If you like watching movies, chances are that out of all the movies you watch, most of them will be American. The impact of Hollywood has been big, which means that most cinemas will show American movies. The amount of movies that are shown from other countries is relatively small. You’d almost be inclined to think that hardly any other movies are made outside of America, even though you know that is not the case. As I was watching the excellent A Separation last week I started wondering about this.
If I look at my own viewing habits I try to watch movies from other countries too. I’ve developed a fond taste of Korean cinema, which produces very different films, whether its dark gangster movies or quirky comedies, they are unique and unpredictable which I enjoy a lot. I’ve seen movies from Japan (besides the Ghibli films), Argentina, France, Spain and Germany and a lot of other countries, but never as many as the American ones. You might wonder how many Dutch movies I watch (living in the country after all) and I’ll have to admit I’m not the biggest fan of them. My country has produced some excellent ones, but I’m not someone who will go to the cinema to see the latest one. They somehow don’t feel appealing enough to me. It’s hard to put that feeling into words.
This week’s question is: Do you venture outside of American cinema and if so, what are some of your favorite movies?
I do watch mostly American films though I do watch quite a lot of British stuff as well. I do think I should watch more foreign films to balance things out.
Hey, I don’t watch hardly any Indonesian movies either even though that’s my home country. I suppose I’ve been living in the US longer now, but even when I was living in Jakarta, I’ve always been more into US or European films.
I think we all watch mostly American films, which of course isn’t a bad thing, but as you say it’s nice to balance it out a little. I haven’t seen too many Indonesian movies either.
So, if you were to recommend a Dutch film to someone like me, which one would it be? My mom and grandma could speak Dutch and they often spoke to each other if they didn’t want the kids to understand, ahah. I wish they had taught me some!
I’m probably the wrong guy to ask as I haven’t seen too many Dutch ones 🙂 I do think Zwartboek is very good and everyone seems to mention Turks Fruit, which I have never seen (except one specific painful scene involving a zipper being closed a bit too quickly). Dutch movies always seem to have some nudity in it, just so you know.
Yeah, would have been cool if you also would have picked up a bit of Dutch!
I do watch foreign films and really enjoy many of them. Recently watched “A Seperation” at a local theater and watched the 80’s Hong Kong action flick “The Killer” this past weekend. “Certified Copy” was one of my favorite films of 2011. I’m doing an upcoming top 5 list that will feature one of my favorite World War 2 pictures, the Danish film “Flame and Citron”.
There’s a lot of good finds in foreign cinema. It’s just…well…finding them.
A Separation was a great movie and The Killer is nice too, which I originally watched as it was sampled so much by the Wu Tang Clan. I started Certified Copy, but never finished it…guess I should give that one another try. Never heard of Flame and Citron.
Luckily there are enough lists that allow you pick out great ones. Yesterday I saw Les Diaboliques, which is in the IMDB top 250 and for good reason. Really great film.
“Flame and Citron” is one few have heard of but it’s a tremendous film. It stars one of my favorite actors Madds Mikkelson. It was on Netflix streaming but I’m not sure if it still is.
Yeah, I watch non-American stuff. Not exclusively or predmominantly, but yeah, it happens. One of my movie-watching goals is to one day say that I’ve seen a film from every country in the world. This probably won’t happen, but it’s something fun to aspire for.
As for favorites, there’s Amélie (France), Once (Ireland), Grave of the Fireflies (Japan), Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (England), In the Mood for Love (Hong Kong) and Persona (Sweden), to name but a few.
That’s still a lot of movies to go before you reach that goal 😉
Haven’t seen the last two ones you mention, but all the other ones are movies I love! In the Mood for Love and Persona noted down. I might even own In the Mood for Love..need to check.
I’m biased because I live in England but I love a hell of a lot of British films. Love a lot of the films coming out of Brazil in the last ten years; City of God, Elite Squad, Bus 174, Rio Breaks, City of Men etc. I’ll watch anything from anywhere as long as it sounds like a good film. Don’t really get all the love for Korean film though. I know a lot of people love Korean flicks but I haven’t seen anything that blew my mind yet.
Those are some good Brazilian movies, still have to watch Rio Breaks and Bus 174. Have you seen a lot of Korean movies? For comedy I suggest My Sassy Girl and as for other type of movies I guess I’d suggest Old Boy, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring, Memories of Murder and The Host.
I watch mostly American films. But I do make an effort to watch non-American films. Favorites include “Das Boat”, and “Ran” from the 80s, and more recently “Troll Hunter” from Norway and “Starbuck” from Quebec, Canada. I tend to stay away from Spanish and French drama as my experience with them has lead me to believe they are very slow and could use with some better editing. I also tend to watch Japanese and Chinese films. Quebec films have been a pleasant surprise–at least the three or four I have watched. They are well made & acted, and have good stories.
I’ve been fortunate that I am in Miami and the Miami International Film Festival definitely earns the “International”.
Recently saw Das Boot and it’s stunning. Probably saw Ran more than 10 years ago and can’t remember much of it…I do own it so I might have to rewatch it.
Yeah, that really helps it being international in seeing other type of movies! 🙂
I’m the same as Pete as I will watch British films as well as American. In same cases I think British films are becoming a bit more adventerous than American because we aren’t relying on sequels, reboots or remakes, Attack the Block being a great example of that. I’ll watch any “foreign film” that has peaked my interest. I love the Spanish REC 2 and also the Brazilian City of God. I thought the Russian Nightwatch and Daywatch were good examples of blockbusters done outside of Hollywood. I can’t wait to see the Troll Hunter either.
Yeah, I agree that British films tend to be more adventurous and often rawer as well, which I like. Attack the Block was a fun movie that I really enjoyed.
Like everyone else most of what I watch is American, but I’ll watch anything if it sounds good. I’ve also loved City of God, Nightwatch, and recently Troll Hunter. I lived in Berlin for two years, so I always have time for German films, Das Boot, Der Untergang (Downfall) and Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others) all favourites. I’ll admit that I think the only Dutch film I’ve seen is Zwartboek, but I really love it.
Have seen all the German movies you mention and I liked them a lot. Zwartboek is a movie I have seen (I skip a lot of Dutch ones) and have to agree that it is an excellent film.
I love watching anything and everything. Lately I have been really enjoying the recent batch of Korean revenge films.
Also just saw The Raid this weekend. Talk about crazy.
Nice!
It’s still not out over here, but am looking forward to seeing it!
I do watch mainly American films too, but I think I watch British films and French films after that.. Can’t name a favorite though.
Give some others a chance..there are many greats out there!
I love any movie with a well formed story, no matter their country of origin. My favorite movie is a German film: The Lives of Others, I talk about it here: http://yaykisspurr.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/my-love-affair-with-movies/
I wish there were more opportunity to see movies like this one. Cheers!
Yeah, I’ve seen that last year and it was very well made. Germany has a lot of good movies, although there are so many I have not seen yet 🙂
Am I too late to answer this week’s Monday question? Hope not!
I will watch pretty much anything. Wherever it’s from. If it’s a quality film, I’ll enjoy it. Spanish horrors are great – the likes of REC and The Orphanage. The French have some great thrillers with Mesrine and Crimson Rivers. Recently, started getting into some Scandinavian films, Trollhunter and Headhunters being standouts for me there.
Of course, being in England, I watch a lot of Brit films, but they’re just the norm for me!
The only non-American films I’m not fond of are Bollywood. Oh my word. They’re just embarrassing.
It’s never too late to answer a Monday question Jaina!
I don’t enjoy horror, so can’t say anything about that, but agree with you on French thrillers, they are great.
Not a big fan of Bollywood movies either, have seen a couple, but they are not my thing.