Foreign Film Round-Up

Monday, August 4

It's a shame more Americans don't watch foreign films! There are So many great foreign movies out there, but it seems we just scratch the surface because we don't know how to find the good ones!  I thought it would be fun to share a few of some of my recent favorites in the foreign films department. One thing I love about watching a film from abroad is getting to see the stunning scenery and landscape of a country I may not be very familiar with! It also opens our eyes to other cultures and traditions!  Here are a few favorites I've been enjoying recently…they can all be found on Netflix:

Two Lives {Norwegian}
 Two Lives follows the story of one woman and the secret she has been hiding for most of her life. It takes place right after the Berlin Wall has fallen, and she must face her past. I don't want to give too much away, but it's a fascinating look at the influence the East German secret police had on the entire continent of Europe. And, it is actually based on a true story, which makes it even more compelling. I was on the edge of my seat the whole movie, trying to figure things out!  


Diplomacy {French}
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On my last flight from Paris to LA a few months ago, I scrolled through all the in-flight movies trying to figure out what to watch. I'm pretty picky about what I choose to put in my brain, and this movie intrigued me. It is the story of Swedish diplomat Raoul Nordling who single handedly saved Paris from being blown up by the Nazi's. He weasels his way into the room of the Nazi commander of Paris, General Von Choltitz, and the two begin a dialogue about why he should save Paris. Let's just say in the beginning, and for most of the film, you are scared for the destruction of Paris {even though you know what happens!}. I will give you a disclaimer that most of this movie is dialogue {which i'm usually not a fan of}, but somehow this movie keeps you hooked the entire time! I loved it, but then again, i'm a total history nerd. If you've ever admired or visited Paris, you can thank Nordling for saving it:)


Kahaani {Indian} 
My dad is kind of a master at finding awesome movies on Netflix. For months he had been telling me I needed to watch Kahaani, and I never got around to it. Finally, when I visited my parents this last winter, I sat down and watched this with my dad. It did not disappoint. The plot follows a British woman whose husband goes to India for a business trip. When he does not come back, she goes to India to look for him, but no one has ever heard of her husband. It's incredibly mysterious from beginning to end, and of course, the scenes around India are really interesting! Worth your time.


Little Dorrit {British}
So, if you don't know by now, i'm kinda, slightly, rather, LITERALLY obsessed with period piece dramas {so, sue me!}! Pride and Prejudice is one of my all-time favorite books and movies, along with Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Jane Eyre, and all the rest {I know, some of you are rolling your eyes right now! It's ok, I still love you!} BBC does a marvelous job at bringing the classics to the screen! But one movie I'd never heard of is Little Dorrit. My sweet friend Olivia actually recommended it to me, and i'm in the middle of it now and just.can't.stop.watching. Little Dorrit is a Charles Dickens novel about a sweet girl named Amy Dorrit, and how her life comes to be intertwined with the Clennam family. And it doesn't hurt that Mr. Darcy {from the 2005 P&P adaption} plays the leading male role! Swoon:) Olivia actually has a "British TV and Movie Guide" that I found most helpful if you like these sort of movies! Thanks Olivia!


Annika Bengtzon {Swedish}
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Once again, my dad pulled through and found this incredible mini-series about a Swedish woman reporter who solves crimes. Annika Bengtzon is a smart and beautiful journalist who somehow happens to be at the right place at the right time, and is forced to take some pretty interesting cases. I loved each episode because it had a riveting story, kept you guessing, and showed some absolutely stunning scenery around gorgeous Sweden!! These are super fun {and addicting} to watch!! Watch out…once you start, you might not be able to stop!


Life is Beautiful {Italian}

This one is neither recent or unheard of, so I'm assuming that most of you have probably seen Life is Beautiful! However, it will forever be a favorite foreign film that touches my heart. In college, I studied Italian and took an Italian Cinema course. I watched an Italian film every week for a quarter {10 films people!!} and this was still my absolute favorite. The story begins with a hilarious Italian Jewish man named Guido, who falls madly in love with his wife Dora, and we watch as they start a family and make a life together {in beautiful Italy!}. Soon, WWII is upon them, and being Jewish, Guido is taken to a concentration camp. What follows is a poignant tribute to the spirit of the human heart and how love, humor and unity is stronger than any evil in this world. If you haven't seen it, you must watch it with popcorn and plenty of tissues!

So…that was my list! NOW…I want to hear YOUR favorite foreign films!! My gum surgery went great {thank you for all who prayed and sent me good wishes!! So appreciate that}, but i've been relegated to the couch with a sore mouth, which has given me ample time to catch up on movies!! What have you seen recently that is a "must-watch" ?!?!? I know that many of you readers are from countries outside the USA! Please please please share your favorite films from your country! I'm dying to know:)

And lastly, I just heard of a new website called Vyer that features 4 foreign films a month for you to watch! Very interesting concept…check them out here.

Happy Monday Friends!!

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