Can someone give me a list of good foreign films

[Pitiless Wanderer]

By foreign I simply mean not American.

I want some good crime dramas or horror that isn't cheese-filled. I know The Public Enemies/Mesrine are supposed to be awesome.

I like suspense and serial killer stuff, too.

 

[derek]

One of my favourite movies of all time is "The Lives of Others" (Das Leben Der Anderen). It's German, and it's a drama set in East Germany and how the Stasi (secret police) affected the lives of so many people. It's brilliant.

The Orphanage is an excellent horror movie (Spanish), and sticking with the Spanish language I'd recommend one of Alfonso Cauron's (Children of Men) earlier movies "Y Tu Mama Tambien" (and Your Mother, Too), which is a (kind of) drama.

If you like drama, "The Lives of Others" is absolutely unbeatable. I don't think it can really get any better.

I should add that these are just my favourites.

 

[Dead Winter]

Hmmm...it's typically difficult to find a good suspense film in Europe. Most of the best ones have already been shown in the US. European cinema is pretty boring and bland, actually, with the exception of the UK.

If you wanna see a fucking weirdo movie that has absolutely no script and is shot in Venice and is about struggling artists and cannibals, then watch the movie Hotel. All the actors are big-name actors who improvise everything in the entire film. It's insane. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0278487/plotsummary

I'm still in love with the Irish film Garage. It was one of the most moving films I've seen in a long time.

 

[Psychonaut]

If you're going to do the Spanish stuff as Derek mentioned, you can lump Amores Perros in too. Another fine drama. An obvious and more popular choice is Pan's Labyrinth, although more on the fantasy side.

I just watched a very good French drama called Tell No One.

Audition is considered by some to be the masterwork of Takashi Miike.

A recent foreign film that's deservedly getting attention is the Swedish "horror" Let The Right One In. Please don't hold out for the American remake.

I dunno. I can go through my Netflix ratings if any of these are in the right area. I've seen a ton of foreign stuff so it's hard to pin down.

 

[Cat5Messiah]

If you're going to do the Spanish stuff as Derek mentioned, you can lump Amores Perros in too. Another fine drama. An obvious and more popular choice is Pan's Labyrinth, although more on the fantasy side.

I just watched a very good French drama called Tell No One.

Audition is considered by some to be the masterwork of Takashi Miike.

A recent foreign film that's deservedly getting attention is the Swedish "horror" Let The Right One In. Please don't hold out for the American remake.

I dunno. I can go through my Netflix ratings if any of these are in the right area. I've seen a ton of foreign stuff so it's hard to pin down.

I concur. I was going to suggest Pan's Labyrinth and Let the Right One In.

A good action movie with a twist to check out is Oldboy. I was actually quite impressed with this movie.

 

[slashvanyoung]

Some good recommendations already, so I'd just like to add something that hasn't been mentioned so far: "City Of God". Great Brazilian flick.

 

[WhiteBeastofWotan]

I like Russian porn.

 

[Cat5Messiah]

Wow, I can't believe I forgot about City of Lost Children. Though, chances are, you have already seen this.

Edit: Oh yea, speaking of French flicks, check out Chrysalis.

 

[Lord Foul]

Don't discount the excellent work that has been coming out of Canadia for quite a few years now. Cronenberg and Egoyan are good places to start, and you really can't go wrong with anything involving Sarah Polley

 

[Psychonaut]

I should have also mentioned the works of Korean director Ki-Duk Kim: 3 Iron, The Isle, and Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall... and Spring.

 

[-Syl-]

Kontroll

 

[Battle.Angel]

If you like Japanese animation, Hayao Miyazaki's movies are pretty good. The most fanous one is probably "Spirited Away". Very good movie.

EDIT: One of my favourtie comedy movies is actually "Shaun of the Dead" from Great Britain. It's just hilarious! (If you watch that, also check out "Hot Fuzz" from the same production/actors team.) I just watched it again recently. Great movie. Plus, I <3 British accent..

 

[Cat5Messiah]

If you like Japanese animation, Hayao Miyazaki's movies are pretty good. The most fanous one is probably "Spirited Away". Very good movie.

Spirited Away was pretty good. Although, I was kind of an anime junkie back when I saw it. I might have a different opinion of it today.

 

[El Stormo]

[REC] was pretty good if you can stand the Spanish shouting all the time, but I've been told the American remake is not worth bothering with (big surprise there). I can also recommend the classic Der Untergang if you haven't seen it already (you probably have though, dubbed in English and called The Downfall).

 

[neal]

A good action movie with a twist to check out is Oldboy. I was actually quite impressed with this movie.

oldboy is good stuff

 

[Djöfull]

Scandinavian films I recommend

A recent one I can recall. Men that hate women(The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) from Sweden(2008). It's a crime(serial killer) thriller with dramatic undertones. Part of a trilogy8 based upon novels). I've seen the sequel, pretty good also. Am waiting for the last part.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men_Who_Hate_Women_(film))


A good swedish comedy film is Jalla!Jalla!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jalla_jalla
It tells the story of an lebanese immigrant that wants to marry a swedish girls but his family has arranged another marriage for him. He gets into quite a lot of awkward trouble because of this...

The norwegian film, Head above water is a pretty tense thriller. I haven't seen the remake with C. Diaz though.

Elling
Norwegian comedy about mentally retarded men trying to move into an appartment and meeting the challenges of independent life. Really funny characters...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elling

Danish film Festen( the feast)
A family drama film about a startling revelation when the family gathers for a feast.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festen

Icelandic film ( When the raven flies . Viking film that revolves around revenge. Classic and pretty good despite the 80s cheese instrumental music.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hrafninn_flýgur

 

[rebirth]

AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND CINEMA:



Directed by Gillian Armstrong –

See also Bingo Bridesmaid & Braces and Not 14 Again in Docos

Charlotte Grey Cate Blanchett stars in a WWII drama based on the novel by Sebastian Faulks.

Death Defying Acts 2007. Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta-Jones star in a drama about Harry Houdini and his passionate affair with a psychic.

The Last Days of Chez Nous Looks at complex family relationships. Scripted by Helen Garner. (VHS)

Little Women Excellent, made in USA, adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic, stars Winona Ryder.

My Brilliant Career Judy Davis & Sam Neill star in adaptation of the novel by Miles Franklin.

Oscar and Lucinda Adaptation of the novel by Peter Carey.

Starstruck A musical comedy starring Jo Kennedy.

Unfolding Florence: the many lives of Florence Broadhurst Documentary about the flamboyant pioneering Sydney designer whose brutal murder has never been solved.



Directed by Bruce Beresford -

The Adventures of Barry McKenzie 1972. Ribald ocker comedy with Barry Humphries and Barry Crocker.

Breaker Morant Famous Boer War court-martial stars Edward Woodward, Jack Thompson, John Waters & Bryan Brown.

The Club Adaptation of the David Williamson play. (VHS)

Don’s Party Adaptation of a David Williamson play set on the evening of the 1969 federal election.

The Fringe Dwellers 1986. Justine Saunders stars.

The Getting of Wisdom 1977. Fine adaptation of Henry Handel(Ethel) Richardson’s autobiographical novel set in 1910.

Mister Johnson Pierce Brosnan & Edward Woodward star in adaptation of Joyce Cary’s novel of an Englishman in Africa. (VHS)

The Money Movers A fast paced, gritty thriller. Rated R (VHS)

Paradise Road True story of the WWII prison camp experiences of a group of Dutch, English & Australian women captured by the Japanese after the fall of Singapore.

Puberty Blues 1981. Adaptation of a novel by Gabriel Carey that explored the world of young “surfie chicks”.



Directed by Tim Burstall -

Alvin Purple Vintage Oz comedy or just a curiosity piece? Rated R. (VHS)

Kangaroo Based on the D.H. Lawrence novel, with Colin Friels & Judy Davis. (VHS)

Petersen Early Oz new wave, stars Jack Thompson, Wendy Hughes & Jacki Weaver. Rated R (VHS)



Directed by Jane Campion -

An Angel at My Table Based on the autobiography of the New Zealand novelist Janet Frame.

Holy Smoke Kate Winslet and Harvey Keitel star in layered story of cults and credibility.

In the Cut Meg Ryan stars in an intense thriller based on the novel by Susanna Moore.

The Piano 1994 Academy Award Winner, starring Holly Hunter, Sam Neill & Harvey Keitel; Michael Nyman music score.

The Portrait of a Lady This not entirely successful adaptation of the “difficult” Henry James novel stars Nicole Kidman & John Malkovich (VHS)

Sweetie Wickedly off-the-wall comedy portrays the relationship between two sisters. 5 AFI award nominations



Directed by Paul Cox -

Cactus Stars Isabelle Huppert. (VHS)

The Diaries of Vaslav Nijinsky. Documentary about the famous Russian dancer.

The Golden Braid Inspired by Guy De Maupassant's short story "Le Cheveleur". (VHS)

The Human Touch 2004. Chris Haywood stars.

Innocence Stars Charles Tingwell and Julia Blake.

Island Irene Papas, Chris Haywood star. (VHS)

Lonely Hearts starring Wendy Hughes and Norman Kaye.

Lust and Revenge Stars Nicholas Hope, Claudia Karvan & Chris Haywood. (VHS)

Man of Flowers Starring Norman Kaye. (VHS)

Molokai David Wenham stars as the Belgian priest who lived, worked and died amonst the lepers on the island of Molokai..

My First Wife 1984, stars John Hargreaves and Wendy Hughes. (VHS)

The Nun and the Bandit Based on E.L. Grant Watson's noted thriller, stars Chris Haywood & Gosia Dobrowolska. (VHS)

Vincent: The Life and Death of Vincent Van Gogh Documentary on the artist. (VHS)



Directed by Peter Jackson -

Bad Taste Monty Python meets the Evil Dead. Rated R.

Braindead Reveals a very twisted sense of humour. Rated R. (VHS)

Heavenly Creatures Powerful NZ thriller about two schoolgirls whose obsessive friendship leads to crime.

The Lord of the Rings the Fellowship of the Ring From the depths of Middle Earth (in the heart of NZ) comes a dazzling interpretation of Tolkien.

The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers Part two of the much lauded NZ trilogy.

The Lord of the Rings The Return of the King The final instalment.

Meet the Feebles. Another outrageous parody.





Directed by Phillip Noyce -

Catch a Fire 2006. Tim Robbins stars in powerful Apartheid-era South African drama.

Heatwave Judy Davis and Richard Moir star.

Newsfront 1978, stars Bill Hunter, Gerard Kennedy, Wendy Hughes and Chris Haywood.

The Quiet American Michael Caine and Brendan Fraser star in impressive adaptation of Graham Greene's novel.

Rabbit Proof Fence moving adaptation of a ‘stolen generation’ biography “Follow the Rabbit Proof Fence” by Doris Pilkington.



Directed by Fred Schepisi -

Barbarosa 1982. Western made in USA. (VHS)

The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith Based on the novel by Thomas Keneally.

The Devil’s Playground 1976. Unflinching look at the repressive regime of a Catholic boy’s boarding school.

Evil Angels Starring Sam Neil & Meryl Streep in recreation of the Lindy Chamberlain court case. (VHS)

Last Orders Michael Caine heads a stellar British cast in this adaptation of Graham Swift's award winning novel.

Six Degrees of Separation Stars Stockard Channing, Will Smith and Donald Sutherland. (VHS)



Directed by Peter Weir -

Dead Poets Society Made in USA, starring Robin Williams as a teacher.

Gallipoli Mel Gibson & Mark Lee in drama of war, patriotism and friendship.

Green Card Stars Gerard Depardieu - his English language debut is a delightful romantic comedy. Made in USA.

Master and Commander Russell Crowe stars in this maritime epic.

The Mosquito Coast Compelling jungle drama - starring Harrison Ford - from a Paul Theroux story. (VHS)

Peter Weir Short Film Collection A selection of his earliest short films includes “Homesdale”, “Three to Go: Michael”, “Three Directions in Pop Music” and “Incredible Floridas”.

Picnic at Hanging Rock 1975. An adaptation of Joan Lindsay's novel about the mysterious disappearance of a group of private school girls during a bush picnic in 1900.

The Truman Show Satire of modern media and morality. (VHS)

The Year of Living Dangerously Adaptation of C.J. Koch's novel of political unrest in Indonesia in 1965.



The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Dir. Stephen Elliott. Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving & Guy Pearce star in an hilarious drag comedy.

Alexandra’s Project Dir. Rolf de Heer. Psychological drama stars Gary Sweet.

All My Friends are Leaving Brisbane Dir. Louise Alston, 2007. A romantic comedy about leaving home.

Amy Dir. Nadia Tass, stars Rachel Griffiths , Ben Mendelsohn, Kerry Armstrong. (VHS)

Angel Baby Dir. Michael Rymer. Multiple AFI Award winner. (VHS)

Australia Dir. Baz Luhrman, 2008. It’s big, sprawling, confused, with more film references than you can poke a stick at...

Australian Rules Dir. Paul Golman. Adapted from the teen fiction novel, “Deadly Unna”.

Babe Dir. Chris Noonan, wildly successful animated pic based on the pig-dog books by Dick King Smith.

Backlash Dir. Bill Bennett, powerful Australian drama about racism. (VHS)

Bad Boy Bubby Dir. Rolf De Heer. Nicholas Hope stars in confronting film about abuse and arrested development. AFI Award winner. Rated R.

The Bank Dir. Robert Connelly. David Wenham stars in great “revenge of the underdog” flick.

The Bet Dir. Mark Lee, 2007, a tale of ambition, greed and rivalry.

Beneath Clouds Dir. Ivan Sen. Impressive debut feature.

Better Than Sex Dir. Jonathan Teplitzky, stars David Wenham.

Billy’s Holiday Dir. Richard Wherrett. Max Cullen stars as the hardware merchant who can sing like Billy Holliday. (VHS)

Birthday Boy Dir. Sejong Park. Animated.

Black & White Dir. Craig Lahiff. Kerry Fox and Robert Carlyle star in courtroom drama based on “The Stewart Case” (an Aboriginal man who was accused of raping and killing a young white girl in Adelaide in the 1960s).

The Black Balloon Dir. Elissa Down, 2008. Award winning drama about a family dealing with autism.

Blackfellas Dir. James Ricketson. Award-winning, compelling story of contemporary Aboriginal life. (VHS)

Black Sheep Dir. Jonathan King, NZ, 2006. Black comedy about some genetically modified killer sheep.

Blinky Bill Dir. Yoram Gross. Animated film (VHS)

Bliss Dir. Ray Lawrence, from a story by Peter Carey starring Barry Otto. .

Blackrock Dir. Steve Vidler. Powerful adaptation of the play by Nick Enright about adolescence.

The Book of Revelation Dir. Ana Kokkinos, 2006. An erotic mystery about power and sex. Rated R.

Bootmen Dir. Dein Perry with Adam Garcia and Sophie Lee. Story of the origins of the Tap Dogs. (VHS)

The Boys Dir. Rowan Woods. Multi AFI Award winner is an unflinching analysis of the violence that lurks in the heart of Australian society.

Braveheart Dir. Mel Gibson. Award-winning Scottish epic & Yes we claim him as an Australian! (VHS)

Bread and Roses Dir. Gaylene Preston. NZ. Stars Genevieve Picot. (VHS)

Brilliant Lies Dir. Richard Franklin. Good adaptation of David Williamson’s play about sexual politics and harassment. (VHS)

Broken Highway Dir. Laurie McInnes, a journey like no other stars Claudia Karvan, Aden Young & Bill Hunter. (VHS)

Burke and Wills Dir. Oliver Torr & Matt Zeremes, 2006. Two young men exploring the complexities of inner suburban life and relationships.

Bushfire Moon Dir. George (Snowy River) Miller. Australian classic. (VHS)

Candy Dir. Neil Armfield. Heath Ledger, Abbie Cornish & Geoffrey Rush star in powerful & affecting drama about love and addiction.

Careful, He Might Hear You Dir. Carl Schultz, adaptation of Sumner Lock Elliot’s novel set in the 1930's.

The Castle Dir. Rob Sitch. Laconic Aussie comedy – it’s a must.

Children of the Revolution Dir. Peter Duncan. A Reds under and in the bed comedy starring Judy Davis, Sam Neill and Jeffrey Rush.

Chopper Dir. Andrew Dominik, stars Eric Bana, loosely based on the life of hitman, Chopper Reid. Rated R. (VHS)

Clubland Dir. Cherie Nowlan. Brenda Blethlyn stars as an aging leagues club performer and overly possessive mother.

Cosi Dir. Mark Joffe, 1996. Adaptation of the Louis Nowra play with Toni Collette, Ben Menelsohn and Barry Otto.

Country Life Dir. Michael Blakemore. Clever transposition of Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya” to the outback. Stars Sam Neill, Greta Scacchi, John Hargreaves. (VHS)

Crush Dir. Alison Maclean. Thriller about a teenage girl’s growing awareness of power and sexuality. (VHS)

Dance Me To My Song Dir. Rolf De Heer. (VHS)

Dead Heart Dir. Nick Parsons. Intense outback drama of race & cultural difference starring Bryan Brown & Ernie Dingo. (VHS)

The Dead Letter Office Dir. John Ruane. Miranda Otto stars in beguiling story about a woman searching for her father. (VHS)

Death in Brunswick Dir. John Ruane, 1991. Sam Neill, John Clarke & Zoe Carides star in a very funny Melbourne comedy.

December Boys Dir. Rod Hardy. Sentimental period piece about 4 young boys who all arrived at an orphanage one December.

Desperate Remedies Dir. Peter Wells. Exuberant and stylised melodrama. Rated R. (VHS)

Dingo Dir. Rolf De Heer, 1991. Colin Friels and Miles Davis share a passion for jazz.

Dirty Deeds Dir. David Caesar. Bryan Brown, Toni Collette, John Goodman & Sam Neil star in enjoyable period ganster pic.

The Dish Dir. Rob Sitch. Delightful satellite comedy stars Sam Neil, Kevin Harrington and Tom Long.

Dogs in Space Dir. Richard Lowenstein, starring Michael Hutchence. Rated R. (VHS)

Dogwatch Dir. Laurie McInnes. A tale of lost men adrift on the high seas, in a battle for survival.

Doing Time For Patsy Cline Dir. Chris Kennedy. Doesn’t everybody want a Golden Guitar?

Dot and the Kangaroo Dir. Yoram Gross - Australian animated feature (VHS)

Dr. Plonk Dir. Rolf de Heer, 2007. A tribute to the days of silent slapstick comedy stars Magda Szubanski.

Eagle Vs Shark Dir. Taika Cohen, NZ 2007. Comedy about the romantic relationship between a strange pair of social misfits.

Emerald City Dir. Michael Jenkins, 1988, is based on the play by David Williamson.

Erskinville Kings Dir. Allan White, stars Marty Denniss & Hugo Jackman in sibling drama. (VHS)

Feeling Sexy Dir. Davida Allen. Amusing comedy of a married woman’s secret life.

The Finished People Dir. Khoa Do. From the heart of south-western Sydney comes an unexpected and poignant portrait of life on the streets.

For the Term of His Natural Life Dir. Norman Dawn. Restored 1927 silent classic based on Marcus Clarke novel. (VHS)

Garage Days Dir. Alex Proyas. Explores the world of 'wannabe' musicians, stars Kick Gurry and Pia Miranda.

Gettin’ Square Dir. Jonathan Teplitzky. Sam Worthington, David Wenham & Gary Sweet star in a comedy about starting over, keeping clean and going straight.

The Goddess of 1967 Dir. Clara Law. Outstanding film that follows the journey of a two young people into the brutal Australian outback.

Goodbye Paradise Dir. Carl Schultz, stars Ray Barrett, multiple AFI Award winner, 1982. (VHS)

The Harp in the South (in 2 parts) Dir. George Whaley, adaptation of Ruth Park's novel. (VHS)

Head On Dir. Ana Kokkinos. Based on the uncompromising urban gay novel by Christos Tsiolkas. Rated R.

He Died With a Felafel in His Hand Dir. Richard Lowenstein. Adaptation of the cult novel by John Birmingham.

The Home Song Stories Dir. Tony Ayres. Joan Chen stars in Ayre’s award winning autobiographical tale of his Chinese family coming to terms with Australia.

Hotel Sorrento Dir. Richard Franklin. Hannie Rayson’s play adapted for the big screen. (VHS)

Idiot Box Dir. David Caesar. Black comedy with Ben Mendelson & Jeremy Sims.

In a Savage Land Dir. Bill Bennett. Rufus Sewell, Martin Donovan and Maya Stange in an anthropological drama set in New Guinea. (VHS)

In the Winter Dark Dir. James Bogle, a great adaptation of the novel by Tim Winton. (VHS)

The Interview Dir. Craig Monahan. Multiple AFI Award winner. Hugo Weaving is outstanding in this role.

The Jammed Dir. Dee McLachlan, 2007. Powerful thriller about trafficking, governmental deportation and the sex slave trade in Melbourne.

Japanese Story Dir. Sue Brooks. 2003 multiple AFI Award Winner, starring Toni Collette. .

Jindabyne Dir. Ray Lawrence, 2006. Based on a Raymond Carver story, a powerful and original film about the things that haunt us. Stars Gabriel Byrne.

Keating! The Musical Dir. Neil Armfield

Kenny Dir. Clayton Jacobson, 2006. Wacky plumbing comedy.

Kiss Or Kill Dir. Bill Bennett. 1997 AFI Award Winner.

Kokoda Dir. Alister Grierson, 2006. Dramatic reconstruction of one of the iconic Pacific battles of WWII.

Lantana Dir. Ray Lawrence. Anthony La Paglia and Kerry Armstrong star in a powerful drama.

Last Train to Freo Dir. Jeremy Sims, 2006. Riveting psychological drama with a twist.

Lawn Dogs Dir. John Duigan. A little gem. Made in the US. (VHS)

L’Idole Dir. Samantha Lang. Set in contemporary Paris, stars Leelee Sobieski and James Hong in a tale of co-dependence.

Life Dir. Lawrence Johnston. Grim portrayal of Australian prison culture. Rated R. (VHS)

Like Minds Dir. Gregory J Read. Toni Collette, Richard Roxburgh star in a complex psychological drama.

Lilian’s Story Dir. Jerzy Domardzki. Terrific adaptation of the novel by Kate Grenville, stars Ruth Cracknell & Toni Collette. (VHS)

Little Fish Dir. Rowan Woods. Cate Blanchett, Sam Neil, Hugo Weaving & Noni Hazlehurst star in multiple AFI Award winning drama.

Look Both Ways Dir. Sarah Watt. William McInnes and Justine Clarke star in a powerful and ultimately uplifting film about people coming to terms with their mortality and with loss.

Looking for Alibrandi Dir. Kate Woods. Melina Marchetta’s bestselling teen novel is convincingly transferred to the screen.

Love and Other Catastrophes Dir. Emma-Kate Croghan. Highly successful low-budget Melbourne University film.

Love Serenade Dir. Shirley Barrett. Wryly humorous look at radio announcer glamour, small town romance & sibling rivalry. (VHS)

Love’s Brother Dir. Jan Sardi. 1950s drama of an Italian mail order bride mixup.

Lucky Miles Dir. Michael James Rowland 2007. Insightful and blackly comic drama about illegal immigrants.

Mad Dog Morgan Dir. Philippe Mora, 1976. Dennis Hopper , David Gulpilil, Jack Thompson & Frank Thring star in a good but very violent pic about the 19th century bushranger.

Mad Max Dir. George Miller. The original. Rated R.

Mad Max II The most haunting film in the M M series starring Mel Gibson.

Mad Max: Beyond the Thunderdome starring Tina Turner.

The Magic Pudding Winning Oz animated version of the Norman Lindsay story. (VHS)

The Magician Dir. Scott Ryan. Witty film about a hitman who commissions his film student neighbour to document his life.

Mallboy Dir. Vincent Giarrusso. (VHS)

The Man From Snowy River Dir. George Miller, 1982. Kirk Douglas, Jack Thompson & Sigrid Thornton star in this Australian classic.

The Man from Snowy River II The sequel.

The Man Who Sued God Dir. Mark Joffe. Billy Connolly stars in insurance comedy.

A Man’s Gotta Do Dir. Chris Kennedy. John Howard stars in feel-good comedy.

Map of the Human Heart Dir. Vincent Ward, NZ. (VHS)

Me, Myself, I Dir. Pip Karmel. Rachel Griffiths stars in a “what if I’d never” fantasy/ drama. (VHS)

Men’s Group Dir. Michael Joy, 2008. Drama about a group of six men, who start off as complete strangers but eventually find insight into themselves.

Metal Skin Dir. Geoffrey Wright, with Aden Young and Tara Morice. (VHS)

The Missing Dir. Manuela Alberti. Traditional religion intersects with the Australian outback. (VHS)

Monkey Grip Dir. Ken Cameron. Noni Hazelhurst stars.

Monkey Puzzle Dir. Mark Fortsmann. A group of 20-somethings go trekking deep in the Blue Mountains in search of the Wollemi Pine and get more than they bargained for.

The Monkey’s Mask Dir. Samantha Lang. Based on the lesbian crime verse novel by Dorothy Porter.

Moulin Rouge Dir. Baz Luhrmann. Nicole Kidman & Ewan McGregor star in breathless musical extravaganza.

Mr Reliable Dir. Nadia Tass, Colin Friels & Jacqueline McKenzie star in siege comedy. (VHS)

Mullet Dir. David Caeser. Ben Mendelsohn stars as a prodigal son returning to his sleepy home town.

Muriel’s Wedding Dir. P.J. Hogan. Highly successful recent Oz comedy.

My Mother Frank Dir. Mark Lamprell, stars Sam Neil and Sinead Cusack. (VHS)

Ned Kelly Dir. Gregor Jordan. Heath Ledger takes the title role.

Newcastle Dir. Dan Castle, 2008. A coming of age surfing movie set in the town of the same name.

Night Cries A Tracey Moffat short film. (VHS)

The Night the Prowler Dir. Jim Sharman, stars Ruth Cracknell and Kerry Walker. Screenplay by Patrick White. (VHS)

Nirvana Street Murder Dir. Aleksi Vellis. Tough and inventive filmmaking, stars Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Little. (VHS)

Noise Dir. Matthew Saville 2007. A policeman suffering from tinnitus is part of the investigation of a brutal crime.

The Nostradamus Kid Dir. Bob Ellis, stars Noah Taylor & Miranda Otto. (VHS)

Occasional Coarse Language Dir. Brady Hayward. Urban comedy. (VHS)

The Odd Angry Shot Dir. Tom Jeffrey. John Hargreaves stars in Vietnam War drama. (VHS)

The Old Man Who Read Love Stories Dir. Rolf de Heer. Richard Dreyfuss and Hugo Weaving star.

Once Were Warriors Dir. Lee Tamahori. Extremely powerful and confronting Maori drama.

One Perfect Day Dir. Paul Currie. Winner of ASDA Best First Feature Award.

Only the Brave Dir. Ana Kokkinos. Intense, powerful and realistic portrait of two Greek-Australian teenage girls growing up hard in Melbourne’s outer west. Award winner. (VHS)

The Oyster Farmer Dir. Anna Reeves. Kerry Armstrong, David Field, Jim Norton star in a terrific, well nuanced film.

Oz - A Rock 'n' Roll Road Movie Dir. Chris Lofven. A classic. (VHS)

Passion Dir. Peter Duncan. Bio of the unusual life of Australian composer Percy Grainger. Rated R. (VHS)

Peaches Dir. Craig Monahan, 2004. Drama starring Hugo Weaving and Jacqueline McKenzie.

The Perfectionist Dir. Chris Thompson, based on David Williamson's play with John Waters and Jacki Weaver. (VHS)

Playing Beatie Bow Dir. Donald Crombie based on Ruth Park’s novel

Praise Dir. John Curran. Scripted by Andrew McGahan from his own novel. (VHS)

Proof Dir. Jocelyn Moorehouse. Multiple AFI Award winner stars Hugo Weaving as a blind photographer.

The Quiet Room Dir. Rolf De Heer. A child’s view of the adult world. Disturbing. (VHS)

Radiance Dir. Rachel Perkins. Based on the play by Louis Nowra. (VHS)

The Rage in Placid Lake Dir. Tony McNamara. Oddball comedy about a boy rebelling against his new age parents by going straight.

Rain Dir. Christine Jeffs. NZ 2000. A teenager comes to terms with the breakup of her parents marriage. (VHS)

Razzle Dazzle: a journey into dance Dir. Darren Ashton. Kerry Armstrong stars in amusing story about a dance school and its quest for success in a big competition.

The Removalists Dir. Tom Jeffrey, based on the play by David Williamson. (VHS)

Resistance Dir. Paul Elliott & Hugh Keays-Byrne. Political drama. (VHS)

The Road the Nhill Dir. Sue Brooks, comedy of small town life.

Romper Stomper Dir. Geoffrey Wright, 1992, Russell Crowe stars in this tough portrayal of urban gang life. Rated R

Romulus, My Father Dir. Richard Roxburgh, 2007. Eric Bana stars in great adaptation of the memoir by Raimond Gaita.

Russian Doll Dir. Stavros Kazantzidis. Hugo Weaving, David Wenham and Rebecca Frith star in romantic comedy.

Say a Little Prayer Dir. Richard Lowenstein, based on the novel by Robin Klein. (VHS)

The Sentimental Bloke Dir. Raymond Longford, 1919 silent classic adapted from C.J. Dennis' popular verse, stars Lottie Lyell. Music sound track with inter-titles. (VHS)

September Dir. Peter Carstairs, 2006. Set in a rural town in 1968, this drama explores the friendship between two boys, one black, the other white.

Shine Dir. Scott Hicks, award-winning biopic of pianist David Helfgott. Stars Geoffrey Rush.

The Shiralee Starring Bryan Brown, Noni Hazelhurst & Rebecca Smart. (VHS)

Siam Sunset Dir. John Polson. Foolish comedy about a badly jinxed Brit’s trip to the Australian outback. (VHS)

Silent Partner Dir. Alkinos Tsilimidos. The story of two Aussie losers and their greyhound.

The Silver Brumby Dir. John Tatoulis, based on the much loved book, stars Caroline Goodall.

SNAK Sensitive New Age Killer Dir. Mark Savage. Stylised tongue-in-cheek action comedy.

Soft Fruit Dir. Christina Andreef. Engaging story of a family dealing with their mother’s terminal illness.

Solo Dir. Morgan O’Neill, 2006. Colin Friels stars in a tough thriller that was the Project Greenlight Winner.

Somersault Dir. Cate Shortland. Winner of 13 AFI Awards in 2004, this is a stunning directorial debut with local interest. The film is set in the Canberra region and the filmmaker grew up here.

Son of a Lion Dir. Benjamin Gilmour, 2007. Set in a remote area of Pakistan where the local industry is the making of weapons.

The Sound of One Hand Clapping Dir. Richard Flanagan. Kerry Fox stars in compelling tale of a woman coming to terms with her troubled past.

La Spagnola Dir. Steve Jacobs. A dark comedy of lust, love and revenge set against the desolation and dust of country Australia in the 1960s.

Spider and Rose Dir. Bill Bennett. Generation gap comedy stars Ruth Cracknell. (VHS)

Spotswood Dir. Mark Joffe, comedy with Anthony Hopkins

Storm Boy Dir. Henri Safran. Adaptation of Colin Thiele’s book. (VHS)

Strange Fits of Passion Dir. Elise McCreadie, an anti-romantic comedy. (VHS)

Strange Planet Dir. Emma-Kate Croghan. Another instalment from the “love and other catastrophes” set. (VHS)

Strictly Ballroom Dir. Baz Luhrmann, dance comedy stars Paul Mercurio.

Sunday Too Far Away Dir. Ken Hannam, 1975, Australian outback classic.

Talk Dir. Susan Lambert, a comic view of female friendships. Rated R. (VHS)

Ten Canoes Dir. Rolf De Heer, 2006, a ground-breaking glimpse into Aboriginal life before European colonisation. Shot in and around Central Arnhem Land, in conjunction with the People of Ramingining.

Ten Empty Dir. Anthony Hayes. Depicts a family shattered by mental illness.

The Tender Hook Dir. Jonathan Ogilvie, 2008. Hugo Weaving and Rose Byrne in a romantic thriller set in the 1920s.

Terra Nova Dir. Paul Middleditch.

Jeanette Cronin and Angela Punch McGregor star. (VHS)

Thank God He Met Lizzie Dir. Cherie Nowlan. Cate Blanchett stars. (VHS)

That Eye The Sky Dir. John Ruane, based on the novel by Tim Winton. (VHS)

Three Dollars Dir. Robert Connolly. David Wenham stars in adaptation of the novel by Elliot Perlman.

Till Human Voices Wake Us Dir. Michael Petroni. Haunting tale of the burden of guilt associated with the loss of a childhood friend.

To Have and to Hold Dir. John Hillcoat. Drama set in New Guinea. (VHS)

Topless Women Talk About Their Lives Dir. Harry Sinclair, NZ. An original and exhilarating comedy of manners. (VHS)

A Town Like Alice Dir. Jack Lee, 1956. Peter Finch and Virginia McKenna star in adaptation of Nevil Shute's book. (VHS)

The Tracker Dir. Rolf de Heer. Stars David Gulpilil and Gary Sweet, music by Archie Roach.

Traps Dir. Pauline Chan. Thriller set in Vietnam in the 50s. (VHS)

Travelling Light Dir. Kathryn Millard. Pia Miranda stars in a gentle comedy set in Adelaide in 1971.

Travelling North Leo Mckern & Julia Blake in adaptation of David Williamson's play.

True Love and Chaos Dir. Stavros Andonis Efthymiou. A gritty road movie from the creator of “Love and Other Catastrophes”. (VHS)

Two Hands Dir. Gregor Jordan. Very funny crime caper with Bryan Brown.

2:37 Dir. Murali K Thalluri, 2006. Ensemble drama about a group of high school students whose lives are affected by a tragedy. Homage to Gus Van Sant.

Under the Lighthouse Dancing Dir. Graeme Rattigan, stars Jack Thompson and Jacqueline McKenzie in romantic drama. (VHS)

Unfinished Sky Dir. Peter Duncan, 2008. William McInnes and Monic Hendrickx star in a dramatic love story with a twist - an Australian farmer and a Afghanee refugee who together face their demons.

Utu Dir. Geoff Murphy, powerful drama of the Maori wars. (VHS)

Walkabout Dir. Nicholas Roeg, 1971. Landmark “Australian” film by British director.

Walking on Water Dir. Tony Ayres. Vince Colosimo and Maria Theodorakis star in a compelling drama that was nominated for a total of 9 AFI awards. Welcome to Woop Woop Dir. Stephan Elliot. Another outlandish comedy from the creator of “Priscilla”. (VHS)

The Well Dir. Samantha Lang,

based on the novel by Elizabeth Jolley. (VHS)

Whale Rider Dir. Niki Caro, NZ drama about a young Maori girl’s struggle to be accepted as a potential leader by her grandfather.

What Becomes of the Broken Hearted Dir. Ian Mune, sequel to NZ Alan Duff’s tough “Once Were Warriors”. (VHS)

What I Have Written Dir. John Hughes, adaptation of the contemporary novel by John A Scott. Rated R. (VHS)

The Wide Sargasso Sea Dir. John Duigan. Rachel Ward & Michael York star in adaptation of the novel by Jean Rhys.

The Wog Boy Dir. Aleksi Vellis. From one of the creators of “Wogs Out of Work” comes a very “in your face” Australian social comedy. (VHS)

Wolf Creek Dir. Greg McLean. Inspired by Australia’s most gruesome true crime story this is not for the faint hearted. Rated R.

The Year My Voice Broke Dir. John Duigan, 1987, Noah Taylor and Ben Mendelsohn star in a coming of age drama set in a rural town in the 1960s.

Yolngu Boy Dir. Stephen Johnson. The story of three Aboriginal boys caught in a collision between traditional and contemporary cultures. Shot entirely in Arnhem Land, Darwin and Kakadu.

Young Einstein Dir Yahoo Serious. 1988 comedy (VHS)

 

[rebirth]

DENMARK/ FINLAND/ ICELAND/ SWEDEN/ NORWAY



Directed by Ingmar Bergman -

Autumn Sonata 1978. Liv Ulman and Ingrid Bergman as mother and daughter who have not met for seven years. In English

Fanny and Alexander (in 2 parts) 1982. His last, magnificent and magical film is set in Bergman's home town in 1907.

From the Life of the Marionettes 1980. Examines the psychology of the murder of a prostitute by a businessman. In English. (VHS)

Hour of the Wolf 1967. Brilliant gothic fantasy about an artist who has disappeared leaving only a diary. (VHS)

The Magician 1959. stars Max Von Sydow & Ingrid Thulin. (VHS)

Persona 1966. Liv Ullman and Bibi Andersson are extraordinary in this symbiotic drama between an actress suffering a breakdown and her nurse.

Sawdust and Tinsel 1953. The circus is employed as a metaphor for the various humiliations of maintaining a marriage.

Scenes From a Marriage 1973. Reveals the pain, doubt, despair, confusion and loneliness when a woman discovers her husband is having an affair. Liv Ullman stars.

The Serpent's Egg 1977. Set in Berlin in 1923, drama stars Liv Ullman & David Carradine. In English. (VHS)

The Seventh Seal 1957. Stars a medieval Max Von Sydow.

The Silence 1963. The final part of the silence of God trilogy (1st is &#8220;Through a Glass Darkly&#8221; & 2nd is &#8220;Winter Light&#8221 is a bleak study of human loneliness. Rated R

Smiles of a Summer Night 1955.

The Touch 1970. His first English language film is a &#8220;love story&#8221; with Elliot Gould, Bibi Anderson & Max Von Sydow. (VHS)

Through a Glass Darkly 1961. Academy Award winner.

The Virgin Spring 1960. A tale of vengeance set in 14th century Sweden.

Wild Strawberries 1958. Elderly dried-up academic relives his past life on the way to receive an award.

Winter Light 1963. 2nd in the trilogy about God's silence.



Directed by Aki Kaurismaki -

Ariel Supercool sardonic Finnish comedy. (VHS)

Leningrad Cowboys Go America Comic road movie of truly awful Finnish musicians taking on the US (VHS)

La Vie de Boheme Coolly sardonic melodrama updates La Boheme. French & Finnish dialogue/ English subtitles. (VHS)

The Man Without a Past/ Mies Vailla Menneisyytta. A man is mugged and given up for dead but miraculously revives but with no memory. Another deadpan Finnish comedy.





Directed by Lars Von Trier &#8211;

Breaking the Waves An epic melodrama about love, faith, suffering & redemption. Made in English. Rated R.

Dancer in the Dark Bjork and Catherine Deneuve star.

Dogville Nicole Kidman stars in offbeat drama of a fugitive who stumbles into a remote mountain community in the 1930s

Europa (aka Zentropa) Political thriller reminiscent of Hitchcock. In German and English.

The Five Obstructions . Co-made with Jorgen Leth, a cinematic duel.

The Idiots 1998. The first movie made according to his back to basics &#8220;Dogma 95&#8221; Manifesto, centres on a group of people who go around pretending to be mentally ill. Rated R. (VHS)

The Kingdom Series 1, 1997. His bizarre gothic miniseries that takes place in Copenhagen&#8217;s Kingdom Hospital, a gleaming edifice built on an ancient burial ground. This international cult hit made him a household name.

The Kingdom Series 2, 1997.

Manderlay 2005. The second Dogville film moves to America&#8217;s deep south and tackles the notion of slavery.



Adam&#8217;s Apples Dir. Anders Thomas Jensen, Denmark, 2005. Comedy about a clash between good and evil or blind optimisim vs negative pessimism.

After the Wedding Dir. Susanne Bier, Denmark 2006. An emotional roller coaster of a film.

All Things Fair Dir. Bo Widerberg. Story of a passionate student /teacher affair set in the 1940s. (VHS)

As It Is In Heaven Dir. Kay Pollak, 2004. This tale of a famous conductor coming to terms with his mortality by returning to the village of his childhood set cinema going records in Australia.

Babette's Feast Dir. Gabriel Axel. French maid Babette wins the lottery & holds a huge feast for the town. Danish.

The Best Man&#8217;s Wedding / Julla Julla! Dir. Josef Fares. An infectiously energetic Swedish comedy.

Black Ice Dir. Petri Kotwica, Finland 2007. Set in the icy mid winter, it is a tale of passion betrayal and vengeance.

A Bothersome Man Dir. Jens Lien. Norwegian psychological drama about a middle aged man who arrives in a city with no memory of how he got there.

Christmas Oratorio Dir. Kjellake Anderson, based on the moving Swedish novel by Goran Tunstrom. (VHS)

Cold Fever Dir. Fridrik Thor Fridriksson. A quirky & affecting Icelandic/ Japanese road movie. (VHS)

Devil&#8217;s Island Dir. Fridrik Thor Fridriksson. Bittersweet tale of Iceland in the &#8216;50s. (VHS)

Elvira Madigan Dir. Bo Widerberg, 1967. A seminal film of 60s art house cinema. (VHS)

Exit Dir. Peter Lindmark, 2006. Taut Swedish thriller starring Mads Mikkelsen.

Festen Dir. Thomas Vinterberg 1998. The first Dogme film is set at a family birthday celebration.

The Great Day on the Beach Dir. Stellan Olsson, a marvellous comedy. (VHS)

Italian For Beginners Dir. Lone Scherfig. Danish Dogme movie about a group of loners attending evening classes in Italian.

Jar City Dir. Baltasar Kormáker, Iceland 2006. Jar City is a taut thriller that turns on the famously homogeneous gene pool of the tiny Nordic nation.

Junk Mail Dir. Pal Sletaune. Humorous tale of a lovestruck postman unable to declare himself. (VHS)

Mifune Dir. Soren Kragh-Jacobsen. The third film made under the tenets of the Dogma 95 Manifesto. (VHS)

Noi the Albino Dir. Dagur Kari. Icelandic drama set in a remote fjord, tells the tale of a teenage dreamer.

Open Hearts/ Elsker dig for evigt Dir. Susanne Bier. This Danish Dogme drama pivots on a shocking calamity that opens the gates to an adulterous affair and its attendant fallout.

The Other Side of Sunday Dir. Berit Nesheim. Norwegian drama set in the repressive 50s. (VHS)

The Passion of Joan of Arc Dir. Carl Theodor Dreyer, 1928. A ground-breaking silent classic.

Reprise Dir. Joachim Trier, Norway 2006. A bittersweet comedy about two competitive friends.

Sebastian Dir. Send Wam. Norwegian drama about an adolescent boy&#8217;s emerging homosexuality. (VHS)

Show Me Love Dir. Lukas Moodyssoon. Swedish teen lesbian drama. (VHS)

Sofie Dir. Liv Ullman. Period drama of desire and repression set in Copenhagen in 1866. (VHS)

Suddenly Dir. Johan Brisinger, 2006. A father and son have to deal with the loss of the rest of their family in a tragic accident. Stars Michael Nyqvist (As It Is In Heaven).

Together Dir. Lukas Moodysson.

Manages to send up 70s social radicalism whilst at the same time as remaining sympathetic to many of its ideals. Swedish.

You, the Living Dir. Roy Andersson, 2008. Hypnotic and darkly humorous &#8211; a uniquely Scandinavian take on the absurdities of the human condition.

Zero Kelvin Dir. Hans Peter Moland. Tense psychological thriller set in Greenland in 1925. (VHS)

 

[rebirth]

STORIES FROM THE DARK SIDE AND THE FAR SIDE:

SCI-FI & HORROR



see also works in many other sections, e.g -

BEST of TV - Quatermass and the Pit/ The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy/ The Prisoner

CLASSICS - Hitchcock

RUSSIA - Andrei Tarkovsky

UK & USA DRAMA - David Lynch



Barbarella Dir. Roger Vadim, 1968, stars the young Jane Fonda.

The Cube Dir. Vincenzo Natali. Six people desperately searching for the exit from a giant cube. (VHS)

eXistenZ Dir. David Cronenberg. Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jude Law, Willem Dafaoe & Ian Holme star in virtual reality drama.

The Exorcist (Uncut) Dir. William Freidkin. 1973 horror classic. Rated R (VHS)

Forbidden Planet Dir. Fred McLeod Wilcox, 1956. Sci-fi version of Shakespeare&#8217;s The Tempest. (VHS)

Immortal Dir. Enki Bilal, 2004. Sci Fi set in New York in 2095.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers Dir. Don Siegel, 1951. (VHS)

Pi the Movie Dir. Darren Aronofsky.

Low budget but cult status pic tells tale of obsessed mathematician who believes he may be able to find the answers to life&#8217;s biggest questions. (VHS)

Scanners Dir. David Cronenberg (VHS)

Slaughterhouse Five Dir. George Roy Hill. Adaptation of the time-shifting story by Kurt Vonnegut

Sleepy Hollow Dir. Tim Burton. Johnny Depp is terrific in this adaptation of the gothic classic by Washington Irving.

Soylent Green Dir. Richard Fleischer, 1973, stars Charlton Heston. Based on the sci-fi horror novel by Harry Harrison.

Teknolust Dir. Lynn Hershmann Leeson. Tilda Swinton stars in a bizarre futurist take on sex.

Twin Peaks Dir. David Lynch. The complete bizarre cult tv series about the murder of schoolgirl Laura Palmer, including the original pilot film. Rents in 4 parts.

The War of the Worlds Dir. Byron Haskin,1954. Oscar-winning adaptation of H.G. Wells' chilling novel of the invasion of earth by Martians. (VHS)



The Wolves of Willoughby Chase Dir. Stuart Orme. Very amusing. (VHS)

 

[Psychonaut]

I only scanned that mess but from what I read, I do agree that as far as canned biscuits go, Grands are the best.