What is the last foreign film you saw? What's next?

Fellow lovers of foreign films, let's talk about the movies we've seen recently and what we thought of them. There are forums in this group for favorite foreign films and for specific films but nothing for what we're watching now so let's get it started.

What's the last foreign film you saw? The Machine Girl, a hoot of a Japanese revengeploitation flick that takes blood splatter to "a whole 'nother level". Most of the film is watched through the blood-stained lens of the movie camera. I haven't laughed so hard at a movie in a long time. Not for everyone, but its a lot of fun.

What's next? Nuit et Brouillard, a Holocaust documentary recommended by Robert R.

Tags: films, foreign, recent, watched

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by staahsha on June 16, 2008 at 7:46pm: I recently watched Louis Malle's Lacombe, Lucien. Even though it is a WWII period piece, it is a great 70's anti-hero film. I loved it even though it was hard to watch. Brutal. Next up are Raise the Red Lantern (missed that one somehow), Bunuel's The Milky Way and Godard's Contempt. I'll let you know how those go!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by HKfilmlover on June 16, 2008 at 9:04pm: Looking forward to reading your thoughts on Raise the Red Lantern. Saw it on HBO many moons ago with my husband (who was not a fan of foreign films) and we both really enjoyed it. I'm adding Lucien to my queue.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by staahsha on June 17, 2008 at 7:22pm: Spoiler Alert! Don't read if you like surprises!

Raise the Red Lantern was gorgeous! The story reminded me of myths and folklore, another kind of Cinderella tale, a cautionary one! Or maybe a type of Bluebeard story! I loved the way it was divided up among the seasons. I did not see second mistress's treachery coming, so that was a surprise. A little criticism: there were a lot of mid to far range master shots that were beautifully composed but not balanced out enough with close ups, imho. Overall, I would recommend this film to people who are interested in historical chinese culture. ;o); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by HKfilmlover on June 18, 2008 at 10:38am: I'm glad you enjoyed it. Gong LI was perfection in this film. I started watching all of her movies after seeing it. I think the 3rd wife has some of the best lines: "She has the face of Buddha and the heart of a scorpion." hehehe
A lot of what makes this film work for me is Zhang Yimou's outstanding directorial style; his use of color against bleak background is especially effective. It's his hypnotic visuals that keep you interested throughout the slow progression of the story. I was mesmerized from beginning to end. All of his films are visually stunning; Red Sorghum may be even more beautiful than Raise the Red Lantern. He does like a good master shot, though.
In your criticism, are you referring to any particular scene?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by staahsha on June 18, 2008 at 7:08pm: no, just an overall impression, but wait, now that I think about it, we never see "The Master's" face, do we? At least not in anything near close up. But I am a french new wave/Wong Kar Wai/Sofia Coppola girl and that might be my bias. I agree with you about his use of color and progress, I am a big fan of movies that progress in a dreamy way. I'm going to add Red Sorghum to my queue. I have heard a lot of devotion towards Gong Li but for some reason, I did not feel riveted by her. Who can say? I know, "face of a Buddha, heart of a scorpion"--great line!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jeldobar on June 19, 2008 at 7:55pm: I just recently watched " Raise the Red Lantern" because of all the sparkling reviews..... I was quite disappointed !!!!! .... It started out with GREAT Promise for me, I was very interested. But as the film moved on it got worse and worse..... I didn't care about any of the characters.... they were all just so flat.. By the end scene ... I was like Oh Well !; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by staahsha on June 19, 2008 at 8:33pm: just a thought...myths and folklore characters do tend to be "stock" and "flat" because they are representing a particular culture's mores and taboos, as opposed to a particular human being. But in the end, I have to agree, I would have liked more close-ups and more character development. This may be a bias of mine though and not an objective criticism of the film.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jeldobar on June 20, 2008 at 12:21am: If someone wants to show repesentations of a particular culture ( if it was the filmakers main point) and such.... give me a Documentary .... But No matter how Beautiful a film is ( i.e. Ingmar Bergman's The Silence) the story has to have something for someone to hold onto.. anyway ... for me it was quite disappointing; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Hirute May on November 28, 2008 at 1:59pm: Can you recommend any Wong Kar Wai? I saw 2046 and In the Mood For Love.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Srujan on November 28, 2008 at 10:22pm: My fav movie next to 'In the Mood for Love' would be 'Days of being Wild' ... and then popular one .. 'Chungking Express' and don't miss 'Fallen Angels'; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by NewfMom on November 29, 2008 at 9:54am: I love both In The Mood For Love and 2046, Days of Being Wild is not that great in my opinion, but it does help paint the whole picture on the trilogy.

Have you seen My Blueberry Nights??? I love that one too, hoping that WKW would make sequels to it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lene on July 6, 2008 at 1:55pm: I love Raise the Red Lantern. My favorite Yimou and the first I saw by him. Been a fan of his ever since.; ▶ Reply to This