|
|
A Global Smorgasbord of Quality FilmsApr 26 '01 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Here is a list of 10 amazing films from around the world that you must see. Okay, so there are countless quality foreign films (and for the purpose of this list I'm defining them as those films in a language other than English) that I haven't seen yet, so to rank the 10 best would be impossible. Instead, allow me to offer up 10 foreign films from around the world that I think deserve to be seen. If you like this list, check out some of the other stuff I've written. :) 1. Antonia's Line (Dutch) - Marleen Gorris wrote and directed this gorgeous film which chronicles the extraordinary life of Antonia, an iron-willed Dutch woman who returns to her small town home. It's a story about strong, extraordinary women, yes (in fact, if you take feminist film theory, you'll probably hear about this movie), but it's also about the different ways that family are formed. Antonia's home is not only occupied by her children (and grandchildren and great-grandchildren) but also by the misfits of the village who find refuge there. At the center of her strange extended family, Antonia (played brilliantly by Willeke van Ammelrooy) practically radiates her silent strength from every pore. The story is wonderful, the characters memorable, and the cinematography is beautiful. It's definetely one of the best movies you'll see in any language. 2. The Seven Samurai (Japanese) - Akira Kurosawa's masterpiece has something for everyone. There's humor, action, pathos, philosophy, and even a love story in this tale of a poor village that hires seven samurai to defend them against an army of bandits. Set in 16th century feudal Japan, it's an interesting look at class differences, as well as concepts of duty, courage and honor. Kurosawa recreates the period flawlessly, from the costumes to the hair to the fight choreography. The cinematography is equally impressive - his master touch is evident on every frame. The climatic battle scene at the end is especially well-done. But what really makes this film stand out are the characters - from Kambei, the world-weary warrior, to Kikuchiyo (played by the legendary Toshiro Mifune), the crazed samurai wannabe, each is endearing in his own way and you'll find yourself cheering them on before the movie is over. This classic film is available on DVD as part of the Criterion Collection, which I highly recommend. 3. Fist of Legend (Chinese) - Jet Li stars in this story of a man who returns to his home to avenge the death of his master. The martial arts are amazing, but the story is equally good. Themes of honor, duty, and race relations are all present here - you'll find yourself equally entertained during the "slow" moments as you are during the action sequences. See the subtitled version, if at all possible though, because it is much better. 4. All About My Mother (Spanish) - Pedro Almodovar must really love his mother, because this movie is an incredibly beautiful and quirky tribute to mothers everywhere. An eclectic cast of characters (including a drag queen, a pregnant nun, an aging actress and her junkie girlfriend) are brought together by Manuela, who travels to Barcelona to find the father of her recently deceased son. The film is both funny and touching - Almodovar has crafted a lovely film that examines women and all the roles they play. It's a moving portrait of gender, sexuality, motherhood, love and friendship. 5. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Chinese) - The action sequences in this film are poetry in motion. The fight scenes are brilliantly choreographed, seeming more like ballet than an actual fight. The visuals are also stunning, from vast desert settings to vivid green forests, the color and beauty are almost overwhelming. Chow Yun Fat and Michelle Yeoh have lovely chemistry as a pair of star-crossed lovers, and Zhang Ziyi gives a breakout performance that already has people dubbing her the "next Gong Li". Completing the package is a moving score that perfectly complements the action. You can't go wrong with this awesome film. 6. Run Lola Run (German) - This is the kind of movie where you just sit back, take a deep breath and try to keep up. The premise: Lola (Franke Potente) has twenty minutes to find 100,000 marks before drug dealers murder her boyfriend. The story is told three times, each time with slight variations that radically affect the outcome of not only Lola's story, but also the stories of the random people she passes. This movie is a total rush - as the title suggests, Lola spends most of the movie running around the city. The awesome techno soundtrack further amplifies the frantic pace of the film. You'll feel your heart racing along with Lola when you watch this movie. 7. Like Water For Chocolate (Spanish) - This is one of those utterly charming movies that you can't help but like. The story follows Tita, a woman trapped by duty who is denied the man she loves. The only way she can express her feelings is through her cooking, which has a profound affect on those who eat it. The visuals are rich and warm, especially in the kitchen scenes, and the food looks great too. The actors who play Tita and her love have amazing chemistry - there are several passionate scenes that sizzle. 8. Raise the Red Lantern (Chinese) - This fascinating film takes a look at the life of a young woman who gets married off and becomes the fourth of four wives in a 1920's Chinese household. The dynamics between the different wives are very interesting - the power struggle takes on many forms. This film also features some stunning visuals, not the least of which is the beautiful Gong Li, one of China's most famous actresses. 9. Aimee and Jaguar (German) - This tale of the love affair that sprung up between two women - one a model Aryan mother of four, the other a Jewish underground resistance fighter - in Berlin at the height of WWII is made all the more powerful by the fact that it is based on a true story. The actresses who play Felice and Lilly have terrific chemistry and play off each other very well. I won't give away too much of the plot - suffice to say that it is romantic and heart-breaking and will definitely resonate with you for a long time. 10. Ma Vie en Rose (French) - In this sweet tale, a young boy, Ludovic, decides that he is a "girl-boy". He takes to dressing up like a little girl, much to the horror of his family and his school. The fantasy world Ludo inhabits is decorated with bright pinks and whites, in sharp contrast to the dull real world. It's a lovely coming-of-age story about acceptance and being yourself. The young actor who plays Ludo does a marvelous job with this complex role - his doe-eyed innocence leaps off the screen and draws you in.  |
| Write the first comment on this review! |
|
Ads by Google
|
by carstairs38 by Stephen_Murray
by cdm72
