For those of you that can cope with subtitles...we watched the Spanish film Bad Education (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275491/?fr=c2l0ZT1kZnxteD0yMHxsbT01MDB8dHQ9b258ZmI9dXxwbj 0wfHE9YmFkIGVkdWNhdGlvbnxodG1sPTF8bm09b24_;fc=1;ft =20) at the weekend and really enjoyed it. If you're not open-minded about homosexuality it won't be your thing, but otherwise it is a great story and really nicely put together.

Another favourite was He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0291579/). Again cleverly constructed with a couple of surprises along the way.

Goodbye Lenin (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0301357/?fr=c2l0ZT1kZnxteD0yMHxsbT01MDB8dHQ9b258ZmI9dXxwbj 0wfHE9R29vZGJ5ZSBMZW5pbnxodG1sPTF8bm09b24_;fc=1;ft =20) is also good fun.

We're running out of ideas. Anymore recommendations?

crouching tiger hidden dragon and ran are good films both have the option of changing the language

is the italian film cinema paridiso dubbed ?

Originally posted by panda79

is the italian film cinema paridiso dubbed ?

No we have a subtitled version. Gorgeous film!

I saw the French film "A Very Long Engagement" at The Showroom last month. Superb film, probably the best I've seen for ages. I take it you're after DVD suggestions rather than cinema ?

Try ...

Il Postino (The Postman)
Jean de Florette/Manon des Sources.
"Three Colours" trilogy
Amelie

Originally posted by Cols
I saw the French film "A Very Long Engagement" at The Showroom last month. Superb film, probably the best I've seen for ages. Try ...

Il Postino (The Postman)
Jean de Florette/Manon des Sources.
"Three Colours" trilogy
Amelie


Originally posted by Cols
I take it you're after DVD suggestions rather than cinema ?

Grateful for any suggestions for either DVD or cinema! We watch alot of films and have seen most of things that are reasonably new and have hit the mainstream eg Amelie, Delicatessen etc.

Your other suggestions here are a bit older and exactly the kind of thing I'm after. :thumbsup:

Cheers

Originally posted by samscam
For those of you that can cope with subtitles...we watched the Spanish film Bad Education (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275491/?fr=c2l0ZT1kZnxteD0yMHxsbT01MDB8dHQ9b258ZmI9dXxwbj 0wfHE9YmFkIGVkdWNhdGlvbnxodG1sPTF8bm09b24_;fc=1;ft =20) at the weekend and really enjoyed it. If you're not open-minded about homosexuality it won't be your thing, but otherwise it is a great story and really nicely put together.

I saw this a few months ago at the Showroom, I thought it was excellent! Good choice of film...

I'll be interested to see some of the recommendations on this thread.

Try "Le Grand Bleu"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095250/

or any other Luc Besson film

Originally posted by bonny
Try "Le Grand Bleu"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095250/

or any other Luc Besson film

Yeah! Looks interesting. Any idea where you can get hold of this sort of thing? Any online sources for foreign language films? Our local video shop is pretty pants and doesn't even usually have all the latest blockbuster releases let alone older foreign stuff.

anything with Jean Reno in it like "Wasabi", "Nikita", "Ronin" (but that's not really foriegn arthouse - it just feels like it) and "Leon"


Blockbuster are shocking but try Screenselect they have a large selection - you should check it out if you haven't already :)

A few more suggestions for you (dont know if they count as 'mainstream' though)..

The 3 colours trilogy has already been recommended and I think they're great films. Try anything by the same director...Kieslowski (sp?) - 'The short film about' series (love, killing etc)

Russian Ark - clever but simple film as it was shot in a single unedited take and its really good visually (set in Tsarist St Petersburg)

If you like Bad Education then try anything by Bigas Luna - Jamon Jamon or Tit and the Moon for starters

If you want some a violent (in my opinion) but funny (in some people's opinion) film then try Man Bites Dog. I didnt like it though...

for horror the original version of The Ring is utterly spinechilling. I was always put off forigen language films, reading and watching seemed too much like hard work but I have found that when the film is good enough you can follow it very easily

Some really good ones here. Thanks all.

:thumbsup:

My Life as a Dog (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089606/?fr=c2l0ZT1kZnxteD0yMHxsbT01MDB8dHQ9b258ZmI9dXxwbj 0wfHE9bXkgbGlmZSBhcyBhIGRvZ3xodG1sPTF8bm09b24_;fc= 1;ft=20;fm=1) is another of our favourites - a very moving Swedish film some of you might enjoy.

Originally posted by Maddy
for horror the original version of The Ring is utterly spinechilling. I was always put off forigen language films, reading and watching seemed too much like hard work but I have found that when the film is good enough you can follow it very easily

Oh my I saw "The grudge" and I was cakking it!! really really scary - If you love films like that, then go for it - the Japanese version is called Ju-on and is said to be even scarier

Try "The Motorcycle Diaries"

http://www.motorcyclediariesmovie.com/

The personal diary of Che Guevara when he was young and travelled around South America. Its not really political, but it does show you how Che became inspired.

Great film and good for your Spanish.

I saw "The Chorus" last night @ UGC.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0372824/

Defo recommend this beautiful french film one to you !!

I've mentioned this in other threads a couple of times, I recently bought a boxed set of Werner Herzog/Klaus Kinski films. Six DVDs for only £19 in HMV's sale, I believe it's now back to full price but you can get it from Amazon for £23 - buy it here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00018HU68/sumptionorg-21). The films are all excellent, originals are in German but most also have English soundtracks which are just as good (as much of the original filming was done in English due to the international casts often not speaking German). Fitzcarraldo is now one of my favourite films of all time.

Y Tu Mama Tambien (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006JY0G/sumptionorg-21) is really good, starring Gael Garcia Marquez who went on to make Motorcycle Diaries, it's the story of two young Mexicans who take a road-trip with a sexy young woman: very funny, very watchable and ultimately very moving.

Probably the best film I saw at the cinema last year was Kitchen Stories (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002SCZEO/sumptionorg-21) - it's a Swedish/Norwegian film based upon time & motion studies which took place in the 1950s. A researcher is sent to a farmer's house to sit in the kitchen and observe the farmer's cooking habits. Again, very very funny and extremely poignant, it says a lot about human relationships in general and the impossibility of being an "impartial observer".

A very under-rated French film is Tatie Danielle (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002LT63E/sumptionorg-21), another comedy about an old lady who is the most evil human being you have ever witnessed.

There's more, so many more, but these are the ones that really stick in my mind.

BTW I saw A Very Long Engagement recently and wasn't impressed by it - some very nice touches, but I would have expected far more from Jeunet, ultimately it left me rather bored.

Just wanted to say a big thank you. We joined Screenselect and haven't looked back! Most of your suggestions are on our list.

Originally posted by DanSumption

A very under-rated French film is Tatie Danielle (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002LT63E/sumptionorg-21), another comedy about an old lady who is the most evil human being you have ever witnessed.


We would probably never have come across this without your recommendation. Tatie Danielle is funny and sad and thought provoking. I guess it's similar to About Schmidt, but I found that depressing and tedious. Hollywood just doesn't do films like this.

I'd recommend:

City of Lost Children
Brotherhood of the Wolf
Italian for Beginners
Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Infernal Affairs
L'appartement
Taxi
Closely Watched Trains
Das Experiment
Shiri

Originally posted by robbie

City of Lost Children


I have the dubbed version of City of Lost Children. It's ruined! Has anyone seen a subtitled version? I would love to get my hands on it.

i personally object to having to read during a cinematic experience. If foriegn film makers can't be bother to hire a relatively inexpencive translator and train the actors to speak the queens English, then why should they expect me to sit through the drivel that they churn out. It's just not on!! Last week while holidaying in Russia I had the unfortunate experience of going to see a british film (mr Bean) dubbed into Russian. IMO they ruined it!!!!
The point i'm trying to make is, if they can take the trouble and effort to dub a British cult classic then why is it too much effort to get the actors to speak a proper language. I mean, they'd be more bankable in the US if they did!!:rant:

Shichinin no samurai
Here (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047478/)

Rashômon
Here (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042876/)

Élisa
Here (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112945/)

Himmel über Berlin, Der
Here (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093191/)

Rashômon... yeaaah! In fact, just about any Kurosawa.

And, speaking of Rashômon, another excellent film although not foreign language (except for the Haitian ice cream man) is Jim Jarmusch's "Ghost Dog".

Ghost Dog?

I think Miniminch will enjoy it ;) Ghost Dog (http://imdb.com/title/tt0119193/?fr=c2l0ZT1kZnxteD0yMHxsbT01MDB8dHQ9b258ZmI9dXxwbj 0wfHE9R2hvc3QgRG9nfGh0bWw9MXxubT1vbg__;fc=2;ft=20; fm=1)

Amores Peros
Battle Royale
Audition
Ring

ok, a slight Japanese theme towards the end there.

Edit: I liked Man Bites Dog.

Originally posted by samscam
I think Miniminch will enjoy it ;) Ghost Dog (http://imdb.com/title/tt0119193/?fr=c2l0ZT1kZnxteD0yMHxsbT01MDB8dHQ9b258ZmI9dXxwbj 0wfHE9R2hvc3QgRG9nfGh0bWw9MXxubT1vbg__;fc=2;ft=20; fm=1)
Aargh! No! Ghost Dog (http://imdb.com/title/tt0165798/)!

Recently saw the Russian 'Nightwatch' (Nochnoy dozor (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0403358/)) and the Thai Ong Bak (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368909/). Both showing Hollywood that just because you're doing a genre film dosen't mean it has to be anything less then great. I think both are due to get a UK cinema run soon.

Originally posted by samscam
I have the dubbed version of City of Lost Children. It's ruined! Has anyone seen a subtitled version? I would love to get my hands on it.

yep, the region 1 is subbed. I also used to own the terrible dubbed version

has anyone seen house of the flying daggers yet im sure its done by the same director who did hero im a big fan of asian cinema and i dont find the subtitles put me off the viewing experience . most dvds have a option to change the language anyway

Originally posted by robbie
yep, the region 1 is subbed. I also used to own the terrible dubbed version

Ah! That's good news. Mrs Samscam's mother just gave us a DVD player with multiregion capability :thumbsup:

I have a subbed version of City of Lost Children on video, but I've almost given up on video especially since getting myself an LCD projector and a big white piece of canvas.

I loved Otesánek Little Otik (http://imdb.com/title/tt0228687/?fr=c2l0ZT1kZnxteD0yMHxsbT01MDB8dHQ9b258ZmI9dXxwbj 0wfHE9bGl0dGxlIG90aWt8aHRtbD0xfG5tPW9u;fc=1;ft=21) , a quite bizarre Czech fairy tale.

i can't believe nobody has mentioned la haine as a possible alternative. i watched it at 6th form a couple of months back and fell in love! its from 1995 but its shot in black and white and its about "the hate" that exists between the different types of people who live on the housing estates of paris.

also for some light hearted clap-trap (now there's an old skool phrase!) you could try the taxi trilogy although you'll find it hard getting your hands on a copy of taxi 3 as its import only but the other two can usuallly be found in the bargain bins of various retailers.

fopp on division st usually have a good selection.

Xx

Infernal Affairs.

Best

Film

Ever.

Watch out for the disappointing Hollywood remake, coming soon to a cinema near you!

Originally posted by panda79
has anyone seen house of the flying daggers yet im sure its done by the same director who did hero im a big fan of asian cinema and i dont find the subtitles put me off the viewing experience . most dvds have a option to change the language anyway

very good film. beter than Hero imo