browser life

Most of my readers don't know this, but I was married once before Dan. My ex was a complete film nut. Pretty much every single Saturday afternoon during the entire four years we were married, we went to a local theatre to see a movie.

We saw independent film, special screenings, re-released classics and mainstream stuff. But mostly, I remember the foreign films because I'd not really gone to them before. In addition to the foreign movies I saw in the theatre, there were the ones from the video store, the library, and my ex's own collection.

In July, while at the theatre waiting for "Order of the Phoenix" to start, I was talking with some friends about what got us interested in foreign films. After I got home, it occurred to me that maybe other people who've never been to a movie from another country might want to rent one sometime. So I tried to think of what movies I saw during the 1990's as a starting point.

With the aid of Netflix and imdb.com, I found 32 movies and made links so that my readers can read a synopsis of each one and see if that's something they'd be interested in. Not all of them were actually made during the 1990's; some are classics that I just happened to view during that decade. And while they may not necessarily constitute the best foreign films of all time, they were good enough for me to remember (after I looked them up of course, heh heh).

For each film, I gave both the foreign language title and the English title if they differ so they might be easier to find. Happy viewing!

"City of Angels" was VERY LOOSELY based on this much superior movie....
Der Himmel uber Berlin (aka Wings of Desire)

Here is a trilogy representing the colors in the French flag. They can be viewed separately, but if you watch all three, see them in this order for reasons that are revealed in Red:

In part one, a woman struggles to free herself from the trappings of grief....
Trois Couleurs: Bleu (aka Blue)

In part two, a Polish man goes on an unexpected journey when his French wife divorces him....
Trzy Kolory: Bialy (aka White)

The final installment explores the concept of fate....
Trois Couleurs: Rouge (aka Red)

May aggravate motion sickness in those susceptible....
8 1/2

Classic Italian film with a self-explanatory title....
Ladri di Biciclette (aka The Bicycle Thief)

If this wasn't the first sci-fi film, it was probably one of the most influential....
Metropolis

The creepiest movie vampire, ever.....
Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (aka Nosferatu)

Not available on Netflix....
Kuroi Ame (aka Black Rain)

Based on the Japanese director's actual dreams....
Akira Kurosawa's Dreams

The film that inspired "Star Wars"....
Kakushi-toride no san-akunin (aka Hidden Fortress)

Japanese version of "King Lear"....
Ran

Japanese version of "MacBeth"....
Kumonosu jo (aka Throne of Blood)

Tragically, the lead actor died the day after filming ended....
Il Postino (aka The Postman)

A film about people who love film....
Nuovo cinema Paradiso (aka Cinema Paradiso)

"Tortilla Soup" is a remake of this film....
Yin shi nan nu (aka Eat Drink Man Woman)

A marriage of convenience becomes anything but.....
Hsi yen (aka The Wedding Banquet)

Pedro Almodovar! Antonio Bandaras!
Atame! (aka Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!)

If this had been an American movie, it would have been rated "X"....
L'Amant (aka The Lover)

Classic in which a knight plays chess against Death....
Det Sjunde Inseglet (aka The Seventh Seal)

Bio of Ingmar Bergman's parents....
Den Goda Viljan (aka The Best Intentions)

A boy named Pu.....
Sondagsbarn (aka Sunday's Children)

A boy whose mother is dying is sent to live with relatives....
Mitt liv som hund (aka My Life as a Dog)

A Chinese woman competes with three other women for her husband's attention....
Da hong deng long gao gao gua (aka Raise the Red Lantern)

An artist's four daughters each seduce the same young soldier....
Belle Epoche

I believe the American remake of this was "Point of No Return"?
Nikita (aka La Femme Nikita)

See Lola run! Run run run!
Loa rennt (aka Run Lola Run)

1950's French culture clash with technology.....
Mon Oncle

Fellini classic in which a journalist parties and womanizes.....
La Dolce Vita

A Jewish boy hides within the ranks of the Hitler youth....
Europa Europa

French boy recalls growing up during the turn of the (20th) century....
La Gloire de Mon Pere (aka My Father's Glory)

Fascinating documentary about the actress/filmmaker/photographer who seems to only be remembered for Nazi propoganda.....

Die Macht der Bilder: Leni Riefenstahl (aka The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl

If I ever get around to it, I'd like to see these all again.