A Lens into Foreign Films

Foreign films have increasingly found success at the global box office, challenging Hollywood’s dominance and creating a more level playing field. Many foreign films are lauded for their intricate and nonlinear storytelling. This post breaks into what makes a foreign movie a worthwhile watch.

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For increased cultural exposure
Foreign movies provide insight into different cultures, traditions, and ways of life that you might not encounter in mainstream Hollywood productions. They offer a window into the customs, values, and societal issues of other countries, fostering cultural understanding and appreciation. Discussing foreign films with friends and fellow enthusiasts can spar meaningful conversations and foster a sense of community.

To appreciate global cinema
Embracing foreign films allows you to appreciate the rich tapestry of global cinema beyond Hollywood. You can discover masterpieces from directors and hidden gems that might not receive widespread recognition. Many foreign filmmakers push the boundaries of storytelling, cinematography, and narrative structure, offering fresh and innovative approaches to film making. Bollywood for example is widely recognised for its playful musical numbers and emotional storytelling.

To enhance language learning
Watching foreign movies can be a deeply rewarding and intellectually stimulating experience. It exposes you to unfamiliar narratives, characters, and settings, sparking introspection, empathy, and emotional resonance. This can also work as an enjoyable way to improve your language skills, especially if you’re learning a new language. Immerse yourself in authentic dialogue and colloquial expressions can enhance your vocabulary, pronunciation, and comprehension. 

But.. Why a foreign choice over a top-seller?
Foreign films can offer fresh perspectives, artistic innovation, and a global outlook that can enhance your movie-watching experience. Though Hollywood targets more diverse genres, are higher budget and use globally recognised filmmaking techniques, foreign films are more authethic and realistic.

Whether you are drawn to captivating storytelling, unique visuals, or cross-cultural collaborations, exploring foreign cinema can be a rewarding choice.



Resources
(Paper) Globalization and the Rise of Action Movies in Hollywood
Published in the Journal of Cultural Economics, this paper investigates how globalization impacts the dominance of action movies in Hollywood. Studios tailor their products to international consumers’ preferences, resulting in a focus on blockbuster action movies.

(Article) 12 International Movies to Watch This Awards Season
TIME magazine highlights noteworthy international films from 2022 that are poised to make an impression at next year’s awards shows.

(Article) Exploring the key success factors of films: a survival analysis approach
An empirical study analyzing 1,038 movies using sentiment and survival analysis. The study classifies films based on customer comments and characteristics, comparing screening days (a measure of success) across different groups.


Last updated: 12/11/2024

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3 comments:

Heather said...

Netflix has been throwing a lot of foreign movies and series at me recently. I've watched a few, I guess what I like most about them is that I have to focus! No playing on my phone whilst trying to read subtitles!

Olga said...

I love foreign movies, but I don't like to read subtitles. I wish we had more films translated into English because there are many great movies and actors in Europe and Asia.

Anonymous said...

YouTube loves recommending me great foreign films. I love the French films "Amelie" and "the Donkey King" I think that's what it's called, which is from the 70s I believe.