Foreign Language Films I Have Seen
by Mimbulus_mimbletonia | created - 14 Sep 2013 | updated - 28 Mar 2020 | PublicHere I will simply list all the foreign language films I've seen, good, bad, and ugly. By foreign language I mean any film where the main language NOT English, or even if it's half and half. I will not list any Indian-language films here (Hindi, Punjabi, Telugu etc) because I have a separate list for that! World cinema is amazing because they have so much flavour and beauty that a lot of English films cannot create. I definitely recommend some, if not all of these films to you! You may see a pattern in the films I choose to watch. Listed in no particular order.
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1. Lemon Tree (2008)
Not Rated | 106 min | Drama, War
The story of a Palestinian widow who must defend her lemontree field when a new Israeli Defense Minister moves next to her and threatens to have her lemon grove torn down.
Director: Eran Riklis | Stars: Hiam Abbass, Rona Lipaz-Michael, Ali Suliman, Doron Tavory
Votes: 6,324 | Gross: $0.57M
Beautifully told and Hiam Abbass is a fantastic actress (I have seen her in quite a few films now!).
2. Paradise Now (2005)
PG-13 | 91 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Two childhood friends are recruited for a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv.
Director: Hany Abu-Assad | Stars: Kais Nashif, Ali Suliman, Lubna Azabal, Hamza Abu-Aiaash
Votes: 22,450 | Gross: $1.45M
3. Divine Intervention (2002)
Not Rated | 92 min | Drama, Romance, War
Separated by a checkpoint, Palestinian lovers from Jerusalem and Ramallah arrange clandestine meetings.
Director: Elia Suleiman | Stars: Elia Suleiman, Manal Khader, George Ibrahim, Amer Daher
Votes: 3,416 | Gross: $0.39M
This unique Israeli/Palestinian film is unreal.
4. Caramel (2007)
PG | 95 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A romantic comedy centered on the daily lives of five Lebanese women living in Beirut.
Director: Nadine Labaki | Stars: Nadine Labaki, Joanna Moukarzel, Gisèle Aouad, Yasmine Al Massri
Votes: 13,063 | Gross: $1.06M
Favourite, gorgeous. The Middle Eastern version of Sex and the City!
5. Where Do We Go Now? (2011)
PG-13 | 110 min | Comedy, Drama
A group of Lebanese women try to ease religious tensions between Christians and Muslims in their village.
Director: Nadine Labaki | Stars: Claude Baz Moussawbaa, Nadine Labaki, Yvonne Maalouf, Layla Hakim
Votes: 11,862 | Gross: $0.53M
6. Saved (2009 TV Movie)
89 min | Drama
The advocate for a young Iranian refugee held in detention. Amir Ali claims to be an Iranian student persecuted by the government but the Department of Immigration dispute his identity. ... See full summary »
Director: Tony Ayres | Stars: Claudia Karvan, Andy Rodoreda, Osamah Sami, Elise McCredie
Votes: 88
Mostly in English but included due to the themes explored (immigration, asylum, love between Australian woman and Iranian man).
7. Peppermint (1999)
105 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
An old classmate's invitation paves the way for a trip down memory lane, as an aerospace engineer still has the taste of love's first kiss in his mouth. But, thirty years since their passion-ridden embrace, so does his dear first cousin.
Director: Costas Kapakas | Stars: Georges Corraface, Ageliki Spiliopoulou, Anny Loulou, Alexandros Mylonas
Votes: 828
8. Randka w ciemno (2010)
95 min | Comedy, Romance
Director: Wojciech Wójcik | Stars: Andrzej Andrzejewski, Tomasz Blazejczyk, Wojciech Brzezinski, Sebastian Chondrokostas
Votes: 326
My first Polish film and hopefully not the last! Great romantic comedy drama.
9. Ringu (1998)
Not Rated | 96 min | Horror, Mystery
A reporter and her ex-husband investigate a cursed video tape that is rumored to kill the viewer seven days after watching it.
Director: Hideo Nakata | Stars: Nanako Matsushima, Miki Nakatani, Yûko Takeuchi, Hitomi Satô
Votes: 64,477
10. In July (2000)
99 min | Adventure, Comedy, Romance
A young, insecure teacher embarks on a journey through Europe to Turkey, where he wants to see a woman again whom he believes to be his fate.
Director: Fatih Akin | Stars: Moritz Bleibtreu, Christiane Paul, Mehmet Kurtulus, Idil Üner
Votes: 21,154
One of my favourites, I adored this film and I've watched it several times now :3
11. Spirited Away (2001)
PG | 125 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
During her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches, and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki | Stars: Daveigh Chase, Suzanne Pleshette, Miyu Irino, Rumi Hiiragi
Votes: 663,725 | Gross: $10.06M
Definitely watch this in the Japanese language with English subs - much better experience!
12. Porco Rosso (1992)
PG | 94 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
In 1930s Italy, a veteran World War I pilot is cursed to look like an anthropomorphic pig.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki | Stars: Shûichirô Moriyama, Tokiko Katô, Bunshi Katsura Vi, Tsunehiko Kamijô
Votes: 79,505
13. Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
G | 103 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama
A young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki | Stars: Kirsten Dunst, Minami Takayama, Rei Sakuma, Kappei Yamaguchi
Votes: 126,878
14. The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
G | 94 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
The Clock family are four-inch-tall people who live anonymously in another family's residence, borrowing simple items to make their home. Life changes for the Clocks when their teenage daughter, Arrietty, is discovered.
Director: Hiromasa Yonebayashi | Stars: Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, Mirai Shida, Ryûnosuke Kamiki
Votes: 82,518 | Gross: $19.20M
15. Amreeka (2009)
PG-13 | 96 min | Drama
A drama centered on the trials and tribulations of a proud Palestinian Christian immigrant single mother and her teenage son in small town Indiana.
Director: Cherien Dabis | Stars: Nisreen Faour, Melkar Muallem, Hiam Abbass, Alia Shawkat
Votes: 3,434 | Gross: $0.62M
I must admit, I was disappointed in this film. I bought it for Hiam Abbass, but I've only watched it once. This is one of those cases where buying a DVD on a whim can burn you!! But hey, at least I supported the film I guess... :)
16. The Visitor (I) (2007)
PG-13 | 104 min | Drama
A college professor travels to New York City to attend a conference and finds a young couple living in his apartment.
Director: Tom McCarthy | Stars: Richard Jenkins, Haaz Sleiman, Danai Gurira, Hiam Abbass
Votes: 41,699 | Gross: $9.42M
This film probably has more English in it, but I included it because of its themes as well. Another amazing film!
17. Red Satin (2002)
100 min | Drama, Musical, Romance
After the death of her husband, Lilia's life revolves solely around her teenage daughter, Salma. Whilst looking for Salma late one night, Lilia stumbles upon a belly dance cabaret and ... See full summary »
Director: Raja Amari | Stars: Hiam Abbass, Hend El Fahem, Maher Kamoun, Monia Hichri
Votes: 821 | Gross: $0.23M
Hiam, you are stunning! This was a great little Tunisian film.
18. Persepolis (2007)
PG-13 | 96 min | Animation, Biography, Drama
A precocious and outspoken Iranian girl grows up during the Islamic Revolution.
Directors: Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi | Stars: Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Gena Rowlands, Danielle Darrieux
Votes: 89,419 | Gross: $4.45M
19. Strangers (II) (2007)
Not Rated | 80 min | Drama, Romance
Six days in the lives of an Israeli living in a kibbutz and a Palestinian living in Paris, which starts with an accidental meeting in the Berlin Subway during the World cup finals, will change them completely.
Directors: Guy Nattiv, Erez Tadmor | Stars: Liron Levo, Lubna Azabal, Abdallah El Akal, Birol Ünel
Votes: 456
Real and poignant, a must watch.
20. Amélie (2001)
R | 122 min | Comedy, Romance
Amélie is an innocent and naive girl in Paris with her own sense of justice. She decides to help those around her and, along the way, discovers love.
Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet | Stars: Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz, Rufus, Lorella Cravotta
Votes: 710,094 | Gross: $33.23M
If you're new to foreign language cinema, I recommend this as a starting point. You can't go wrong!
21. A Very Long Engagement (2004)
R | 133 min | Drama, Mystery, Romance
Tells the story of a young woman's relentless search for her fiancé, who has disappeared from the trenches of the Somme during World War One.
Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet | Stars: Audrey Tautou, Gaspard Ulliel, Jodie Foster, Dominique Pinon
Votes: 71,238 | Gross: $6.17M
22. Baran (2001)
PG | 94 min | Drama, Romance
In a building site in present-day Tehran, Lateef, a 17-year-old Turkish worker is irresistibly drawn to Rahmat, a young Afghan worker. The revelation of Rahmat's secret changes both their lives.
Director: Majid Majidi | Stars: Hossein Abedini, Zahra Bahrami, Mohammad Amir Naji, Hossein Mahjoub
Votes: 7,927 | Gross: $0.13M
The ending... I cried! (not telling if they were happy or sad tears though ;))
23. Hilde (2009)
137 min | Biography, Drama, Music
A biography of Hildegard Knef, one of Germany's biggest post-war stars.
Director: Kai Wessel | Stars: Heike Makatsch, Dan Stevens, Monica Bleibtreu, Hanns Zischler
Votes: 716
STUNNING. Dan Stevens was rather amazing in it too (he speaks German! HOT!) haha...
24. Bliss (2007)
105 min | Drama
When an unmarried teenage girl is believed by her family to have given up her virginity, she is ordered to be killed out of shame. But before her relative is able to complete the task, the two encounter a college professor.
Director: Abdullah Oguz | Stars: Talat Bulut, Özgü Namal, Murat Han, Mustafa Avkiran
Votes: 7,465 | Gross: $0.04M
25. Y Tu Mamá También (2001)
R | 106 min | Drama
In Mexico, two teenage boys and an attractive older woman embark on a road trip and learn a thing or two about life, friendship, sex, and each other.
Director: Alfonso Cuarón | Stars: Maribel Verdú, Gael García Bernal, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Ana López Mercado
Votes: 116,782 | Gross: $13.62M
Better known as 'Y tu mama tambien'. Very interesting film with a surprise twist.
26. The Science of Sleep (2006)
R | 105 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
A man entranced by his dreams and imagination is love-struck with a French woman and feels he can show her his world.
Director: Michel Gondry | Stars: Gael García Bernal, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Miou-Miou, Alain Chabat
Votes: 67,827 | Gross: $4.66M
The French are just plain weird!
27. Only God Knows (2006)
115 min | Drama, Mystery, Romance
On a lark in Tijuana, a carefree Brazilian art student crosses paths with a brooding Mexican journalist, sparking a cascade of events across both Mexico and Brazil. As Dolores and Damián discover an intimate love and a mysterious spiritual heritage, they struggle with ever more costly choices.
Director: Carlos Bolado | Stars: Diego Luna, Alice Braga, Damián Alcázar, Maria Alves
Votes: 797
Also called 'Sólo Dios Sabe'. First half good, second half quite strange.
28. Love Songs (2007)
Unrated | 91 min | Drama, Musical, Romance
Ismael and Julie enter a playful yet emotionally laced threesome with Alice. When tragedy strikes, these young Parisians are forced to deal with the fragility of life and love.
Director: Christophe Honoré | Stars: Ludivine Sagnier, Louis Garrel, Clotilde Hesme, Chiara Mastroianni
Votes: 9,165 | Gross: $0.10M
29. The Grocer's Son (2007)
Not Rated | 96 min | Drama
Antoine moves home to help his mom drive the mobile grocery, when his dad's hospitalized. He brings Claire along, hoping she'll become more than a friend. He drives around Provence's countryside, selling mainly to old people.
Director: Eric Guirado | Stars: Nicolas Cazalé, Clotilde Hesme, Daniel Duval, Jeanne Goupil
Votes: 2,393 | Gross: $0.28M
Eye candy 8D Film was a little slow, but I liked the realisticness of the setting, themes and characters.
30. The Kite Runner (2007)
PG-13 | 128 min | Drama
After spending years in California, Amir returns to his homeland in Afghanistan to help his old friend Hassan, whose son is in trouble.
Director: Marc Forster | Stars: Khalid Abdalla, Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada, Atossa Leoni, Shaun Toub
Votes: 77,652 | Gross: $15.80M
Loved the book, and by extension loved the film despite some changes.
31. The Syrian Bride (2004)
97 min | Comedy, Drama
In Majdal Shams, the largest Druze village in Golan Heights on the Israeli-Syrian border, the Druze bride Mona is engaged to get married with Tallel, a television comedian that works in the... See full summary »
Director: Eran Riklis | Stars: Hiam Abbass, Makram Khoury, Clara Khoury, Ashraf Barhom
Votes: 3,262 | Gross: $0.38M
The Golan Heights - what a fascinating situation... rather sad though, too. Great film!
32. The Kite (2003)
Not Rated | 80 min | Drama
A young 15 year old girl, Lamia, lives in a southern Lebanese village on the border with Israel. She is given in marriage to her cousin on the other side of the border. As Lamia crosses the... See full summary »
Director: Randa Chahal Sabag | Stars: Flavia Bechara, Maher Bsaibes, Randa Asmar, Renée Dick
Votes: 666
The imagery in this film was gorgeous.
33. Samson and Delilah (2009)
Not Rated | 101 min | Drama, Romance
A glue-sniffing boy and his girlfriend escape the government-controlled no-hope Aboriginal community they live in and go to the city, Alice Springs, looking for a better life.
Director: Warwick Thornton | Stars: Rowan McNamara, Marissa Gibson, Mitjili Napanangka Gibson, Scott Thornton
Votes: 3,250
This is an Australian film but I've included it because it has a significant portion spoken in Aboriginal languages.
34. Falafel (2006)
83 min | Drama
Everything bad that can happen on the way to a party happens to young Tou on this nighttime trip though Beirut.
Director: Michel Kammoun | Stars: Elie Mitri, Gabrielle Bou Rached, Issam Bou Khaled, Michel Hourani
Votes: 169
35. The Great Journey (2004)
Not Rated | 108 min | Drama, Romance
Reda, a young French-Moroccan guy and his old father drive from the south of France to Mecca in order for the father to do his pilgrimage. At first distant, they gradually learn to know each other.
Director: Ismaël Ferroukhi | Stars: Nicolas Cazalé, Mohamed Majd, Jacky Nercessian, Ghina Ognianova
Votes: 2,368
One way to describe this film? A journey.
36. Forbidden Lie$ (2007)
Not Rated | 104 min | Documentary, Drama
A dramatized documentary investigating accusations that "Forbidden Love" author Norma Khouri made up her biographical tale of a Muslim friend who was killed for dating a Christian.
Director: Anna Broinowski | Stars: Norma Khouri, Malcolm Knox, Rana Husseini, Caroline Overington
Votes: 588
Included for themes explored.
37. Shades of Ray (2008)
Not Rated | 86 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Ray's half Pakistani and half white. When his parents' marriage dissolves, Ray's perspective of Ms. Right falls deeply into question.
Director: Jaffar Mahmood | Stars: Zachary Levi, Fran Kranz, Sarah Shahi, Bonnie Somerville
Votes: 1,333
Again, included for themes explored despite most of film being spoken in English.
38. Arranged (2007)
Not Rated | 90 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
ARRANGED centers on the friendship between an Orthodox Jewish woman and a Muslim woman who meet as first-year teachers at a public school in Brooklyn. Over the course of the year they learn... See full summary »
Directors: Diane Crespo, Stefan C. Schaefer | Stars: Zoe Lister-Jones, Francis Benhamou, Mimi Lieber, John Rothman
Votes: 2,839 | Gross: $0.02M
I adored this movie! Both lead actresses were so natural.
39. Adam's Wall (2008)
Drama
Adam, a Jewish teenager and Yasmine, a young Lebanese girl, fall in love. Their relationship is overshadowed by the ongoing feud between their families, but also by the raging conflict in ... See full summary »
Director: Michael MacKenzie | Stars: Jesse Aaron Dwyre, Flavia Bechara, Paul Ahmarani, Maxim Roy
Votes: 90
40. La petite Jérusalem (2005)
Not Rated | 96 min | Drama
A beautiful Jewish young woman still living with her orthodox family in a Parisian suburb, falls in love with a Muslim co-worker.
Director: Karin Albou | Stars: Fanny Valette, Elsa Zylberstein, Bruno Todeschini, Hédi Tillette de Clermont-Tonerre
Votes: 835 | Gross: $0.05M
41. My Only Ü (2008)
TV-PG | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Winona, a sassy and spunky girl is just diagnosed with lupus, Bong, a guy who secretly loves her, will do everything for her to live to the fullest before she expires.
Director: Cathy Garcia-Molina | Stars: Vhong Navarro, Toni Gonzaga, John Lloyd Cruz, Janus del Prado
Votes: 125
My first Korean film! It was cute :)
42. Machuca (2004)
Not Rated | 121 min | Biography, Drama, History
Two 12-year-old Chilean children from different social classes become friends in 1973. They both discover each other's world as political tensions in their country increase.
Director: Andrés Wood | Stars: Matías Quer, Ariel Mateluna, Manuela Martelli, Aline Küppenheim
Votes: 11,040
43. Ajami (2009)
Not Rated | 124 min | Crime, Drama
Ajami is the religiously mixed community of Muslims and Christians in Tel Aviv. These are five stories about the everyday life in Ajami.
Directors: Scandar Copti, Yaron Shani | Stars: Fouad Habash, Nisrin Siksik, Elias Saba, Youssef Sahwani
Votes: 5,996 | Gross: $0.62M
44. I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK (2006)
Not Rated | 107 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A girl who thinks she is a combat cyborg checks into a mental hospital, where she encounters other psychotics. Eventually, she falls for a man who thinks he can steal people's souls.
Director: Chan-wook Park | Stars: Lim Soo-jung, Rain, Kim Byeong-Ok, Seong-hun Cheon
Votes: 23,013
SO WEIRD! I can't remember if I liked it or not!
45. Lucky Miles (2007)
Not Rated | 105 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama