136 Foreign Films Exploring Deep Human Emotions and Relationships
135 titles
- 101
AlphavilleMovie · 1965 · 99m · Drama, Science Fiction, MysteryIn the city of Alphaville, a powerful computer called Alpha 60 controls the citizens. Created by Professor Von Braun, the city is now devoid of emotion; people communicate only in code and have forgotten how to love. Lemmy Caution is sent on a dangerous mission to stop Von Braun and shut down Alpha 60. He teams up with Natasha, the scientist's daughter, who wants to understand human feelings that her father's creation has erased. As Lemmy moves through Alphaville, he grapples with his own ideas of love, trying to show Natasha its true meaning and bring humanity back to the city. This science fiction thriller examines the impact of language, technology, and emotion as Lemmy tries to save Alphaville from becoming a place without human connection.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.9 - 102
Pan's LabyrinthMovie · 2006 · 118m · Fantasy, Drama, WarFollowing the Spanish Civil War, ten-year-old Ofelia and her pregnant mother go to live with her abusive stepfather. She discovers a strange labyrinth and encounters a faun who tells her she might be a princess from a hidden kingdom. To find her real father, Ofelia must complete a series of bizarre and dangerous challenges that make it hard to tell what's real and what's not.IMDb 8.2TMDB 7.8 - 103
Band of OutsidersMovie · 1964 · 97m · Crime, Drama, ComedyFranz and Arthur, devoted fans of film noir and Westerns, live in a world inspired by their favorite movies. They drift through Paris seeking adventure and meet Odile, a captivating woman who draws them into her orbit. The three form a connection through their shared passion for cinema and begin to challenge conventions with creative acts, like impromptu cafe dances or late-night visits to the Louvre.
Their admiration for outlaws leads them to plot a real heist, inspired by Hollywood’s antiheroes. However, their inexperience puts their plans at risk, potentially leading them into danger – a thrilling conclusion they've always envisioned. This unconventional story examines identity, loyalty, and the power of film, all set against the lively atmosphere of Paris.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.5 - 104
Céline and Julie Go BoatingMovie · 1974 · 193m · Comedy, Drama, FantasyJulie, a librarian prone to daydreaming, meets Céline, an unusual magician. Together, they have an extraordinary adventure that bends time and space. They explore a haunted house, where strange candy unlocks shared dreams and reveals hidden truths. Their journey becomes a murder mystery that tests their friendship and forces them to confront secrets within themselves. This imaginative story blends fantasy, suspense, and self-discovery, blurring the line between reality and illusion.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.8 - 105
Who Are You, Polly Maggoo?Movie · 1966 · 101m · Comedy, DramaThis sharp satire follows Polly Maggoo, a 20-year-old model from Brooklyn, as she navigates the ruthless Parisian fashion scene. Magazine editor Ms. Maxwell dictates what's stylish, blurring the line between the absurd and the elegant. Polly gains attention when featured on a shallow TV documentary series, "Qui êtes-vous?", and becomes pursued by a filmmaker documenting her life and the prince of a small Soviet nation. The film reveals the absurdity and shallowness often found in fashion, prompting viewers to question their own ideas about beauty and significance.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.4 - 106
WeekendMovie · 1967 · 104m · ComedyA seemingly perfect weekend getaway to the countryside turns into a nightmare for a wealthy French family. Their idyllic escape quickly descends into chaos as societal order breaks down. The film explores the dark consequences of unchecked desires, as the family faces desperation and depravity in a once peaceful setting. Cannibalism and murder become increasingly common, forcing them to confront the fragility of civilization itself.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.9 - 107
Made in Hong KongMovie · 1997 · 109m · Crime, DramaHong Kong, 1997. The film explores the lives of young people navigating love and death in a vibrant city. Moon, a cynical debt collector, meets Ping, a young woman with a terminal illness. He is drawn to her spirit and beauty, and they begin a relationship that offers hope amidst hardship. Their lives become connected to a stranger through a suicide note, highlighting the fragility of life and the unexpected ways people's paths can intersect. The story examines love, loss, and mortality against the backdrop of a changing society, offering a deeply resonant cinematic experience.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.5 - 108
WetlandsMovie · 2013 · 109m · Drama, ComedyHelen, a rebellious teenager, clashes with her parents. She spends most of her time with her friend Corinna, and together they repeatedly defy social norms, using sex as a form of rebellion against traditional values. Following a mishap during a shave, Helen is hospitalized and quickly becomes a source of attention. There, she meets Robin, a male nurse who quickly captures her attention.IMDb 5.8TMDB 5.3 - 109
DogtoothMovie · 2009 · 98m · DramaThree teenagers are isolated in a remote country estate that feels otherworldly. Confined within its walls, they spend their time listening to homemade tapes that introduce them to a completely new vocabulary. Any word from outside their home is redefined. For example, "the sea" means a large armchair, and "zombies" are little yellow flowers. To maintain control, their overbearing parents force them to pretend they have an estranged brother who disobeyed them.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.1 - 110
Holy MotorsMovie · 2012 · 116m · Drama, FantasyThe film follows 24 hours in the life of someone who repeatedly inhabits different bodies, moving from one life to the next like a detached assassin. Each life is completely different – sometimes male, sometimes female, young, sometimes old. They experience life as a murderer, a beggar, a CEO, a monster, a worker, a family man.IMDb 7.0TMDB 7.0 - 111
RepriseMovie · 2006 · 107m · DramaPhillip and Erik have been close friends since they were children. They both love the novels of the reclusive author Sten Egil Dahl and both want to be writers themselves. But life takes them on different paths as they both try to achieve their dreams.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.1 - 112
8½Movie · 1963 · 139mFilm director Guido Anselmi, at the height of his success, experiences a complete creative block. Doctors advise him to take a break, so he retreats to a lavish resort. However, his entourage – including his producer, staff, actors, wife, mistress, and family – follow, each desperately wanting him to resume work. Isolated from them, Anselmi becomes lost in memories of past relationships and childhood fantasies.IMDb 8.0TMDB 8.1 - 113
DemonloverMovie · 2002 · 121m · Drama, Mystery, ThrillerA French company and an American web media company compete for the rights to a 3-D manga pornography studio. This competition escalates into a conflict involving power struggles, violence, and espionage.IMDb 5.9TMDB 5.7 - 114
CycloMovie · 1995 · 123m · Drama, CrimeIn Ho Chi Minh City, a young cyclo driver struggles with poverty and the difficulties of city life. He works tirelessly to support his two sisters and grandfather, but is drawn into a criminal world. Renting his cyclo from a mysterious woman, he starts committing small crimes to survive.
The film explores desperation, survival, and difficult choices as the main character navigates the dangerous world of Vietnamese organized crime. The director vividly portrays the chaotic atmosphere of Ho Chi Minh City while examining the emotional strength of people facing hardship.
As the driver's life becomes more involved with criminal activity, the audience questions how long he can continue and what consequences his choices will have.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.0 - 115
RomaMovie · 2018 · 135m · DramaMexico City, 1970s. Two women working as domestic servants provide support to a mother of four while her husband is away for a long time.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.6 - 116
Handsome SergeMovie · 1959 · 98m · DramaAfter a ten-year absence, a man returns to his hometown and finds it changed for the worse. His childhood friend is now struggling with addiction, reflecting the community's overall decline. The film explores friendship, loss, and the search for redemption as the protagonist confronts his past and tries to repair fractured relationships. Through their bittersweet reunion, the story examines the difficulties of human connection during hardship and offers a moving look at the challenges facing small towns dealing with economic hardship and shifting times.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.9 - 117
The SouvenirMovie · 2019 · 119m · Romance, DramaA reserved film student becomes deeply involved with a captivating but unreliable older man, leading to a passionate and complicated relationship.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.1 - 118
The LureMovie · 2015 · 93m · Horror, Music, FantasyTwo mermaid sisters working at a nightclub are forced to make difficult and violent decisions when one of them develops feelings for a handsome human.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.2 - 119
Lady VengeanceMovie · 2005 · 115m · Drama, ThrillerAfter spending 13 years wrongly convicted and imprisoned, a woman starts putting her carefully planned revenge into action.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.5 - 120
Petite MamanMovie · 2021 · 72m · Drama, Fantasy, FamilyFollowing her grandmother's passing, eight-year-old Nelly encounters an oddly familiar girl in the woods. Quickly bonding with this enigmatic new friend, Nelly begins a magical adventure that helps her process her grief.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.1 - 121
Cinema ParadisoMovie · 1988 · 124m · Drama, RomanceA filmmaker revisits his childhood, recalling the origins of his love for movies. The story unfolds in a peaceful village, where he developed a close bond with the local theater's projectionist. Through detailed memories and scenes, the film captures the wonder of a young boy discovering cinema and the lasting friendship that sparked his passion. He shares these experiences with warmth and humor, revealing how the rural theater and its caretaker were essential to launching his career in filmmaking.IMDb 8.5TMDB 8.4 - 122
MommyMovie · 2014 · 138m · DramaA woman recently widowed finds an unexpected source of support in her unusual neighbor. She's grappling with the challenges of raising her teenage child, who is often difficult and occasionally aggressive.IMDb 8.0TMDB 8.2 - 123
PersepolisMovie · 2007 · 95m · Animation, DramaIn 1970s Iran, young Marjane "Marji" Satrapi experiences the Iranian Revolution of 1979 as a hopeful moment for her family, who had long desired the overthrow of the Shah. But as Marji matures, she witnesses firsthand how the new Iran, governed by Islamic fundamentalists, transforms into a repressive and tyrannical regime.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.9 - 124
The Diving Bell and the ButterflyMovie · 2007 · 112m · Drama, HistoryAt 43, Jean-Dominique Bauby, the editor-in-chief of Elle magazine, suffers a severe stroke. The injury leaves him with locked-in syndrome, almost completely paralyzed, able to communicate only by blinking his eyes. He painstakingly dictates his memoir, using blinking as his sole means of expression.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.6 - 125
Ichi the KillerMovie · 2001 · 129m · Action, Crime, HorrorYakuza enforcer Kakihara searches for his missing boss and encounters Ichi, a deeply repressed and dangerously disturbed killer. Ichi possesses a capacity for inflicting pain that intrigues Kakihara, offering a path to the brutal satisfaction he craves.IMDb 6.9TMDB 7.0 - 126
Oslo, August 31stMovie · 2011 · 90m · DramaA recovering drug addict gets a day off from rehab and returns to Oslo. He reunites with old friends, confronts his history, and grapples with an uncertain future. Throughout the day, a series of interactions reveal his desire for belonging and his profound isolation.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.5 - 127
TitaneMovie · 2021 · 108m · Drama, Thriller, HorrorFollowing a childhood car accident that left her with a metal plate in her head, a woman finds herself on an unusual path. This journey unexpectedly leads her to a firefighter who has just been reunited with his son after a decade of searching.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.3 - 128
Portrait of a Lady on FireMovie · 2019 · 121m · Drama, Romance, HistoryIn late 18th-century Brittany, a female painter living in isolation is commissioned to paint a wedding portrait of a young woman.IMDb 8.0TMDB 8.1 - 129
Decades ApartMovie · 2017 · 18mFor the Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain's Highlights exhibition, PARKing CHANce has created a unique immersive installation combining 3D sound and visuals. Inspired by Park Chan-wook's film Joint Security Area (2000), new footage was shot for the project, and the audio has been uniquely processed to provide visitors with a complete sensory experience. - 130
Cold WarMovie · 2018 · 88m · Romance, Music, DramaIn the aftermath of World War II in Poland, a man and a woman encounter one another. Despite their contrasting personalities and origins, they find themselves inexplicably drawn together, even though their connection seems destined for tragedy.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.4 - 131
ThelmaMovie · 2017 · 116m · Drama, Mystery, ThrillerA college student begins having severe seizures. She discovers these violent episodes are linked to strange, unexplainable powers she possesses.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.8 - 132
Chronicle of a SummerMovie · 1961 · 91m · DocumentaryParis, summer 1960. Anthropologist and filmmaker Jean Rouch joins forces with sociologist and critic Edgar Morin for a documentary exploring how people cope with difficulties. They interview ordinary Parisians on the streets, asking them about their resilience. The film combines these diverse stories to offer a genuine and moving look at the human capacity to overcome hardship.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.1 - 133
Long Day's Journey into NightMovie · 2018 · 138m · Drama, MysteryLuo Hongwu goes back to Kaili, the place he left behind long ago. There, he starts looking for the woman he loved and can't stop thinking about.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.9 - 134
Cléo from 5 to 7Movie · 1962 · 90m · Drama*Cléo from 5 to 7* offers a glimpse into 1960s Paris through Agnès Varda’s eyes. The film intimately follows Cléo (Corinne Marchand), a singer anxiously awaiting the results of a biopsy while living her life in the city. Captured in real-time, the movie blends documentary realism with emotional storytelling to create a powerful narrative.
As Cléo waits, she confronts anxiety, reflects on herself, and experiences the relentless flow of time. Michel Legrand’s score underscores her emotional journey and enhances the film's atmosphere. The movie includes appearances by Jean-Luc Godard and Anna Karina. *Cléo from 5 to 7* showcases Varda’s skill in exploring a woman's inner struggles against the vibrant backdrop of Parisian life.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.7 - 135
Let the Right One InMovie · 2008 · 115m · Horror, DramaTwelve-year-old Oskar, a shy and often bullied boy, befriends his new neighbor, Eli, a mysterious and somewhat withdrawn girl. Their friendship begins tentatively, but Oskar and Eli gradually grow close. However, it soon becomes clear that Eli is not like other children.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.5
