Maybe I'll join the Foreign LegionFeb 25 '03 (Updated Mar 15 '03) Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Hollywood don't get jealous, but I'm not sure how many of these top-10 foreign films would not make my all-time top-10 films....
I have always liked foreign films. Perhaps I concentrate more completely, trying to catch the meaning without subtitles, or comparing the subtitles to the actual dialogue. Perhaps I enjoy the different perspective and "mood" offered by the foreign writers, directors, producers, and/or actors. Or perhaps it's just because I enjoy the challenge of having to think outside of my normal situation & perspective to truly appreciate a foreign film. It doesn't matter the genre, the actors, or even the budget -- a good foreign flick will always grab my attention. I've liked certain foreign films for many years, perhaps since I was about 10 or 11 years old. The earliest foreign film I can remember is Shichinin No Samurai (Japan), or the Seven Samurai. I must have been in elementary school still when they began showing this in an assembly in the auditorium. This is a film that I've watched many times and at every opportunity. Kurosawa is a true artist, one of the greatest directors that ever lived -- anywhere. The film transcends time, culture, and even age. I will only select one Kurosawa film in my top ten, but could very easily make it two, or perhaps more. You are really missing out if you've never seen Ran. For my next selection, Das Boot (Germany), is perhaps one of the most intense films, foreign or domestic (US) of all time. This movie is full of constantly building tension, yet makes room for bits of humor, some of it very dark. I couldn't possibly leave out my favorite Spaghetti Western, Buono, il brutto, il cattivo, Il (Italy). Doesn't ring a bell? How about The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly? This was perhaps the best Western ever made, a movie which has become part of our popular culture, and perhaps one of the top 25 films of all time. This third part of the Fist Full of Dollars trilogy made Clint Eastwood an international star. Next from Sweden, Det Sjunde Inseglet, The Seventh Seal, Ingmar Bergman's finest work. This tale is a complex web of symbolism and allegory, worthy of Shakespeare at the top of his game in my opinion. Brazil (UK) is my next choice. I couldn't help but choose it. It uniquely combines a zany sense of humor, a "far out" futuristic "sci-fi" setting, political satire, and Bobby DiNero -- quite a crazy combination. The visuals are simply amazing. From Norway, Insomnia, not the slick, Christopher Nolan/Al Pacino/Robin Williams/Hillary Swank version, but the 1997 version that Nolan's almost duplicates. The Norwegian version is somehow more raw, intense, and disturbing. Not as highly rated, I doubt many Americans have seen it, much less would make it among their top 10, but I really liked it -- better than the remake. 35 miles south of me is Mexico, and one of my favorite foreign films is a Mexican import, Como agua para chocolate, or Like Water for Chocolate. This movie is about love, and a daughter conflicted and stuck living out her responsibility as her mother's keeper. Food is central, symbolic, and unbelievably appetizing during this film. The book is even better than the movie, but the movie is well worth your time & trouble. From China/Taiwan, I choose the recent masterpiece Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, or Wo hu cang long. This set new standards in a martial arts film. Also, an older film recently released in the US after the success of CTHD was Hong Kong's Iron Monley, or Siunin Wong Fei-hung tsi titmalau. This was directed by Woo-ping Yuen who did the choreography for Crouching Tiger. For my money, I think this has the greatest fight scenes on film. While some a preposterous, they are very exciting and entertaining. Finally, I just can't resist Amelie, ou Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain (de France, merci beaucoup). This picture is almost like an adult version of James & the Giant Peach Tree -- the characters become cartoon-like. You not only laugh and cry with their misfortunes, but you marvel at how extreme the highs and lows and even the in-betweens are. I consider this recent French masterpiece one of the top 10 comedies ever -- perhaps one of the top ten films. There they are -- ten different countries & ten very different films, all among my all time favorites.  |
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