Confession time: I know this might not make me the coolest person to some people, but I really enjoy foreign films! Language barrier aside, the messages conveyed in the foreign films I’ve seen are powerful and resonant. Their meaning spans beyond time and ethnicity, yet many times, it’s a window into another culture. Everything from the subject matter, to the look and feel of the film, are a portrayal of that particular society. Some of my favorite foreign films are in the horror genre, and I’ve noticed that within their themes are elements that are unique to their nationality. Asian horror films look very different than Spanish horror films, which look vastly different than French or Italian horror films. All have a different appearance and atmosphere, and that’s foreign films in general. Every time I watch one, I feel like I’m immersing myself in a different culture—the ultimate stay-cation! I don’t really have a language preference when it comes to the foreign films I enjoy—although there are some I tend to lean towards more than others—I just look for a storyline that catches my interest. The foreign films I’ve watched, all contain different stories and messages. The movies I’ve listed, were all made within the last 12 years.
In no particular order, I’d like to share my top ten favorites with you:
1. "Aurore" (2005, French)
This beautiful, yet shocking film pulled me in right away! I was instantly eager to know more about the Gagnon family. Aurore is so precocious, and too stubborn for her own good. It’s hard not to fall in love with her character immediately. So it’s no surprise that given the cruel acts she endures, and all the pain she goes through, anyone would feel indignant upon seeing such injustices. Add the fact that this is based on a true story, and it makes the film even more compelling, and all the more heartbreaking. Without giving away too much of the plot, I will say that this is an unnerving depiction of how severely, mentally disturbed adults, can inflict great harm upon the very children they are supposed to protect.
2. "The Stoning of Soraya M." (2008, Persian/English)
This compelling film, based on a true story, will have you in its grip before it’s barely begun. The music is beautiful, and sets the tone for this harrowing tale.
Zahra’s story about her niece Soraya is thought provoking and will broaden your cultural understanding. Misogyny, patriarchy, domestic violence, male entitlement and the disease that are rumors, are the main themes in this stirring film! Interwoven throughout the movie, are jealousy, bribery, blackmail, intimidation and religious extremism, which underscore the message of this film. This story illustrates how in their society, men with fragile egos, will always take another man’s word, even when it’s dishonest, over the word of an innocent woman. I love Zahra’s strength, through both her words and actions. She isn’t afraid to stand up to the immoral ways of the men in her village, yet she wants things to be settled in a dignified manner.
My favorite scene in this film is when Soraya is picnicking with her two daughters in a field. It’s such a beautiful scene, filled with love and hope. It showcases those small moments we take for granted. In the town, corruption is brewing, which makes this part of the film all the more rare and heartwarming. This is one of the most powerful and intense foreign films I’ve ever seen, and I think it sheds light on why we need feminism—why the world needs feminism!
3. "Alone" (2007, Korean/Thai)
This film has a fantastic plotline, very unique in my opinion! It’s a story about conjoined twin sisters who undergo an operation to be separated. Only one survives, and she goes on to live her life with her boyfriend. Before too long though, the surviving sister starts to feel an angry presence. It turns out to be the deceased spirit of her sister, who is feeling vengeful towards the surviving sister. But why? What happened between them? You’ll find out through a series of flashbacks, and there’s no shortage of scary scenes, which are sure to make you scream and jump out of your seat! Caution (and respect) to anyone brave enough to watch "Alone" at night, in the dark, by themselves!
4. "Shutter" (2004, Thai)
A truly terrifying film, with tons of scares, mystery, and an important moral! Personally, I thought this version was much scarier than the American remake, and I saw the 2008 remake first! After seeing a preview for the original version of "Shutter," I decided to watch it. While some may see this film as reminiscent of "The Grudge" or "The Ring," it’s so much more than that. The main theme of "Shutter" revolves around the theory of spirit photography. It’s about facing your demons, and how old ghosts from your past may come back to haunt you, if you’re not honest about the mistakes you’ve made. Definitely a must-see for anyone who likes the Asian horror genre, and for those who like to be scared in general!
5. "Cinderella" (2006, Korean)
This is one of my favorite Asian horror films! It has a lot of depth and substance to the plot, and the characters are interesting, and relatable in many ways. Some scenes in the film are terrifying, while others are profoundly heartbreaking. This movie displays a mother’s undying love, and her never-ending descent into madness. It was interesting to me, how this film incorporated their culture’s own ideas of perfection into the plot, since the character of the Mother, is a plastic surgeon. When I lived in Korea, many of the ladies there were impressed and fascinated by my porcelain white skin, which to them looked flawless, and I almost never wore foundation. I think they all wanted to know my secret! The Korean culture is obsessed with perfect skin, and external beauty, much in the same way Americans are. I love the Korean language, and it sounds incredibly normal to me. Not just because I lived there for a year, but because I was raised in the Martial Arts. I trained in Hapkido and Tang Soo Do, and learned some Korean terminology when I was young. So the Korean language and culture are very close to my heart. "Cinderella" is a chilling movie, and I would recommend it to fans of foreign films, and scary movie buffs alike!
6. "Remembrance" (2011, German/English/Polish/Russian)
A riveting story based on true events, about a first love that lasted a lifetime, and how one woman struggles to make peace with her past. Get ready to cry, because this film will tug hard at your heartstrings. This movie has a furtive and stoic beauty to it, almost hard to describe. The look of the film is very raw in a sense, especially during the flashback scenes.
"Remembrance" is about two holocaust survivors, Hannah and Tomasz, who fall in love and subsequently devise a plan to escape the concentration camp in which they are imprisoned. While this film shows the cruelty of the Nazi’s, and horrid living conditions of a concentration camp, that’s not the movie’s main focus. It’s a story about courage, survival and above everything else, the power of love. It’s a testament to the past, and how while time doesn’t always heal all wounds, sometimes you can find a way to heal them yourself. I highly recommend this film, as it’s one of my favorites on this list! If you’re a fan of "Schindler's List" and "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas," you’ll want to add this to your list of movies to watch! (Note: This film can be tricky to find, but it’s currently available on Netflix.)
7. "Coco Before Chanel" (2009, French)
A fabulous film about the life of Coco Chanel! Before she became famous for her fashion company, she was setting her own trends in France. Always an outspoken, uncompromising, modern woman, she was very much ahead of her time, both in her sense of fashion, and her mindset. In this film, I admired how assertive and straightforward she was, never willing to let someone else mold her mind or distort her thinking. She was her own person, firm and stubborn in her stances. Her style was innovative, and bold for the time she lived in. It wasn’t what most people thought of as feminine, but what truly defines femininity? She reinvented what it meant to dress like a lady. She was never discouraged or afraid to stand out from the crowd, but rather befuddled as to why so many other women weren’t as daring. The score in this film, composed by Oscar winner Alexandre Desplat, is elegant and has its own signature style, just like Coco!
8. "La Vie En Rose" (2007, French/English)
An enchanting biopic about the late, great Edith Piaf, starring Marion Cotillard (who won an Oscar for her performance). "La Vie En Rose," is a poignant film that will take you on one woman’s journey to musical fame, and the demons she battles along the way. The rise and fall of Edith Piaf, shows the price of fame and the all-consuming pressure that accompanies it. The moody lighting, and overall production design of the film, will at times make you feel as though you’ve stepped into an Edward Hopper oil painting. Yet, with any kind of beauty, there is always an ugly contrast. For all her passion and talent, Edith Piaf could not be saved from the tragic allure of drugs and alcohol. As we see, her health declines significantly, and even her memory begins to deteriorate. There is transcendence though, beyond the sorrow. The film’s score is hauntingly beautiful, and the plot is unmatched! Although, what was most striking to me about this film, is the resemblance between Marion Cotillard and the real Edith Piaf. There were several times where I forgot I was watching an actress portraying Piaf, and thought she really was her! This dramatic Oscar winning film, is one for the contemporary golden age of Hollywood!
9. "The Orphanage" (2007, Spanish)
This film has a kind of fable element to it, making you feel like you’ve heard it somewhere before, as only master storyteller Guillermo Del Toro can deliver. There’s mystery, suspense, eeriness, but also, a crucial element of a loving family, as is signature in Del Toro’s movies. He tends to put either family or romance at the core of his stories, and allows them to feather outward, taking on a uniquely chilling life of their own. The overall look of the film is antique style artistry at its finest! Fans of such films as "The Woman in Black," "Insidious" and "Crimson Peak," will appreciate the tone and plot of this film, as it conveys many sentiments. Regarding the ending, it’s powerful, and all I can say is…wow!
10. "Pans Labyrinth" (2006, Spanish)
For those of you who have yet to see this film, brace yourselves! This is one of the most visually stunning and imaginative films of the last decade! The effects and makeup are visionary, and like nothing you’ve ever seen. The music is gorgeous, and really helps to immerse the viewer further into the film. It’s definitely Guillermo Del Toro’s magnum opus! It strikes just the right balance of tempering fantasy with reality. I love the parallel that occurs with the subject matter of war, raging on amidst the imagination of a little girl, desperate to escape. I know many of us can relate to that desire, and some of us find solace through literature, much like this film’s heroine, Ofelia. If you enjoyed such films as "Labyrinth," "Spirited Away," "Mirrormask" or "Mama," then this movie is right up your alley!
I hope you enjoyed the selections on this list, and while I wasn’t always overly descriptive of every plot, that was to safeguard the integrity of those films, so as not to ruin their surprises! Take a peek at some of these films. You might just realize you’re a foreign film buff too, and if you already are one, then I’m sure you’ll find a few new titles to add to your list of flicks to watch! Either way, just remember this: The languages in these films might be foreign to you, but there stories and messages won’t be. We are all connected, and these films aim to show us just how much, through the power of empathy and humanity.
