Sunday, January 1, 2012

The Best Foreign Films of 2011

The Best Foreign Films of 2011

First of all, Happy New Year!

If you are a frequent reader of this blog, you might have noticed that lists aren't really my thing. Actually that's not entirely true, I do enjoy certain types of lists, the easy indisputable kind such as the annual Oscars Best Foreign Film submissions, or lists of films from various national film movements. Just not the neatly ranked and ordered best-of lists that everyone else loves.  I know they are great for attracting traffic, but they just take so much bloody effort and decision making; and I'm so used to being lazy and indecisive, which is part of the reason why I haven't posted any so far.  There's also that inevitable feeling that I'm overlooking or forgetting something important, and along with that the irrational fear of being called out for it.  Silly I know, but it's the truth.

Of particular difficulty for me are the end-of-year top lists.  Unlike music lists which are relatively easy to sort out, film release dates are staggered making it extremely difficult to distinguish for example what should be filed as a 2010 or a 2011 release, never mind it being impossible to actually see all of the previous year's contenders in a timely fashion, unless your name happens to be Roger Ebert or Quentin Tarantino.

So I'm stuck trying to make a list having seen only a small sample of the overall titles, while also mulling over whether or not to include a certain film because its World Premiere fell in the previous calendar year (even if it was only a tiny festival with 100 viewers in the audience), or do I use its local premiere date (half of which don't even get screened locally), or the date I saw it (in which case Wings of Desire (1987) would be my film of the year), and then there's always the IMDb date... My poor head hurts just thinking about all the possibilities.  Perhaps one day we will all be lucky enough to have worldwide simultaneous streaming releases of films at home and in digitally enabled theaters, it doesn't hurt to dream right?

Anyhow rambling over. After careful consideration I've decided that one of my New Years resolutions is to stop making excuses and just start doing stuff, lists included. So, using a totally arbitrary start date, and leaving it open to frequent and future revisions, I now humbly reveal to you my very first list:

Bonjour Tristesse's Top 10 Foreign Films of 2011 as of June 30, 2012



I guess that wasn't so hard after all, I ended up spending far more time making it look pretty than actually sorting out the top 10, but it turned out to be more fun than I expected.  Who knows, depending on the response I get, maybe I'll have a go at this more often.

So how did you like the presentation? What did you think of my choices? Which ones have you seen? Which ones did I miss? I would love to hear your thoughts below.

45 comments:

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thank you Sachin. I am glad we share so many of the same choices.  I have just watched Once Upon a Time in Anatolia, and it is definitely going to take up a spot in my final top 10.

Sachin Gandhi said...

A great list with some very nice choices. I have seen 7 films from your 10 and share 4 of them on my list. Le Quattro Volte was my favourite film of the year. You really should do this every year as it helps shed a light on some great global cinema that might otherwise be missed. I wish I could have seen Once Upon a Time in Anatolia, Las Acacias, Bullhead, Breathing and some other titles from your list last year as well.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks.  A Separation gets added consideration from me, not only for it's story but for its open and honest depiction of daily life in Iran and its culture.  Something I have not seen very much of.

365 moviesandsongs365 said...

Nice list! I disagree about Elena, but I liked  The Skin I live In, and The Kid With  A Bike, both stayed with me.
 
 A Separation was good too,  I think  I prefer the  two mentions above on an emotional level, but it was still gripping stuff, I really need to see A Separation twice, and rewatch the important scenes at the beginning more closely.

Jandy said...

No, it's never possible to see everything you want. But some misses hurt worse than others. :)

Bonjour Tristesse said...

 Not bad at all. 

Jandy said...

I was probably sorrier about missing A Separation at the AFI Fest than about anything else I missed. It was really terrible scheduling. There are lots more on that list I haven't seen, too. Got my work cut out for me!

I also have to say, this is probably one of the more attractive-looking lists I've seen. Great work on the design and implementation of this! And I hope you keep doing lists so you can use the layout some more. :)

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Somehow I don't think it's ever possible to see everything you want at a festival...

Thanks for the compliments, I worked on that for quite awhile so it's good to hear that.  and I will try to work in some more lists here and there in the future.

FrontRoomCinema said...

3 out of the top 10 is shocking huh?

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Welcome Eric and thanks for commenting!  Yes that final battle was incredible.  It's so long yet perfectly paced, you never felt it was just stretched out for the heck of it.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I know what you mean about Tarr.  His films are so mesmerizing.  It's a shame he feels that he has nothing left to say.

Hopefully those other films get released in NZ soon.

Eric said...

I haven't seen most of these, unfortunately, but I loved 13 Assassins. That final battle scene was the very definition of epic. Nice list -- I'll have to check out more of these!

Tyler said...

Because I live in New Zealand, I haven't seen a single one of these. The one I want to see the most is The Turin Horse (I'm a bit obsessed with Bela Tarr at the moment) but I also really want to catch The Skin I Live In and A Separation.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks and welcome back Mette.  I'd say you picked the right one to start off with.  Happy New Year!

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks!  However, A Separation might not stay at the top, I'm planning on doing a final list later in the year, after I've seen some more of the candidates.

NeverTooEarlyMP said...

I'm only a month behind, but really liked the way you designed his list, and the choices look great, even if I haven't actually gotten around to seeing any of them. Great to see A Separation at the top again!

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Hi Maria, thanks for the kind words!  The Portuguese Nun is kind of an obscure title that basically was only shown at a handful of festivals until it came out on DVD in France this year. It still has less than 200 votes on IMDb...

Bonjour Tristesse said...

 Hey Shantanu, thanks for reading and responding, and for the compliments.  You are right, The Skin I Live In is an uncomfortable watch, but I still want to see it again, especially the beginning to see what clues I missed the first time around.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks Jason.  I know what you mean about the wrong winners.  It does give us all something to talk about though...  I know it looks weird to have "2009" films in a 2011 list right?  But as you say they might as well be 2011 releases because nobody saw them until this year.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Hi Joe.  Thanks for the comment.  I would say Le Havre is mandatory if you are at all an Aki fan.  I agree with most of your list, at this point I'm not sure which of Melancholia or Senna would be my number 1. 

I also think that is a great point about Miike.  He has a new film out every four or five weeks it seems, and it doesn't do his reputation any good.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks for stopping by Cherokee!  I know all too well about the never-ending list. 

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks Andy, there are a great many films on your list that I haven't seen too.  It seems that catching up is an endless task...

d_4 said...

Most of the ones on the list are on my list of movies to watch. I'm actually pretty glad you refreshed my memory here too. I like the list.

I do have an opinion as a googler, it's that when you come across a list like this, the whole story of how it came to be is a bit much, might lead to a short visit. As a follower though, it's great insight into the mind of BT and becomes a little special. Just words here.

CastorTroy said...

I feel bad. I have only seen 13 Assassins from this list. I also regret that Elite Squad 2 hasn't hit DVD before I made my top 10 of 2011. No I Saw the Devil?

Cherokee said...

A few I have seen, ones I've heard of but haven't checked out, and some that I haven't heard of - definitely a good list, then!

Got some more films to add to my never-ending 'to watch' list. 

Andrew Buckle said...

Unfortunately the only three of these films I have seen are A Separation, 13 Assassins and The Skin I Live In, but they were all wonderful. Great choice with #1. I missed The Turin Horse, The Kid With A Bike, Le HAvre and Pina at film festivals - but will try and catch them eventually.

Mette said...

Wonderful, I love lists and I'm glad you just "did it" :).
I've only seen your #1, as you know, but that's at least something, having seen the best foreign film of 2011.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I do see your point about scaring away new readers with that rambling intro, but I don't do it often, and it was just something I wanted to say to you regular readers, damn the consequences.

Thanks for being a loyal reader, and here's to an awesome new year!

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks Castor, I watched I Saw The Devil back in January, so I considered it a 2010 film.  I haven't made a 2010 list, but when I do, it will surely be on it.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I get what you are saying, but I don't know how much you can blame the kid when he had that guy for a dad.  Anyhow thanks for stopping by, I think your blog is an excellent resource for many of the off the radar films that I enjoy as well.  Here's to a great 2012!

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks Diana.  15 shouldn't be too hard to do., and if you run out of ideas, you know where to come look. :)  I hope you have a great year too! 

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thank you Shutter Bug!  Of course I'll continue to visit, your blog is one of my favorite daily stops.

Colin said...

I wasn't very keen on Kid with a Bike, it has to be said (I'd have smacked the kid for scarpering all the time) but your site's one of (if not THE) best for foreign films so I'll certainly be tracking down the Russian movie and Le Havre, which I've heard lots of good things about.

Diana said...

Interesting list! I don't usually watch foreign films, but this year one of my resolutions is to watch at least 15 of them and I will start with some from your list, especially A Separation, The Skin I Live in and Pina. I hope you have a great 2012!

Shutter Bug said...

Lists are fun! Anyway, just wanted to wish you a very happy new year. Thank you for all of your support in 2011 and I hope you will continue to visit my blog in the new year! cheers! :D

Maria Sofia said...

I've seen The Turin Horse, and pretty much all the others are on my to-watch list. But oh, I'm so ashamed I'm portuguese and haven't seen The Portuguese Nun! Can you believe I never heard of it until you reviewed it some time ago? Anyway, great list, very well done and presented!

shantanu ghumare said...

I have seen 13 Assassins, The Skin I live in and A Separation only. But, without a doubt, they all are simply great. But, I have my doubts whether I will watch Skin I live in again. It makes me so uncomfortable. Well, most Almodovar films do. But that does not undermine the greatness of his films.

I have heard a lot of good things about Le Havre, Pina and Kid with Bike. Hopefully, I will get a chance to check them out.

And Great Presentation BTW !!

Jason said...

Nice list you have here. I've only seen a handful but UK critics have been raving about a lot of these.

I'm getting list-averse myself. The Oscar and BAFTA award posts are great traffic bait but I'm losing interest in the events as award ceremonies since the nominations and winners are usually the wrong ones - No Senna for the best documentary Oscar?

I also recognise the issue with film release dates and just settled for the year I saw them in (one day I'll get to Cannes and Venice for the festivals!). Films like City of Life and Death and The Portuguese Nun only just got a theatrical release in the UK this year and distributors put them out on limited release in certain areas.

Joe Hill said...

I really want to see A Separation; heard nothing but good things about it. I MUST see Le Havre as well, as The Man WIthout a Past is one of my all-time favourite movies.

It's good to see some love for 13 Assassins too (number 6 on my end of year list: http://tinyurl.com/7fwsu62) - I don't feel like this has got anywhere near the popular acclaim it deserves, it's a fantastic action film and a masterclass in pacing. If we only got one Miike film every four or five years, then it would have been more of an 'event' release (and it would've made a few more critic's top ten lists).

FilmMasterT said...

Great list! Good to see your number 1 is A Separation! Im going to watch it again soon. I loved it.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yeah it is an excellent film. I plan on making a final update of this list at the end of June, and there will be a couple additions/replacements.

Mettel Ray said...

I really liked Tomboy.. but have you seen The Intouchables? I'm posting my rather essay like review on it tomorrow.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I have. I enjoyed it because of the electrifying acting, but found it unoriginal overall.

Screen Lover said...

Really glad to see A Simple Life at your number 7 :)

Bonjour Tristesse said...

It is a splendid film. I wish more people would see it. and I wish they made more HK films like it.

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