Academy Awards: Foreign language film film (from the best to the worst winner)
Officially the category began in 1956, but before some movies recieved special awards, and now the category has a new name: International film.
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- DirectorFederico FelliniStarsMarcello MastroianniAnouk AiméeClaudia CardinaleA harried movie director retreats into his memories and fantasies.By far the best film of 1963, it deserved more attention in other categories.
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneMachiko KyôMasayuki MoriThe rape of a bride and the murder of her samurai husband are recalled from the perspectives of a bandit, the bride, the samurai's ghost and a woodcutter.An special award for this Kurosawa masterpiece, one of the greatest films of the 50's.
- DirectorLuis BuñuelStarsFernando ReyDelphine SeyrigPaul FrankeurA surreal, virtually plotless series of dreams centered around six middle-class people and their consistently interrupted attempts to have a meal together.Buñuel made this film in France, it's a great comedy (but not for everybody).
- DirectorPedro AlmodóvarStarsCecilia RothMarisa ParedesCandela PeñaA comedy-drama about a bereaved mother, and overwrought actress, her jealous lover, and a pregnant nun.Almodovar directed this melodrama, a truly ode to mothers and cinema.
- DirectorFederico FelliniStarsAnthony QuinnGiulietta MasinaRichard BasehartA care-free girl is sold to a traveling entertainer, consequently enduring physical and emotional pain along the way.The first year of the competitive category and Fellini would become a favourite for Oscar voters.
- DirectorFrançois TruffautStarsJacqueline BissetJean-Pierre LéaudFrançois TruffautA committed film director struggles to complete his movie while coping with a myriad of crises, personal and professional, among the cast and crew.The only film directed by Truffauu which won an Oscar, it's a love letter to filmaking.
- DirectorCosta-GavrasStarsYves MontandIrene PapasJean-Louis TrintignantThe public murder of a prominent politician and doctor amid a violent demonstration is covered up by military and government officials. A tenacious magistrate is determined not to let them get away with it.A great thriller directed by Greek director Costa-Gavras, it represented Algeria.
- DirectorBong Joon HoStarsSong Kang-hoLee Sun-kyunCho Yeo-jeongGreed and class discrimination threaten the newly-formed symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan.It was the first South Korean movie to get a nomination, and won 4 of the top awards of the night (including Best film and International film). A truly great film.
- DirectorIngmar BergmanStarsBertil GuvePernilla AllwinKristina AdolphsonTwo young Swedish children in the 1900s experience the many comedies and tragedies of their lively and affectionate theatrical family, the Ekdahls.Bergman movies were loved by the Academy (at least in this category) and this also won other awards (Cinematography, costume design and Art direction)
- DirectorJacques TatiStarsJacques TatiJean-Pierre ZolaAdrienne ServantieMonsieur Hulot visits the technology-driven world of his sister, brother-in-law, and nephew, but he can't quite fit into the surroundings.This charmig comedy directed by Jacques Tati is just a pleasure to see.
- DirectorVittorio De SicaStarsLamberto MaggioraniEnzo StaiolaLianella CarellIn post-war Italy, a working-class man's bicycle is stolen, endangering his efforts to find work. He and his son set out to find it.A special award for this classical Italian drama directed y De Sica.
- DirectorJán KadárElmar KlosStarsIda KaminskaJozef KronerFrantisek ZvaríkA carpenter in the Fascist Slovak State is appointed "Aryan controller" of a Jewish widow's store.A powerful drama set during World War II, a truly great European gem.
- DirectorMichael HanekeStarsJean-Louis TrintignantEmmanuelle RivaIsabelle HuppertGeorges and Anne are an octogenarian couple. They are cultivated, retired music teachers. Their daughter, also a musician, lives in Britain with her family. One day, Anne has a stroke, and the couple's bond of love is severely tested.A touching drama by Haneke with wonderful performances. It won representing Austria, but I think it's a French movie.
- DirectorJonathan GlazerStarsChristian FriedelSandra HüllerJohann KarthausAuschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss and his wife Hedwig strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden beside the camp.A great movie about evil during one of the darkest moments in history that could be happening right now.
- DirectorPaolo SorrentinoStarsToni ServilloCarlo VerdoneSabrina FerilliJep Gambardella has seduced his way through the lavish nightlife of Rome for decades, but after his 65th birthday and a shock from the past, Jep looks past the nightclubs and parties to find a timeless landscape of absurd, exquisite beauty.A singular film directed by Paolo Sorrentino, with beautiful images.
- DirectorAng LeeStarsChow Yun-FatMichelle YeohZiyi ZhangA young Chinese warrior steals a sword from a famed swordsman and then escapes into a world of romantic adventure with a mysterious man in the frontier of the nation.Ang Lee is a wonderful director and this is one of his best movies, martial arts never looked so good.
- DirectorIngmar BergmanStarsMax von SydowBirgitta ValbergGunnel LindblomIn 14th-century Sweden, an innocent yet pampered teenage girl and her family's pregnant and jealous servant set out from their farm to deliver candles to church, but only one returns from events that transpire in the woods along the way.Another brilliant movie form a brilliant director: Ingmar Bergman, one of the most influential during the last century.
- DirectorSergey BondarchukStarsLyudmila SavelevaVyacheslav TikhonovSergey BondarchukThe Russian aristocracy prepares for the French invasion on the eve of 1812.It was unusual that a Soviet film won an Oscar during the cold war, but this long movie really deserved it.
- DirectorFederico FelliniStarsMagali NoëlBruno ZaninPupella MaggioA series of comedic and nostalgic vignettes set in a 1930s Italian coastal town.Fellini films are always worth-watching, for the story, the actors or the the wonderful music by Nino Rota.
- DirectorGabriel AxelStarsStéphane AudranBodil KjerBirgitte FederspielDuring the late 19th century, a strict religious community in a Danish village takes in a French refugee from the Franco-Prussian War as a servant to the late pastor's daughters.This is a very good Danish film, but I prefer Au revoir les enfants by Malle.
- DirectorAsghar FarhadiStarsPayman MaadiLeila HatamiSareh BayatA married couple are faced with a difficult decision - to improve the life of their child by moving to another country or to stay in Iran and look after a deteriorating parent who has Alzheimer's disease.By far the best among the nominees, this family drama has a great screenplay and wonderful performances.
- DirectorElio PetriStarsGian Maria VolontèFlorinda BolkanGianni SantuccioA chief of detectives, homicide section, kills his mistress and deliberately leaves clues to prove his own responsibility for the crime.A very good Italian film, maybe its closest competitor was Tristana.
- DirectorFlorian Henckel von DonnersmarckStarsUlrich MüheMartina GedeckSebastian KochIn 1984 East Berlin, an agent of the secret police conducting surveillance on a writer and his lover finds himself becoming increasingly absorbed by their lives.El laberinto del fauno was the clearly favourite, but this movie is very good.
- DirectorLuis PuenzoStarsNorma AleandroHéctor AlterioChunchuna VillafañeDuring the final months of Argentinian Military Dictatorship in 1983, a high school teacher sets out to find out who the mother of her adopted daughter is.A great drama with a fantastic performance by Norma Aleandro, but I prefer When father was away on business by Kusturica.
- DirectorPawel PawlikowskiStarsAgata KuleszaAgata TrzebuchowskaDawid OgrodnikA novice nun about to take her vows uncovers a family secret dating back to the German occupation.A very good movie, with a magnificent cinematography, maybe its closest competitor was Leviathan.
- DirectorAlfonso CuarónStarsYalitza AparicioMarina de TaviraDiego Cortina AutreyA year in the life of a middle-class family's maid in Mexico City in the early 1970s.A good drama by Cuarón, but Cold war is way better.
- DirectorVolker SchlöndorffStarsDavid BennentMario AdorfAngela WinklerIn 1924, Oskar Matzerath is born in the Free City of Danzig. At age three, he falls down a flight of stairs and stops growing. In 1939, World War II breaks out.A good German film and the best among the nominees that year.
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsMaksim MunzukYuriy SolominMikhail BychkovThe Russian army sends an explorer on an expedition to the snowy Siberian wilderness where he makes friends with a seasoned local hunter.A very good film by Kurosawa, but I prefer Land of promise by Wajda.
- DirectorIngmar BergmanStarsHarriet AnderssonGunnar BjörnstrandMax von SydowRecently released from a mental hospital, Karin rejoins her emotionally disconnected family in their island home, only to slip from reality as she begins to believe she is being visited by God.A good drama directed by Ingmar Bergman, but La dolce vita didn't get a nod in this category.
- DirectorLászló NemesStarsGéza RöhrigLevente MolnárUrs RechnA Jewish-Hungarian concentration camp prisoner sets out to give a child he mistook for his son a proper burial.This Hungarian movie was clearly the best among the nominees that year.
- DirectorJirí MenzelStarsVáclav NeckárJosef SomrVlastimil BrodskýAn apprentice train dispatcher at a village station seeks his first sexual encounter and becomes despondent when he is unable to perform.A nice movie by Jiri Menzel and one of his best during his long career.
- DirectorFederico FelliniStarsGiulietta MasinaFrançois PérierFranca MarziA waifish prostitute wanders the streets of Rome looking for true love but finds only heartbreak.A classic film by Fellini with a great performance by Giulieta Massina.
- DirectorGiuseppe TornatoreStarsPhilippe NoiretEnzo CannavaleAntonella AttiliA filmmaker recalls his childhood when falling in love with the pictures at the cinema of his home village and forms a deep friendship with the cinema's projectionist.Another nice Italian film with unforgettable music by Morricone.
- DirectorDanis TanovicStarsBranko DjuricRene BitorajacFilip SovagovicBosnia and Herzegovina during 1993 at the time of the heaviest fighting between the two warring sides. Two soldiers from opposing sides in the conflict, Nino and Ciki, become trapped in no man's land, whilst a third soldier becomes a living booby trap.Amelie with 5 nominations was the favourite, but this movie is better in my opinion.
- DirectorJuan José CampanellaStarsRicardo DarínSoledad VillamilPablo RagoA retired legal counselor writes a novel hoping to find closure for one of his past unresolved homicide cases and for his unreciprocated love with his superior - both of which still haunt him decades later.A good Argentinian film with very good performances but The white ribbon is a masterpiece.
- DirectorVittorio De SicaStarsDominique SandaLino CapolicchioHelmut BergerThe story of the Finzi-Continis, a noble family of Ferrara, during the Jewish persecution in Italy's 1930s.A very good movie by De Sica, it was the best among the nominees.
- DirectorThomas VinterbergStarsMads MikkelsenThomas Bo LarsenMagnus MillangFour high-school teachers consume alcohol on a daily basis to see how it affects their social and professional lives.The fourth Danish movie to win thie category is good with a fantastic performance by Mads Mikkelesen
- DirectorIstván SzabóStarsKlaus Maria BrandauerIldikó BánságiKrystyna JandaIn early-1930s Germany, a passionate stage actor faces a dilemma: renounce his apolitical stance and comply with the Reich's doctrine, or face oblivion. But, Faustian bargains never end well. What is the price of success?A good drama, however I prefer Man of Iron from Poland.
- DirectorEdward BergerStarsFelix KammererAlbrecht SchuchAaron HilmerA young German soldier's terrifying experiences and distress on the western front during World War I.A very good German film about a terrible war, but I prefer the magnificent EO (Poland).
- DirectorAlejandro AmenábarStarsJavier BardemBelén RuedaLola DueñasThe factual story of Spaniard Ramon Sampedro, who fought a 28-year campaign in favor of euthanasia and his own right to die.The fourth Oscar for Spain, it has a great performance by Javier Bardem, maybe Downfall with a magnificent Bruno Ganz was its closest competitor.
- DirectorDenys ArcandStarsRémy GirardDorothée BerrymanStéphane RousseauDuring his final days, a dying man is reunited with old friends, former lovers, his ex-wife, and his estranged son.A nice dramedy by Arcand, it was the best among the nominees.
- DirectorFernando TruebaStarsFernando Fernán GómezJorge SanzPenélope CruzA 1931 Spanish military deserter finds himself on a lonely farm until the farmer's four daughters pay a visit and he falls for all of them.It isn't a bad movie, but Farewell my concubine from Hong Kong is way superior.
- DirectorVladimir MenshovStarsVera AlentovaAleksey BatalovIrina MuravyovaThree young provincial women come to Moscow in search of what people in all the capitals of the world are looking for - love, happiness and prosperity. Their destinies develop exactly as the character of each of the girls suggests.Another good movie, however Kagemusha by Kurosawa is a masterpiece.
- DirectorRené ClémentStarsGeorges PoujoulyBrigitte FosseyAmédéeA young French girl orphaned in a German air attack is befriended by the son of a poor farmer, and together they try to come to terms with the realities of death.A special award for this nice French film by Rene Clement.
- DirectorSerge BourguignonStarsHardy KrügerNicole CourcelPatricia GozziStory of a lonely young girl who is befriended by an innocent but emotionally disabled veteran of the French Indochina War.My favourite in this category is Keeper of promises from Brazil, a country that has nver won this award.
- DirectorClaude LelouchStarsAnouk AiméeJean-Louis TrintignantPierre BarouhA widow and a widower find their relationship developing into love, but their past tragedies prove hard to overcome, causing them to proceed with utmost delicacy.A nice romantic French movie, but The battle of Algiers is clearly a better one.
- DirectorTeinosuke KinugasaStarsMachiko KyôKazuo HasegawaIsao YamagataA samurai pursues a married lady-in-waiting.Japanese movies have always been very good and this is a good example from the 50's that not all was about Kurosawa.
- DirectorAsghar FarhadiStarsShahab HosseiniTaraneh AlidoostiMina SadatiWhile Ranaa and Emad, a married couple, are participating in a production of "Death of a Salesman," she is assaulted in their new home, which leaves him determined to find the perpetrator over his wife's traumatized objections.I think it was an ok award, but Toni Erdmann was the best in the group, also Elle didn't get a nod in this category and Julieta wasn't selected by Spain.
- DirectorJean-Jacques AnnaudStarsJean CarmetJacques DufilhoCatherine RouvelDuring World War I, French colonists lost in African desert decide to attack their German neighbors.Seven beauties and Cousin, cousine were the favourites and this nice film surprinsingly won.
- DirectorSusanne BierStarsMikael PersbrandtTrine DyrholmMarkus RygaardThe lives of two Danish families cross each other, and an extraordinary but risky friendship comes into bud. But loneliness, frailty and sorrow lie in wait.Incendies by Villeneuve is a way better film.
- DirectorHiroshi InagakiStarsToshirô MifuneMariko OkadaRentarô MikuniDepicts the early life of the legendary warrior Musashi Miyamoto; his years as an aspiring warrior, an outlaw and finally a true samurai.The last of the special awards for this good Japanese film with a solid perfomance by Toshiro Mifune.
- DirectorNikita MikhalkovStarsNikita MikhalkovIngeborga DapkunaiteOleg MenshikovIn the USSR in 1936, shadows of Stalin's repressions fall on a famous, revolutionary hero. The accusations of him being a foreign spy are nonsense, and everyone knows that. However, a slow process of his downfall has already started.It's a good Russian film but I prefer Before the rain among the nominees.
- DirectorRené ClémentStarsJean GabinIsa MirandaVera TalchiA French fugitive arrives in Genoa, where he becomes entangled with an Italian woman and her daughter.It won a special award for Italy and France at the same time.
- DirectorRyûsuke HamaguchiStarsHidetoshi NishijimaTôko MiuraReika KirishimaA renowned stage actor and director learns to cope with a big personal loss when he receives an offer to direct a production of Uncle Vanya in Hiroshima.A very long movie made for arthouse lovers, it's not bad, but I prefer Flee (Denmark) among the nominees.
- DirectorMaurice ClocheStarsPierre FresnayAimé ClariondJean DebucourtSt. Vincent de Paul struggles to bring about peace and harmony among peasants and nobles in the midst of the Black Death in Europe, carrying on his charitable work in the face of all obstacles.It isn't a bad movie, maybe the best thing is the performance by Pierre Fresnay.
- DirectorFons RademakersStarsDerek de LintMarc van UchelenMonique van de VenA Dutch doctor, haunted by grueling childhood memories of World War II, struggles to find peace as he spends his life looking for answers about the tragic night that shaped him.Among the nominees I prefer Betty Blue or The decline of the American empire.
- DirectorBille AugustStarsPelle HvenegaardMax von SydowErik PaaskeWhen his wife dies, Lasse takes his 12-year-old son, Pelle, from their home in Sweden to Denmark in search of a better life.Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios should have won.
- DirectorSebastián LelioStarsDaniela VegaFrancisco ReyesLuis GneccoMarina, a transgender woman who works as a waitress and moonlights as a nightclub singer, is bowled over by the death of her older boyfriend.All the other nominees are better, specially Loveless.
- DirectorBertrand BlierStarsGérard DepardieuCarole LaurePatrick DewaereA worried husband finds a lover for his depressed wife, but she falls in love with a bullied thirteen-year-old math prodigy and wants to have the boy's baby.It was a weak year for the category, I slightly prefer White bim, black ear.
- DirectorMike van DiemStarsPavlik Jansen op de HaarJan DecleirFedja van HuêtJacob Katadreuffe lives mute with his mother, has no contact with his father who only works against him and wants to become a lawyer, at all costs.A nice Dutch movie, but I prefer Secretos del corazón from Spain.
- DirectorXavier KollerStarsNecmettin ÇobanogluNur SürerEmin SivasThe story of a poor Turkish family who try to emigrate illegally to Switzerland.All the other nominees are better, specially Ju dou from China.
- DirectorJosé Luis GarciStarsAntonio FerrandisEncarna PasoJosé BódaloA renowned Spanish writer returns to his natal city after 40 years and embarks on a journey back to his roots, triggering memories of his past.Das boot didn't get a nod, however Coup de torchon was the best among the nominees.
- DirectorJan SverákStarsZdenek SverákAndrey KhalimonLibuse SafránkováA confirmed bachelor is in for the surprise of his life when a get-rich-quick scheme backfires and leaves him with a pint-sized new roommate.Ridicule is a very superior film.
- DirectorRégis WargnierStarsCatherine DeneuveVincent PerezLinh-Dan PhamEliane adopts Camille, whose Vietnamese parents were friends. In 1930, a French navy officer is interested in Eliane (owns 60km2 plantation) and later in Camille. There's an uprising in Vietnam against French colonial power.Un lugar en el mundo should have won in my opinion, but it was disqualified.
- DirectorMarleen GorrisStarsWilleke van AmmelrooyJan DecleirVeerle van OverloopA Dutch matron establishes and, for several generations, oversees a close-knit, matriarchal community where feminism and liberalism thrive.I t was a weak year for the Academy in general, maybe All things fair would be a better choice.
- DirectorVittorio De SicaStarsSophia LorenMarcello MastroianniAldo GiuffrèStories about three very different women and the men they attract.This isn't the best movie by De Sica and Woman in the dunes or The umbrellas of Cherbourg should have won.
- DirectorMoshé MizrahiStarsSimone SignoretMichal Bat-AdamSamy Ben-YoubMadame Rosa, an ex-prostitute of Jewish origin, lives in a dilapidated old building in Belleville. Tired and worn out by life, she looks after young children, placed in her care by the social welfare people.This film has a good performance by Simone Signoret, but That obscure object of desire or A special day are very superior movies.
- DirectorGavin HoodStarsPresley ChweneyagaeMothusi MaganoIsrael Matseke-ZuluSix days in the violent life of a young Johannesburg gang leader.It was a very weak year for the category, maybe Don't tell form Italy deserved the award more.
- DirectorMarcel CamusStarsBreno MelloMarpessa DawnLourdes de OliveiraA retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, set during the time of the Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro.The 400 blows or The wild strawberries didn't get a nod, but among the nominees The great war was the best.
- DirectorRoberto BenigniStarsRoberto BenigniNicoletta BraschiGiorgio CantariniWhen an open-minded Jewish waiter and his son become victims of the Holocaust, he uses a perfect mixture of will, humor and imagination to protect his son from the dangers around their camp.For me this isn't a good film, it's too sentimental and manipulative, all the other 4 nominees are better, specially Central do Brasil.
- DirectorYôjirô TakitaStarsMasahiro MotokiRyôko HirosueTsutomu YamazakiSoon after buying an expensive cello, Daigo learns that his orchestra is disbanding. He moves back to his hometown with his wife, where he answers an ad for what Daigo thinks is a travel agency but is, in actuality, a mortuary.Again all the other nominees are superior. My favourite is Waltz with Bashir.
- DirectorStefan RuzowitzkyStarsKarl MarkovicsAugust DiehlDevid StriesowThe story of the Operation Bernhard, the largest counterfeiting operation in history, carried out by Germany during World War II.Katyn or 12 should have won.
- DirectorCaroline LinkStarsJuliane KöhlerMerab NinidzeMatthias HabichDue to Hitler's threat, Walter Redlich, a Jewish lawyer, immigrates to Kenya with his wife Jettel and daughter Regina. Things take a turn when the family is ordered to move by the British officers.The man without a past is a masterpiece and should have won.
- DirectorRichard DemboStarsMichel PiccoliAlexandre ArbattLiv UllmannDuring the Cold War, the World Chess Championship clashed complete opposites - personal and political.It was a very weak year for the Academy in this category, maybe that's why this movie won.
- DirectorGabriele SalvatoresStarsDiego AbatantuonoClaudio BigagliGiuseppe CedernaIn WW2, an Italian Army unit of misfits occupies an isolated non-strategic Greek island for the duration of the war.This isn't a good movie, all the other nominees are better, specially Raise the red lantern.