foreign films for the art lover

I’ve been attending to the library more often than ever as a complete form of self-care. I cannot help that it’s the only place I’d rather be other than a bookstore in which I already work at. With the library, I have noticed there have been many films that just completely go under the radar for lack of publicity. I’ve made it my mission to take a couple out every week to truly expand my palette and to recommend to you films you probably never even heard of.

Day Night Day Night (Loktev, 2006) French

This is a film by a French director but takes place in Times Square NYC. This is following a 19 year old girl who made the decision of becoming a suicide bomber. The story unfolds in repetitive sequences creating routine within the characters and the viewers. Although, it is never stated why she has made the decision of becoming a terrorist, loneliness seems to be a prominent theme.

Genesis (Lesage, 2018) Canadian/French

Genesis follows three teenagers in Canada as they navigate sexuality and relationships. A boy who goes to an all boys boarding school comes to terms that his friend might mean more to him. A girl navigating through relationships, what she wants from them comes to terms with accepting solitude. Lastly, a young boy navigates his first crush.

Beautifully shot portrayal of teenage hood, loneliness, friendships and self. I am not sure why this film has not gotten more recognition. I think if more people knew about it, it would be a favorite for sure. My only note is that I feel the film should’ve ended it with the first two characters as it was so easy to fall in love and follow them. As opposed to the last one who gets introduced in the last quarter of the film. To me, this film ended with the first two and it will remain a masterpiece.

Mustang (Ergüven, 2015) Turkish

In a Turkish village, five orphaned girls live with their very strict grandparents as they attempt to tame them. Each girl gets married off and sent a way until one girl decides it’s enough. This is a stunning portrayal of womanhood and cultural and societal expectations held on women.

My eyes were glued to the screen, I thought this film was so fascinating. It is often compared to The Virgin Suicides (Coppola, 1999) but I actually think this was better in a way.

Ida (Pawlikoski, 2013) Polish

Ida follows Anna a nun in the 1960s who just discovered a family secret that could change the trajectory of her life, she is actually Jewish. This is a stunningly shot b&w film, exploring themes of religion, sexuality and identity. I honestly think this might be one of my new comfort films, so melancholic and just overall beautiful.

Rumba (Romy, Abel, Gordon, 2008) French

Rumba follows to teachers who have a shared love for Spanish dancing. One day they get into a car crash that alters their ability to keep that ongoing love as the man loses his memory and the woman loses her leg. This is a dark comedy. One of the quirkiest films I’ve seen in a long times. It has splashes of color keeping it visually interesting. This film carries themes of passion, love, tragedy and what how far you are willing to prove your devotion to your art.

The Whaler Boy (Yuryev, 2020) Russian

This film follows a 15 year old boy who goes on a quest to meet a cam girl from the U.S. after beginning a para-social relationship with her. So many beautifully shot portraits, it has these dark undertones that resembles his undying obsession for this cam girl. Carries themes of desperation, loneliness, the new age of the internet and obsession.