Favorite foreign films?

[LiveHomeVideo]

Fail.

It's foreign to me. I don't see why he'd specifically rule out British films if you're Amurican.

Yes, the misspelling is intentional.

[SheSaidSheSaid]

That's 'murrican, boyah!


Probably because they're not that foreign to an American viewer (unsure if OP is American or British, but he's probably one or the other). They talk a little funny (it's a joke, take it easy blokes), they drive on the wrong side of the road...maybe there's some stylistic differences but it's nothing compared to how American films compare to the rest of the world.

[clashcityrocker10]

Instantdeath is from the US.

I think it's hard to consider "British" films foreign to Americans and vice-versa. There's really such a large overlap between the personnel and whatnot that makes it really tough to differentiate between the two, if there is any differentiation to be made.

[Gowienczyk]

Yeah, I wouldn't throw UK films in a "foriegn film" discussion, either. Serious film enthusiasts would tear the person who did so apart. Honestly, I don't know where to start because I don't actively watch as much "imports" as I'd like to.

[Lawdog1521]

Excluding British films from the category of Foreign films because of the lack of technical or cultural differences is problematic though. Spanish films are similar in technique to American films and the cultural gap isn't that big, if there at all. The only real difference is the language. So by the above definition they wouldn't fit as a "Foreign" film as well.

While broad, the only fair definition would be any film outside the viewers place of origin.

[Gowienczyk]

Language barriers are a lot and to some dignify separation enough.

[FujiSkunk]

The Gods Must Be Crazy (South Africa)

[Lawdog1521]

The Gods Must Be Crazy (South Africa)

The tale of the little bushman isn't foreign enough.

[SheSaidSheSaid]

Spanish films are similar in technique to American films and the cultural gap isn't that big, if there at all.

Pedro Almodovar begs to differ. Todo sobre mi madre would have to be sanitized heavily if it were to be remade in America. The others would probably be flops because of their tone and direction.

And I didn't want to mention it at first (because for as much as I wanted to like it, it's just not that good a movie), but try Room in Rome for a Spanish film that's got quite a cultural gap from America (although the majority of the dialogue is in English). If that movie were made in the USA, it would never be in theaters. It would get delivered to you in a plain brown wrapping.

[Dante1847]

Zhang Yimou might get some **** because of his supposed personal affairs (Zhang Ziyi, Gong Li), but he does make some solid films. Last year was The Flowers of War (金陵十三钗) with Christian Bale. Very emotional film, with some brutal scenes that stick with you.