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chasmmi

The Top Foreign Film List is Go...

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55th The Seventh Seal (Sweden) 6 Votes: 128 Points

2020 Position: 33rd

 

pALkCl.png 

 

Looks a bit like Don Quixote

 

 

So... Monty Python meets Bill and Ted but without the comedy?

 

I get that this guy's films are revered close to a level to possibly label him a Scandinavian Kurosawa (not necessarily film styles, just in how they are viewed), Sadly, I am a bumbling neanderthal that struggles to appreciate the glory of black and white filmmaking.   

A bit of a drop compared to the last time out as Sweden potentially fires out its final big gun in its quest for being best of the rest after the big four (Well, Big three...then Korea... then the rest) 

 

The real list we all care about:

 

10 - India

10 - Japan

7 - France

4 - South Korea 

3 - Italy

 

 

3 - Sweden

2 - Germany

2 - Hong Kong

1 - Poland 

1 - Russia (includes USSR) 

 

1 - China

1 - Mexico

1 - Denmark

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 54th Le Samurai (France) 7 Votes: 129 Points

2020 Position: 609th

 

pAmPu1.png 

 

That isn't super far away from the actual poster...

 

 

Is he like a French proto-Matthew Broderick?

 

In my heart, that isn't just the French for Samurai, but is a play on words and the story is about a Samurai looking for love. I may be daring to dream a little too much there though. 

 

Well, that is a big increase. From outside the top 600 to almost top 50. Is this a sign that some other big surprises are in store? What it does mean is that France is now clearly closer to India and Japan than it is to Korea.

 

The real list we all care about:

 

10 - India

10 - Japan

8 - France

4 - South Korea 

3 - Italy

 

 

3 - Sweden

2 - Germany

2 - Hong Kong

1 - Poland 

1 - Russia (includes USSR) 

 

1 - China

1 - Mexico

1 - Denmark

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 53rd A Separation (Iran) 5 Votes: 131 Points

2020 Position: 5th

 

pRJG7R.png 

 

The story of a man and his single sheet of car roofing?

 

 

It feels like this film may still be as relevant today as it was 10 years ago. 

 

Iran does seem to pop up with a universally revered film every few years doesn't it? This one was a huge underdog story last year as it rose up into the top 5. It is a shame to see it crashing back down to outside the top 50 on this occasion. Maybe next time around, it shall rise up again?

 

The real list we all care about:

 

10 - India

10 - Japan

8 - France

4 - South Korea 

3 - Italy

 

 

3 - Sweden

2 - Germany

2 - Hong Kong

1 - Poland 

1 - Russia (includes USSR) 

 

1 - China

1 - Mexico

1 - Denmark

1 - Iran

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 52nd Kiki's Delivery Service (Japan) 6 Votes: 131 Points

2020 Position: 71st

 

pRoVWv.png 

 

If Ghibli made a movie of Edith Finch...

 

 

Another of the Ghibli films near the top of my... 'next time' list.

 

This is about a witch delivering cake right? Either way it is a Ghibli film and is going to get the smiley, saddies, angries, or Winonies as one's predisposition to Ghibli on this list permits. 

 

A decent increase also to continue Ghibli's impending and seemingly unavoidable dominance of the top half of this list. (I have fingers crossed for Only Yesterday making it in, and perhaps Arrietty too.

 

The real list we all care about:

 

11 - Japan

10 - India

8 - France

4 - South Korea 

3 - Italy

 

 

3 - Sweden

2 - Germany

2 - Hong Kong

1 - Poland 

1 - Russia (includes USSR) 

 

1 - China

1 - Mexico

1 - Denmark

1 - Iran

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 51st Godzilla (Japan) 6 Votes: 132 Points

2020 Position: 167th

 

pRYuvR.png

 

Okay, that one is pretty good. 

 

 

it's a classic. You cannot argue with that. 

 

But then so is Pacman in video games and Star Wars in the USA, and those are rubbish, so maybe this is too? The most famous man in suit destroys cardboard city series began here and it ends the first half of this list.

 

Rising over 100 places, this is likely going to be a divisive choice. It also gives Japan daylight again. 

 

The real list we all care about:

 

12 - Japan

10 - India

8 - France

4 - South Korea 

3 - Italy

 

 

3 - Sweden

2 - Germany

2 - Hong Kong

1 - Poland 

1 - Russia (includes USSR) 

 

1 - China

1 - Mexico

1 - Denmark

1 - Iran

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2 hours ago, chasmmi said:

 53rd A Separation (Iran) 5 Votes: 131 Points

2020 Position: 5th

 

pRJG7R.png 

 

The story of a man and his single sheet of car roofing?

 

 

It feels like this film may still be as relevant today as it was 10 years ago. 

 

Iran does seem to pop up with a universally revered film every few years doesn't it? This one was a huge underdog story last year as it rose up into the top 5. It is a shame to see it crashing back down to outside the top 50 on this occasion. Maybe next time around, it shall rise up again?

 

The real list we all care about:

 

10 - India

10 - Japan

8 - France

4 - South Korea 

3 - Italy

 

 

3 - Sweden

2 - Germany

2 - Hong Kong

1 - Poland 

1 - Russia (includes USSR) 

 

1 - China

1 - Mexico

1 - Denmark

1 - Iran

Terrible change, the previous list got this one right.

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50th Roma (Mexico) 5 Votes: 134 Points

2020 Position: 39th

 

yxdoDQ.png  

 

I can see why they went black and white...

 

 

I remember when this was going to be the best foreign language film ever made. Turns out it was out by 49.

 

I could never get past the fact that this was not set in Italy. But... it's called Roma. Me no understand. 

 

Small drop from the first list when it was still a fresh film in the minds of many then. Puts Mexico into the 2 film tier now and maybe there are more to come?

 

The real list we all care about:

 

10 - India

10 - Japan

8 - France

4 - South Korea 

3 - Italy

 

 

3 - Sweden

2 - Germany

2 - Hong Kong

2 - Mexico

1 - Poland 

 

1 - Russia (includes USSR) 

1 - China

1 - Denmark

  • Like 8
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49th Howl's Moving Castle (Japan) 6 Votes: 135 Points

2020 Position: 109th

 

yx3W9s.png 

 

Unless that poster is a bucket of raw sewage, it's not accurate.

 

 

The above video is clearly a tongue in cheek parody. If it was real, it would just be a full cut of the film start to finish. 

 

(*Hyperbole and idiotic rhetoric added for effect) The second worst thing Ghibli ever did and an afront to what is a very charming original novel. This is so bad it made me hate Wales, wizards, women, and hats. There is nothing redeeming here, be it the evil contained fire demon who is about as demony as a unicorn fart, or the inner turmoil of poor Sophie who experiences...hanging out with a hot guy for a bit. Why are people able to be this wrong? 

 

Folks were a bit less wrong last time as it was 109th that time out, but this time, folks are beginning to get worryingly wrong with this. 

 

The real list we all care about:

 

11 - Japan

10 - India

8 - France

4 - South Korea 

3 - Italy

 

 

3 - Sweden

2 - Germany

2 - Hong Kong

2 - Mexico

1 - Poland 

 

1 - Russia (includes USSR) 

1 - China

1 - Denmark

  • Like 5
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  • Haha 2
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48th Whisper of the Heart (Japan) 6 Votes: 135 Points

2020 Position: 169th

 

yxKWQ4.png

 

The story of two children reading a book together...

 

 

 

I wonder if that cat will ever come back for an encore?

 

Now this, this is a Ghibli film that I can confidently declare is ...fine. it's very fine. Some people really love this film, but for me it was vastly overshadowed by Only YEsterday that I watched in the same weekend. Still not averse to seeing it on the list though. 

 

A huge just here of over 100 places. I don't think this is so much a Japan wave this time out, but a Ghibli wave. 

 

The real list we all care about:

 

12 - Japan

10 - India

8 - France

4 - South Korea 

3 - Italy

 

 

3 - Sweden

2 - Germany

2 - Hong Kong

2 - Mexico

1 - Poland 

 

1 - Russia (includes USSR) 

1 - China

1 - Denmark

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47th Throne of Blood (Japan) 6 Votes: 135 Points

2020 Position: 119th

 

yxfOVR.png

 

Wait, there are Jedi in this?

 

 

A lesser known angry bearded samurai film.

 

Not gonna lie, I was expecting this to be anime from the title. Turns out it is Kurosawa. The Miyazaki of Live action, black and white, Japanese cinema. It may be one that is under some people's radars though, so treat this as a recommendation. 

 

A third film in a row to jump from outside the top 100. Japan looking like it is about to blow the field away now. 

 

The real list we all care about:

 

13 - Japan

10 - India

8 - France

4 - South Korea 

3 - Italy

 

 

3 - Sweden

2 - Germany

2 - Hong Kong

2 - Mexico

1 - Poland 

 

1 - Russia (includes USSR) 

1 - China

1 - Denmark

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46th The Worst Person in the World (Norway) 6 Votes: 135 Points

2020 Position: Not Eligible

 

yxoYGf.png

 

Joan of Arc?

 

 

A dollar says that the protagonist actually isn't that bad.

 

Okay, dinner just arrived so I need to be quick. This is new, it's Norwegian, it probably better than that awful tidal wave film. That is all. 

 

A new entry for both the film and the country. What a refreshing change. 

 

The real list we all care about:

 

13 - Japan

10 - India

8 - France

4 - South Korea 

3 - Italy

 

 

3 - Sweden

2 - Germany

2 - Hong Kong

2 - Mexico

1 - Poland 

 

1 - Russia (includes USSR) 

1 - China

1 - Denmark

1 - Norway

  • Like 8
  • Astonished 1
  • ...wtf 1
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45th The 400 Blows (France) 6 Votes: 144 Points

2020 Position: 24th

 

ywZ42I.png

 

Despite the title, this is not an adult movie.

 

 

Ah, it's also not a boxing film. 

 

 It feels like this should have been given the title of film number 46. This child is just a bad child and I do not wish to know their story. Proof positive that all kids are the worst. (Please do not look up my profession)

 

Another European film suffering a pretty substantial drop as this goes from 24th to 45th. That is pretty big as we get to this stage on the list and one can only wonder which Ghibli film has taken its place. 

 

The real list we all care about:

 

13 - Japan

10 - India

9 - France

4 - South Korea 

3 - Italy

 

 

3 - Sweden

2 - Germany

2 - Hong Kong

2 - Mexico

1 - Poland 

 

1 - Russia (includes USSR) 

1 - China

1 - Denmark

1 - Norway

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44th Tokyo Story (Japan) 4 Votes: 146 Points

2020 Position: 111th

 

https://freeimage.host/i/ywZ42Ihttps://freeimage.host/i/yNJnmN

 

I suppose the people in that picture are not getting much attention

 

 

Wait where are the angry samurai and ominous music?

 

Another film from the vault of films I neither have nor will see, so frankly I could start talking about the airborne velocity of various winged creatures and it would have as much relevance. But that is not why we are here. This film has made the list as a Japan representative fighting against the hoards of Ghibli and Kurosawa affairs and as such strongly suggests that if this film is in the genre area that you personally enjoy, this could be a really good shout to give a whirl if you have not seen it. 

 

Yet again we go from a European film losing big to a Japanese film winning big (While India still can't decide what it is doing and Korea is... waiting for its moment?). A new member of the top 100 and straight into the top 50. As much as I am unqualified to run this particular list, I am slowly becoming quite intrigued as to how a third iteration may pan out in 2/3 years time. 

 

The real list we all care about:

 

13 - Japan

10 - India

10 - France

4 - South Korea 

3 - Italy

 

 

3 - Sweden

2 - Germany

2 - Hong Kong

2 - Mexico

1 - Poland 

 

1 - Russia (includes USSR) 

1 - China

1 - Denmark

1 - Norway

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43rd Drive My Car (Japan) 5 Votes: 146 Points

2020 Position: Not Eligible

 

yNFLSs.png

 

I think the AI also got confused and assumed this was a black and white film from the 50s

 

 

There you go kids, if you ever find yourself in awkward silences, solve the problem with the cool refreshing taste of Marlboro Lights!

 

A rare entry from the pandemic era that is based on a book by the guy who I think may have written Norwegian Wood (the novel, not the Beatles song), which I think I read and maybe involves a  book shop at some point, but I could be confusing it with whisper of the heart, which is a film that I often confuse titles with Only Yesterday, but then I remember Only yesterday has a pineapple and Whisper of the Heart has the cat. Anyway, where was I? 

 

Japan responds to the Franaissance with a side swipe out of left field. It pulls out a 4 film gap which may be unassailable at this point. Although India does make 2000 films a year and French films are more likely to have breasts in them, so it could be all to play for.

 

The real list we all care about:

 

14 - Japan

10 - India

10 - France

4 - South Korea 

3 - Italy

 

 

3 - Sweden

2 - Germany

2 - Hong Kong

2 - Mexico

1 - Poland 

 

1 - Russia (includes USSR) 

1 - China

1 - Denmark

1 - Norway

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42nd Stalker (Russia) 5 Votes: 148 Points

2020 Position: 57th

 

yNBW5g.png 

 

Looks like a magical film...

 

 

That's a lot of sand. 

 

This is a weird looking film. It probably is enjoyable to some that are into what this film is selling and will not be for people who watch people fall in the sand and go... yeah, no. 

 

Another film for 'Russia' (Because I do not have the energy or ability to know if I need to check whether the director or whomever would technically by Moldovian, or Uzbek if the film was made today. Hell I can't even remember consistently that there is no Czech Republic or Swaziland anymore, so this is well beyond my means.) Either way, it propels Russia into the 2 film group and who knows if it will go higher. We haven't seen any sign of Nightwatch yet... 

 

The real list we all care about:

 

14 - Japan

10 - India

10 - France

4 - South Korea 

3 - Italy

 

 

3 - Sweden

2 - Germany

2 - Hong Kong

2 - Mexico

1 - Poland 

 

1 - Russia (includes USSR) 

1 - China

1 - Denmark

1 - Norway

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41st The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (France) 8 Votes: 149 Points

2020 Position: 58th

 

yNz3wg.png 

 

This looks like a World War 2 film. 

 

 

That's a lot hair smelling.

 

Did she forget she was supposed to be carrying that blue towel thing the whole time? Was it integral that she should highlight her sadness at that moment by revealing something blue that serves no purpose in the scene. Was it just to add a bit of colour to her life as this dude gets on a train. Nobody will ever know. Or it is immediate explained in a scene I did not watch, 

 

And France propels up into second place and the chase of Japan is...on? 

 

The real list we all care about:

 

14 - Japan

11 - France

10 - India

4 - South Korea 

3 - Italy

 

 

3 - Sweden

2 - Germany

2 - Hong Kong

2 - Mexico

1 - Poland 

 

1 - Russia (includes USSR) 

1 - China

1 - Denmark

1 - Norway

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@chasmmi you seem to have counted Tokyo Story as a French movie.

 

4 hours ago, chasmmi said:

45th The 400 Blows (France)

 

13 - Japan

10 - India

9 - France

 

3 hours ago, chasmmi said:

44th Tokyo Story (Japan)

 

The real list we all care about:

 

13 - Japan

10 - India

10 - France

 

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