This is in continuation from an earlier post
This was originally meant to be a list of 25 films but in the end it was just too difficult. So 5 more films have been added. These 30 films are amongst my most favourite films from all around the world. I am aware that there plenty I still haven’t seen or haven’t heard of. When it comes to foreign film, I have seen a larger proportion of Asian films (mainly South Korean) than Italian or German so this list will be heavily skewed towards Korean films.
Often I need to see a movie at least twice, sometimes even more to really enjoy it and make up my mind about it. I also need a minimum gap of 1 year before I can look back at it again and see if my perception of the film has diminished a little bit. As a result, I have not included any film from the year 2009 simply because it is just too early to put them in decade list although there have been some awesome films made in 2009.
1) 4 Months 3 Weeks 2 Days (2007) (Romania)
Written and Directed by: Cristian Mungiu
This little Romanian gem is gritty, brutal and sensitive all at the same time. Fiercely realistic to the point where you start wondering whether the film followed a script or just recorded a real situation with actual people instead of fictional characters. Performances are absolutely flawless from both the actresses Anamaria Marinca and Laura Vasiliu. I was expecting this film to win the Best Foreign Language Oscar that year but to my utter shock, it was not even nominated. But I am glad it deservedly won the Golden Palm at Cannes in 2008.
2) Amelie (2001) (France)
Directed by: Jean Pierre Jeunet
Written by: Guillaume Laurant, Jean Pierre Jeunet
If you love life and you love cinema, there is no way you cannot like this heart warming and absolutely adorable tale of a naive, idealistic girl called Amelie, played by the superbly talented Audrey Tatou. Amelie is one of those films that is about finding the small things in life, those little astonishing moments which don’t seem extraordinary but make our lives in ways we do not quite understand. I am not going write anything else about the plot because I watched it without having any idea what its about and I think that is the best way to approach this film.
3) Amores Perros (2000) (Mexico)
Directed by: Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu
Written by: Guillermo Arriaga
This is perhaps one of the most important films I have ever seen. I saw it for the first time 3 years ago. As it happens when a film has this kind of impact on me, I don’t have much to say except for the fact that this film changed forever the way I look at cinema, and more importantly, the way I look at life. Today, whenever I feel upset about life, I look back at Amores Perros and it re affirms for me the power of cinema as an art form.
4) And Your Mama Too (Mexico)
Directed by: Alfonso Cuaron
Written by: Carlos Cuaron, Alfonso Cuaron
This is another masterpiece from Mexico, directed by Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men, 2006). Two teenager meet an older woman and embark on a road trip that will transform their lives for ever. The film on its surface is brilliant in its exploration of human nature, relationships, jealousy, friendship etc. But Cuaron as a director also hits some glancing blows, by having his film revolve around three upper class characters against the backdrop of harsh poverty and cruelty of life in Mexico. Gael Garcia Bernal is supremely talented and the only reason this is not his finest performance is because his body of work is so brilliant. Diego Luna and Maribel Verdu (Pan’s Labrynth) are great too.
5) Battle Royale (2000) (Japan)
Directed by: Kinji Fukasaku
Written by: Koushun Takami (novel), Kenta Fukasaku
Battle Royale is a futuristic, highly controversial film that severely polarised opinions when it came out. The film focuses on what happens when a group of high school students are sent to an abandoned island to kill each other. What brings such a bizarre idea to fruition includes civil unrest, teenage anxiety, and a nation literally terrorized by their youth. The film does contain allusions to contemporary Japanese society in a large way and that prompted a negative reaction from the Japanese government.
As someone not very familiar with Japanese society, it intrigued me and led me to try to read and understand a bit more about the society.
The film is quite violent and can be disturbing at times. But it is a captivating story with intriguing situations and provides deep insight into human nature.
6) City of God (2002) (Brazil)
Directed by: Fernando Meirelles, Katia Lund
Written by: Braulio Mantovani, Paulo Lins (novel)
If there is one film that I am sure will make it to every “Films of the last decade” list, it is this. Based in a ghetto in Rio De Janeiro, the film shocked the world with its brutal portrayal of drugs, gang wars and children killing children. The film depicts three generations of gangs and is often reminiscent of Scorsese’s Goodfellas but is far more violent and uncompromising.
7) Head On (2004) (Germany, Turkey)
Written and Directed by Fatih Akin
Cahit is 40 something German male of Turkish descent. He is a failure, an acoholic and drug addict. Failing to struggle anymore, he attempts to end his life.
Sibel is 20 something German girl of Turkish descent. She is brought up in a strict environment by her parents and brother who want her to live in a certain traditional way. Sibel is free spirited and would do anything to escape from her life. She too attempts to end her life.
It is in the hospital where Cahit and Sibel meet and what follows is the most unlikely, and unconventional love story. What happens next, why the film is so brilliant, why Fatih Akin is one of the most talented filmmakers in the world today, for answers to these questions, you have to go see the film.
8) Hero (2002) (China)
Directed by: Zhang Yimou
Written by: Zhang Yimou, Feng Li, Bin Wang
When it comes to foreign films, I make it a point to watch it in its original language with its subtitles. The problem with that is, I often miss out on the visuals and other aspects while reading the subtitles. So when a particular director’s visuals and style appeal to me, I note the film and the scene and make it a point to revisit it later when I no longer have to read the subtitles to know what's going on.
10 minutes into Hero, I was so struck and enamoured by its beauty, I decided to ignore everything else, and just focus on the visual poetry. Zhang Yimou, who is known for his aesthetics and visual style, collaborates with the best cinematographer in the world – Christopher Doyle and the result is a visual masterpiece.
I had to watch Hero a second time, to read the subtitles and know what’s going on. Hero is not just a visually stunning film lacking in content. It is deeply spiritual, philosophical and along with great martial arts, heart touching background score, it is one of the strongest arguments for the power of cinema. This is the reason cinema exists. In heaven, every film would be directed by Zhang Yimou and photographed by Christopher Doyle.
9) Infernal Affairs Trilogy (2002-2004) (Hong Kong)
Directed by: Wai-Keung Lau, Alan Mak
Written by: Alan Mak, Felix Chong
This trilogy is for cinema of Hong Kong what The Godfather Trilogy is for American cinema. It is easy to see why this trilogy has such a cult following not only in Hong Kong but among movie lovers all over the world. The second film of the series is my personal favourite as it deftly incorporated spiritual and philosophical themes in a crime drama. The first one is absolutely riveting while the third one is a fitting end to the saga of cops and gangsters in Hong Kong. The three films have to be watched together really and treated as a single film. Forget about The Departed. This is the real thing.
10) In The Mood For Love (2000) (Hong Kong)
Written and Directed by: Wong Kar Wai
The first time I watched this film was 2 years ago in 2008. I knew there was something in this film which was beautiful, which struck me and stayed with me. Yes the characters were beautifully written, the score was great, performances were superb, but there are many films like that. I knew there was something else in this film which was so beautiful, but I did not know what it was. Later, having read a little bit about cinema and having talked to people into photography and art, I realized what it was about In The Mood For Love that was so spectacular. It was the aesthetics. Later when I saw other films made by Wong Kar Wai, I found it aswell. Wong Kar Wai’s sense of aesthetics is unmatched and that is what makes his collaboration with Christopher Doyle such an engaging experience for us viewers.
11) Joint Security Area (2000) (South Korea)
Directed by: Chan Wook Park
Written by: Chan Wook Park, Mu Yeong Lee, Hyeon Seok Kim, Seong Sang Jeon, Sang Yeon Park (novel)
Most of us movie buffs who heard of Chan Wook Park after Oldboy would probably have seen this after we were done with his revenge trilogy. This is why perhaps this film absolutely amazed me because it is so unlike a Chan Wook Park film.
In the DMZ separating North and South Korea, two North Korean soldiers have been killed, supposedly by one South Korean soldier. Maj. Sophie E. Jean is assigned by the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission to investigate the incident. We are then told the story from both sides.
In an age when nationalistic fervour is the order of the day and we live in a deeply polarised world and jingoistic war films win Oscars, Joint Security Area is perhaps one of the most important political thrillers because of its uncompromising take on the hollow nature of nationalism.
12) Memories of Murder (2003) (South Korea)
Directed by: Bong Ho Joon
Written by: Sung Bo Shim, Kwang rim Kim and Bong Ho Joon
Film lovers all over the world hail this as one of the best serial killer movies and I can see why. It is a top notch thriller of the highest class, absolutely compelling. A must watch for lovers of this genre.
I don’t want to reveal too much about the plot because I watched it without knowing anything, with a blank slate and I recommend that as the best approach to enjoy this gripping film.
13) Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran (2003) (France)
Directed by: Francois Dupeyron
Written by: Francois Dupeyron, Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt (novel)
This is a heart warming, adorable little film that finds its way into your heart gradually and before you know it, you find yourself deeply attached to the two main characters. It is the story of a lonely, Jewish teenage boy who is ignored by his parents and who befriends an older Muslim man who happens to be the owner of the local store right next to his house. Veteran Omar Sharif is excellent as Monsieur Ibrahim and Pierre Boulanger who plays the teenager is also first rate.
14) Oldboy (2003) (South Korea)
Directed by: Chan Wook Park
Written by: Jo Yun Hwang, Chun Hyeon Lim, Chan Wook Park
15 years of imprisonment, five days to seek vengeance. This is the film that catapulted Chan Wook Park as a cult figure, a powerhouse director among film lovers all over the world. For many film lovers like myself this, this is the film that introduced us to Korean cinema.
This film is so powerful and rich that it requires at least 2 to three to absorb it totally. The first time I was simply focused on the story and the proceedings – the plot. The second time I began to notice and appreciate the production designs, background colours, aesthetics etc. The third time it helped be reflect on the themes.
If I was asked to provide an argument for the power of cinema, my answer would be Oldboy.
15) A One and a Two (Yi Yi) (2000) (Taiwan) (Japan)
Directed by: Edward Yang
Written by: Edward Yang
This movie is a magnificent piece of art. Every shot of the movie is like a painting in its own right. Hats off to cinematographer Wei-han Yang for getting so many splendid images on film. From his serene reflective shots against a city nocturnal background, to innovative bird eye-view shots, to neat mirror shots, to the perspective of the bedridden grandmother in a coma, to cars passing by in front of the actors, to gorgeous corporate buildings... everything on camera was meticulously thought out. The beautifully written characters and scenes compliment the beautiful photography to make a truly heart touching film.
16) Pan's Labyrinth (2006) (Spain) (Mexico)
Directed by: Guillermo Del Toro
Written by: Guillermo Del Toro
I was absolutely blown away by this absolutely dazzling gem of a film. I watched it initially at the movies when it came out in 2006. But I watched again a second prior to writing this list on DVD and was just as fascinated and intrigued as I was the first time. The film presents us two worlds, one is a fairy tale, the other is a civil war.
The fairy tales are weaved perfectly into the story of a country amidst a civil war, I guess that's why the film is so poetic - it flows like poetry. The fairy tale world is violent but not as violent as the world around the little girl however unlike the world around around her – there’s at least hope that she will find something better, richer.
17) Paradise Now (2005) (Palestine)
Directed by: Hany Abou-Assad
Written by: Hany Abou-Assad
“How can the occupier be the victim? If they take on the role of oppressor and victim then I have no other choice but to also be a victim and a murderer as well.”
This is a very important film about a very controversial topic from one of the most unlikeliest and unheard places – Palestine. I have always felt that the world does not hear enough from Palestinian writers, artists, filmmakers. Paradise Now attempts to do just that, provide a voice to Palestine in this complex conflict by taking us through the humane journey of two friends in densely populated and occupied West Bank.
18) Sex and Lucia (2001) (Spain)
Written and Directed by: Julio Medem
I absolutely loved this beautifully photographed, philosophical, surrealistic, multi-layered film about sex and a waitress Lucia. But we soon realize it is also about various lives, connected by an author whose novel has become inextricably entwined with his own life. The film is very Lynchian in its lack of structure and non adherence to any linear time-line and as a result is open to various interpretations. It is another triumph for the rich and diverse cinema of Europe.
19) Talk To Her (2002) (Spain)
Written and Directed by: Pedro Almodovar
After a chance encounter at a theater, two men, Benigno and Marco, meet at a private clinic where Benigno works. Lydia, Marco's girlfriend and a bullfighter by profession, has been gored and is in a coma. It so happens that Benigno is looking after another woman in a coma, Alicia, a young ballet student. The lives of the four characters will flow in all directions, past, present and future, dragging all of them towards an unsuspected destiny.
This Almodovar film with beautiful cinematography, rich and intriguing characters and sensitive performances will go down as one of the more accomplished films in the career of the veteran film director. Considering the fact that Almodovar’s career is more than 30 years old, this makes Talk To Her one of the best films of the decade and a must watch.
20) The Beat That My Heart Skipped (2005) (France)
Directed by: Jacques Audiard
Written by: Jacques Audiard, Tonino Benacquista
This is a gripping, stylish, intense and gritty film from acclaimed director Jacques Audiard whose film A Prophet (2009) won the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes last year. The movie is shot stylishly with a hand-held camera which is my favourite anyway, so that played a great role in making me love this film. The music is beautiful. But most of all, the film should be watched for its high drama quotient and fantastic character study of a real estate agent on the fringes of crime. Romain Duris as the real estate agent is absolutely unforgettable in a brilliant role.
21) The Chorus (2004) (France)
Directed by: Christophe Barratier
Written by: Christophe Barratier, Phillipe Lopes Curval
This delightful story set in an extremely strict school for problematic children in 1948 France is full of life and beauty and is an absolute pleasure to watch. Slightly reminiscent of Peter Weir’s Dead Poets Society (1989), newly arrived teacher Mathieu Clement uses music to transform the lives of in-disciplined and unruly children in a very strict school. This film rides heavily on the heart warming performance of Gerard Jugnot and is sure to take you to a high at the end of the film.
22) The Day My Parents Went on Vacation (2006) (Brazil)
Directed by: Cao Hamburger
Written by: Claudio Galperin, Braulio Mantovani, Anna Muylaert, Adriana Falcao and Cao Hamburger
This is another Brazilian gem about World Cup fever in the land where Pele was born amidst the backdrop of political upheaval and violent dictatorship in 1970 Brazil from the writers of cult classic City of God (2002). We follow the life of a kid, whose parents are leaving for "vacations". He's left at his grandfather's apartment, only to find out that he died hours before his arrival. Finding himself in the unnatural environment of a Jewish community, having no news about his parents and having to live with a grumpy old man, he finds comfort in football and everything that deals with it.
This heart warming, soulful tale will instantly find resonance with lovers of cinema who are tired of Hollywood artificiality and empty shells. Lovers of World Cinema should pounce upon this gem immediately.
23) The Edge of Heaven (2007) (Germany) (Turkey)
Written and Directed by: Fatih Akin
This is another of those realer than real movies in the same category as Amores Perros, Three Monkeys, 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, and like those films, a supreme piece of art. Every once in a while a film like this comes that portrays life and human beings so well that you are left to wonder how this could all have been scripted and acted. It was perhaps unfortunate to compete with 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days at Cannes in 2008. Honestly I wouldn’t be able to pick a winner from the two.
A German man of Turkish descent travels to Turkey to find the daugther of his father’s ex girlfriend after her death. A Turkish political prisoner enters Germany illegally to look for her mother. This is a compelling, emotionally charged film that explores the concept of ‘chance’ and coincidence and how are lives are effected by forces unknown to us.
24) The Edukators (2004) (Germany)
Directed by: Hans Weingartner
Written by: Katharina Held, Hans Weingartner
This is a film very close to my heart. How close a film gets to my heart is directly proportional to how long it stays with me after the end credits are on screen. I kept thinking about this film, the characters, their ideals, their backgrounds, and where they would be in 5 or 10 years time.
It is a film about political activism, love, friendship, ideals in life and how we feel compelled to betray them as we grow older, and have to compromise ideals for pragmatism. The use of the song Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley is very effective as well. I loved the camera work in the film. The constant motion puts us right into the characters' world and helps foster an instant connection with them.
I have heard of a Hollywood remake. Go watch this one as soon as you can before the remake ruins it for you.
25) The Host (2006) (South Korea)
Directed by: Bong Ho Joon
Written by: Chul Hyun Baek, Won Hu Ja, Bon Ho Joon
The monster/disaster movie genre has been overdone and somewhat ruined by bad films like Godzilla and Cloverfield. Once again, the cinema of South Korea leads the way and shows its Hollywood counterparts how its done. This film proves that any genre, no matter how over done, has something entertaining, captivating to its audience if made by a good director. Bong Ho Joon who gave us a serial killer masterpiece Memories of Murder (2003) earlier delivers a captivating, suspenseful film that manages to send a tingle down your spine and make you laugh at the same time.
26) The Lives of Others (2006) (Germany)
Written and Directed by: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
This is a brilliant and beautifully acted peek behind the curtain of mid 80s East Germany into both the dynamics and functions of its government and the heart of its people. One lonely man, whose job is to spy on a couple (German artists) discover through them a new appreciation of life, art and love.
It poses a very basic question, and while having a warm and tender core, never compromises on the reality of the situation for the safety of a feel good moment.
The story is basically of a saga of two good men, a Stasi officer Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Muehe) who was in charge of spying on and tracking people suspected of treason during the totalitarian period of East Germany history and a theatre director Georg Dreyman (Sebastian Koch), who is under suspicion.
These characters pose a very basic question: What does a truly good man do, when being good involves going directly against the ideas you believed in for so long? When doing the right thing would imply committing treason against your country? Its such an irony that the only dutiful communists in the movie are the ones trying to find a way around the system.
The movie has the pace of a thriller, the heart of a love story and the sweep of a saga.
27) The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) (Argentina) (Brazil)
Directed by: Walter Salles
Written by: Ernesto Che Guevara (book), Alberto Granada (book), Jose Rivera
“Before he changed the world the world changed him”
Lovers of international cinema are no stranger to the name “Walter Salles. In 1998 he gave us the much loved Central Station. So when he was making a film on one of the most fascinating personalities of the last century, it was going to be incredibly special.
Nor surprisingly, the film garnered pretty negative reviews from Western critics. But regardless of one’s political inclinations, this film should not be missed because first and foremost, its a beautiful story, well told.
This movie is based on the true story that took Ernesto Guevara (Gael Garcia Bernal) and Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna) on a road trip all across and along South America in the 1950's. The movie concentrates on how the world changed Ernesto which in turn led him to try to change the world. The movie ends at the end of their road trip. Great photography, humour, action, and drama are all ingredients of this movie. This movie also provides a great window to life and culture in South America as the director allows us in on the journey with Che and Alberto.
Gael Garcia Bernal is an extremely accomplished director with a a body of work unmatched, so it is perhaps hard to say if this is his best performance but it surely is an incredible performance. He is ably supported by Rodrigo De la Serna.
28) The Orphanage (2007) (Spain) (Mexico)
Directed by: Juan Antonio Bayona
Written by: Sergio G Sanchez
This film is executive produced by Guillermo Del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth) and is very similar in terms of its styling, imagery and attempt to explore darker themes using fairy tales and fantasies.
The horror film genre has long been tarnished by poorly made films, high on blood, gore and gratuitous violence. This film shows that when handled by talented people, even a genre believed to have reached its saturation point can produce a gem.
The production designs and cinematography is absolutely stellar and creates the right atmosphere and ambience.
29) The Tunnel (2001) (Germany)
Directed by: Roland Suso Richter
Written by: Johannes W Betz
This is a true story a group of East Berliners escaping to the West. Harry Melchior was a champion East German swimmer at odds with the system under which he has already been imprisoned. On his own escape, he is determined the arrange the escape to the West of his sister and her family. The idea of the tunnel is born.
I hadn't really seen anything about the Berlin Wall in cinema and what life was like during that transitional period in Berlin. The director uses old fashioned, no-frills film making, and the almost 3 hour running time means character development gets full preference which is the way I like it. Despite its length, the film managed to remain a gripping thriller and a very human drama at its core.
30) Three Monkeys (2008) (Turkey)
Director: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Written by: Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Ebru Ceylan, Ercan Kesal.
This is an elegant exercise with four characters trapped by class, guilt and greed, beautifully photographed, with minimum dialogue, no background music. Satyajeet Ray once said a great director is one who is able to use silence to communicate. If that is the test, then Three Monkeys should catapult Nuri Bilge Ceylan to the list of a grade directors of our times.
Every once in a while, a film which is an amalgamation of various thoughts and result of various thought processes and ideas has a moment or two that find their way into our hearts, finds resonance somewhere inside our hearts. It is something very personal and the same scene will perhaps have a totally different impact on another viewer and was probably intended for a totally different purpose by the maker. That is the beauty of art.
Three Monkeys for me had this moment when the father and his son stare at each other through the bars of a prison cell. The son is there to visit his father, but both struggle for words. They love each other, and they know that visiting hours are limited, yet they cannot quite find the words to express themselves other than the customary “how are you, how are studies, did you get the money” kind of talk. That a film is able to capture so beautifully that moment is a testament to the skill and talent of everyone involved with the film.
Honourable Mentions:
2046 (2004) (Hong Kong)
13 Tzameti (2005) (France)
A Bittersweet Life (2005) (South Korea)
A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) (South Korea)
Brotherhood of War (2001) (South Korea)
No Man’s Land (2001) (Bosnia)
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring (South Korea)
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) (South Korea)
Thirst (2009) (South Korea)
Three Times (2005) (Taiwan)
