Non-English speaking movies

Discussion in 'Music, TV, Movies & other Media' started by Ritter, May 1, 2017.

  1. Ritter

    Ritter Well-Known Member

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    I thought since most film-threads are about Hollywood productions and the general, contemporary film-focus being overly Amerocentric, I'd start a discussion about foreign films - do you have any recommendations? Which are your favourites?

    In a thread with this topic, Bicycle Thieves cannot go without mentioning; not only is it the best non-american film, but also is it one of the absolute best films ever. Definitely on my top 10 list. :nod:

    Lilja 4-ever is a nice Swedish film about prostitution/trafficking that I would recommend. :thumbsup:
     
  2. The Rhetoric of Life

    The Rhetoric of Life Banned

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  3. Ritter

    Ritter Well-Known Member

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  4. Mr_Truth

    Mr_Truth Well-Known Member

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    Cantinflas - generally acknowledged as Latin America's greatest comedian:







    He made many hilarious movies over his many years.
     
  5. The Rhetoric of Life

    The Rhetoric of Life Banned

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    I saw half of this last night..

    I saw it with English subs, but I feel asleep half way through.
    Godzilla (1954)

    From what I saw, this was a very anti Nuclear movie.
     
    Last edited: May 5, 2017
  6. Ritter

    Ritter Well-Known Member

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    Saw Kon Tiki the other day - nice film about the crazy Thor Heyerdahl's raft-journey across the Pacific. :)

    Sadece Sen and Mustang are two nice Turkish films. The younger sister in the latter is a total badass. :)
     
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2017
  7. Moi621

    Moi621 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    If I have to watch a non English speaking film and
    read subtitles, <the pain> <the pain>
    Downfall (2004).


    And without Downfall, we wouldn't have all those
    "Hitler Finds Out . . . . " clips on YouTube.
    Here's a play list of just 130
     
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  8. amartin7889

    amartin7889 Active Member

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    I was going to recommend this as well
     
  9. crank

    crank Well-Known Member

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    I probably watch more subtitled films than American films (for obvious reasons). Predominantly European, but with a good side order of the Eastern product. There are some very interesting Asian directors, besides Ang Lee. oooh ... I just said the name 'Lee'. TRIGGERED!
     
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  10. crank

    crank Well-Known Member

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    Some vintage faves from my personal library:

    Kaos (Sicilian)
    Valley of Flowers (joint Indian/Jap/Brit)
    Heaven (Italian, but starring Cate Blanchett ... speaking Italian)
    Horse Thief (Tibetan)
    RAN (Japanese)
    Das Boot (German)
    My Life as a Dog (Swedish)

    gosh .. so many greats. have dozens on dvd, but that's best I can do on spur of moment.
     
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2017
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  11. Ritter

    Ritter Well-Known Member

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    I've been planning to watch this one since forever, but I haven't done so yet. :/

    My favourite Swedish film is still A Summer Tale ('Den Bästa Sommaren') :)
     
  12. Ritter

    Ritter Well-Known Member

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    I never understood this argument that all people of the anglosphere seem to use as an excuse for not watching foreign films. Why is it so painful to read subs? It is not like you are reading a book or anything. You don't even really have to read the subs, just seeing the translation is enough since the brain is a very powerful, high-tech tool. :p

    Only once have I found it to be agonising to follow the subs and that was watching Leviathan. There was this scene in a court room where the lawyer would just not stop talking... Really fast too and with incomprehensible juridical terms. Damn you Russians!

    Think I have to re-watch it one day though. From what I remember, the moral of the story was "fu*k the government" and that is always nice. :)
     
    Last edited: Aug 24, 2017
  13. cerberus

    cerberus Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I've got both of them and watch them again from time to time. One of the best I have is a Russian-made film called Burnt by the Sun. A little slow to get going but well worth it from about 20 minutes in. The Australians make some good ones as well; I recently bought 'We of the Never Never' from Ebay (I accidentally chucked away my first copy [​IMG] ) and I never tire of watching it (about 10 times upto now). Great production, cinematography - the Oz outback is stupendous - music, and superb acting by the main players including the supporting Aboriginals. Or is it Aboriginees? Whatever!
     
    Last edited: Aug 24, 2017
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  14. Lil Mike

    Lil Mike Well-Known Member

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    Interesting. You, as a non-American, refer to non Hollywood films as "foreign."

    That shows the worldwide dominance of Hollywood, or at least worldwide minus the Indian subcontinent. Bollywood is a regional king.
     
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  15. The Rhetoric of Life

    The Rhetoric of Life Banned

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    I've not seen this yet, but I've just saw this trailer

    It reminds me of a Dutch Simon Pegg from the looks of it though, but a little more vulgar. Called New Kids Turbo.
     
    Last edited: Aug 24, 2017
  16. crank

    crank Well-Known Member

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    I've never understood that, either. It's a very easy 'skill' to learn (your brain does it for you), and opens doors and minds.

    I can't imagine only being able to watch films in my own language. Such a tiny fraction of what's available, and so limited in scope. It would be like being fed the same food, over and over again. Forever.
     
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  17. crank

    crank Well-Known Member

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    It's a bit dated now, obviously, but still worthwhile.

    As far as Swedish films go, I also quite like "Let the Right One In". Quite unsettling, but brilliantly realised. "As it is in Heaven" is the polar opposite. A bit too cheesy for my tastes, but good for those occasions when elderly parents are around :p
     
  18. Ritter

    Ritter Well-Known Member

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    Let the Right One In and As it is in Heaven are both major suckages imo. :)
     
  19. Lil Mike

    Lil Mike Well-Known Member

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    It's simply that the sheer volume of quality of English language films and the associated pop culture that goes with it make non English speaking films an extra inconvenience. I seldom watch foreign language films for that reason. There is just so much English language content, why bother?

    I've made exceptions, such as the excellent Das Boot, and the Netflix series Lilyhammer. The way the show handles the language barrier is unique. The Norwegians speak Norwegian and Van Zant’s character, Frank Tagliano, speaks English. The conceit of the show is that Tagliano, shown listening to language tapes on his way to Norway, can understand the language, but can’t speak it. So he speaks English, the Norwegians speak to him in their language, and he understands. It’s a weird way to have a conversation, but it mostly seems to work, if you can accept the premise that a guy can understand the language perfectly, but can’t speak a word; so half the show is subtitles. But that's an unusual compromise.
     
  20. Thought Criminal

    Thought Criminal Well-Known Member Donor

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    I watch all movies with captions, or subtitles, because I have a minor hearing disability.

    My favorite foreign language film is Seven Samurai. It is deservedly considered by the critics to be a classic.
     
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  21. Ritter

    Ritter Well-Known Member

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    If you have immigrant parents it is not a very weird way to have a conversation at all. To me that is just normal and kind of how I communicate with my maternal grandparents. :laughing:
     
  22. Lil Mike

    Lil Mike Well-Known Member

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    That may be, but it seems unusual in a TV show. It still worked though.
     
  23. crank

    crank Well-Known Member

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    Agree. But for a VAMPIRE movie, LTROI is very good. As it is in heaven is super cheesy, but good for old folks not used to "foreign" films.
     
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2017
  24. crank

    crank Well-Known Member

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    Although there are alot of English language films, not many are good.
     
  25. Ritter

    Ritter Well-Known Member

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    Perhaps so. Still not very good though. En man som heter Ove is one of the better Swedish films made the last years and, imo, the perfect choice for "old folks not used to foreign films." :nod:

    I think Hollywood-films are still the best in the world. Although they make alot of crap, they also have the largest budgets and best actors. The best non-American actors move to Hollywood eventually too. ;)

    American films tend to be very ADHD though. European films are slooooow and nothing really happens until it happens, which is nothing happens. But, then, it happens...without happening. :laughing: Exciting in a different way. I think Americans are to hyper to enjoy Euro-films. :p

    Of course it is important not to forget, Hollywood always have to "steal" the best foreign films and ruin them with new productions. That is kind of annoying. :no:

    Turkey are much better than US making dramas though. I like that over-dramatic stuff where the protagonists does not necessarily have to end up together. Also like it when someone dies lol. :)
     
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2017

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