All in Foreign

Episode 55 - The Lives of Others

This week, we watch the Oscar winning drama about Stasi spies in the 80’s. Although this film is a work of fiction, it takes place during a real historical time period, and the fear of the government portrayed by each character was very real for the people of East Germany at the time. The Lives of Others (2006), directed by Florian Henckel Von Donnersmarck

BONUS EPISODE - Mandibles

This week, we watch a story about two idiots who find a giant fly in the back of a stolen car. Part Bill and Ted, part Dumb and Dumber, part Beavis and Butthead….insert any dumb pair of guys in comedy history… this film does enough to stand out from its influences. At just over an hour long, this film will make you laugh and wish for more once the credits roll. Mandibles (2020), directed by Quentin Dupieux .

BONUS EPISODE - Quo Vadis, Aida?

This week, we watch the Bosnian film that has been nominated for the the Best International Film at the Academy Awards. Documenting the horrible, historically accurate events occurring during the Bosnian war in 1995 through the eyes of a fictional UN Translator, this films unrelenting tone will likely ruin your day. You will feel stressed, you will feel sad, and you will be wondering how the Oscars passed up an acting nomination for Jasna Djuricic. Quo Vadis, Aira? (2020), written and directed by Jasmila Zbanic.

BONUS EPISODE - Minari

This week, we watch the Best Foreign Language Film winner at the Golden Globes, and nominee of 6 Oscars, including Best Picture. This film masterfully jumps between hilarious moments and heavy drama like no other movie this year. The actor who plays the grandmother Soonja (Yuh-Hung Youn) should be holding an acting Oscar in a few weeks. Minari (2020), directed by Lee Isaac Chung.

BONUS EPISODE - Hotel Mumbai

This week, we watch one of the scariest movies we've ever seen. This film depicts the real life tragedy of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, and does it almost too convincingly. A very well made movie that we'd be hard pressed to recommend due to how upsetting it is, but if you can tolerate violence (or you think you can), this one is worth a watch. Hotel Mumbai (2018), directed by Anthony Maras.