Foreign Films

In my experience, one of the best ways to get in touch with a culture -- short of actually visiting it, of course -- is through film. Movies give you a great sense of the cultural outlook of another country. Not only that, there are tons of excellent foreign films out there -- and these are some of the best. A word of warning, though: do yourself a favour and watch them in their original language with subtitles. There's nothing worse than bad dubbing.

1. District Thirteen

This French movie is a sci-fi action film set in the near future. It's well written, brilliantly filmed, and full of some of the most sublime human movement you'll ever see. Absolutely fascinating.

2. The Host

This Hong Kong sci-fi thriller (why are so many of them sci-fi? Is it because English sci-fi movies tend to, how shall I put this -- suck?) is a lot of fun. It's dark and dreary, but it has a great touch of humour, and you'll find yourself totally immersed in the characters' lives. Highly recommended.

3. Pan's Labyrinth/ The Orphanage

I put these together because they're both from the same Spanish director, which means they both have the same twisting storylines and beautiful cinematography. That's where the similarities end, though: Pan's Labyrinth is a dark fantasy following a young girl caught in a dismal home life, while The Orphange is a chilling and terrifying thriller.

4. Hollywood Bollywood

This one's a bit older, and it's actually Canadian, so it's in English. It follows the structure of Indian "Bollywood" movies, though, as it traces an Indian girl's life in modern Canada.

There are four films to get you started, and you're sure to come up with many more!