The Best Foreign Films of 2009
The Pick of the Top New Foreign Language Movies and DVDs
Jul 24, 2009
A guide to the best Foreign films of 2009. All films have a UK/USA release date in 2009, or in some cases, where no cinema distribution was made available, a 2009 dvd release date.
2009 Foreign Film Oscar Winner
Departures was the surprise winner of the 2009 Foreign Film Oscar. This compelling Japanese film about a unemployed musician who takes on work as a 'Nokanshi', preparing the bodies of the deceased for burial, and unexpectedly excels at it, received a very limited release in the USA. Despite winning the Oscar, still ostensibly the highest accolade for any film, no UK release is scheduled. Film festival screenings are the only chance to see director Yojiro Takita's film on the big screen, otherwise it's going to have to be on dvd.
The Other Oscar Foreign Film Nominations
The following foreign films all made it onto Oscar's shortlist, which is always a good indicator of quality.
- The Baader Meinhof Complex (Germany) directed by Uli Edel
- The Class (France) directed by Laurent Cantet
- Waltz With Bashir (Israel) directed by Ari Folman
- Revanche (Austria) directed by Gotz Spielman
Great Foreign Films that Didn't Make the Final Oscars Shortlist
Over 60 films were originally submitted for the Oscars foreign film category. A few of these are now popping up in screenings at film festivals and at art house cinemas. Particularly notable is Turkey's entry Three Monkeys, diected by Nuri Bilge Ceylan. A heart-breaking family drama, with stunningly beautiful cinematography. Sweden's entry Everlasting Moments is also building a reputation as one to watch. This moving period drama tells the tale of a young woman who wins a camera, empowering her to look at the world afresh.
Best British Films of 2009
Britain has produced several outstanding films this year. Although they are not subtitled, the films are a world away from Hollywood and deserve seeking out on merit.
- The Damned United, directed by Tom Hooper
- Moon, directed by Duncan Jones
- Looking For Eric, directed by Ken Loach
- Bronson, directed by Nicholas Winding Refn
- Telstar, directed by Nick Moran
Best Mexican Films of 2009
Mexico has also delivered a number of excellent films this year, many of which are deserved of wider distribution.
- Tear This Heart Out, directed by Roberto Sneider
- Rudi y Cursi, directed by Carlos Cuaron
- Lake Tahoe, directed by Fernando Eimbcke
Other Great Foreign Films to Look Out For in 2009
Sweden's new twist on the vampire genre Let The Right One In has been grabbing headlines for all the right reasons. Italy's Il Divo is an absorbing drama about the real life, seven times elected prime minister Giulio Andreotti, and France's Mesrine: Killer Instinct is a gallic riff on Dillenger starring France's golden boy Vincent Cassell. Also worth looking out for, Pedro Almodavar reunites with his muse Penelope Cruz in Spain's Broken Embraces, and directors Joon-ho Bong, Leos Carax and Michel Gondry unite for a cinematic triptych of stories in Tokyo! Finally, French actress du jour Audrey Tautou returns to the big screen in the eagerly anticipated Coco Chanel biopic Coco Before Chanel, which is definitely worth a look.
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