Best of 2022, International Features

 


As we roll through Awards Season, I wanted to have a look back at some of my favorite films of 2022 in various categories. Today, I'm sharing my 10 favorite International Features.

10. Argentina, 1985
About: This film came to domestic audiences via Prime Video. It centers on the true story of brave lawyers who took on a dictatorship. I liked the performances and the story, helping it land in my Top 10 and on the Academy Award shortlist.

9. All Quiet on the Western Front
About: This one debuted on Netflix, a German-language feature of the classic book. I was impressed by the way the film was put together and the craft used. I loved the opening sequence, which I thought was one of the most clever things about the production. This is another film that could make the Academy Award list.

8. Joyland
About: I discovered this one through the Independent Spirits, where it was nominated for Best International Feature. It comes from Pakistan and features some heart-breaking performances and sequences.

7. Broker
About: This Korean feature is about a pair who help find unwanted children for a fee. They come across a mother who joins them as they try to place her child, all while being pursued by some dogged detectives. This one is emotional and well-crafted.

6. Our Father, the Devil
About: Another Spirit Award nominee, this one is in the Best Feature competition. It's a French film that focuses on an African refugee working as a chef who encounters a new priest that is connected to her painful past as a child soldier. This is a fascinating and difficult film to watch at times, but it's really well done. I also thought it has a powerful message about forgiveness.

5. Close
About: This Belgium entry from director Lukas Dhont was a Grand Jury Prize winner at the Cannes Film Festival. It centers on two young men, Leo and Remi, and their close bond that is mocked by new classmates. This attention fracture the bond and takes a toll on both. This is an engaging and emotional film that caught me a little off guard.

4. Saint Omer
About: Another French film, this one focusing on a novelist who attends the trial of a mother accused of drowning her child. It's an emotional and engaging courtroom drama, but it also is an emotional journey. Director Alice Diop based it on her own experience and it shows.

3. Decision to Leave
About: This is another Korean film, this time coming from director Park Chan-Wook, focusing on an insomniac detective who gets drawn to a charming suspect in a new murder case. The film takes an interesting path, including the impact on both their lives, and leaves you with an ending that's nothing short of haunting.

2. RRR
About: This one is streaming on Netflix, and comes from India. It's a long film, running more than three hours, with plenty of action and a wildly creative story and visual style. It's got a little bit of everything and really hooks the viewer. It demands to be seen, especially for the visuals and effects, in addition to the strong performances.

1. Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths
About: This Netflix film comes from Alejandro G. Inarritu, and is set in Mexico. Daniel Gimenez Cacho is a journalist and filmmaker on the cusp of winning a major award. He returns home to Mexico and takes stock of his life and career. This is one of the most creative visual films I saw last year, with a great lead performance and an engaging story. 

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