Filmmaking is a universal art.
That’s why directors, screenwriters and producers from different regions of the world make films that embody their country, their language and their culture. From Africa to France all the way to Japan and Brazil, there are filmmakers out there who want their movies watched by the public. If you live in the United States and have never watched an international film before, don’t just confine yourself to American cinema and English-speaking films. After all, a lot of American movies have been heavily influenced by foreign films.
Why should you watch foreign cinema, you ask? Doing so educates you. It teaches you about another country’s history and culture and about the world in general. You even learn a new language (kind of).
While there are so many out there, here are five you should check out to start your journey into the world of international film.
Seven Samurai (1954)
Japan
Akira Kurosawa is one of the most well known directors in Japan and Seven Samurai is one of his most popular films. Set during the Sengoku period in Japan when there was a lot of social and political upheaval, the film follows a group of farmers who hire samurai to fight against combat bandits who try and steal their crops after the harvest season. If you’re into action-packed films, this one is a must-watch.
Life is Beautiful (1998)
Italy
This film is about Guido, a Jewish-Italian who meets, marries and has a child with Dora, the love of his life. However, their happiness is cut short when Guido and his son are separated from Dora in a concentration camp. Both a funny and tragic film, director and star Roberto Benigni explores the themes of innocence and hope during a time of tension and devastation.
Amélie (2001)
France
Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, the film follows the events and adventures of Amélie, a hopeless romantic and dreamer. While trying to connect people through love, she may end up finding it herself. This visually stunning and comedic film depicts France in an unusual but heartfelt and quirky way.
City of God (2002)
Brazil
Based on the novel and real life events, this film directed by Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund focuses on the lives of two boys who grew up in the same neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro. However, they took different paths—one became a photographer, and the other became a drug dealer. Not necessarily for the faint of heart, this film is an intense but powerful look into the world of organized crime in Brazil during the 1960s and 1980s.
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
Spain
Set in Spain during the early 1940s, the film shines a light on the life of a wildly imaginative young girl named Ofelia. She moves into a new home with her ill mother and new stepfather, an army officer who harbors sadistic and abusive tendencies. While exploring her new home, Ofelia finds herself in an ancient maze that leads her into a world of fauns. Director Guillermo del Toro channels the imagination of a child by mixing realism and fantastical elements during the Civil War era in Spain.
Feature Photo via We Heart It
