The Best Foreign Language Films of 2023
Exploring films from different corners of the world not only entertains but also educates us about diverse cultures and languages. As we anticipate Oscar night, let’s take a moment to review our own favorite foreign language films of 2023, most of which are just starting to hit American theaters now.
The films we have selected for this blog stand out not just for their storytelling prowess but also for the rich cultural diversity they bring to the cinematic world. From the gripping drama set against the backdrop of the French Alps in “Anatomy of a Fall,” to the chilling horror of rural Argentina in “When Evil Lurks,” these films highlight the vast array of human experience and artistic expression found around the globe.
Table of Contents
→Sign Up Now: Free Trial Language Lesson With a Native Teacher!←
1. Anatomie d’une chute / Anatomy of a Fall (French, English)
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the French Alps, “Anatomy of a Fall” centers on a writer couple, Sandra and Samuel, and Sandra’s visually impaired son, Daniel. Their seemingly peaceful existence is upended when Daniel stumbles upon his father’s dead body in the snow. The film delves into the mystery: was Samuel’s death an accident, a suicide, or murder?
The film, directed by Justine Triet, excels in weaving a narrative that is as intellectually stimulating as it is psychologically complex. Triet’s direction skillfully utilizes the ensemble cast, creating a sum greater than its parts. Sandra Hüller’s performance as a morally ambiguous, successful woman accused of her husband’s murder stands out as particularly powerful. Her portrayal is committed, visceral, and strikingly authentic, making it a highlight of the year.
Triet’s film also pays homage to Otto Preminger’s “Anatomy of a Murder” in its forensic dissection of death, offering a narrative that shifts perspectives and slowly unveils a dual mystery surrounding the protagonist’s guilt and true nature. The film masterfully balances courtroom dynamics with the personal turmoil of its characters, avoiding easy sympathy for Hüller’s character. It presents a marriage in crisis, depicted through a blend of legal dialogue and domestic flashbacks.
Anatomy of a Fall is a dual-language film, with both French and English being consistently spoken throughout its generous 150’ running time. This makes it a great film to watch for practice for those who don’t feel ready to commit to a 100% foreign language film.
2. The Zone of Interest (German, Polish)
“Zone of Interest” presents a chilling portrayal of Rudolf Höss, the architect behind the Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp, and his family’s life adjacent to the site of unimaginable atrocities. Directed by Jonathan Glazer and based on Martin Amis’ novel, the film explores the harrowing juxtaposition of a seemingly idyllic family life against the backdrop of the Holocaust’s horrors.
The directors takes a stark and clinical approach to depicting the life of Rudolf Höss and his family living in proximity to Auschwitz. The film adeptly utilizes off-screen sounds of suffering and despair, contrasting sharply with the family’s everyday activities, to highlight the banality of evil concept. This narrative choice creates a powerful, unsettling experience without resorting to graphic depictions of violence or cruelty.
Primarily in German with a few lines in Polish, “Zone of Interest” is an unconventional exploration of the Holocaust’s peripheral vision, examining the lives of those who lived alongside the machinery of death yet remained untouched by its moral implications.
3. Kimitachi wa Do Ikiruka / The Boy and the Heron (Japanese)
“The Boy and the Heron”, the latest film from legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, follows Mahito, a 12-year-old boy grappling with the loss of his mother in a fire during World War II. The story begins with a strikingly realistic depiction of the war’s devastation, before Mahito’s life takes a turn towards the fantastical upon discovering a mysterious, ruined tower on his new family estate. A heron flying above the tower sparks Mahito’s belief that his mother is still alive, leading him into a magical realm filled with giant parakeets, time-traveling doors, hungry pelicans, and balloon-like creatures called warawara. In this world, Mahito finds a deep connection with the all-seeing Lord of the Tower.
Hayao Miyazaki’s latest creation, “The Boy and the Heron,” marries melancholy with a sense of adventure in a tale that transitions seamlessly from the grim realities of war to a mesmerizing fantasy world. The film showcases Miyazaki’s unparalleled ability to blend the whimsical with human relationships, creating a unique universe that resonates with emotional depth and beauty. Reminiscent of “Alice in Wonderland” in the way it creates its very own logic, Miyazaki’s film explores themes of loss, grief, and the quest for solace.
While “The Boy and the Heron” is presented in most American cinemas in English, it is advisable to watch in its original language, Japanese, for a more authentic and enriching experience. It’s worth noting that anime, particularly the works of Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, has been a significant factor in inspiring people to learn Japanese. If you haven’t checked Miyazaki’s filmography yet, “The Boy and the Heron” is a very worthy introduction to his cinematic universe.
4. Cuando acecha la maldad / When Evil Lurks (Argentine Spanish)
“When Evil Lurks” is an Argentine horror film that tells the story of two brothers, Pedro and Jimi, living in a rural area. Their simple existence is shattered when they stumble upon the mutilated corpse of a man, leading them to uncover a dark presence in a nearby ranch. This entity, a grotesquely deformed man seemingly possessed by a demonic force, sets off a chain of horrific events. The brothers, along with a local farmer, attempt to rid themselves of this cursed individual, only to trigger a relentless series supernatural terror that tests the boundaries of their sanity.
Set against the backdrop of the Argentine countryside, the film explores the omnipresence of evil, indiscriminately affecting all aspects of life and mirroring the universal dread brought about by real-world catastrophes like the pandemic. In a genre often plagued by predictability, “When Evil Lurks” emerges as a refreshing and impactful addition. This film not only reaffirms the director’s position as a leading figure in Argentine horror but also signals the dawn of a new and promising era for the genre in the country.
From a linguistic perspective, “When Evil Lurks” provides a rare opportunity to hear Argentine English as spoken in rural areas, which is why we strongly suggest watching the film in its original language with Spanish or English subtitles.
The films we’ve explored underscore the incredible power of cinema to ignite curiosity about different cultures and languages. Each story, with its unique setting and linguistic backdrop, opens a window to a world that viewers might not have encountered otherwise.
→Sign Up Now: Free Trial Language Lesson With a Native Teacher!←
If this exploration of global cinema has inspired you to learn a new language, make sure you check out our tailormade language courses. Whether you are a beginner who wants to learn a few survival phrases or an advanced learner who wants to perfect their accent, our native teachers are ready to guide you on your linguistic journey with personalized lessons in French, German, Polish, Japanese, Spanish, and more.
Embrace the opportunity to expand your horizons—learn a new language with Listen & Learn and unlock a world of rich cultural experiences!