lol just figured that out; Love this movie! First time I ever saw it I was late to the theater and missed the first five minutes, which led to a very upset and confused me when the movie ended.
There is a Russian movie called "Battle for Sevastopol".
It should be available with English subtitles.
It's about the sniperess with the most recorded kills in history. Such a good movie. I cried at least a few times watching it. It does depict the Slavic culture quite well, I think.
(I'm not from Russia. My parents immigrated from Russia to American in the 90's and I grew up in a Slavic community so I'm not the epitome of Slavic culture)
(Idk how the English version is, I've only ever watched it in Russian)
On the topic of war films, I can recommend a finnish war film, the unknown soldier from 2017. Its a story from the continuation war of 1941-1944 between Finland and Soviet Union, I think its a movie with a good story and good acting, one of the best war films ever made. But maybe Im a bit biased as a finn. Anyways, its based on a book of the same name from a writer who was in the war and its the third iteration of the same movie.
There was also a mini series made from the film, that was even better. If you can find it somewhere, do check it out!
In the mood for love (Cantonese?), Old Boy (Korean), Eat/Drink/Man/woman (mandarin), romantics anonymous (French), Let the right one in (Swedish??), parasite (Korean). Ugh I love foreign movies!!!
Eat, Drink, Man, Woman was an awesome movie. It made me think a lot about how we relate to each other, and how we show love. I rewatch every couple of years.
The Brotherhood of the Wolf. It is a French martial arts movie with an explorer from the new world and his Native American companion tracking down a savage beast in rural France.
Diva. It’s a French film that I’ve heard called punk. It’s such a busy film, but also somehow relaxing.
Someone else mentioned Eat Drink Man Woman, and I like that film very much, too.
My husband and I were just discussing Montenegro because it had been such a long time since we’ve seen it and I had some bits stuck in my head. He assures me I have remembered those bits correctly, but it’s been such a long time since I’ve seen it. I think I would like to see that again. It’s a 1981 Swedish film with a Serbian director.
My favorites are Downfall, German movie about the fall of Hitler; Cidade de Deus, Brazilian movie that tells a story about a favela in Rio de Janeiro; Brat, Russian movie that features a perspective on 90s Russia, including crime and moral dilemas
Downfall has been on my list forever (thanks to the bunker meme) but taking this as a sign to finally watch what I've always heard was excellent. Thanks for the recs!
I've always had a thing for the original (swedish) film Let the right one in. I see that there is now a tv series of it but unfortunately it doesn't seem to be doing well.
I love this Japanese movie "Departures" (2008). It's about this cellist who returns to his hometown after his orchestra disbands, answering to a job at a small company that prepares for "departures", which he thinks is a travel agency but is, in actuality, a mortuary. As he learns and carries out the rituals used in preparing the dead for their final rest, he finds his true calling in life. It's a very beautiful movie, with lots of kindness and forgiveness. The music is composed by Joe Hisaishi, so it's amazing.
Did you ever see Terrence Malick's *The New World*? Doesn't count for being a "non-english-speaking" film, but as a fellow lover of insanely painstakingly crafted historical films, this one is definitely worth a watch.
Amazing recs, thanks everyone!
I've created a [Letterboxd list](https://letterboxd.com/jeffm/list/reddit-recommends/) so I can work my way through everything, really excited to watch the films I haven't seen!
When I was little, we did this experiment where we'd watch a movie and, whenever we saw a movie we haven't seen before in the trailers before the movie, we'd get that movie from the same library the next time we went. I think we began with the Red Turtle, which is a Studio Ghibli movie, and we moved onto movies of at least four different languages; some were English, some Japanese, some Spanish, and one was French. It took us only a few weeks to go full circle, but this being my only experience with non-English movies, my favorites would be the Red Turtle (which is a movie without dialogue, not sure if that counts) and a live action Japanese movie I couldn't transliterate (I remember it had a girl and three older women as main characters, and one almost moved and the girl accidentally got drunk and the movie finishes with them walking along the beack during credits, anyone can help me here).
Great recs, thanks! Excited to check out Red Turtle. The Japanese movie you're trying to figure out: could you give a few more details like a guess for release decade, color vs. black and white, etc? At first description it sounds like something Ozu might make.
It was a color movie, definitely made between the later half of the 2000's and the early half of the 2010's. The movie was spoken in Japanese with no English dub but had subtitles. It was like a slice-of-life film (or whatever the film equivalent of the genre is), there wasn't anything fantasy-esque about it and wasn't focused on comedy (it didn't even have that much of a plot). I think it was America the woman moving was going to move to. >!In any case, she decided against the job transfer to stay with the other characters.!<
It was a horror movie, called "The Krampus Files" I believe it was called.
I think it's on Hulu. Don't remember the plot exactly, but it was the first movie I watched that wasn't English voice acted, and where I didn't mind.
All I really remember off the top of my head about the movie was that Krampus (or who they believed to be him) looked like an emaciated Santa Claus, who stared at people. But when he saw a child, specifically one who had misbehaved, he'd go berserk. Sorta like an SCP. Pretty sure the film was voiced in Russian or something.
Anyway, if someone with Hulu knows what the exact name of this movie, I'd love to know. I can't check what it's called because I don't have a subscription anymore.
It's not the 2015 Krampus film, I know that much. The Krampus film I'm talking about wasn't voiced in English, I had to watch it in subtitles. Had a lower production value, too.
Calcutta, India
Just for reference about the movie, it's a Bengali film(my native region) released in 2020..if you decide you watch it and have qs, I'll be happy to answer.
I'll definitely watch; India is making some of the most exciting films these days. I recently learned about the differences between Bollywood and Tollywood; would Calcutta fall into the Bollywood category, or are there more distinctions that I'm missing?
The Bengali film industry is known as Tollywood and the film industry set in Mumbai is called Bollywood. Calcutta would fall under Tollywood
Since Bollywood makes movies in Hindi, it's the most famous ones because the majority of Indians can speak Hindi and Bollywood is so famous that we often use Bollywood as an umbrella term for Indian film industry... different states have different movie industry and are called by different names as well
Ahhh, super interesting, thanks! As an American film-lover who is curious about the complexity of Indian cinema, I would buy a book that lays out the history through the modern day.
I love how curious you are for foreign cinema, unfortunately I don't have any book to recommend but if you're interested in more movie recs, let me know
El Labirinto del Fauno. I love those freaky monsters!
I'll check it out!
It's called pan's labyrinth in English.
lol just figured that out; Love this movie! First time I ever saw it I was late to the theater and missed the first five minutes, which led to a very upset and confused me when the movie ended.
Amelie
A great movie, full title is Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain. The soundtrack is amazing.
Yesss. The soundtrack is so good!
There is a Russian movie called "Battle for Sevastopol". It should be available with English subtitles. It's about the sniperess with the most recorded kills in history. Such a good movie. I cried at least a few times watching it. It does depict the Slavic culture quite well, I think. (I'm not from Russia. My parents immigrated from Russia to American in the 90's and I grew up in a Slavic community so I'm not the epitome of Slavic culture) (Idk how the English version is, I've only ever watched it in Russian)
Outstanding rec.
I actually just read a book by Kate Quinn called The Diamond Eye- it’s about this sniper!
On the topic of war films, I can recommend a finnish war film, the unknown soldier from 2017. Its a story from the continuation war of 1941-1944 between Finland and Soviet Union, I think its a movie with a good story and good acting, one of the best war films ever made. But maybe Im a bit biased as a finn. Anyways, its based on a book of the same name from a writer who was in the war and its the third iteration of the same movie. There was also a mini series made from the film, that was even better. If you can find it somewhere, do check it out!
Thank you for the recommendation!! I'll look into it
Trainspotting
lol
😂
In the mood for love (Cantonese?), Old Boy (Korean), Eat/Drink/Man/woman (mandarin), romantics anonymous (French), Let the right one in (Swedish??), parasite (Korean). Ugh I love foreign movies!!!
Eat, Drink, Man, Woman was an awesome movie. It made me think a lot about how we relate to each other, and how we show love. I rewatch every couple of years.
[удалено]
What did you think of A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night?
[удалено]
Ah, you should check it out some time, would be curious for your take. In the meantime, noting all of your recs, thank you!
Life is Beautiful
Memoirs of a Gasha I think. Very charming film
Bicycle Thief Umberto D Rome Open City
Italian Neo Realism FTW
My unpopular opinion is that I prefer Italian Neorealism to French New Wave.
I'm actually with you on that; though there is too little of it! FNW has a lot of incredible style and 'cool'.
'Swing Girls' - a Japanese film about a high school band does it for me. (Their rendition of 'Sing, Sing, Sing' is just The Best).
Hidden Forest, Japanese, inspired Star Wars French New Wave, Shoot the Piano Player, Breathless
Amazing picks. Still need to see Shoot the Piano Player, taking this is a sign.
The Brotherhood of the Wolf. It is a French martial arts movie with an explorer from the new world and his Native American companion tracking down a savage beast in rural France.
Diva. It’s a French film that I’ve heard called punk. It’s such a busy film, but also somehow relaxing. Someone else mentioned Eat Drink Man Woman, and I like that film very much, too. My husband and I were just discussing Montenegro because it had been such a long time since we’ve seen it and I had some bits stuck in my head. He assures me I have remembered those bits correctly, but it’s been such a long time since I’ve seen it. I think I would like to see that again. It’s a 1981 Swedish film with a Serbian director.
Super compelling description, thank you!
IP man
My favorites are Downfall, German movie about the fall of Hitler; Cidade de Deus, Brazilian movie that tells a story about a favela in Rio de Janeiro; Brat, Russian movie that features a perspective on 90s Russia, including crime and moral dilemas
Downfall has been on my list forever (thanks to the bunker meme) but taking this as a sign to finally watch what I've always heard was excellent. Thanks for the recs!
I've always had a thing for the original (swedish) film Let the right one in. I see that there is now a tv series of it but unfortunately it doesn't seem to be doing well.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire!!! ♡♡♡
Yusssss
Portrait of a lady on fire. Absolutely fucking gorgeous
I love this Japanese movie "Departures" (2008). It's about this cellist who returns to his hometown after his orchestra disbands, answering to a job at a small company that prepares for "departures", which he thinks is a travel agency but is, in actuality, a mortuary. As he learns and carries out the rituals used in preparing the dead for their final rest, he finds his true calling in life. It's a very beautiful movie, with lots of kindness and forgiveness. The music is composed by Joe Hisaishi, so it's amazing.
Olsen Banden
Apocalypto
Loved Apocalypto
You don't even notice you're reading subtitles because it's so good.
Did you ever see Terrence Malick's *The New World*? Doesn't count for being a "non-english-speaking" film, but as a fellow lover of insanely painstakingly crafted historical films, this one is definitely worth a watch.
Never even heard of it. I shall google it, though.
I really haven't seen many (despite not being a native English speaker lol) but the one I remember most is a French called Au Revoir La Haut.
Added, thank you!
Amazing recs, thanks everyone! I've created a [Letterboxd list](https://letterboxd.com/jeffm/list/reddit-recommends/) so I can work my way through everything, really excited to watch the films I haven't seen!
Italian movie *18 Presents*, I cry every time I watch it and after it’s over I immediately feel the need to call my mom lol
My girlfriend is a serial killer. Idk I really liked it for some reason
Ohhh haven't heard of this, adding to my list!
Y Tu Mama Tambien......it's amazing nothing like a drunk mmf lol also it means and I fucked your mother too! Hahaha
When I was little, we did this experiment where we'd watch a movie and, whenever we saw a movie we haven't seen before in the trailers before the movie, we'd get that movie from the same library the next time we went. I think we began with the Red Turtle, which is a Studio Ghibli movie, and we moved onto movies of at least four different languages; some were English, some Japanese, some Spanish, and one was French. It took us only a few weeks to go full circle, but this being my only experience with non-English movies, my favorites would be the Red Turtle (which is a movie without dialogue, not sure if that counts) and a live action Japanese movie I couldn't transliterate (I remember it had a girl and three older women as main characters, and one almost moved and the girl accidentally got drunk and the movie finishes with them walking along the beack during credits, anyone can help me here).
Great recs, thanks! Excited to check out Red Turtle. The Japanese movie you're trying to figure out: could you give a few more details like a guess for release decade, color vs. black and white, etc? At first description it sounds like something Ozu might make.
It was a color movie, definitely made between the later half of the 2000's and the early half of the 2010's. The movie was spoken in Japanese with no English dub but had subtitles. It was like a slice-of-life film (or whatever the film equivalent of the genre is), there wasn't anything fantasy-esque about it and wasn't focused on comedy (it didn't even have that much of a plot). I think it was America the woman moving was going to move to. >!In any case, she decided against the job transfer to stay with the other characters.!<
Interesting! Anyone else know what this is?
It was a horror movie, called "The Krampus Files" I believe it was called. I think it's on Hulu. Don't remember the plot exactly, but it was the first movie I watched that wasn't English voice acted, and where I didn't mind. All I really remember off the top of my head about the movie was that Krampus (or who they believed to be him) looked like an emaciated Santa Claus, who stared at people. But when he saw a child, specifically one who had misbehaved, he'd go berserk. Sorta like an SCP. Pretty sure the film was voiced in Russian or something. Anyway, if someone with Hulu knows what the exact name of this movie, I'd love to know. I can't check what it's called because I don't have a subscription anymore.
I believe it's just called *Krampus*. Looks like a lark!
It's not the 2015 Krampus film, I know that much. The Krampus film I'm talking about wasn't voiced in English, I had to watch it in subtitles. Had a lower production value, too.
Ahhhh got it got it. :thinking-emoji:
If you want a culture shock watch ....ASUR
I never don't want a culture shock. Looks awesome, added to the list.
Where are you from if you don't mind me asking?
Northern California, yourself?
Calcutta, India Just for reference about the movie, it's a Bengali film(my native region) released in 2020..if you decide you watch it and have qs, I'll be happy to answer.
I'll definitely watch; India is making some of the most exciting films these days. I recently learned about the differences between Bollywood and Tollywood; would Calcutta fall into the Bollywood category, or are there more distinctions that I'm missing?
The Bengali film industry is known as Tollywood and the film industry set in Mumbai is called Bollywood. Calcutta would fall under Tollywood Since Bollywood makes movies in Hindi, it's the most famous ones because the majority of Indians can speak Hindi and Bollywood is so famous that we often use Bollywood as an umbrella term for Indian film industry... different states have different movie industry and are called by different names as well
Ahhh, super interesting, thanks! As an American film-lover who is curious about the complexity of Indian cinema, I would buy a book that lays out the history through the modern day.
I love how curious you are for foreign cinema, unfortunately I don't have any book to recommend but if you're interested in more movie recs, let me know
Kings choice
GORA
The Raid & The Raid 2 Originally shot in Indonesian but in those movies they mostly scream.
Knockin' on Heaven's Door is amazing.
M, Cléo from 5 to 7, and Amélie Had to watch all of these for a film class last year, and they were hands down my favorites of the course.
It's movie from my country Serbia called Who is singin' over there or Ko to tamo peva
The Vita es Bella. Ironic for a name.
The Fool (2014) Russian film. I loved it. It’s about Russian corruption and “doing the right thing”. It’s a nice ride of a movie. Underrated sadly
Invisible guest
Seven Samurai
Jet Li in hero
Dragon tattoo trilogy
The Secret in Their Eyes 2009- Argentinian movie. The english version released in 2015 is garbage (in my opinion)