from Franco’s tyranny. Ivana Baquero is amazing as Ofelia, Maribel Verdu is brilliant as the brave Mercedes, who takes Ofelia under her wing. Guillermo del Toro, who I just read will be directing the upcoming film version of The Hobbit, has a unique vision and this film is the result of that exceptional talent.
So, there you have it. Ten foreign films I think everyone should see. And, if you can make any recommendations, I am always up for something new!
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