# Must-see foreign language films **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 3, 2001, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518 "2001-09-03T14:58:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2001, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/41 "2001-09-04T14:55:26Z")
Some great suggestions, but I am surprised no one has mentioned the work of art that is [Character](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/076781553X/qid=999615152/sr=2-10/ref=aps_sr_v_4_1/104-7466232-4613515), by first-time Dutch director Mike van Diem. One of my favorite movies of all time, in any language. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2001, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/42 "2001-09-04T15:03:09Z")
I just rented a movie (Russian) called Vor or The Thief. It ROCKED. I think it came out about four years ago? Also Au Revoir Les Enfants was very good. And let’s not forget Almodovar’s **Tie Me Up Tie Me Down** , for the more…advanced tastes. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mersavets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aca169/32.png) [@Mersavets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mersavets)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2001, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/43 "2001-09-04T15:27:16Z")
**Anatomie** , a recent horror movie from Germany starring the same actress from **Run Lola, Run**. **Let there be Light** and **Delicatessen** are two French films that I can’t believe Hollywood have not tried to _improve_ yet. **Post** , a Norwegian black comedy, was excellent I thought. **Man Bites Dog** , another very black comedy, this time from Belgium. te ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2001, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/44 "2001-09-04T15:29:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jr8 \* > \*\*Silent flicks? Apart from some of the standard ones like Keaton’s _The General_, I’ll put in a plug for [The Passion of Joan of Arc](http://www.suntimes.com/ebert/greatmovies/passion_of_joan.html). > > While I have yet to see it, due to unavailability at video stores, my friends (and Roger Ebert, as per the link) rave about it. I also have the soundtrack by Richard Einhorn, which is excellent (a recent addition to the 1928 film), so try and get a copy with the new music. I promise, it’s better than the Moroderized version of _Metropolis_. \*\* Update: One of said friends informs me that Einhorn’s music is usually performed _live_ in conjunction with showings of the film, and thus may not be available on the tape itself. I stand corrected. ---
**Author:** ![Globe-trotter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cab0a1/32.png) [@Globe-trotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Globe-trotter)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2001, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/45 "2001-09-04T15:44:05Z")
One of my all-time favourites is Jean Renoir’s _La grande illusion_ (1937), starring Jean Gabin, Erich Von Stroheim. Brilliant. Ooh maryliza, I love Kusturica’s stuff as well. _Black cat, white cat_ had me in stitches. I also really enjoyed _When father was away on business_. Warning! Avoid _Arizona Dream_. It’s crap. ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2001, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/46 "2001-09-04T16:07:55Z")
I’m amazed no one has mentioned two of my all time highs (if you happen to have a somewhat black sense of humour): **Truffaut, François** : [Une belle fille comme moi](http://members.netscapeonline.co.uk/jameswtravers/nf_Une_belle_fille_comme_moi_rev.html)(aka Such a Gorgeous Kid Like Me) and **Scola, Ettore** : [Brutti, sporchi e cattivi](http://www.eonline.com/Facts/Movies/0,60,5049,00.html) (aka Ugly, Dirty and Bad/Ugly Dirty and Mean/Down and Dirty) (unfortunately I havn’t been able to find a good description of it) ---
**Author:** ![xanadu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c4cdca/32.png) [@xanadu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanadu)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2001, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/47 "2001-09-04T16:14:38Z")
I almost forgot “My Best Fiend, Klaus Kinski.” Definitely one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2001, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/48 "2001-09-04T16:51:19Z")
Kurosawa’s “The Hidden Fortress” (Kakushi Toride no San Akunin), starring Toshiro Mifune. The film that reportedly spawned the characters of C3PO and R2D2. Alain Resnais’ “Hiroshima mon amour” – a trifle dated, but still worth watching. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2001, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/49 "2001-09-04T16:58:03Z")
You need some mandarin language films. Zhang YiMou did many films with Gong Li. Red Sorgum is probably the best of the breed. Chen Kaige has done many films including Yellow Earth. My favorite may be Chen Kaige’s King of the Children, which IMHO is the greatest indictment of an educational system ever put on film. Many of my friends say that Zhang Yimou as the lead actor, was the only Asian guy they would ever want to jump the bones of. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2001, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/50 "2001-09-04T17:10:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by China Guy \* > \*\*Many of my friends say that Zhang Yimou as the lead actor, was the only Asian guy they would ever want to jump the bones of. \*\* Sorry, meant to add in the Old Well was the flick. Zhang Yimou was quite the stud muffin. Since we’re dealing with revisionism here, Chen Kaige’s Farewell to my Concubine is pretty awesome as well. Also, the Black Cannon Incident (hei pai shi jian) (1986) is a pretty awesome indictment of bureaucracy. I did a google but can’t find who filmed this. But he was one of the “new wave” Chinese along with Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige. ---
**Author:** ![celestina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/258eb7/32.png) [@celestina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/celestina)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2001, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/51 "2001-09-04T17:13:02Z")
1. “Thesis” 2. “Open Your Eyes” (#1 and 2 are by Alejandro Amenabar) 3. “Tampopo” 4. “Blue” w/Juliette Binoche in it 5. “Taxing Woman” 6. “Taxing Woman Returns” ( #5 and 6 are Japanese films. I forget the director’s name.) 7. “Ran” by Akira Kurosawa 8. “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” 9. “The Dinner Game” This is all I can think of right now. Sorry if I’m repeating some. ---
**Author:** ![Skijumper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3e96dc/32.png) [@Skijumper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skijumper)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2001, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/52 "2001-09-04T17:21:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by China Guy \* > \*\*Many of my friends say that Zhang Yimou as the lead actor, was the only Asian guy they would ever want to jump the bones of. \*\* Oh, but have they seen Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Takeshi Kaneshiro of ‘Chungking Express’ fame? They look pretty do-able. And the film’s pretty good too. Thanks for the tip, China Guy. ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2001, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/53 "2001-09-04T17:21:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by maryliza \* > \*\*The Bosnian director Emir Kusturica has really fabulous and funny movies that should be in any comprehensive library. Two of his better known titles are _Black Cat, White Cat_ (or more accurately _Crna maka, beli macor_) and _Underground_. For anyone who hasn’t seen these movies, you are missing out. They are excellent, bizarre, twisted and hilarious. > \*\* Yes! Underground is one of the finest movies I’ve ever had the privilege to watch. Black Cat, White Cat is also excellent. I also recommend Time Of The Gypsies by Kustarica. All of these films are perfect with stunning imagery and music, as well as compelling stories which give a perspective of Eastern European culture that most westerners usually don’t get to see. ---
**Author:** ![QuanSu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c37758/32.png) [@QuanSu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuanSu)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2001, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/54 "2001-09-05T00:31:10Z")
Just want to add to the list “La Jeté.” I don’t remember the director’s name. ---
**Author:** ![5-HT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/f19dbf/32.png) [@5-HT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5-HT)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2001, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/55 "2001-09-05T01:08:30Z")
I don’t know the foreign language title, but in English this one is called **A Pure Formality**. It stars Roman Polanski and Gerard Depardieu. It was written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. It’s a great film with a terrific twist at the end. highly recommended ---
**Author:** ![silent\_rob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@silent\_rob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silent_rob)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2001, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/56 "2001-09-05T01:31:45Z")
**QuanSu** , the director’s name is Chris Marker. _La Jeté_ is indeed a very cool experimental French film. Well, most of those that I thought of have already been named in the thread. However, I don’t think I saw any of Giuseppe Tornatore’s movies. _Cinema Paradiso_ is wonderful, as are most (if not all) of his other films. And though it’s in English, I’ve got to say that _The Legend of 1900_ is simply amazing (though it doesn’t seem to be available everywhere, yet). I was curious, though: which _The Red Violin_ was being referred to, before? The Canadian film, though it is excellent, was in English. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2001, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/57 "2001-09-05T17:57:28Z")
I’m going to check in with the little known Nang-Nak, a tragic/romantic ghost story from Thailand. The translation of the title (Ghost Wife) somewhat gives the movie away, but the movie loses nothing because of it. [Here](http://www.mhvf.net/forum/asian/posts/108214160.html) is a review that I fully agree with, but it goes into detail from start to finish and therefore contains spoilers (scroll down all the way for the DVD cover art- no spoiler there). Here is a snippet without spoilers: > [@](#): > > Immediately I was drawn into the film’s palpable atmosphere and gorgeous cinematography. The setting is a small tribal village along a river deep in the Thai wilderness - not exactly the typical setting for a ghost story. The lush greenery, wildlife, and an evocative soundtrack filled with natural sounds placed me firmly in the middle of the story. Director Nimibutr truly has a gifted eye for screen composition and camera movement, and I spied as many western filmmaking influences in his style as eastern. > > _\_ > > The story concerns a young couple living in a small shack on a river “somewhere” in Thailand (although nearly all > of the dialogue is translated into subtitles, locations and original Thai subtitles are annoyingly NOT translated in > this release). Just as implacable as the location is the time in which the story takes place. The dvd case > mentions that the story is based on a “true legend”(?), so I am assuming that the timeline for the film would have > taken place at least seventy or eighty years ago. For all I know, NANG-NAK may be set in modern-day Thailand. However, the lack of specific time and place add immensely to the timeless feel of the film. Mak, the husband, is called away at the very beginning to fight in some unexplained tribal war just as he learns that his wife, Nak, is with child. Already we are filled with a sense of dread - we know this not end well for one of them (and thanks to the spoiler-ridden title [NANG-NAK translation: GHOST-WIFE], we know who exactly who is ill-fated). Expertly edited with very moving flashback images that help amplify the sense of tragedy as the film reaches its crescendo. Do not pass this movie up if you have the opportunity to watch it. ---
**Author:** ![xanadu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c4cdca/32.png) [@xanadu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanadu)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2001, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/58 "2001-09-05T18:28:44Z")
I don’t know if anyone’s mentioned it yet, but “Madadayo”, directed by Akira Kurosawa, was a really good movie. One of his best, in my opinion. Also, I hear that “Aguirre, The Wrath Of God” , directed by Werner Herzog is a good movie, also. He also directs the movie that I mentioned earlier - “My Best Fiend, Klaus Kinski.” Here’s a [link](http://us.idmb.com/Title?0200849) for the review of that movie. ---
**Author:** ![xanadu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c4cdca/32.png) [@xanadu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanadu)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2001, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/59 "2001-09-05T18:36:30Z")
Hey, that link didn’t work, so try this [link](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0200849) instead. I really should proofread these things. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2001, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/60 "2001-09-05T21:00:37Z")
Also by Clouzot, **Diabolique**. An incredible chiller! Don’t waste your time on the Sharon Stone remake. Just recently, **La Fille sur le Pont (Girl on the Bridge)**, directed by Patrice Leconte. An absorbing film about love, luck and really sharp knives! And from Iranian director Majid Majidi, **Children of Heaven**. A brother-sister film that will make you feel better than you’ve felt in a long time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518.md?page=4)