Best foreign language films
Discussion
So what are the foreign language films you have most enjoyed?
I thought el mar adentro (the sea inside) was amazing. A slightly tough watch but great performance from Javier Bardem.
I’m a fan of Almodovar and think Volver probably my favourite
Relatos salvajes (wild tales) is an absolutely amazing Argentinian film. One of the funniest - if not funniest - black comedies I’ve seen. Six short stories. One is a road rage incident that gets out of control and another is about the fall out from a parking fine (guy pops into a shop to pick up his daughter’s birthday cake and his car is towed even though he couldn’t possibly know it was illegal to park where he did).
Jean de Florette/Manon des sources
Le prenom (what’s in a name)
Das Leben der Anderen (The lives of others) is probably my favourite German film although Das Boot also very good too.
The Lunchbox probably my favourite Hindi film. Irrfan Khan at his best. Although I liked Sholay better than I should. Also chaudhvin ka chand although really just for the music.
Most Ghibli films but special mention for Princess Mononoke and Howl’s moving castle.
A Silent Voice (still available on Netflix)
So what are your favourite foreign films?
I thought el mar adentro (the sea inside) was amazing. A slightly tough watch but great performance from Javier Bardem.
I’m a fan of Almodovar and think Volver probably my favourite
Relatos salvajes (wild tales) is an absolutely amazing Argentinian film. One of the funniest - if not funniest - black comedies I’ve seen. Six short stories. One is a road rage incident that gets out of control and another is about the fall out from a parking fine (guy pops into a shop to pick up his daughter’s birthday cake and his car is towed even though he couldn’t possibly know it was illegal to park where he did).
Jean de Florette/Manon des sources
Le prenom (what’s in a name)
Das Leben der Anderen (The lives of others) is probably my favourite German film although Das Boot also very good too.
The Lunchbox probably my favourite Hindi film. Irrfan Khan at his best. Although I liked Sholay better than I should. Also chaudhvin ka chand although really just for the music.
Most Ghibli films but special mention for Princess Mononoke and Howl’s moving castle.
A Silent Voice (still available on Netflix)
So what are your favourite foreign films?
Cinema Paradiso
- Italian s/titles and a homage to the love of cinema
L'homme du train
- French s/t. A bank robber and an aging school teacher each seek a different life. The end leaves you thinking.
Jean Rochefort and Johnny Hallyday represent the French version of a masterclass from Lawrence Olivier meets Elvis.
...more to come......
- Italian s/titles and a homage to the love of cinema
L'homme du train
- French s/t. A bank robber and an aging school teacher each seek a different life. The end leaves you thinking.
Jean Rochefort and Johnny Hallyday represent the French version of a masterclass from Lawrence Olivier meets Elvis.
...more to come......
All french subtitles
Les Ripoux
Two cops, one approaching retirement and making a living in the seedy parts of Paris, taking back handers to fund a daily flutter on the gee-gees, but in a loveable way. Really humerous and light hearted.
Inspecteur Lavardin
Cop au Vin
Two movies. More french detective work solving murders in rural France. So good and atmospheric that you almost stand at the bar eating your breakfast eggs and coffee before starting the day.
As a footnote, I had to 'crack' my cheapo DVD player to play all regions to enjoy these.
Plein Soĺeil
Alain Delon plays the first and best version of the Talented Mr Ripley, said to be the favourite of the authoress Patricia Highsmith.
Leaving.
A masterpiece where the lovely Kristin Scott Thomas plays away.
Well, you would wouldn't you ?
Madamoiselle Chambon
A small town builder falls for the new primary school teacher.
The French version of a Brief Encounter
Le Boucher
The new teacher falls for the village butcher who turns out to be a child killer. Typical French Hitchcock, a study of relationships and a shattered affair. 9/10 if you are wondering why.
Les Ripoux
Two cops, one approaching retirement and making a living in the seedy parts of Paris, taking back handers to fund a daily flutter on the gee-gees, but in a loveable way. Really humerous and light hearted.
Inspecteur Lavardin
Cop au Vin
Two movies. More french detective work solving murders in rural France. So good and atmospheric that you almost stand at the bar eating your breakfast eggs and coffee before starting the day.
As a footnote, I had to 'crack' my cheapo DVD player to play all regions to enjoy these.
Plein Soĺeil
Alain Delon plays the first and best version of the Talented Mr Ripley, said to be the favourite of the authoress Patricia Highsmith.
Leaving.
A masterpiece where the lovely Kristin Scott Thomas plays away.
Well, you would wouldn't you ?
Madamoiselle Chambon
A small town builder falls for the new primary school teacher.
The French version of a Brief Encounter
Le Boucher
The new teacher falls for the village butcher who turns out to be a child killer. Typical French Hitchcock, a study of relationships and a shattered affair. 9/10 if you are wondering why.
La Haine - quite old but great french film about 3 friends in the ghettos of Paris.
Oldboy - original version was amazing when I first watched it.
Raid 1 & 2 - most people will have seen this by now.
Most of the older movies from Jackie Chan/Jet li from when they were in Hong Kong.
IP man 1-4 - story of Bruce Lee's master in the early days, part 1 & 2 were especially good.
City of God - Brazilian film about life in the Favellas
Oldboy - original version was amazing when I first watched it.
Raid 1 & 2 - most people will have seen this by now.
Most of the older movies from Jackie Chan/Jet li from when they were in Hong Kong.
IP man 1-4 - story of Bruce Lee's master in the early days, part 1 & 2 were especially good.
City of God - Brazilian film about life in the Favellas
Mesrine parts one and two.
Elite squad one and two.
City of God.
I used to watch loads of Korean films like a bittersweet life, I saw the Devil, The Chaser, Memories of murder etc... It was ages ago and I can't remember which were the best ones but all the ones I saw were good (I guess here in the west we only get to hear about their best ones) Note to self, need to watch more Korean movies
Elite squad one and two.
City of God.
I used to watch loads of Korean films like a bittersweet life, I saw the Devil, The Chaser, Memories of murder etc... It was ages ago and I can't remember which were the best ones but all the ones I saw were good (I guess here in the west we only get to hear about their best ones) Note to self, need to watch more Korean movies
Edited by motorizer on Friday 12th June 21:42
Few more that came to mind
Battle Royale - Japanese film, kids dumped on a island and have to fight to the death to get off, had a couple of sequels but the original is great.
Akira - Japanese manga, one of the best.
Infernal Affairs - the film that The Departed was based on but much better in my opinion.
Shaolin Soccer & Kung Fu hustle - slapstick comedies from Hong Kong, good fun.
Battle Royale - Japanese film, kids dumped on a island and have to fight to the death to get off, had a couple of sequels but the original is great.
Akira - Japanese manga, one of the best.
Infernal Affairs - the film that The Departed was based on but much better in my opinion.
Shaolin Soccer & Kung Fu hustle - slapstick comedies from Hong Kong, good fun.
Esceptico said:
The Lunchbox probably my favourite Hindi film. Irrfan Khan at his best.
The Lunchbox has been one of my favourite films in recent years. I do watch quite a few Hindi movies - few are really good. Like you mentioned, Sholay was my favourite growing up, Jaanbaaz was a cool 70's/80's move - older Aamir Khan movies were also good, Lagaan, Dil Chahta hai and Three Idiots also worth a watch (good for Indian movies).I used to watch a lot of Alain Delon movies when they came on TV here back in the 80s - I don't know why, but I really remember enjoying them.
City of God is a good shout but I personally found ‘Blue is the Warmest Colour’ an absolute masterpiece. The 2 main actresses give such powerful performances that I felt the energy and was left exhausted by their performance, especially the break up scene.
Abdellatif Kechiche was criticised by some for his dedication to extract powerful performances from the actresses but I think by winning the Palm D’or his method was worthwhile. If you haven’t seen it then I highly recommend you do.
Abdellatif Kechiche was criticised by some for his dedication to extract powerful performances from the actresses but I think by winning the Palm D’or his method was worthwhile. If you haven’t seen it then I highly recommend you do.
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