Foreign films you liked?
 

Just watched the Czech film "Zelary" which has reminded me of the many fine foreign films we have enjoyed. Not only on DVD but in both the library and local universities we have many seen many recently...like "The Wind Will Carry Us," "Butterfly,"
and "Motorcycle Diaries."

I started to list others but there are so many! And how about the classics such as "Babette's Fest," "Cinema Paradiso,"
"Bicycle Thief," and "Amelia." Many are filmed in Iran, China, Mongolia and such far away places.

At the top of any list are others which are not strictly foreign in category but well worth seeing..."Schindler's List," "Life Is Beautiful," "Tea with Mussolini," "Gandhi," etc. Any favorites you might mention?

ozarksbill

My absolute favorite was Alexandre, released in the States in the early 1970's. I have searched for it for years. Would love a dvd or video. I saw it at the old Exeter theatre in Boston. How I miss that theatre.

You've not mentioned this one:
Garden of the Finzi-Continis

It's a relatively late Vittorio De Sica movie.

Dominique Sanda is in this, and this recalls "The Conformist." It's not a favorite, but it's a beautifully shot movie. I recently saw it again when it was revived.

A very old French movie, very influential, is the Jean Renoir classic "La Regle du Jeu." I also saw it again recently.

This recalls a few movies (can't say I really liked this, but good to drop a few names):

L'Annee Derniere a Marienbad
Hiroshima, Mon Amour

Both by Alain Resnais.

Staying with the French theme, I've liked Un Coeur en Hiver, which is relatively recent.

Moving to Japan, another one I saw recently is Hara Kiri, a nice movie from the samurai genre.

As for shocking and different, try the Oshima classic "In the Realm of the Senses."

Then there's "Woman in the Dunes" directed by Teshigahara.

I can go on and on.

"Everything is illuminated" may be still running in San Francisco, for those who are interested in Ukraine (or Russia).

I really liked that "Gone with the Wind"; it may not be as classy as "Brief Encounter" but it's got something.

I think the southern states may be slightly different now, though.

Well Sheila, "I do declare!" LOL

Things have changed a bit. Try watching Steel Magnolias with Julia Roberts for a more up to date look at the South.

Thanks for this thread.
Some of my recent favorites but not listed in order of preference:
Goodbye Lenin
Triplets of Belleville
Run Lola Run
Hedwick (??) and the Angry Inch (Not for everyone!)

Just two that I've seen fairly recently: Downfall and 2046.

"Goodbye Lenin" is a great film about the fall of the Berlin wall!! Thanks for reminding, L84sky!

Did you like "2046," Leely?

Clever, moving use of "Casta Diva" in that movie.

My favorite Wong Kar-Wai movie is still "Chungking Express."

There are sooo many great foreign films. Zelary was excellent. Some recent good ones -
the Edukators,
Shultze gets the Blues,
Mondovino,
I'm Not Scared.
All time favorites -
Jean du Florette/Manon of the Spring
Cinema Paridiso
Bicycle Thief
Babette's Feast
Life is Beautiful
Il Postino
Latcho Drom

Kolya, a Czech film, I believe
Malena
Il Postino
Belle Epoque, Spanish, despite French title
Burnt (or Burned) by the Sun, Russian

Charming Chinese film, "The Mask" was part of the title

"City of God", but mi novia was appalled.
M

111op,

re: 2046. I laughed. I cried. I fell asleep for a little bit. I loved it! But I must admit I'm very late to the Wong Kar-Wai party.

My favorite film is Mr. Hulot's Holiday. Shot in the early 50's with the inimitable Jacques Tati. It is about a vacation on the Brittany shore in a moderst little hotel. Tati approaches Chaplin in this wonderful film for the whole family.

'Tinker Tailor', Le Carre story, with Alec Guinness, done for public tx is another gem. Both are available from Netflix.

Can't say that I really appreciate Tati, but I did sit through a showing of "Playtime" recently.

I also liked "Il Postino."

Which then reminds me of "Like Water for Chocolate." I get the feeling that I'll find this trashy when I see it though.

For some reason, I suddenly remember "Kiss of the Spider Woman," which I enjoyed -- but the leads are American.

"Rabbit-proof fence" is a great movie!

Bread and Tulips (Italian)
Facing Windows (Italian)
Heaven (Italian)
Amelie (French)
Too Beautiful for You (French)
Unbearable Lightness of Being (Prague)

If you are interested in American made films filmed in other countries there are many of those, and there have been a number of threads listing them.

I don't watch many films, either American or foreign, but I just rented "Downfall" and found it very interesting.

"The Weeping Camel" a German film.