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Introduction To Watching Foreign Films

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By R. E. Proctor Jr


Foreign Films To Enjoy

Are you looking to learn the culture of a foreign country or perhaps just curious about foreign films? Have you grown bored with standard Hollywood movie fare and like to add a little excitement to movie night? If so then read on. By giving a foreign film a chance you are likely to develop a new interest in film watching and add freshness to those stale choices you have been looking over for so long.


Suggested Watching

Something Different

To the right of this paragraph you see a text box of links to recommended films from those countries. One or more of those countries you may have visited or would like to and that would be a good start for your new experience. Language is only one aspect of the film that you may notice as different from what you are accustom. Another culture's comedy timing, body language, and method of storytelling will be foreign as well. Look for the aspects that make a great film such as how the characters are developed, how well you feel empathy for these characters or circumstances, as well as direction, music score, etc.



Subtitles

These take just a bit of getting used to but do not let it discourage you. I believe subtitles are much better than dubbing where English speakers over-dub their voice on top of the actor’s foreign dialog. Subtitles allow you to embrace the language, and while you may not understand you still experience the tone and gravity of expression. Over dubbed movies are not always translated accurately either… dubbing attempts to match mouth movement to another language. Give it a good effort and it will become more comfortable for you and you will not miss any of the show. Unless you are hearing impaired I suggest you choose English subtitles over English for the hearing impaired when you have the choice. English for the hearing impaired also includes subtitles to convey ambient sounds such as "door squeaking" or "birds singing" which is more text than you will need.

I believe that most of you will find enjoyment from all of the movies I present here. As I am only recommending a couple of movies at a time I am obviously leaving many great movies out. I cannot list them all so I encourage you to add comments on each country's page letting me know the films you have enjoyed. Let me know what you think about those I recommend and if you think of a foreign film you would like for me to review please leave me that comment as well.

Happy viewing!

More On Foreign Films

  • The Hurt Locker Wins At Gotham Awards

    Kathryn Bigelow's The Hurt Locker won Best Feature last night at the 19th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards held at New York City's Cipriani Wall Street. Bigelow's suspenseful Iraqi drama also took the prize for Best Ensemble Performance. The talented cast included Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty and Evangeline Lilly. Best Documentary went to Robert Kenner's Food, Inc. The Breakthrough Director Award went to Robert Siegel for Big Fan. Catalina Saaverda received the Breakthrough Actor Award for her performance in The Maid. Ry Russo-Young's You Won't Miss Me took the prize for Best Film Not Playing At A Theater Near You. For more news of the night: http://gotham.ifp.orgThe Hurt Locker Wins At Gotham Awards originally appeared on About.com World / Independent Film on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 12:16:17.Permalink | Comment | Email this - 18 hours ago

  • Review: Broken Embraces

    A new Pedro Almodovar film starring the talented and gorgeous Penelope Cruz is bound to be a treat, and Broken Embraces is just that. Cruz stars as Lina, as the woman caught between the desires of a filmmaker and a powerful financier. A closing night selection at the New York Film Festival, Broken Embraces is currently playing in theaters. Read Marcy's review.Review: Broken Embraces originally appeared on About.com World / Independent Film on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 14:14:09.Permalink | Comment | Email this - 9 days ago

  • Review: Werner Herzog's Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans

    Nicolas Cage plays a bug-eyed cop with a drug problem and a broken moral compass in Werner Herzog's Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, a fascinatingly complex film ripe with intoxicating cross-currents of cynicism, tragedy, and absurdity. With Eva Mendes, Val Kilmer, and Fairuza Balk. Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans opens tomorrow in New York and Los Angeles, with more cities to follow. Read Jürgen's review.Review: Werner Herzog's Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans originally appeared on About.com World / Independent Film on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 11:06:32.Permalink | Comment | Email this - 2 weeks ago

Foreign Films in the News

  • Top 10 movies of the decadeReuters2 days ago

    LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Let the arguments begin. The best films of the decade are, in my opinion, as follows.

  • Property consultants say Sentosa IR is scouting for rental flats for some of its foreign staffThe Temasek Review4 days ago

    Business Times, 28 November 2009 VISITORS to the Universal Studios theme park in Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS) will soon be able to live out adventures seen in various movies. There will be zones based on films such as Madagascar, Shrek and Jurassic Park, to bring thrill-seekers to a make-believe world far away from home. For some [...]

  • Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995KYIV Post2 days ago

    These movies established legacies, won awards and aggravated more than a few. None is easy or conventional. LOS ANGELES ( Hollywood Reporter ) - Let the arguments begin. The best films of the decade are, in my opinion, as follows.

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