# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![straykat23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@straykat23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/straykat23)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2001, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/61 "2001-09-05T21:41:46Z")
The Children of Heaven, Iranian, 1997. From an Iranian movie site: “Its story told in a neorealistic style reminiscent of Jafar Panahi’s THE WHITE BALLOON, this film provides a glimpse into the daily life of lower-class urban society in contemporary Iran.” [http://www.nima3.com/IranMedia/Irfilm.html](http://www.nima3.com/IranMedia/Irfilm.html) It’s simply beautiful… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Big\_Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@The\_Big\_Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Big_Cheese)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/62 "2001-09-06T01:29:25Z")
La Vie rêvée des anges(1998), (Daydreams of Angels) A French one, but I guess that’s obvious… I love Elodie Bouchez in this. The Scent of the Green Papaya Cyclo (both Vietnamese I think) ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/63 "2001-09-06T01:48:09Z")
**Ridicule**. A french movie – I don’t know the director’s name. Set in pre-revolution France. A minor, impoverished noble who needs money to drain a pestilential swamp tries to ascend into the Royal favor on wit alone. **Camille Claudel**. Which is about one of Renoir’s mistresses. Also a french movie. **Grave of the Fireflies**. A rather serious and sad Japanese anime that takes place during WWII. Directed by Isao Takakata. (Roger Ebert says “it belongs on any list of the greatest war films ever made.”) **Eat Drink Man Woman**. A chinese movie I think about a widowed chef and his three daughters. **Mediterrano** (not sure if that’s the correct spelling.) A fun Italian romp about some WWII Italian soldiers stranded on a Greek island and forced to give up warring while they wait to be rescued. It won the Best Foreign film Oscar. **Kolya** a funny/heartwarming Czech movie about a confirmed bacheor who takes in a little boy. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Schonwald](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@Steve\_Schonwald](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Schonwald)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/64 "2001-09-06T02:30:06Z")
I have really loved the films from Czechoslovakia! Now the Czech Republic. I recall that I saw “The Shop on Main Street” in 1968 (The “Czech Spring”). Several weeks ago I saw another called “The Worst of Times”, or some such. It was about a young Jewish adult/teen who escapes from a concentration camp and returns to his home town in Bohemia. He has to hide, and is taken in by a gentile couple. ---
**Author:** ![Carpal\_Tunnel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@Carpal\_Tunnel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carpal_Tunnel)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/65 "2001-09-06T02:47:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ShibbOleth \* > \*\*Just remembered that a lot of Iranian films lately have been touted as being very good, can anyone here recommend some? \*\* Docharkheh Savar, aka Bicycleran, aka The Cyclist is an Iranian film directed by Mohsen Makhmalbaf that should be a part of every library film collection. [http://us.imdb.com/Title?0092651](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0092651) ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/66 "2001-09-06T02:59:29Z")
_The Fires on the Plain_\*, by Kon Ichikawa is one of the most powerful anti-war films in any language. Also, a profound and unforgettable experience. For those interested, I believe there is a retrospective of Ichikawa’s films travelling around the US and Canada, but all I can find information on is the stops in Toronto and Boston, which have already finished. The other stops on the tour are: Pacific Film Archive, Berkeley La Cinémathèque québécoise, Montréal The Museum of Modern Art, New York Cleveland Cinematheque, Cleveland National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. UCLA Film and Television Archive, Los Angeles Pacific Cinematheque, Vancouver Museum of Fine Arts, Houston College of Moving Images, Santa Fe The Gene Siskel Film Center, Chicago Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus ---
**Author:** ![freckles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47c2d/32.png) [@freckles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckles)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/67 "2001-09-06T09:57:10Z")
I thought Girl on the Bridge was excellent. It is a french movie and starred Vanessa Paradis. ---
**Author:** ![Payne\_N.Diaz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Payne\_N.Diaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Payne_N.Diaz)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/68 "2001-09-06T16:27:01Z")
I haven’t sen it in years, but one movie that tore me up when I first saw it was “Black Orpheus”, set in Rio during Carnaval. I’m kind of surprised nobody has mentioned it yet. ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/69 "2001-09-06T17:28:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Steve Schonwald \* > \*\*I have really loved the films from Czechoslovakia! Now the Czech Republic. I recall that I saw “The Shop on Main Street” in 1968 (The “Czech Spring”). > \*\* Then you must have seen **Postriziny** (Cutting ut short) by Jiri Menzel. > [@](#): > > [Pure delight](http://www.afionline.org/fest/fest95/CALENDAR/desc2.html), as progress comes to a rural brewery in the 20s-manager Jir¡ Schmitzer’s side-car motorcycle sometimes refuses to stop; his stentorian-voiced brother keeps extending his visit; and the brewery’s board fusses over his accounts-but then it’s time for a pork sausage feast cooked by his wife, Magda Vasaryov who gives a “gorgeous performance as a beauty delighting in her own bounteous sensuality”–Tom Milne. Adapted from Hrabal’s memoir of his parents, this is “Menzel’s best film”–David Shipman. Directed by Jir¡ Menzel. An absolute must-see! ---
**Author:** ![23skidoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/f04885/32.png) [@23skidoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/23skidoo)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/70 "2001-09-06T22:44:01Z")
Just to throw in some fun ones that I hadn’t seen mentioned: Cemetary Man: Rupert Everett stars in this Italian zombie movie about a groundskeeper who has to take his job bery seriously, as all the dead keep rising nightly from the grave sites. Very strange, and very funny. Kikujiro: I just rented this one from Blockbuster. Japanese movie about a thug whose wife makes him take a neighborhood kid across country to see his mother. Basically a “road trip” type movie, but funny nonetheless. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/71 "2001-09-07T03:39:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*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). > > \*\* **Battleship Potemkin** ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/72 "2001-09-07T05:29:32Z")
**Les Enfants du Paradis** (Children of Paradise) - Marcel Carne ---
**Author:** ![Kaitlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/73ab20/32.png) [@Kaitlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaitlyn)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/73 "2001-09-07T06:08:04Z")
A few of my favorites: **Japanese** : Fireworks Go, Go, Second Time Virgin Ecstacy of the Angels After Life Maborosi Female Convict Sorpion: Jailhouse 41 Woman in the Dunes Perfect Blue Grave of the Fireflies Seven Samurai The Samurai Trilogy Roshomon The Hidden Fortress Kwaidan Yojimbo and Sanjuro **Spanish** : All About My Mother Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down Open Your Eyes Thesis Live Flesh Twice Upon a Yesterday (mediocre, but it has Penelope Cruz) Tango Midaq Alley Like Water for Chocolate The Official Story Woman on Top **German** : Fitzcarraldo Run, Lola, Run Das Boot Funny Games **French** : La Femme Nikita Ponette The Bride Wore Black Wild Reeds Blue, White, Red Small Change Jean de Florrette and Manon of the Spring **Italian** : Malena The Postman Cinema Paradiso Life is Beautiful Mediterraneo The Bicycle Thief (My Favorite Movie) **Chinese** (I’m mixing Mandarin and Cantonese here): Flowers of Shanghai Not One Less The Story of Qui Jou Raise the Red Lantern Red Sorghum Ju Dou Yi Yi Xiu Xiu, The Sent Down Girl The Emperor and The Assassin In the Realm of the Senses Centre Stage Rouge Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon I could list dozens of Hong Kong action movies, but I’ll limit myself to the best from each of the big stars. **Hong Kong Action** Chow Yun Fat: The Killer Hard Boiled City on Fire A Better Tomorrow 1 and 2 (but not 3) Full Contact Jackie Chan: Drunken Master 2 Police Story series (1,2,3; #4 is called First Strike) Wheels on Meals Project A (1 and 2) Armor of God (1 and 2) Crime Story (one of the few serious actioners) Jet Li: Fist of Legend Fong Sai Yuk Tai Chi Master (with Michelle Yeoh) Once Upon a Time in China series (the first 3) Michelle Yeoh: Wing Chun The Heroic Trio Yes, Madam! Royal Warriors ---
**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 7, 2001, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/74 "2001-09-07T09:54:38Z")
So, **Skijumper** – how’s your list coming along? Still taking suggestions? Also, are there any films your patrons have recommended that haven’t been listed here? New suggestions are always welcome. (And I can’t believe I forgot **Ridicule** , one of the few foreign films I actually saw in a theatre rather than on video or TV. Highly recommended.) ---
**Author:** ![Skijumper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3e96dc/32.png) [@Skijumper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skijumper)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/75 "2001-09-07T16:45:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jr8 \* > **So, Skijumper – how’s your list coming along? Still taking suggestions?** Yes, suggestions are still welcome! Thanks especially to **Number Six** for your extensive list. I’ve already placed orders for most of the ‘classics’, award-winners etc. Phew! This is turning out to be some project, but it’s for the benefit of our local community, so it’s worthwhile. Thanks again **jr8** and everyone who posted here. I really appreciate the help! Just for the record, some of my personal must-see foreign language flicks (some may have been mentioned) - Wings of Desire - Wim Wenders The Three Colours Trilogy - Krystof Kieslowski Double Life of Veronique - Krystof Kieslowski Life Is Beautiful - Roberto Benigni Seventh Seal - Ingmar Bergman Life of a Comedian - a Swedish director whose name eludes me now Babette’s Feast - Gabriel Axel Chungking Express - Wong Kar Wai The Ring - Nakata Hideo El Norte - Gregory Nava ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/76 "2001-09-07T17:30:03Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by KarlGauss \* \*\*[Jean De Florette](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0091288) by **Claude Berri** [Manon of the Spring](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0091480) also by **Claude Berri** * * * I’m in complete agreement. These are excellent. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/77 "2001-09-07T17:46:50Z")
**Number Six** got most of my Chinese picks, but I’d also like to recommend [Farewell, My Concubine](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0106332), directed by Kaige Chen. –sublight ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/78 "2001-09-07T17:55:27Z")
More Czech films:- “Closely Obsevered Trains” and “The Firemans’Ball” ---
**Author:** ![LC\_Strawhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/79 "2001-09-07T22:02:03Z")
Also, anything by Luchino Visconti (The Leopard, The Damned, etc.) By the way, **Number Six** … since this is a public library he’s taking recommendations for, I’d be hesitant to bring up stuff like **Funny Games** or **In the Realm of the Senses**. Those could lead to obscenity charges or something… ---
**Author:** ![aviddiva](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e57/32.png) [@aviddiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aviddiva)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518/80 "2001-09-07T22:34:42Z")
- **Antonia’s Line** - Dutch, 1996? 1997? Foreign language academy award winner - **Delicatessan** - French, very wacky - **City of Lost Children** - French, by the makers of Delicatessan, beautiful and wacky. Be sure not to get the dubbed version. - **Love and Human Remains** - French Canadian (Denys Arcand) - **Le Confessional** - French Canadian (in French and English) - **Marquise** - French, featuring the luminous Sophie Marceau - **Il Postino** - Spanish -anything by Zhang Yimou or Akira Kurosawa [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-see-foreign-language-films/79518.md?page=5)