10 Recent Foreign Films Worth Seeing

I’ve always been a huge fan of foreign film. And no, I’m not one of those anti-Hollywood snobs who thinks everything produced in Tinseltown is garbage. I love Iron Man and The Hangover as much as the next guy, but I also like to mix it up and see what kinds of stories are popular in other countries.

Since I reside in the middle of nowhere, I don’t get the opportunity to take in many movies with subtitles at the local Cineplex. Thankfully, Netflix has an extensive collection, many of which are available via instant streaming, which means no waiting for the red envelope to show up in my mailbox.

While going through my list of viewed movies, I picked ten recent foreign flicks that stood out. By recent, I mean from the last four years. So, if you don’t mind reading and watching simultaneously, these are worth a look.

10. Them – France (2006)

It’s only 77 minutes long. 77 minutes of creepy ass terror. A young couple living in a remote estate house are descended upon by a group of mysterious home invaders. Don’t search for deep meaning. This is straight horror from start to stop, with a payoff that is beyond disturbing.

9. Ben X – Belgium (2007)

Ben is an autistic teen who finds more comfort in the world of online gaming than his real life, which involves daily bullying at the hands of his uncaring classmates. But Ben has a plan to stop the endless harassment. Greg Timmermans delivers an impressive performance as Ben.

8. Man, Woman and the Wall – Japan (2006)

An odd little tale about a young man named Ryo who becomes obsessed with his new neighbor, a beautiful waitress who he can hear through his thin-walled apartment. It’s a voyeuristic thriller with a twist.  As an added bonus, the object of Ryo’s affections is played by former Japanese porn star, Sola Aoi.

7. The Edge of Heaven – Germany (2007)

This serpentine plot crisscrosses the lives of several characters from Turkey to Germany. Death, and its cruel effects, is the central theme that connects all the principals. It’s expertly paced and filled with top notch acting. I had heard very little about this when I slipped it into my queue. Glad I did.

6. I’ve Loved You So Long – 2008 (France)

Kristin Scott Thomas should’ve gotten a Best Actress Oscar nod for her compelling portrayal of a woman recently released from prison for murdering her son. I have a suspicion if this were an American movie it would have taken a different direction. I breathed a sigh of relief when it didn’t.

Pages: 1 2