Quick Shout Out to Some Foreign Films

Wait, so America isn't the only place where movies are made?

Yes it is true. Last week's reviewing of the Irish film "Once" made me want to throw some quick mentions to some great foriegn movies I've seen recently...

Persepolis(2007/France)- A French film based off of the award winning biographical graphic novels of Marjane Satripi. Tells the emotional coming of age story of a young girl growing up in Iran during the revolution of the 1970's. Depicts the desecent into theocracy and the warfare that Iran is known for today. Artisically stunning, great characters, and will leave you with a far better understanding of the Middle East (Yes, they are normal people who have had to live under horrendous governments over the last several decades). Grade: A-

Good Bye, Lenin!(2004/Germany)- This movie tells of the great culture clash that occurs after the re-unification of Germany through a somewhat comedic styling. A young man's mother goes into a coma during the era of socialist Germany, but wakes up after 1989. If she is told any shocking news, she might die. So, the plot is created that she must be made to believe that she is still living in East Germany when the country is anything but. There is also a more intense story about the seperation of the family and the difference of ideals between the divided country going on as well. Overall, another fantastic film and will garner a new found appreciation for the difficulties that Germans have had to go through since WWII. Grade: B+-

The Lives of Others (2006/Germany)- Yet another movie based around German reunification era, but who can blame the filmmakers, this is perhaps the most fascinating time of an entire generation. This is a much more serious film that revolves around an East German intelligence officer who is sent to spy on a potentially anti-socialist party actress/playwright couple. It is purposefully slow at points, as it truly allows the viewer to see as the viewpoints of the spy change as he realizes how much of his humanity he is losing in this communist country. The spy, without the couple's knowledge, becomes very emotionally connected to their lives and begins to see all the faults in the corrupt ridden intelligence minister who is his superior. Fantastic acting and a poignant storyline really lift this drama up into the peaks of storytelling. Grade: A-

Pan's Labyrinth (2006/Spain)- Guillermo del Toro is an excellent director with a flair for fantasy that exceeds many of his contemporaries. A fairy tale that is anything but cheery takes place during the equally gruesome time of the Spanish Civil War. Ofeila lives in a Facist military camp, but soon discovers a imaginary world in which she must confront her greatest fears to complete three tasks. As her Facist uncle begins to get even more violent, so does the enemies that Ofeila must face. This is dark fantasy at its best and has one of the greatest/most original art designs ever seen in modern film. While it wasn't perfect, it was certainly one of the more exciting films of the year. Grade: B+

Some Other Foriegn films that are on my to-see list: A Christmas Tale (France), Slumdog Millinoaire (India), Run Lola Run (Germany), and the Counterfieters (Germany).