Beginners Guide to Foreign Films

Written by Erin Shanks

Whether you’ve never seen a foreign film or have just dipped your toe into the vast ocean of international cinema, it can be really intimidating to figure out what to watch next. I’m going to assume by now Amélie (Jeunet, 2001), Life is Beautiful (Bengini, 1998), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Lee, 2000), and films by Yorgos Lanthimos are all fairly established in our American mainstream culture. Instead, I’m going to focus on movies that haven’t been fully appreciated in North America.

France

I would like to start with the country that most people begin with on their foreign film journey: France. Cinema was first born in France, therefore its entire history is filled with so many rich and amazing films. I’m going to start with some contemporary options and work my way back from there. ​

​Girlhood (Sciamma, 2014)

Idrissa Diabaté and Karidja Touré in "Bande de filles"

Girlhood is a coming of age story from the perspective of 16-year-old girl growing up in a rough neighbourhood trying to navigate her way from childhood to adulthood. Through the film the protagonist is thrust into situations that challenge her ideas about race, class, and sex. Not to mention it has one of the best uses of a Rihanna song ever captured on film. Girlhood is very accessible and offers a perspective that distinctly French. 

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Demy, 1964)

​Inspired by the MGM musicals of the 1930s and 1940s, director Jacques Demy creates a world full of rich colours, heart-wrenching music, and unforgettable beauty. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is an operatic style musical that is inspired by Hollywood, but remains French to its very core. It’s a film about first love, compromises, and futures that can never be. Damien Chazelle has even said that La La Land (2017) was directly inspired by this film. 

Catherine Deneuve and Nino Castelnuovo in "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg"

The 400 Blows (François Truffaut, 1959)

Jean-Pierre Léaud in "The 400 Blows"

​Finally, we’ve reached the French New Wave. There are so many films that I could have chosen to represent the New Wave. Breathless (Godard, 1960) or Cléo de 5 à7 (Varda, 1962), but The 400 Blows is the most accessible and maybe the most resonant to this very day. The 400 Blows is timeless; It tells the story of a lost and confused adolescent, something each and every one of us can relate to. 

Europe

​Now that we have France mostly taken care of let’s do a quick overview of the rest of Europe.

Run Lola Run (Twyker, 1998)

​Run Lola Run is a German film bursting with energy and life. The film is a race against time that plays with form and style in a unique and engaging way. It incorporates trippy animations, hypnotic music, and twists and turns that are sure to keep you on your toes. 

Franka Potente in "Run Lola Run"

The Double Life of Veronique (Kieslowski, 1991)

Irène Jacob in "The Double Life of Veronique"

​The Double Life of Veronique is quirky, introspective, and entrancing. Kieslowski not only blends the two main protagonists’ lives, but he also blends cultures. The film is set in France and Poland, and you can immediately pick up on the distinctive vibe of both countries. This film is as mysterious as it is thought provoking. Not to mention there are puppets in it. 

Persona (Bergman, 1966)

If you want to be challenged, Ingmar Bergman is a great place to start. Bergman’s films are typically slow, but Persona has an energy which sparks life and excitement into each frame and in every cut. Watching Persona feels like a perverse experience, but it leaves you feeling bad in all the best ways. Also saying you’ve watched this film will earn you points with any artsy person.

Bibi Andersson and Liv Ullmann in "Persona"

Bicycle Thieves (De Sica, 1948)

Lamberto Maggiorani and Enzo Staiola in "Bicycle Thieves"

​Italian neorealism is an essential stop on anyone’s film journey and nothing encapsulates the movement quite like Di Sica’s Bicycle Thieves. Filled to the brim with raw humanity, Bicycle Thieves will leave you feeling all of the feelings. It’s a film that will stick with you for a very long time. Not to mention it has quite possible the best child in all of film in it. 

Asia

Let’s explore the vast world of Asian film!

Paprika (Kon, 2006)​

At this point almost everyone has heard of or seen a Studio Ghibli film. From Spirited Away to My Neighbour Totoro, Studio Ghibli creates beautiful animated films; but if you have a thirst for more Japanese animated films, the films of Satoshi Kon are a great way to dive in. Kon likes to play with dreams and reality in a way that will leave you completely shook! Paprika is no exception, it’s colourful but at the same time dark and dreadful.

Madhouse's "Paprika"

Tampopo (Itami, 1985)

Ryûtarô Ôtomo and Ken Watanabe in "Tampopo"

Even if you’ve never seen a foreign film, you’ll fall in love with Tampopo. It’s a film about ramen that makes you feel warm and satisfied. It follows the eponymous on her quest to create the perfect bowl of ramen. The film diverges into subplots, each one exploring a different aspect of food. Tampopo is easily one of the most entertaining films I’ve seen of any cinema in the world, including American.

House (Obayashi, 1977)

​If you need a film to fill your campy horror needs, House will fill it and then some! House will have you bent over laughing with its strange gore and creative special effects. This Japanese film is chaotic and bizarre and after you watch it you’ll want to share it with all of your friends. An added bonus for the film is all of its excellent cat content. 

Miki Jinbo in "House"

In the Mood for Love (Kar-wai, 2000)

Maggie Cheung and Tony Chiu-Wai Leung in "In the Mood for Love"

​I highly recommend any Wong Kar-wai film if you’re just starting out with international cinema. Chungking Express (1994) is also a good option, but it’s much harder to find than In the Mood for Love. The film follows two neighbours who discover that both their spouses are having an affair together. Wong Kar-wai tears your heart to pieces in the most beautiful way that will make you want to come back for more. It’s a film that helps you understand what love really is and the deep ache of heartbreak. 

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (Chopra, 1995)

Nobody’s film education is complete without a stop in Bollywood. Probably one of the most acclaimed Bollywood films ever made, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge fully captures the experience and joy of watching a Bollywood film. It’s a perfect movie to watch in a group and collectively laugh, cry, and yell at the screen. The film is bright, exuberant, and overflowing with life. Good luck trying to get those catchy songs out of your head!

Shah Rukh Khan in "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge"

I know this doesn’t even cover a fraction of all the great foreign cinema that is out there waiting to be seen, but hopefully these films will be great starting points on your journey. And who knows, there could be a part two coming soon!