AIBU to think you can't name 5 foreign films

[subjecttoavailability]

I have moved to the UK from another country and I have noticed that on TV they only show American and English films/shows. In my country (ex ussr) foreign films/ TV series are quite popular and often shown at prime time but seems its not the case in the UK with few exceptions like bbc4. Am I wrong? Do people watch Indian, Brazilian,
Corean films? Please vote.
AIBU- I (and most of my friends/family) can name 5 foreign films produced in 5 different countries. If so, which films are these?
YANBU - I can't name 5 foreign films.

I'll start:
Fantomas -France
Seeta and Geeta - India
Wild rose - Mexico
The taming of the scoundrel- Italy
Mole cartoon - Czech

Dubbed not subbed *

Have you heard of Walter presents? Also a lot of foreign stuff is shown with the English dubs, like studio Ghibli, rather than subs so you might not even realise it's foreign

Petit Nicholas
Les Enfants Du Paradis
The Passion Of Joan Of Arc
Au Hastard Balthazer
Un Chien Andalou

I'm into French films, my son hates them so much

Listing out the number of "foreign films" you can name is utterly pretentious. If you genuinely enjoying watching foreign films you don't usually feel the need to get on Mumsnet and prove to the world how many you can name.

Well that’s just utterly daft. OP asked a question, I’m answering it. Why would I state something that isn’t true just to appear less like I watch foreign films? Doesn’t make any sense...My instinct is that those who baulk at this generally make much more of whatever the relevant thing is than those who are just answering the question!

Before this question was asked today I’d spent over 20 years, more actually, watching whatever films appeal to me without feeling the need to talk about foreign films on any platform.

But just to redress whatever balance apparently needs adjusting, Predator is one of my favourite films, I’ve spent the last few days watching Hallmark Christmas films (two were pretty good, two were absolute rubbish), and I absolutely love Legally Blonde.

But wait, I don’t watch television, at all. The only thing I will watch is reruns of Frasier, but we’re considering buying the box set to avoid having to watch it on tv. Does that ruin things again?? Is it time to binge on Love Island?

I also watch classic Biblical films/series and actually appreciate them and what they mean to my cultural heritage.

I watch a lot of K drama.

One of my favourite films in the whole world is an old television film of Scarlet Pimpernel, from the 80s.

Oh this could go on forever...

My DH and I just finished watching a Russian serial dramatisation of Anna Karenina. We actually discussed it in depth, with much interest, because it was very interesting to watch a Russian version of a Russian classic that we’ve both read.

Tonight I’m going to watch an old Disney Christmas compilation that reminds me of my childhood Christmases, because my DH is in hospital, quite seriously ill, and it’ll make me feel calm and less anxious.

Who knew, it’s possible for people to be many-faceted and to like /be interested in many different things!

[quote loobyloo1234]@Divebar

I've seen a few of those yes Imagine having your washing machine in your bog though

Just felt the OP was very 'you people are so uncultured' - love that so many people have replied with so many films though. The uncultured swines of the world [/quote]
In many countries other that UK people have the washing machine in the bathroom.

Am I missing something?

@steppemum - no you're not missing anything. Thats the meme/video joke. That we are the only ones that have it in the kitchen. Not going to explain further

Parasite
My brilliant friend (TV series)
Amelie
City of God
Narcos (Netflix series)

Dreams- Japan
Cabinet of Dr. Caligari-Germany
Man With A Movie Camera- Russia
Hero - China
Women on the Verge of A Nervous Breakdown- Spain

Lots more but am going to read the thread properly now.

It's the same in literature, only 3% of books published in the UK are translated novels. So most foreign novels we read here are written in English originally (admittedly that does include places like the Caribbean nations Nigeria and other African countries, and India and Pakistan though, not just America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and there is a long history of post-colonial literature).

Obviously the washing machine is a talking point for lots of foreigners. It's been even in newspapers here many times about how it appears odd to others and where should it go and whatnot. 🙄
It's that, the separate taps, mint sauce. And I found the way windows open (out here) odd too. One gets used to it all. Including how touchy some people are about it

I can name a lot, won't bore people by listing them here. But that's because I speak three foreign languages, plus I don't mind at all reading subtitles for languages I don't speak.
However, I do wish there were a wider variety of films shown on network tv here. (we don't have netflix etc)

I am signing off to check out the Walter presents. Ot sounds interesting.
Good thread, OP.

Bienvenue Chez Les Ch'Tis
La Vie en Rose
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Sonnenschein
Vuk

I don't mind foreign films if they are made in English.

I don't like watching dubbed films and subtitles are too much like hard work for me.

The Green Mile
Shawshank Redemption
Steven King's The Mist
Dreamcatchers
Candy

American and Australian films, which count as foreign because they are both not the country I live in.

Wow, I'm glad my click-bait title worked, a lot of interesting suggestions! Im not saying watching foreign stuff is sign of culture, far from it,some things from my list are really low brow, but I was curious if there are any foreign movies which became a wide-known cultural reference in the UK.

I haven't seen most if the film mentioned, but few i have watched e.g. Run Lola run, Cinema Paradiso, Battle Royal etc I've done it as I'm kind of interested in cinema history and also as a student could get very cheap/free tickets to see older movies.I doubt more than 5% of my friends have seen them hence wouldn't pass my "friends and family" test. I will check Walter presents, thanks, haven't heard of it.

Netflix is really good for films not in English.

I've watched Bazare de la Charite (Bonfire of Destiny) which was a beautiful French romantic drama
The Platform (Spanish horror)
and Level 16 (another horror)

@subjecttoavailability

Wow, I'm glad my click-bait title worked, a lot of interesting suggestions! Im not saying watching foreign stuff is sign of culture, far from it,some things from my list are really low brow, but I was curious if there are any foreign movies which became a wide-known cultural reference in the UK.

But why would they? How many Lithuanian films have a widespread cultural reference in China? How many Chinese films have a widespread cultural reference

*in Brazil?

Amelie (French)
Priceless (French)
The Lives of Others (German)
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (Mandarin)
Life is Beautiful (Italian)
Y Tu Mama Tambien (Spanish, I think)
Talk to her (Spanish)

I watch foreign language films because I’m interested in languages and I really don’t mind reading sub titles (it keeps my attention on the TV and off my phone/IPad). Some of my favourite films are foreign language films. I absolutely adore Priceless - fantastic RomCom with gorgeous clothes and locations.

All the studio ghibli ones

It's definitely not inherently highbrow, for heaven's sake. Half the teenagers I know are obsessed with Korean films and K-pop, to the point in several cases that they are learning Korean -- and these people are not doing it to look 'cultured'. More that they like a particular brand of disposable nonsense and horror.

City of God - Brazil
Three colours red / white / blue - France
Parasite - South Korea
Rabbit proof fence - Australia

I can't . I don't watch many films though. I've not seen any of the films I've listed either.

Wow. You’ve just called us all ignorant in a round about way. Thanks.