There is such a goldmine of exceptional talent and art hidden away from the Hollywood eye, here are 10 of the best international films which probably have not popped up on your radar. Enjoy!
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The Siege Of Jadotville
- 2016 Movie
- 4.1/5
The Siege of Jadotville tells the unbelievable and inspiring true story of an Irish infantry company sent to Katanga on a peacekeeping mission by the UN. After the UN slaughters 20 unarmed men in a horribly planned and executed mission, the Katangese military, along with some highly skilled and well equipped hired mercenaries lay siege to the Irish soldiers stuck at Jadotville. Despite the Irish company's request for help from the UN they are left to fend for themselves as they are attacked over and over and over again. After heroic defensive fighting the Irish are finally taken as prisoners, abandoned by the UN.
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Shoplifters
- 2018 Movie
- 4.6/5
Shoplifters follow an unconventional group, mostly unrelated, as they form a bond and become a family by enduring their hardships together. They are all good people, but they shoplift to get by, and as drama unfolds when they get into trouble with the law their bonds are tested. This understated movie gets to the essence of emotion in a more discreet manner than most, but it gets there. The Guardian ranked Shoplifters as the 15th best movie of the 21st century.
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Head On
- 1998 Movie
- 3.9/5
Head On is a brutal, raw, honest look at sex. The Australian movie shocked many viewers, but received praised for its unapologetic direct approach to a taboo subject matter. It follows a 19 year old boy, Ari (Alex Dimitriades) over a 24 hour period, as he addresses his sexuality, his family, his heritage and his lifestyle. Director Ana Kokkinos won the award for best first feature at the San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival.
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The Intouchables
- 2011 Movie
- 4.5/5
The Intouchables is currently the biggest film ever to come out of France, it was released in English as The Untouchables for those who don't enjoy subtitles. It tells a heartwarming story of friendship between two unexpected characters. The good hearted, yet troubled caretaker Driss (Omar Sy) and the heartbroken but wealthy paraplegic Phillippe (François Cluzet) help each other improve on their shortcoming through a series of hilarious and tear jerking misadventures. This is a very funny, very sweet movie.
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Tango
- 1998 Movie
Tango tells a romantic story as fiery and passionate as only the Spanish can. The plot might be the run-of-the-mill love story, but there is an unmistakable added flair which sets Tango apart from the rest. Apart from the breathtaking dancing and intense romance, Tango also ends with a psychological twist that will leave viewers left in awe, trying to come to terms with what has just occurred.
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No Man's Land
- 2001 Movie
- 5/5
No Man's Land plays off during the Bosnian war. It tells the gritty, unsettling story of life on the front lines, and the dark politics that is always present during times of war. Three soldiers, two Bosniacs and one Bosnian Serb get caught between their respective lines. The United Nations Protection Force is called to rescue the men, but here it becomes apparent that political gain is more important than human life. No Man's Land won the 2011 Oscar for best foreign language film.
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The Class
- 2008 Movie
- 4/5
The Class tells the true tale of a teacher and his 25 students in a school in a middle-class district of Paris, inhabited mostly by foreigners. It shows the struggling teacher trying to get through to the students, who are mostly problematic. The Class reminds us of how cruel children can be, but it also illustrates the magic of getting through to a child, perhaps shaping him/her for the better. It really highlights the humanness of both teachers and students.
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Tsotsi
- 2005 Movie
- 4.4/5
Tsotsi shot to fame when it won the 2005 Academy award for best foreign language film, but is still widely overlooked. It tells the story of a young South African gangster, molded by circumstances, and his path to revelation through the lessons learnt by living a hard life. It sketches a harrowing authentic depiction of crime in South Africa, while also bringing to light the humanity of those involved.
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The Broken Circle Breakdown
- 2012 Movie
- 3.9/5
This 2012 Belgian movie takes the viewer on a journey through the unexplored world of Bluegrass music in Belgium. Romance, trauma, heartbreak, loss and the endless struggle of recovery makes this drama cut deep. It centers around the lives of a bluegrass loving couple, Didier (Johan Heldenbergh) and Elise (Veerle Baetens) as they endure the highs and the lows that life throws at them, climaxing with the death of their 7 year old daughter. This movie splendidly relates to the all too real emotions of life and will leave viewers feeling everything along with the characters. A cool fact about The Broken Circle Breakdown is that all the music in the band scenes are played by the actors themselves, and music by The Broken Circle Breakdown Bluegrass Band as depicted in the movie is available on all major streaming platforms.
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Four Corners
- 2013 Movie
- 5/5
This high paced thriller deserves much, much better recognition than it has received thus far. Released in 2013 the film brings gang violence in South Africa to screen like no other. It tells the beautiful, nerve racking story of a young Ricardo (Jezriel Skei) who grows up with his grandmother in the Cape Flats (one of the most dangerous places in South Africa, overrun by gangsters) and tries to avoid gang activity by focusing on chess, which he has a talent for. While showing the horrid violence of gangsters in South Africa, including all the symbolism and gang laws it also brings to light the humanity and brotherhood of the residents of the area.
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