This summer has seen the release of many non-anglophone films in cinemas such as The Zone of Interest, La Chimera, and Kneecap which has sparked tension between those who place foreign films in a scientist’s lab, observing from a distance, and those who suspend their disbelief and throw themselves into what the film has to offer; those who choose the latter and immerse themselves in a film’s language, habits, and people can experience a virtual travelling. However, many are turned off by these films, believing that they are too complicated or strange for their tastes, and this is a dangerous rhetoric. In 1993 Martin Scorsese wrote in the New York Times that believing foreign films were inaccessible was an insult to artistic expression and “a dangerous attitude, limiting, intolerant”. Films act as both the currency of culture and the transfer of culture; by straying from our Anglo-American comforts, we might enlighten both our similarities and differences with these cultures. When we treat these films as mirrors of their cultures, we can no longer call them ‘strange’ but instead enlightening. This is all the more apparent than with Bong Joon-Ho’s dark-comedy thriller Parasite which gained an international platform in the 2020 Oscars. Reaching popularity during the beginning on Covid-19 as travel shut down and daily routines broke down, the desire to connect and to understand something distant became widespread; we were able to peer into the Korean class system without ever leaving our bedrooms. But this movie also spoke intimately to our own lives at the time as a parasite (Covid) also entered our homes.

Watching foreign films can require more care and more consideration in order to truly appreciate what has been captured on screen, however this is not always the case. I recently fell upon an 80’s French comedy on Netflix – Le Père Noël est une ordure (Santa Claus is vile) – which was a hilariously dark watch, full of ridiculous twists and raunchy jokes. Whilst the subtitles could be clunky and the style of comedy unfamiliar, it was surprisingly hilarious. This is becoming much more common with the monopoly that streaming services hold on the film industry, and the rise of shows such as Squid Game and Money Heist. It shows that advertisement and accessibility are not impermeable barriers to foreign film, rather a choice. During his acceptance speech in the 2020 Oscars, Bong Joon-Ho said: “Once you overcome the 1-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” So, to give you a little boost, here are some of my favourite foreign films.

“Once you overcome the 1-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films”

1. Crossing

A beautifully filmed and emotionally gritty story about Lia’s journey across the Georgian-Turkish border to find her trans niece and the aimless boy, Achi, who accompanies her. In the opening sequence, the screen notes that neither the Georgian nor Turkish language differentiate between genders. This translating act at the beginning of the film allows us to cross a boundary into the world of these characters, who themselves are entering a language-world they cannot understand.

2. Amélie

Amélie is whimsical and sweet, focusing on finding joy in the mundane and the daily. Perfect for lovers of Wes Anderson and those who appreciate a cartoonish style.

3. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

A movie that knows how to execute a fight scene, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has flying ninjas, swords, fast paced scenes, romance, and beautiful cinematography. Ang Lee gives us a taste of the wuxia tradition (a Chinese fiction genre regarding martial arts and chivalry) in this 2001 classic.

“Foreign films do not all fall into one box: they can be funny, trashy, beautiful, terrifying.”

4. The Worst Person in the World

Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier bring to life a flawed, complicated, and almost unknowable Julie as she navigates her changing relationships with her boyfriends, parents, and friends. Occasionally tip-toeing the line of the manic pixie dream girl, she redeems herself by being regularly unlikeable. What emerges from this film is a sense of tenderness and fragility held together by good ol’ comedy.

Foreign films do not all fall into one box: they can be funny, trashy, beautiful, terrifying. If you believe they are not for you, you just haven’t found the right one, and if you’re stuck maybe try out one of my favourites.