International films are sometimes overlooked due to the widespread popularity of Hollywood movies. According to Statista, Hollywood produces approximately 36% of films worldwide. However, international cinema also has remarkable movies to offer. For instance, the top film industries worldwide thrive in India, China, Nigeria, Japan, South Korea, and the U.K.
Due to the digital age, Gen Zers have more access to international cinema than any generation in the past. According to media analyst Sofia Martinez, “streaming platforms have essentially erased geographical barriers, allowing Gen Z to explore global cultures from their living rooms”. Therefore, international cinema can provide a lens into different cultures and stories, while also potentially highlighting universal themes that anyone can relate to.
Check out these 5 international films to expand your horizons and step into other cultures.
Lola Rennt (Run Lola Run)
Year of Release: 1998
Cast: Franka Potente, Moritz Bleibtreu, Herbert Knaup, Armin Rohde
Running Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Lola Rennt is a 1998 German experimental thriller that was written and directed by Tom Tykwer. It centers on a young woman named Lola, who must find one hundred thousand deutschmarks in twenty minutes. If she fails, her love interest, Manni, will be killed by his criminal boss for losing the money.
The film stands out for its colorful visual design, fast pace, and use of mixed media, such as animation. The structure of the film is similar to a video game, with Lola being the playable character who needs to advance through multiple levels to succeed. Lola Rennt grapples with themes of destiny, free will, faith, and the domino effect.
Tom Tykwer’s masterpiece received 28 awards and 21 nominations. Its many awards include seven awards from the German Film Awards, the Sundance Film Festival “Audience” award, and the Seattle International Film Festival “Best Film” award, all in 1999. In addition, the film was nominated for the “Best Film not in the English Language” BAFTA award in 2000.
“Man… probably the most mysterious species on our planet. A mystery of unanswered questions. Who are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going? How do we know what we think we know? Why do we believe anything at all? Countless questions in search of an answer… an answer that will give rise to a new question… and the next answer will give rise to the next question and so on. But, in the end, isn’t it always the same question? And always the same answer?”
Narrator, Lola Rennt
Veer-Zaara
Year of Release: 2004
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukerji
Running Time: 3 hours and 12 minutes
Veer-Zaara is a 2004 Indian epic romantic drama film directed by Yash Chopra. It follows the love story of Indian Air Officer Veer Pratap Singh, and the daughter of a Pakistani politician, Zaara Hayat Khan. The film takes place twenty-two years after the two meet, with Veer in prison in the present day. It is up to his Pakistani lawyer, Saamiya Siddiqui, to prove his innocence.
Veer-Zaara is a timeless classic with sweeping cinematography, stunning visuals, and heartfelt performances by a star-studded cast. Additionally, its mesmerizing soundtrack, which was created using 28-year-old compositions by the late composer Madan Mohan, was India’s highest-selling album of the year. The film explores themes of love, sacrifice, justice, and patriotism. Furthermore, the movie appreciates the idea of India–Pakistan unity.
Veer-Zaara was the highest grossing Bollywood movie of 2004. The film is no stranger to critical acclaim, having received 30 wins and 42 nominations. It took home 4 Filmfare awards, which were for “Best Film”, “Best Lyricist”, “Best Story”, and “Best Dialogue”. In addition, it had 7 wins at the 2005 International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA). These awards include “Best Actor in a Leading Role”, “Best Actress in a Supporting Role”, “Best Story”, and “Best Director”. They were given to Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Aditya Chopra, and Yash Chopra, respectively.
Supa Modo
Year of Release: 2018
Cast: Stycie Waweru, Akinyi Marianne Nungo, Nyawara Ndambia
Running Time: 1 hour and 14 minutes
Supa Modo is a 2018 Kenyan film directed by Likarion Wainaina. The movie follows a young girl, Jo, with a terminal illness. Jo loves superheroes and dreams to be one herself. As a result, her family and village community work together to make her dream come true.
Supa Modo is a heartfelt, touching piece of international cinema that explores themes of hope, grief, strength, and community. It was produced through a project by One Fine Day Films, a production company co-founded by Tom Tykwer, the director of Lola Rennt. The objective of the project was to “give African filmmakers an opportunity to write and produce their own stories and, under the mentorship of experienced filmmakers, reach an international audience on the big cinematic screen”.
While Supa Modo is a hidden gem for many, it has its fair share of acclaim. Kenya selected the film as its entry to the Oscars for “Best Foreign Language Film” in 2018. It also has 14 nominations and 44 wins, including awards from the Berlin International Film Festival and the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
El Laberinto del Fauno (Pan’s Labyrinth)
Year of Release: 2006
Cast: Ivana Baquero, Doug Jones, Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, Ariadna Gil
Running Time: 2 hours
El Laberinto del Fauno is a 2006 Spanish and Mexican film written and directed by Guillermo del Toro. The dark fantasy centers around a young girl named Ofelia, who lives in 1944 Spain during the Francoist regime. Her stepfather is a ruthless captain who hunts down rebels, and her pregnant mother is ill. Ofelia regularly escapes into the comfort of fairy tales, which come to life when she meets a magical faun in a labyrinth. The faun believes her to be the princess of the underworld, so she sets off to complete the tasks he gives her to prove her title.
El Laberinto del Fauno explores themes of war, oppression, rebellion, innocence, and escapism. The film is known for its masterful visual design, particularly regarding the fantastical elements that spring to life through CGI and animatronics. Furthermore, it is widely regarded as Toro’s best film, and one of the top fantasy films of all time.
El Laberinto del Fauno has 109 wins and 115 nominations. It won three Oscar awards in 2007, which were “Best Achievement in Cinematography”, “Best Achievement in Art Direction”, and “Best Achievement in Makeup”. In addition, it won three BAFTA awards in 2007, for “Best Film not in the English Language”, “Best Costume Design”, and “Best Make Up & Hair”.
Extreme Job
Year of Release: 2019
Cast: Ryu Seung-ryong, Jin Seon-kyu, Lee Hanee, Lee Dong-hwi, Gong Myung
Running Time: 1 hour and 51 minutes
Extreme Job is a 2019 South Korean action and comedy film directed by Lee Byeong-heon. The movie follows a group of struggling narcotics detectives who buy a chicken joint as an undercover location while working a case. However, they accidentally create a recipe that makes the joint popular, threatening to undermine their real mission. Extreme Job is an entertaining flick that keeps the viewer hooked at every turn, with its humorous scenarios and characters that you want to root for.
Extreme Job is the highest grossing South Korean film of all time. It has 11 wins and 19 nominations. At the Blue Dragon Awards, the movie attained the 2019 “Audience Choice” award, and actress Lee Hanee achieved the “Popular Star” award. Additionally, the film earned the title of one of the “Ten Best Films of the Year” in 2019 at the Korean Association of Film Critics Awards, where actor Jin Seon-kyu also secured the award for “Best Supporting Actor”.
Happy Watching!
The aforementioned films are great examples of non-Hollywood movies to watch, for experienced international film watchers and beginners alike. The storylines, performances, and aspects of production demonstrate incredible skill, and are entertaining in each genre. International cinema surpasses language barriers, allowing anyone from around the world to enjoy the art of other countries. And after watching the movies from this list, check out these summer classics to keep expanding your horizons.
