Four Recent Foreign Films You Should See

By Uloop Writer on February 7, 2013

Last week, I went to see a French film at the cinema and it made me realize that however much I love the big blockbuster Hollywood films, sometimes it’s good to see something not American. I actually picked a film that looked the most French that I could because, well, why not! (This may be the moment to bring in the study abroad memes) The film I picked, Alceste à Byclette, was in fact very very French. Beautiful cinematography, most of the film consisted of citing Moliere and there wasn’t the typical Hollywood happy ending. Yet, I left the film smiling because, well, it was a comedy and also because life isn’t always about the happy endings. C’est la vie.

So here are my top recommendations of some not necessarily happy-ending foreign films from the past few years:

1. Jagten (the Hunt)

This Danish film, directed by Thomas Vinterberg, won the Best Actor Award at the 2012 Cannes for Mads Mikkelsen’s performance of an innocent man accused of being a pedophile. It’s an emotional roller coaster despite the fact that the plot is relatively simple, the film details how Mikkelsen’s character becomes ostracized from the small community that he lives in. Mikkelsen is one of Denmarks’ premier actors (you can also catch him in the Royal Affair that also came out 2012) and he will definitely not disappoint in a film that will make you appreciate film-making and consider how you would react in the same situation.

2.  L’Amour

The French language film L’Amour, directed by Austrian filmmaker Michael Haneke, was also a favourite at the 2012 Cannes, winning the Palme d’Or. It tells the story of an old, retired couple who have to learn to cope when the wife has a stroke and half her body becomes paralyzed. This is a sad story about growing old and coping as you see  a loved one getting progressively worse. But don’t let it discourage you, it’s also one of the best reviewed foreign films of the year and nominated for 5 Academy Awards.

3. Let the Right One In

Based off of the Swedish novel Låt den rätte komma in by John Ajvide Lindqvist, the Swedish version of the film was directed by Tomas Alfredson in 2008 and received many awards. It portrays the relationship of a bullied 12 year old boy and a young vampire in a Swedish town as sweet and innocent, yet the girl’s true nature forces her carer, Håkan to take continually kill to feed her. This may be one of the most touching vampire films you will ever see that focuses on growing up and standing up for yourself, with the occasional gore, of course.

4. The Intouchables

When I first came to France and mentioned cinema, every single person told me to watch this film directed by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano. Described as a “comedy-drama”,  it tells the story of a rich quadriplegic who hires Driss to be his live-in carer, a man who with a criminal background, living on benefits. During the film, the two men learn about each other’s completely different lifestyles, one of art and sophistication, the other of the tough life of the streets. Staring Omar Sy and Francois Cluzet, this film from 2011 will make you laugh and maybe cry (just a bit, I swear).

 

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