I love international films. I have a plentitude in my collection including the five I will be outlining in this article. Many of international films seem to be more controversial than American films at times. American films have their fair share of controversial or taboo subjects however international films raise the bar. International movies have finally begun to get more recognition from the Academy of Motion Pictures especially since Guillermo Del Toro of Hellboy and the upcoming The Hobbit, is a household name now. These international film recommendations will be one of many to come. I am hoping that my audience really takes to this category and start discovering international films for themselves. There are many people that are not fans of subtitles but maybe I can persuade you to step out of your comfort zone. International movies are inspiring, intriguing, compelling, and can be very realistic of life. Here are my first five recommendations. Writing this article even made me crave another viewing of each of these films. Give these a try and see what I mean!
Lust Caution (2007)
Director: Ang Lee
Starring: Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Joan Chen
This movie is set in 1942 during the time that Shanghai was occupied by Japan. A group of drama students plan to kill a Japanese-supported official. They enlist the assistance of a shy and sensual young woman to infiltrate the heart of the official. She uses her dramatic background to immerse herself into the role of wife, adulteress, seductress, and spy. She finds herself quite entangled with the official which is a very dangerous game. Ang Lee shows a seductive and provocative look at the power of a woman’s sexuality. This is a thrilling movie of intrigue, passion, and betrayal.
Interesting trivia about this film straight from www.IMDB.com:
“Ang Lee made Tony Leung Chiu Wai study the performances of Marlon Brando in Ultimo tango a Parigi (1972), Humphrey Bogart in In a Lonely Place (1950), and Richard Burton in Equus (1977) to give him a sense of wounded masculinity, which Lee felt was right for the character of Mr. Yee.”
For More Info on this film:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808357/
Sin Nombre (2009)
Produced by: Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal
Starring: Edgar M. Flores, Paulina Gaitan
This is a riveting tale about two young people whose different directions in life bring them together for one goal, to get to the United States and start a new life. A young woman and her family travel across Latin America from Honduras to Mexico with hopes to reach the U.S. A teenage Mexican gang member is trying to outrun his past. This movie shows you the struggles of immigration and the violence of street gangs. From start to finish this film will keep you on the edge of your seat and give you a human look at a perilous journey.
Interesting trivia about this film straight from www.IMDB.com:
“Director Cary Fukunagra spent two years researching the film, spending time with people on the trains and with gangsters in Central America. He also used two gang members to script edit making the slang and language as up to date and realistic as possible”
For More Info on this film: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1127715/
The Horseman on the Roof (1995)
Director: Jean-Paul Rappeneau
Staring: Juliette Binoche, Olivier Martinez
This film is a passionate adventure set in 1832 during the Cholera epidemic in France. A renegade Italian officer is trying to out run the Austrian Secret Police when he encounters a Countess seeking refuge from the plague in a war filled country. She is in search of her husband the Count. Soon they have to rely on each other and the two go on a journey filled with passion, danger, and excitement. There is amazing cinematography with its beautiful landscapes and action filled scenes.
Interesting trivia about this film straight from www.IMDB.com:
“Olivier Martinez learned to fence, ride a horse and speak Italian for the film.”
For More Info on this film: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113362/
The Lives of Others (2006)
Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Staring: Martina Gedeck, Ulrich Mühe
Set in 1980’s East Germany right before the collapse of the Berlin Wall, this film is a compelling look into the monitoring of people by the Secret Police. A playwright becomes a blip on the radar of the Stasi (Secret Police) and soon his apartment is bugged. He and his actress girlfriend are being watched without knowledge. What the policeman, who is listening in on their lives, finds out changes the lives of all parties involved dramatically. The policeman becomes intrigued by his listening detail and falls into a slight obsession with this particular job. This film is potent with thrills and emotions. Definitely one you will not forget!
Interesting trivia about this film straight from www.IMDB.com:
“In a book describing the background story of this movie, Ulrich Mühe accused his ex-wife Jenny Gröllmann of being an unofficial agent for the East German secret service (“Staatsicherheit”).”
For More Info on this film: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405094/
Volver (2006)
Director: Pedro Almodóvar
Staring: Penelope Cruz, Carmen Maura
This film centers on the resilience of women. Raimunda, her daughter Paula, and her sister Sole travel to visit the grave of their mother Irene in the village they grew up in. Their mother died years ago in a fire with her husband. Then they visit Irene’s sister Aunt Paula, an old woman that insists that Irene is alive and living with her. Back in Madrid after their visit Raimunda and her daughter has to deal with an unemployed father and husband who is a complete drunk. After the death of Aunt Paula everything changes. This is a dark comedy filled with drama, mystery, and crime. I can not say enough about this film. It is another exceptional creation from the great Pedro Almodóvar
Interesting trivia about this film straight from www.IMDB.com:
“Penélope Cruz became the first Spanish actress ever to be nominated for Best Lead Actress at the Oscars.”
For More Info on this film: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0441909/
