Foreign Film Apocalypse: Who Would You Save?

The aliens have arrived!  They've decided that they want all of our foreign language films (they can't bare English) and we're never allowed to see them again!  However, these aliens aren't so harsh; they've said, in their own alien language, that we can keep the cinema of four countries.  

So, which countries' cinematic history would you save?

Here are my picks...

#1  France

While French cuisine doesn't entice me and I'm not over-enamoured by vin français, I have happily feasted on French cinema over the last 10 years.  Whether its the likability of great actors such as Gerard Depardieu or Daniel Autueil, the beauty of stars like Marion Cotillard (above, as Edith Piaf in Le Vie En Rose), Audrey Tautou and Juliette Binoche, the quirkiness of a Jean-Pierre Jeunet flick, or the pure grittiness of movies such as La Haine or A Prophet... there are so many great movies from over the Channel that the French would certainly be top of my list.  The French also had a recent win at the Oscars with Best Foreign Language Film being awarded to 2012's Amour.

To see my Top Ten French Movies, CLICK HERE.

#2  Spain

Spain has supplied some of my favourite movies, including those made by Mexican director, Guillermo Del Toro, such as Pan's Labyrinth and The Devil's Backbone.  Similarly, Spain's most famous director is probably Pedro Almodovar, who was responsible for the amazingly dark The Skin I Live In (above), and his film All About My Mother was 1999's Best Foreign Language Film according to the Academy Awards.  The last Spanish movie to pick up the aforementioned gong was The Sea Inside, which starred Javier Bardem, who (along with Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz) has gone on to great success in Hollywood.

#3  Argentina

In my experience, the Argentines are consistently good film makers.  Check out The Motorcycle Diaries, Bombon El Perro (above) or The Secret in Their Eyes, which won 2009's Academy Award for Best Foreign Lanaguage Film, and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

#4  Denmark

If you like your movies with a kiss of darkness, which I do, Denmark appears to be the place to find it.  Check out Festen (above) or The Hunt, which was nominated for 2013's Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars, and you'll see what I mean. 

The List Hero Loves... French Cinema

J'adore le cinéma français and here are dix (10) of mes films préférés.

#10  I've Loved You So Long (2008)

Il y a longtemps que je t'aime

A woman struggles to interact with her family and find her place in society after spending fifteen years in prison.

BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language

Imdb Rating:  7.6

#9  Mesrine:  Killer Instinct (2008)

L'instinct de mort

The story of french gangster Jacques Mesrine, before he was called Public Enemy N°1.

César Awards:  Best Actor (Vincent Cassel) and Best Director (Jean-François Richet)

Imdb Rating:  7.6

#8  Untouchable  (2011)

Intouchables

After he becomes a quadriplegic from a paragliding accident, an aristocrat hires a young man from the projects to be his caretaker.

Satellite Award:  Best Foreign Language Film

Imdb Rating:  8.6

#7  Blue is the Warmest Colour  (2013)

La vie d'Adèle - Chapitres 1 et 2

Adele's life is changed when she meets Emma, a young woman with blue hair, who will allow her to discover desire, to assert herself as a woman and as an adult. In front of others, Adele grows, seeks herself, loses herself and ultimately finds herself through love and loss.

Cannes Film Festival:  Palme d'Or Winner

Imdb Rating:  8.0

#6  The Dinner Game  (1998)

Le dîner de cons

Each week, Pierre and his friends organize what is called as "un dîner de cons". Everyone brings the dumbest guy he could find as a guest.

César Awards:  Best Screenplay 

Imdb Rating:  7.7

#5  La Vie en Rose  (2007)

The life story of singer Edith Piaf.  This was the first time I'd come across the amazing Marion Cotillard, who stars as the protagonist, and I instantly fell in love...

The Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role

The Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture

The César Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role

The BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role

Imdb Rating:  7.7

#4  Amélie  (2001)

Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain

Amelie, an innocent and naive girl in Paris, with her own sense of justice, decides to help those around her and along the way, discovers love.

César Awards:   Best Film, Best Director, Best Music and Best Production Design. 

Imdb Rating:  8.5

#3  The Closet  (2001)

Le Placard

A man spreads the rumor of his fake homosexuality with the aid of his neighbor, to prevent his imminent firing at his work.

Shanghai International Film Festival:  Best Actor (Daniel Auteuil)

Imdb Rating:  7.1

#2  A Prophet  (2009)

Un prophète

A young Arab man is sent to a French prison where racial tensions begin.

BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language

Imdb Rating:  7.9

#1  Delicatessen  (1991)

Delicatessen is a weird post-apocalyptic surrealist black comedy about the landlord of an apartment building who occasionally prepares an interesting delicacy for his strange tenants.  I don't expect you to like it... and that's why I love it.

César Awards:   Best Editing, Best Film Work, Best Production Design and Best Writing.

Imdb Rating:  7.8