world movies

A post on our blog inspired someone to comment that I should start a thread on boots-n-all devoted to world movies, a bit like the book thread.

So who can offer up some suggestions of movies in which the *place* is of particular importance?

The three I have started with after one visit to the video store are:
Miss Potter - England
The Beautiful Country - Vietnam
Hotel Rwanda - Rwanda
However, I have not yet watched the second two, so cannot comment at all. As for Miss Potter, it's a *family movie*, which caused my ten year old son to cry! Great countryside scenes, interesting commentary on the British class system, interwoven with delightful snippets from the stories our children love.

Bosnia/the Balkans:
No Man's Land
Grbavica (different names in English and other languages - " Grbavica: the Land of my Dreams ", "Esma's Secret")

I think these two along with Welcome to Sarajevo are the best, but there are other films from regional directors which are also good like Gori Vatra/Fuse. Black Cat, White Cat is supposed to be good as well but I haven't seen it.

I loved Mongol about the early days of Temujin, better known as Genghis Khan. Great Mongolian footage, actually shot in Kazakhstan.

Das Boot ist voll, Switzerland
Der Berg, Switzerland
Rabbit-Proof Fence, Australia
Ten Canoes, Australia

Japanese Story - Australia
The Warrior - India

Cirandiru : Brazil



Very interesting movie about life in a very crowded Brazilian prison. The characters are amazing. Some of the same ones that were in the City of God, which is about slum kids in Brazil.

Can't forget:

Lost in Translation - Tokyo
Amelie - Paris
Chocolat - A very small, very French town.

I'm also a fan of Almost Famous, not necessarily a single place but I think it captures the time and mood very well.

Also recommended is Life is a Miracle directed by Emir Kusturica, a quirky film set in the valleys of Bosnia, with bears and all!

Roman Holiday
Casablanca
Berlin: Symphony of a Great City