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Thing Fish
08-07-2011, 00:54
I have always been a massive film buff but like many of my friends I suspect some of you may have overlooked foreign cinema. In particular Asian films.

Well let me tell you that you are missing some of the greatest films ever released. Don't dismiss that last statement please!

Aftershocks - actually (I don't mind admitting) had me it tears. A great film and on of the best I have seen, EVER!!! I was so glad when it ended as I was an emotional wreck.

Bedeviled - A film that will have you wanting to punch someone pretty hard.

Cinema Paradiso, Norwegian wood, Confessions, Old Boy, Armadillo, Amal, Mao's last dancer, Incendies, Of gods and men, Chungking express. The list gos on and on and on...

Please take the time to seek some of these out. If your a film fan, not so much the hollywood crash bang wallop type, as you will have to have a brain of your own and be able to read subtitles! This doesn't apply to the learned scholars here on AOS of course...;). You will be enriched beyond your wildest dreams. I promise you...:)

slate
08-07-2011, 06:27
Back in the day (high school/upper secondary)... when video were killing cinemas; we were 3 guys that found our way to a filmclub in the neighbouring town.
There was a small projection room at the town library that the club had borrowed. 1-2 times a month there would be a screening with and intro about the director and movie.

Here I was "introduced" to Andrey Tarkovsky http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001789/
We saw "Stalker"... Others movies to recommend are "Solaris" and his last "Offret" which he filmed while dying of cancer.

Another "introduction" was Akira Kurosawa...
"Ran"
"Kumonosu-jô" aka "Throne of Blood"

His movies became a passion of mine and I have seen all that I could get my hands on... other recommendations:
"kagemusha"
"Shichinin no samurai"" aka "seven samurai"
"Dersu Uzala"
"Kakushi-toride no san-akunin" aka "The Hidden Fortress"
"Sanjuro"

At the same time it was also an introduction to Toshiro Mifune which starred in most of his movies. His presence can be compared to that of John Wayne... see him rule in "Red Beard".

These are the 3 movies that I remember from that small screening room; There were other movies but they drowned in the impression of the others... vague recollection about a brasilian movie about some street kids....
Oh almost forgot Jean-Jacques Beineix's "Diva" which was my introduction to modern french movies... more was to follow in my student years in a small art cinema in Århus.... "Betty Blue", "Leon", "Delicatessen", "La cité des enfants perdus"

There are others.... my collection can be seen here http://www.invelos.com/DVDCollection.aspx/slate_dk

John
08-07-2011, 06:43
I too enjoy world cinema
some of my favs include
Cinema Paradiso
Central Station
Men with Guns
Rashomon
Twilight Samurai
I also enjoy some of the madder Japanese films

Barry
08-07-2011, 10:30
Back in the day (high school/upper secondary)... when video were killing cinemas; we were 3 guys that found our way to a filmclub in the neighbouring town.
There was a small projection room at the town library that the club had borrowed. 1-2 times a month there would be a screening with and intro about the director and movie.

Here I was "introduced" to Andrey Tarkovsky http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001789/
We saw "Stalker"... Others movies to recommend are "Solaris" and his last "Offret" which he filmed while dying of cancer.

Another "introduction" was Akira Kurosawa...
"Ran"
"Kumonosu-jô" aka "Throne of Blood"


His movies became a passion of mine and I have seen all that I could get my hands on... other recommendations:
"Kagemusha"
"Shichinin no samurai"" aka "Seven samurai"
"Dersu Uzala"
"Kakushi-toride no san-akunin" aka "The Hidden Fortress"
"Sanjuro"

At the same time it was also an introduction to Toshiro Mifune which starred in most of his movies. His presence can be compared to that of John Wayne... see him rule in "Red Beard".

These are the 3 movies that I remember from that small screening room; There were other movies but they drowned in the impression of the others... vague recollection about a brasilian movie about some street kids....
Oh almost forgot Jean-Jacques Beineix's "Diva" which was my introduction to modern french movies... more was to follow in my student years in a small art cinema in Århus.... "Betty Blue", "Leon", "Delicatessen", "La cité des enfants perdus"

There are others.... my collection can be seen here http://www.invelos.com/DVDCollection.aspx/slate_dk

Hi Jan,

I have seen most of the films in your collection. Of the films you mention above, I have highlighted the ones I have in my collection.

I can recommend Tarkovsky's "Mirror" and a couple of films by Kurosawa: "Rashomon" and "Do Deska Den".

I'm also a great admirer of Ingmar Bergman.

Like John, I too love 'World cinema'.

Regards

The Grand Wazoo
08-07-2011, 22:48
The best foreign film I've seen in a long time is 'The Yacoubian Building'. It's Egyptian and is based on the novel of the same name (English translation edition available, and very good too). It's about the residents of an apartment block in Cairo - the whole thing being a metaphor for the Egyptian nation - the building is a microcosm of society, if you like. The book was the best selling Arabic novel the year it was published and the film broke box office records for a new film in Egypt.

The thing that made it so gripping for me was the fact that when I went to see it, it (spookily) depicted some of the events which were actually going on in Egypt that very day (popular protests about the government of the day).

http://www.thefileroom.org/images/The_Yacoubian_Building_(Movie_Poster).jpghttp://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5120Udj6VTL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

slate
10-07-2011, 11:36
I guess that I ought to mention some Danish movies as well.
The mainstream are simple comedy based stories like "Italian for beginners" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243862/

When it comes to directors from this country... today all movie buffs think of Lars von Trier, this odd ´character of a provocatur and yet so fragile human.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001885/

Nowadays his movies are mostly about the exploring the human emotions when pressed to the edge... grief "Breaking the waves" or despair "Antichrist", "Melancholia"

But there was a time when his twisted side showed; I can recommend his tv series "Riget" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108906/
brilliant, odd and funny.

And I have always carried a torch for his technical tour de force "The Element of Crime" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087280/
Fresh from filmschool... "see how good I am"

- Susanne Bier http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0081540/
Our latest Ascar winner... love her smile.
I have not seen all her movies but so far they have all been solid work; writing and directing. They are not chick flicks, but about human relations and as such a sure hit with your girlfriend/wife.

- Ole Bornedal http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0097079/
it was "Nattevagten" that really launched his career as a director.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110631/
A massive hit and of cause Hollywood had to do a remake; that Bornedal actually got to direct.

- Nicolas Winding Refn from the new breed of directors looks promising http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0716347/#Director
well he isn't exactly new anymore...

- Lone Scherfig http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0771054/
After "Italian for beginners" her international career has taken off
- "Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself" nice little comedy
- "An education"
- "One day"
Like Susanne Bier; solid, girlfriend/wife friendly films

The old guard are
- Bille August http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000806/
Eventhough he has made several international movies since, his best is still "Pelle Erobreren" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093713/
Ok I still have to see "Les Miserables"

- Gabriel Axel http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002196/
Forgotten.. or rather not really thought of as Danish director as he have lived in France for many years.
Before he moved he did many productions for TV; his movies are all in the folksy comedy genre; actually his movies are still shown on TV from time to time.
He did an unexpected return to Dansih cinema with "Babettes Gæstebud" based on a Karen Blixen novell. It won an oscar and it is a fine little ensemble play.
I remember seeing his "Les colonnes du ciel" when it was aired on Danish Radio; looked forward to every episode. Still have to see his "Amled"

- Carl Theodor Dreyer; the big old man in Danish cinema.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0003433/

His movies are rarely seen nowadays and I can only remember seeing "Ordet"... but often "Vredens dag" and his Jeanne d'Arc movie are mentioned.
I will let Roger do the talking http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080308/REVIEWS08/914866035/1023
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19970216/REVIEWS08/401010350/1023

griffo104
10-07-2011, 12:02
I would recommend Tarkovsky's films to anybody with even an inkling of cinematic love in them. All difficult but all reward you. I've got the lot on DVD and I'll probably end up getting them on blu-ray when available. For me Andrei Rublev is as good as any film ever made, it's massive, intense and amazingly beautiful and you'll feel totally rewarded after 3 or so hours of it.

There was a time when Asian cinema was coming with so many great films but it seems to have dried up a bit recently - or I just haven't bought any for a while.

John
10-07-2011, 12:10
I enjoyed 13 Assasins recently but not up with The Twilight Samurai

John
10-07-2011, 12:14
Forgot to add Ikiru

griffo104
10-07-2011, 12:16
- Nicolas Winding Refn from the new breed of directors looks promising http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0716347/#Director
well he isn't exactly new anymore...


I can certainly recommend Pusher and Bleeder from his earlier days, Pusher especially.

Barry
11-07-2011, 19:18
Forgot to add Ikiru

Is that the film about the civil servant who battles the authorities to have a children's playground built? If it is, then yes your right, it's an excellent film.

There are also some great films, coming out of Iran: 'The White Balloon' and 'Blackboards'.

China has produced some great films courtesy of director Yang Jimou, however I feel his later works are possibly a case of 'style over substance'.

Thing Fish
12-07-2011, 00:34
The Spanish film 'Cell 211' is a great story and betters a lot of the hollywood pap that's around at the moment.

Barry
12-07-2011, 09:35
Oops! Another one of my Spoonerisms. For 'Yang Jimou' read Zhang Yimou! :doh:

electric beach
12-07-2011, 09:48
Lovefilm has been good for spreading access to World Cinema, especially when you run out of conventional downloaded films.

Lately, we have been very happy to find:

Spiral (gritty French police series)

Fermat's Room (SAW without the gore)

A Long Engagement (For Amilie fans)

sburrell
19-07-2011, 23:13
"Fermat's Room" is available to watch for free online at BlinkBox.com. Totally legal, don't worry. There's also an early Pedro Almodóvar movie, amongst other worthy free titles.

aquapiranha
19-07-2011, 23:35
A Long Engagement (For Amilie fans)

Don't you mean 'A very long engagement' ?

this does not mean in any way I am some sort of crazed Audrey Tautou stalker.

Honest.

:eek:

Thing Fish
19-07-2011, 23:41
I watched 'The Housemaid' the other night with Do-yeon Jeon. What a great film and a great performance from do-yeon. Also 'A scene at the sea' which was also well worth a watch.

You have to be a thinker to appreciate some of these foreign films they are not for the independence day/die hard types that's for sure.

aquapiranha
19-07-2011, 23:48
Just remembered, oldies but goodies!


http://www.vinmag.com/online/media/gbu0/prodlg/FILDE1.jpg

Tg3V8HDK5go

And..

http://www.soundtrackcollector.com/images/cd/large/Cite_enfants_perdus_063010251.jpg

trailer for City of Lost Children..

toH1vzAmDBI

Richardl
02-10-2011, 23:37
Just remembered, oldies but goodies!


http://www.vinmag.com/online/media/gbu0/prodlg/FILDE1.jpg

Tg3V8HDK5go

And..

http://www.soundtrackcollector.com/images/cd/large/Cite_enfants_perdus_063010251.jpg

trailer for City of Lost Children..

toH1vzAmDBI

You forgot the best one from Jeunet :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buarPFzHmBw

I love Kung fu hustle as well, great for a Saturday night after a few beers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHq3Op49ZYI

[REC] .......a genuinely scary Spanish movie, part 2's quite good as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeaUokzE9fI

Richardl
02-10-2011, 23:38
You forgot the best one from Jeunet :)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=buarPFzHmBw

I love Kung fu hustle as well, great for a Saturday night after a few beers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHq3Op49ZYI

[REC] .......a genuinely scary Spanish movie, part 2's quite good as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeaUokzE9fI

Damm, I'll try to suss out how to add youtube links :doh:

Thing Fish
03-10-2011, 00:09
Damm, I'll try to suss out how to add youtube links :doh:

Keep at it Richard...:lol:

Richardl
03-10-2011, 04:14
Keep at it Richard...:lol:

buarPFzHmBw

zHq3Op49ZYI

OeaUokzE9fI

:lolsign:

I think sometimes, it's worth putting the Youtube address in the post, then you can click on the links and get them in HD.

I forgot about Troll hunter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9dgeYkYOZA&hd=1
r9dgeYkYOZA&hd=1

Thing Fish
03-10-2011, 04:33
I recognised the first one as the same director as 'City of the lost children' Its the style.:)

2nd one not my thing really. Too Kung Fooey.:(

I've seen 'REC' the second one - Very scary...:stalks:

The last one has gotta be worth a watch...:eek:

Cheers Richard.

Richardl
03-10-2011, 04:40
I recognised the first one as the same director as 'City of the lost children' Its the style.:)

2nd one not my thing really. Too Kung Fooey.:(

I've seen 'REC' the second one - Very scary...:stalks:

The last one has gotta be worth a watch...:eek:

Cheers Richard.

My girlfriend hates Kung Fu movies, but she loves Kung fu hustle, it's really funny and I can't think of a movie that's anything like it, everyone who's watched it at our house has loved it.

Richardl
03-10-2011, 04:47
I recognised the first one as the same director as 'City of the lost children' Its the style.:)

2nd one not my thing really. Too Kung Fooey.:(

I've seen 'REC' the second one - Very scary...:stalks:

The last one has gotta be worth a watch...:eek:

Cheers Richard.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B000AAVDGA/ref=sr_1_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1317617135&sr=8-1&condition=used

Got to be worth a punt at £1.27 :)

Zoidburg
03-10-2011, 10:15
Kung Foo Hustle is an amazing film, I cant recommend it enough.

Troll Hunter is also a pretty good movie though its not an outright horror at all, in fact some of it is actually very funny and for all the right reasons.

Reid Malenfant
03-10-2011, 22:38
Oh my, you must see Luc Besson's Subway (http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Subway-Blu-ray/5788/#Review) ;)

Unfortunately i'm a tad pi**ed off with this as i rememeber the video release that was broadcast on TV which had Propaganda's "Duel" as the music to the car chase sequence in the beginning of the film :rolleyes: It was much better & made more sense & fitted with things better..

The DVD release is the same, the wrong music to the chase sequence :rolleyes:

Don't whatever you do select English audio, have it in French with English subtitles - You really need to hear Isabelle Adjani in her native language ;)

Cinderella :eyebrows:

delfinus
14-10-2011, 16:56
One little recommendation of one marvel among films.Underground (1995) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114787/).

http://www.yu-mp3.com/?p=Filmovi/-Filmovi/Podzemlje%20(1995)&l=7&img=448px-Underground_affiche_fr_dvd_big%5B1%5D.jpg&it=dir&option=com_zina&Itemid=213

Official movie name is Podzemlje and it is a Serbian movie and it is about the workers who are producing arms for the partisans on the hidden underground location somewhere in Serbia. But all well but one simple thing. They do not tell them that war is already over for decades :).

Official music on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-ab5hG8Wbs)

Thing Fish
14-10-2011, 18:48
I like the sound of that one.

Reid Malenfant
20-10-2011, 19:13
Here's a rather cerebral film that is also a bit dark & scary in places. Cargo (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0381940/), as far as i know it's a Swiss film but the dialogue appears to be in German. You'll need to use the subtitles, on blu ray it's pretty spectacular & very thought provoking ;)

Ignore the first review on IMDB as the poster is refering to the English dubbed version, as with any foreign film watch it in the original language with subs :)

Smoker
05-12-2011, 20:41
can't forget Ponette :)

v/55cLmgdLIYs

Roy S
05-12-2011, 21:47
One of my favourites

nRCg5KuYtTU

Thing Fish
05-12-2011, 22:42
Watched 'Fortress of war' the other night. Brilliant Russian film.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1343703/

Rare Bird
20-02-2012, 10:39
One of my fav Sci-Fi movies is Russian!

Spectral Morn
20-02-2012, 11:15
One of my fav Sci-Fi movies is Russian!

Solaris per chance?

or maybe Stalker

I have Solaris on DVD but not watched it yet, though I saw it on TV many years ago. As far as I know Stalker has only been shown the once on TV by the BBC as part of a season of sci-fi films but that was a very long time ago.


Regards D S D L

Spectral Morn
20-02-2012, 11:21
Watched 'Fortress of war' the other night. Brilliant Russian film.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1343703/

I saw that film on the shelves of HMV (I think) and it looked interesting but I was unsure if it was any good. a few foreign films I have bought recently have disappointed me.

I will look out for it again.


Regards D S D L

Rare Bird
20-02-2012, 13:31
Solaris per chance?

or maybe Stalker



Nein lieber Freund

Tis Humanoid Woman, 80's i know but gives me the 70's feel..

Richardl
21-05-2012, 18:54
Recently watched........
The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec which I really enjoyed.


a6djPGS3RCA

Spectral Morn
21-05-2012, 19:27
Recently watched........
The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec which I really enjoyed.


a6djPGS3RCA

Yes I thought this was quite good as well.

Marco
06-08-2012, 09:09
One of my fav Sci-Fi movies is Russian!

I enjoy Russian black comedy, with a hint of Swedish erotica.

Marco.

littlest hobo
08-08-2012, 21:32
Recently watched........
The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec which I really enjoyed.


a6djPGS3RCA


Looks great - like Poirot on steroids :eyebrows:

Straff
02-12-2012, 16:01
A couple I can recommend, one Chinese, one from Belarus:

The Promise

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51pQfOJZ8GL._AA115_.jpg

Same cinematographer as 'Crouching Tiger....', so spectacular. Currently available new from £1.38 inc P+P from Amazon, so hardly a loss if it isn't to your taste.

And from Belarus:

Come and See

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516WPTJTBNL._AA115_.jpg

This is a very hard-hitting film, quite grim (especially given this particular theatre of war), so fer gawds sake don't watch it if you are feeling down, because it sure won't cheer you up :(

Both enjoyable in their way.

Regards,

Ed.