By Camila Nakamura
For many, foreign movies, or productions from outside the Hollywood circuit, are stereotyped as being too complex, difficult to understand, and even dragging and boring.
So, to guide you in this journey through this wonderful universe of international movies, here is a list with some of them, from different genres, that break stereotypes and that I consider easy watches.
- Parasite, 2019, South Korea
Parasite was the first film with a non-English script to win the Best Picture Award at the Academy Awards. It was groundbreaking, and its presence as the award winner attracted a lot of attention to foreign-language films.
It tells the story of a poor family whose members pose as qualified and skilled workers in order to be employed by another wealthier family, until they make an unexpected, and somewhat gruesome discovery at their workplace. It is a great drama with a bit of suspense that includes a very interesting critique of inequality and discussion about class.
- Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, 1998, Spain
Don’t feel discouraged by the long title! This is a relatively short comedy set in Madrid, that portrays a very chaotic day in the life of Pepa (played by Carmen Maura) after being left by her lover. This event is a catalyst that leads to a series of absurd situations for Pepa and her acquaintances (one of them played by Antonio Banderas) throughout the day. From an incident with a sleeping-pill-laced gazpacho (a typical Spanish and Portuguese soup) to an attempt to stop terrorist action, this is a perfect one for those looking to have a good laugh while appreciating a witty script with stunning visuals, and amazing direction by one of Spain’s most successful directors, Pedro Almodóvar.
- City of God, 2002, Brazil and France
City of God is probably the densest movie in this list, not because it is hard or challenging to follow, but because of its themes: it is the story of Buscapé, an aspiring photographer who grew up in the Rio de Janeiro favelas (slums), surrounded by violence, drug deals, and a gang culture. The movie has a fast-paced, innovative storytelling structure that makes the story even more captivating, thanks to the ingenious direction of Fernando Meirelles. While City of God has its violent and brutal moments, in the end, it is a moving story about the tough life in the favelas.
- Eat Drink Man Woman, 1994, Taiwan
This Ang Lee film tells the story of three sisters and their father, a semi-retired cook. The movie has a simple premise: it explores the lives of the sisters as they experience adulthood, showcasing their ambitions, challenges, and romantic and familial relationships. Also, it is worth mentioning that food plays a central role in the story, so as a bonus, the movie includes beautiful cooking scenes, carefully crafted to be as pleasing to the eye as humanly possible. This is a light-hearted hidden gem (that I would even classify as a romcom) for all of those who love stories with well-written female characters.
- Cinema Paradiso, 1988, Italy and France
This is a classic, and if you are friends with someone who loves movies, they have probably already recommended this one to you. If not, then let me introduce it. Set in Italy, the plot revolves around Totò, a young boy falling in love with the movies, and eventually becoming a filmmaker, while developing a beautiful friendship with the local theatre’s projectionist. Not only is it one of those “love letters to cinema” movies, but I consider it The Love Letter To Cinema. Moreover, it has one of the most charming soundtracks of all time, thanks to Ennio Morricone’s virtuous work. If you love movies or want to fall deeper in love with them while reflecting on your relationship with cinema, this is definitely for you.