Western cinema has taken over as the go-to for film and entertainment for people around the globe, a key case study for successful soft power. With Hollywood glam and events stealing the spotlight and western culture romanticized for an eager audience. From a bird eye view films from the international scene have proven both culturally rich and with fresher storylines stealing the spotlight from western films.
We have compiled a list of our favorites from the international scene and here’s why.
Iranian Cinema: Art, the most effective form of expression
Used brilliantly to illustrate the hardships of the Iranian regime, Iranian cinema brings forward simple stories that are both engaging and real. The films are a lens into the current political structure of Iran and how that has shaped individuals’ lives with the stories being both effective and raw leaving a moved audience.
With a strong focus on everyday situations, the drama is easily relatable despite being of a unique situation. The characters are particularly well developed so that they are perfectly intertwined with the storyline and the flow is easy to follow. Many of the films leave the audience in awe with the surprising twists that come to be.
We recommend “A separation”, “The stoning of Soraya M” and “The salesman.”
Palestinian Cinema: The story of a nation in diaspora
A lens participating in an old and noble resistance against the apartheid of the zionist occupation of Palestine, not only through stories of martyrs and heroes but also through ordinary stories of ordinary Palestinians, giving you a glance of the Palestinians’ struggle. It’s one of few international cinemas that portrays very unique interpretations of apartheid and how it is made to be a ‘complex’ subject.
As provocative and heartbreaking as some of the films are many include a side of total fantasy that leave the audience both educated and inspired.
We recommend movies directed by Elia Sulieman such as “Divine Intervention,” available to stream on Netflix, or the shocking truth told in the infamous film “Salon Huda.”
Lebanese Cinema: A portrayal of a divided nation
Intricate films that you can easily relate to because of the intersection between Arab cultures. Lebanese cinema pushes boundaries and has cultivated astounding actors, the stories are enlightening and the images are beautiful.
Intricate issues are simplified and made into aesthetically beautiful stories that are easy to follow by the audience.
We recommend: “West Beirut”, “Habet Caramel”, “Where we go now” and “1982” on Netflix.
Korean Cinema: Smart and Effective
Korean cinema has evolved to be both artistic and edgy with many films tackling social issues in a way that can be followed no matter where you are in the world.
The films are brought to life with smart directing and heavyweight actors who take on their characters like a glove we recommend “Parasite” which was awarded five Oscars in 2019, making history as the first foreign-language film ever to win the Oscar for best picture.
French Cinema: La nouvele vogue
France has always been the pioneer of new waves in cinema, from Paris we were given the gift of La Nouvele Vogue, or The New Wave, which was evolutionary for cinema back in the 1950s. The movement aimed to give directors full creative control over their work, allowing them to avoid laborious narratives in favor of improvisational, existential storytelling.
Being delivered from the womb of existentialism and absurdism philosophies, a direct impact of World War II on the human comprehension of the world, this movement gave us the ability to get over the radical “cinema of quality”, which is the type of high-minded, literary period films held in too high esteem at French film festivals, often regarded as “untouchable” by critics. New Wave critics and directors studied the work of western classics and applied new avant-garde direction.
We recommend “Amélie” which is a light, warm and smart film that you are going to love.
Egyptian Cinema: The face of our culture
Egyptian cinema at a time moved the MENA region being an effective tool for soft power, it birthed renowned screen writers, many of the best actors and directors. Egyptian cinema is considered to be one of the oldest film industries in the world.
We recommend “Two Girls from Egypt”, “Bitter Sweet”, “Kafr Nahoum” and “The Guest” on Netflix.
There you have it, our topics with a bonus recommendation of the Italian masterpiece “The platform” on Netflix, tackling how we fit in today’s world.