films

These are my top recommendations for foreign films, this list is constantly being updated so check back in every so often for new additions to the list. Before you dive in, I do recommend you take a look at my guide to navigating foreign entertainment. DISCLAIMER! I want to make sure you’re aware that censorship can be completely different in other countries so if there’s certain content you don’t like watching or want you kids to watch, make sure to check the ratings because they usually list any sensitve content you might find.

LEs Sauveurs du Palais

I first saw this movie when I was in college, and it’s about a chef who gets selected to run the French president’s private kitchen. The president ends up loving her cooking because it reminds him of food his grandmother used to make, and takes a liking to her by allowing her more freedom in the kitchen. The English title is Haute Cuisine and it was on Netflix during the time that I watched it, but I’m not sure if it’s still there. I think it’s one of the most charming films I’ve ever seen and since we’re all about feminism these days, this one has a strong female lead.

Hors de Prix

If you loved Audrey Tautou in the most popular film Amelie, then I’m sure you’ll love her in this one. Tautou plays a gold digger who makes more than a living by using wealthy men to pay for her lavish lifestyle. The story unravels when she meets a particular waiter who she just can’t get away from. The English title is Priceless, and it’s a bit of an unconventional love story with 2 strong leads, and a comedic plotline.

Un Peu, Beaucoup, aveuglément

I found this on Netflix not too long ago, but it’s super cute for a rom-com! It’s about a pianiste who lives in a small studio, but her noisy neighbor next door is always working up her nerves. The 2 bond over their love of music and begin dating through their wall without ever having seen each other! The English title is Blind Date and I couldn’t stop laughing through it!

Portrait de la Jeune Fille en Feu

I watched this with my roommates on my birthday in July of 2020, and I believe you can find it on Hulu. The film is about an artiste who is commissioned to create a portrait as an engagement gift for a client when she ends up falling in love with the woman she’s painting. I believe this movie is not only hilarious, but also provides perspective on being in love with someone of the same sex during the late 16th century.

Yves Saint Laurent

If you enjoy fashion or really love YSL, this a captivating film about the life of Yves Saint Laurent who was a major haute couture designer born in Oran, Algeria. He became Christian Dior’s right-hand man up until his death. Following his career at Dior, he later started his own fashion house which helped his career take off while exploring his sexuality.

Les Choristes

I first saw this film in my high school French class and it’s such a fun comedy! It’s about a teacher who was recently hired at an all boys boarding school. He ends up teaching them music in which he later molds them into a euphoric choir in hopes that music will give them a creative outlet to subsidize some of their behavior problems.

A Pesar de Todo

I LOVE this movie! The English title is Despite Everything and it’s a good family feel good about 4 sisters who are reunited after their mom dies. When they get together to watch the video of her will, she reveals that they are all half-sisters and each of them has a completely different father. The rest of the film is about them reconnecting as sisters as they’re trying to find out who their biological fathers are. Keep in mind this is European Spanish.

Gente que Viene y Bah

This is another family movie from Netflix and I found it hilarious from the start. It starts off with a woman who has a stable job, a steady boyfriend, a decent place to live. All of this changes when she catches her boyfriend cheating and she makes a big scene at work (which is why you shouldn’t work at the same place as your boyfriend…just saying). She moves back home to be with her family and she starts to learn more about herself and what she wants in life. Keep in mind this is European Spanish.

Soltera Codiciada

I believe I saw this on Netflix when it first came out and it’s a good comedy to watch with friends. The English title is How to Get Over a Breakup and the title just says it all. It’s about a girl who gets dumped in the beginning of the film and becomes a mess afterwards. Her friends basically try to get her out of her funk by getting her to do all these crazy things to get over her ex. Also keep in mind this is Peruvian Spanish so the colloquial terms and dialogue might sound different depending on what kind of Spanish you’ve been learning. All in all, the plotline is pretty easy to follow.

Jefe

This movie is a trip. It means Boss in English. It’s about this man who owns this huge company, but is the definition of an asshole boss with a little bit of a coke problem. He’s rude, he calls people names, and throws things at people! While at the office late at night, he meets a beautiful Columbiana who comes in to clean the office at night. They become friends and later on helps him out when he finds out someone somehow made 15 million euros disappear from the company account.