I love foreign films. I love their originality, their honesty, their non-Hollywood budgets, and their normal-looking actors. If the film includes food, then even better. I present to you my current list of favorite foreign films. Some of the trailers are a little cheesy – it’s amazing how the quality of trailers has dramatically improved in the last decade. Enjoy!
1. Mostly Martha (Germany, 2001)
Have you heard of the movie Without Reservations, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart? Don’t watch that – watch the original version instead. Martha is a workaholic chef whose (nonexistent) personal life takes a sudden and sharp turn when her young niece comes to live with her. On top of that, there is an Italian chef who arrives to wreak havoc on her professional turf. The food scenes are swoooon, and (spoiler alert) the romantic courtship between the chefs is how I think courtships should be.
2. Waking Ned Devine (Ireland, 1998)
One of my favorite movies of all time. Tullymore is a tiny village comprised of 52 lovely, quirky people. When two of the residents discover that there is a lottery winner among them, a frantic search begins and much hilarity ensues. The portrayal of wholesome village life makes me yearn for simpler times.
3. Monsoon Wedding (India, 2001)
Monsoon wedding is a tale of two weddings: an arranged, wealthy, all-out affair, and a simple but heartfelt union between two servants. It’s an exhilarating view into the lively and family-centred Punjabi Hindu culture. I especially loved the portrayal of the wealthy bride’s father, who is called to make a courageous act in the end — and rises to the occasion.
4. Like Father, Like Son (Japan, 2013)
I often find Japanese movies a little difficult to follow. Perhaps it’s because their culture is quite different from our western ways. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this story about two young boys who are accidentally switched at birth. There’s something about the father-son relationships that captivate my heart. Not to mention that the boys are soooooo cute.
5. Son of the Bride (Argentina, 2001)
Rafael is a struggling restaurant owner with a ton of personal issues, one of which is his estranged relationship with his aging parents. Now his mother has Alzheimer’s disease and his father wishes to marry her in the Catholic church (turns out they only had a civil union, which is a big deal in South America). It’s a sweet story of a man’s enduring love for his wife, and the redemption of a broken son. A warning: the rating is R due to foul language.
6. Nine Queens (Argentina, 2000)
If you watched The Usual Suspects and enjoyed it, then you will love this caper. Juan and Marcos are two con men who embark on the job of a lifetime. Trust me, this one will keep you on your toes. Also rated R for its liberal use of crude language.
7. Jiro Dreams of Sushi (Japan, 2011)
Ah…I love sushi so very much. This documentary about Jiro Ono, the owner of a Michelin 3-star restaurant in Tokyo, had me dreaming of Japanese cuisine for weeks. It’s an incredible testament to the power of passion and commitment to one’s craft. I would love to visit Japan and eat at Jiro’s restaurant. Then again, maybe not, because how would I ever enjoy normal sushi again?
8. The Lunch Box (India, 2013)
Another film featuring mouth-watering food, this time from India. Saajan is a soon-to-retire accountant who orders his lunches through the intricate system of dabbawalas. One day he mistakenly starts receiving delicious lunches, along with handwritten notes, from a lonely wife who is actually cooking for her aloof husband. Once Saajan figures out that something is amiss, he embarks on a quest to find the mystery cook. A bittersweet friendship begins.
9. Goodbye Lenin (Germany, 2003)
Now this is an interesting film, unlike any I’ve ever seen. Alex is a young man who has lived all of his life in Eastern Germany with his mother and sister. One day his mother collapses and falls into a coma, and it is during this period that the Berlin wall comes down. When his mother wakes up, it is to a completely different world. Believing her to be a staunch communist, and to protect her from shock, Alex goes to great lengths to hide the truth about the epic sociopolitical changes which have taken place. It’s a delightfully quirky story about the love between mother and son. Nota bene: this film is definitely not suitable for children.
10. Of Gods and Men (France, 2010)
In March 1996, seven of the nine Trappist monks living in an abbey in Algeria were kidnapped (and later killed) during the Algerian civil war. This movie tells their story of the months leading up to that fateful day in March. It is a beautiful account of the simple yet inspiring lives that these monks chose to live, day in and day out. What is even more beautiful to behold is their peaceful coexistence with the Muslim members of the local village. The monks slowly realize that they are in danger but despite their opportunity to flee, they choose to stay and continue to support their community. What a testament of courage and love of neighbor.
Happy watching! And please, share your favorite foreign films!
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A very interesting list! I’ve seen only two of them (‘Ned Devine’ & ‘Of Gods and Men’). Some good items to add to my list.
Without giving it too much thought, a few of my favourite foreign films would be:
In the Mood for Love (Hong Kong, 2000): An unconventional love story, and visually stunning. One of my favourite films.
La Sapienza (French/Italian, 2014): A very strange and strangely alluring film about art and creativity and beauty. I’ve written about it here. The same director has also made another intriguing and spiritually profound film called ‘The Portuguese Nun’ (2009), which I’ve written about here. They are worth tracking down.
The Island (Russia, 2006): The story of a Russian Orthodox monk in a Siberian monastery whose apparent foolishness is used to shame the wise.
Babette’s Feast (Danish, 1987): A mysterious French woman comes to a small Danish village. A justly well-beloved film.
Again, thanks for the recommendations.
Ooooohhh I can’t wait to check those out. Thanks Craig!