It can often be daunting to be a cinephile. There is an overwhelming amount of movies out in the world, and nowhere near enough time to experience them all. In this case, we must beinformed as to what filmmakers to keep an eye on, whether they be English or foreign-language directors.
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“Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films,”. In 2020, South Korean director,Bong Joon-ho, stunned the world by winning “Best Picture”, “Best Director” and “Best Original Screenplay” at the Academy Awards for his brilliant investigation into class conflict;Parasite. In the years since, with the help of streaming platforms breaking down distribution barriers, foreign films and tv shows have garnered more attention in the western world than previously thought possible.Squid Game,Money Heist,and even Oscar faves likeFleeandDrive My Carhave brought attention to foreign-language film-making, seldom seen before. The following directors are a small handful of essential and still-active filmmakers who have made a huge impact in world cinema and should be the first for you to seek out to expand your tastes.
Park Chan-wook
South Korean cinema is home to many of the greatest cinematic works ever produced, many of whom were directed byPark Chan-wook. If you loveSquid GameandAll of us are Dead, you partially have Park to thank. His 2003 masterpieceOldboyis widely renowned as one of the greatest films ever. The ultra-violent story of a man’s brutal quest for revenge single-handedly skyrocketed western interest in South Korean movies.One thing that Korean cinema especially excels in, is the balancing of tones. A Park Chan-wook movie can run the gamut from terrifying, to depressing, hilarious, awkward, and even schlocky. Few directors can go to such disturbing places without coming off as lazy provocateurs being shocking for the sake of it. Park’s movies are extreme and confronting, but unlike directors such asEli Roth, he never comes across as mean-spirited. They often revolve around people with bloodlust (inThirst, literally) and the psychosexual relationship some people have between sex and violence.
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Watching one of his films is never dull because he’s constantly shaking things up, when you suspect you’ve got his style figured out, he’ll experiment with cinematography and editing tricks you’d never guess. Extreme close-ups, thoughtful scene transitions, and rule-breaking are all par for the course. His English-language debut was the 2013 melodramatic thrillerStoker, starringNicole Kidman.WhileStokeris probably his weakest work (though still mesmerizing), it’s a fantastic jumping-off point for his more challenging Korean-language work.
Roy Andersson
In the blurb forRoy Andersson’slatest film,About Endlessness, it is described as “A kaleidoscope of the human condition”, which is just about the perfect description of his filmography. His most famous works reflect a somber march towards the grave by way of Wes Anderson’s pessimistic older cousin. Though he isn’t at all related toWes Anderson, his films are just as quirky. Andersson’s most famous works,Songs from the Second FloorandYou, The Living, and A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence, consist mainly of pastel shades of blue and green mixed with grey and beige. Andersson utilizes these desaturated colors to paint vignettes reproducing the mundanity and quiet sadness of life.
Everyone in a Roy Andersson flick looks like a paler version of the zombies inRomero’sDawn of the Dead, and they are zombies in a way. Andersson’s tableaus are like an absurdist, bizarro-worldBarry Lyndon, inspired by the photographic works ofMarc Chagall, Kukryniksy, andAndy Warhol.Though primarily a director of commercials, Andersson’s unmistakable style, especially over the last 20 years, has made a tremendous splash.
Alejandro Jodorowsky
They say there is a fine line between madness and genius.Alejandro Jodorowskyis the human embodiment of that line. With 60 years of experience under his belt, Jodorowsky’s movies are delightfully absurd, often maniacal plunges into the wackiest aspects of life. If you’ve always wanted to challenge yourself by watching older foreign movies, but you’re worried that you may find them boring, then Jodorowsky is the director for you. His most acclaimed works,El TopoandThe Holy Mountainare fun, yet chaoticexaminations of humanity’s relationship to religion and existentialism. While many of his movies at first appear unapproachable, his most recent films, such asThe Dance of RealityandEndless Poetryare autobiographical, despite the absurdist imagery.
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The music he utilizes is often eclectic, his production design is meaningfully theatrical, and his themes profound. He’s a weird artist that makes you marvel at how creative some filmmakers can be. Jodorowsky’s films are endlessly fascinating and never cross over into pretentiousness. Most western viewers may know him from the cult 2013 documentary,Jodorowsky’s Dune, where the enigmatic director tells viewers all about the complex plans for his unmade adaptation ofFrank Herbert’sDune. It’s a fantastic starting point to get a glimpse into such a bizarre figure.
Michael Haneke
Michael Hanekeis not the most accessible director out there. He has made a career out of making challenging and intentionally unsatisfying experiences that take multiple views to appreciate. His films rarely incorporate non-diegetic music and are mostly compiled of long, wide takes with an omniscient quality. His favorite movie isthe infamousSalo, or the 120 Days of Sodom,which makes perfect sense, given his fascination with generational cruelty and pathological youth.
Haneke never holds your hand, he treats viewers with respect and expects you to figure out what he is saying for yourself. Though his films can be slow, long, and even frustrating, if you’re in the right mindset, they can be exhilarating. Haneke is the only Austrian director to win the coveted Palm D’or twice, and his 2012 effortAmourwon an Oscar for best foreign-language film. He has one entirely English-language film,Funny Games(a-shot-for-shot remake of his 1997 film) that is a rare remake better than the original. IfFunny Games(2007) connects with you, dive into the rest of his impressive filmography.
Pedro Almodóvar
Sometimes credited as simply “Almodóvar”, this Spanish director is possibly the most critically acclaimed LGBTQ+ filmmaker in the world. His movies focus on life-affirming narratives of people from stigmatized cultures or taboo sexualities. Known for his many collaborations withPenélope CruzandAntonio Banderas, as well as his irreverent sense of humor, Almodóvar has an eclectic filmography.I’m So Excitedis a campy, sexually charged fluff-fest, while his masterpieceThe Skin I Live Inis one of the most disturbing thrillers ever made.
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Time Magazine voted his 2019 moviePain and Glorythe best movie of the year, while his most widely acclaimed workAll About My Motherwon “Best International Feature” at the 72nd Academy Awards. He has spent his careergiving a voice to characters from minority communitieswho lack representation and face unparalleled prejudice. He deserves recognition for this just as much as his storytelling prowess.
Thomas Vinterberg
Getting his start alongsideLars Von Trier, who he would go on to create the “Dogme 95” movement with; Danish director,Thomas Vinterbergis one of the most famous voices in modern film. Though he has directed a few movies in English, such asFar from the Madding Crowd,by far and away his strongest efforts are in his native tongue.
Vinterberg’s heart-wrenching and under-seenSubmarinois an eye-opening reminder about how trauma and poverty curse generations of families to come.The CelebrationandThe Hunt(not to be confused with the controversial, but toothless, Hilary Swank movie) both examine different societal responses to sexual abuse allegations, victim-blaming, and mob mentality. His most recent film,Another Round, is his most accessible work, and while it’s not his best, it won the International Feature Oscar in 2021. Ifyou’re a Mads Mikkelsen fanatic, Vinterberg’s films are essential viewing, as Vinterberg has managed to pry some of the best performances of the 21st century out of Mads.
Ruben Östlund
The films ofRuben Östlundare interested in social contracts and the communal responsibility we all have to each other. His movies place social interactions under the microscope and force us to scrutinize our behavior. Where Östlund excels is in scenes of awkwardness.Force Majeureboasts the most hilariously uncomfortable double dateyou’ve ever had the pleasure of cringing through,whileThe Squarecontains possibly the most awkward post-coital scene ever. When Östlund’s characters say or do something unwise, we bask in their embarrassment.
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It took a while for Östlund to find his place in the filmmaking world. His first three movies, while still impressive and well-made, feel like copies of other, more accomplished directors, including some on this list.PlayandInvoluntaryare both well-made flicks but don’t have the unique artistic qualities that would underpin his later works. WithForce Majeure, Östlund found his voice, and along with it, a welcome place in world cinema. Look out forTriangle of Sadness,his upcoming black comedy starring Woody Harrelson. Östlund is currently on a hot streak, so keep your eyes on him.
Jackie Chan
Not every foreign director is focused on making art-house movies that aim to make profound statements on the human condition; some directors just want to create thrilling experiences that set the audience’s hearts racing.Jackie Chanmovies are a great example of high-octane Hong Kong action films that inspired many conventions in western cinema. What makes Chan stand out is that his movies (in which he also stars) are hysterically funny, mad-cap comedies as well as heart-pumping thrill rides. His characters are competent fighters, yet are prone to extreme acts of stupidity. Imagine ifJohn Wickhad the social grace of Inspector Clouseau.
Some of Chan’s movies have action sequences so relentless and bombastic that they would makeMichael Bayblush. Yet, unlike Bay movies, Chan’s aren’t three-hour slogs with indecipherable action. His best works are clinical and don’t have a second of wasted time. Chan utilizes wide shots with the perfect amount of coverage and length,not only in his hand-to-hand combat scenesbut in the more explosive set pieces. Jackie’s world-renowned stunt team meticulously practices the fight choreography before training, and some moves are filmed upwards of 100 times to get the perfect shot. His movies (particularlyPolice StoryandProject A) are the perfect flicks to watch with friends and family for movie night. To gain further insight into Jackie Chan’s creative process, he directed a documentary calledMy Stuntsin which he goes into detailabout his directing process, as well as his many injuries resulting from his dangerous antics.
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