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. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Burial a courtroom drama with heart

Image
Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju...
Read more

Broncos Draft Targets

Image
  The NFL Draft is just a few days away. On April 25, the Denver Broncos will head into the draft in the midst of something of a rebuild. In the draft, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick in Round 1, then have a Third Round Pick, Fourth Round Pick, three Fifth Round Picks, a Sixth Round Pick, and a Seventh Round Pick. So, what might they be targeting? Let's dive in and look at possible positions. Quarterback : The team clearly needs a long-term quarterback. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are there but the team could certainly use someone else. Could they move up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? Yes, they could. Will the take Bo Nix at 12? It's possible. Or will the Broncos wait until next off-season to make a move? Anything is in play for the Broncos in 2024, but quarterback is surely a need. Tight End: The team brought back Adam Trautman and still has Greg Dulcich, but it's still a need. Dulcich hasn't been able to get on the field and Trautman hasn't been great. Co...
Read more

Favorite Westerns, No. 43

Image
  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Rooster Cogburn : [ watching Mattie ford the river hanging on the back of her horse] By God. She reminds me of me. True Grit (1969) Starring : John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper Director : Henry Hathaway About: This is the third straight week with a film from Wayne. As you might guess, we're not done. As I've mentioned, he sets a standard for the genre. Here, we seen him bring to life an iconic character. This one is based on a novel, and it has endured. He's great as Rooster Cogburn, so good that he got a sequel in the same character. But this is a later film in his career. This is a different, more grizzled Wayne. He's still quite good and this is a film that really has stood the test of time. It's not the only ve...
Read more