Best of Foreign Cinema - Politics, Culture and Conflict

I am taking a short break from writing. Here are some interesting works of cinema you can enjoy. These are films i have watched through the years (many names have now slipped from my memory). I would recommend getting these films in their original language and using the English subtitles. Some of these old films are now available on Bluray in best quality. I'll be getting back to writing on politics soon.

 

Network (1976)

 

You know the performance of madman Howard Beale character. I see some news anchors in right wing media & radio talk shows very similar to this character. But this film was not just about Beale character, its a complex mixture of politics, media culture and society. A film ahead of its time. After nearly 46 years, this film still gives a lot of insight about society that we have today. A must watch.

 

Advice and Consent (1962)

Good old days of Black and white cinema. You can pick up almost anything with Henry Fonda in it and its a gem. You gotta miss 60s and 70s when American cinema wasn't hesitant to make films on complex political and geopolitical issues of that time. Fonda plays character of nominee for Secretary of State in a complex political environment. Does best man always gets the job or does politics have its own direction?

Dr. Strangelove: Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb (1964)

With Putin issuing Nuclear threats to the world (US & Europe specifically), its a worthwhile reminder that the world sits on a pile of WMDs that can obliterate mankind and entire species. Its a wonder how nations with so much hostility managed to co-exist and kept their finger away from the button. But how long our leaders will be able to resist the temptation to stay away from that button? Will we ever learn anything?

 

Seven Days in May (1964)

 

 

After Cuban Missile crisis and JFK's assassination, US cinema explored complex political themes. Among this was a film on possibility of a coup in US. This movie gives an insight on things that are not visible to naked eye.

A Face in the Crowd (1957)

 

You have seen politicians like Trump and their magnetic personality, their appealing character and their art of persuasion. They have way of saying things, doing things and capturing the imaginations of society. This film is remarkable in demonstrating concept of Sociopathy.

The Dead Zone (1983)

 

Two days after Capitol Hill Riots, House Speaker Pelosi called US Joint Chief of Staff asking about safety of Nuclear weapons. In a recent interview, Donald Trump said that its time to invoke Nuclear threats against Russia. With Putin also issuing Nuclear threats over Ukraine, the world is inching closer on Dooms day clock. Will these kind of madmen end this world to satisfy their fragile egos and their blind pursuit for perverse ambitions? If not intentionally, even a small miscalculation is enough to cause the annihilation of the world.

East/West (1999)

A film depicting period of Stalinism in Soviet union and struggle of a family that tries to escape USSR

Goodbye Lenin (2003)

 

A film depicting the final days of East Germany before the collapse of Berlin wall

In the name of God (1992) - Documentary

 

 

How Indian Democracy died? The answer is not just analysis on present political rule of Indian tyrant Narendra Modi. You have to go back to 90s India and rise of religious populism. This film shows the rise of BJP three decades ago by capitalizing on Religion, Lord Ram (a mythological Demigod) and fanaticization of society to make them commit mass violence in name of religion. Documentary depicts the birth of majoritarian politics in India. The documentary is available on YouTube with English subtitles. 

No man's land (2001)

 

A Bosnian serb and a Bosniak get caught in no man's land. Despite their hostility for each other, they find things in common, want to get out alive. But things have their own direction in conflict situations.

Escape: Human Cargo (1998)

 

 

An American business contractor goes to Saudi Arabia for a construction project. He finds himself trapped in nefarious plans of Saudi Oligarch. He must find a way to get out of Saudi Arabia.

This is England (2006)

 

The film depicts the 80s streets of England and young boy's life as he joins the gang of skinheads and hooligans.

The Crying Game (1992)

An IRA rebel struggles with his conscience after kidnapping of a British soldier. Film explores complex social themes.

Inside Job (2010) - Documentary

Documentary about Global financial crisis and how it happened

 

  

Prisoner of the Mountains (1996)

 

 

Two Russian soldiers, one experienced officer and other a rookie, are captured by Chechen rebels. 

9 Rota (2005)

 

In final days of Afghan war, newly recruited Russian paratroopers are deployed on mountains of Afghanistan. 

Voyna (2002)

 

Wife of a British journalist is captured by Chechen rebels who demand a hefty ransom. He recruits a Russian soldier to assist his travel to rebel region to pay the ransom in exchange for release.

 

 

Taxi to the Dark Side (2007) - Documentary 

 

 

Documentary about enhanced interrogation programs of US military in war on terror.

Paradise now (2005)

Two childhood friends in Palestine are recruited to carry out suicide bombing in Tel Aviv

 

 

As Far as My Feet Will Carry Me (2001)

 

 

 

A German soldier captured by Russian Army in final days of World war 2. He's sentenced to life imprisonment by Russian military court and sent to work camp in Siberia. He plans to escape from Siberia but it entails a long journey of thousands of miles across soviet union - a hostile & unknown territory of which he knows little about.

Purge: Anarchy (2014)

Now there are several remakes & sequels of this film but this remains my favorite. The main feature of film is the concept of rise of right wing politics, gun culture and violence. Purge is annual festival in dystopian America where right wing politicians have sanctioned a day for legalizing all violence. People can settle their scores and commit all crimes & illegal acts on this day.

Downfall (2004)

No better movie on World War 2 than this film depicting the battle of Berlin and final days of The Third Reich. 

Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)

Film depicts the final days of politics in America and Europe and run up to Pearl Harbor Attack. 

Escape from Sobibor (1987)

 

 

Film depicts uprising by Prisoners of Nazi concentration camp of Sobibor who carried out audacious rebellion and mass breakout in 1943

Stalingrad (1993)

Story about a group of German soldiers sent to capture Stalingrad. Possibly the most brutal battle in modern history that marked the turning point of world war 2. The soldiers, fresh from African campaign, were sent to carry out offensive on eastern front. Soon the soldiers realize the horrors of eastern front and all the madness of it. Is there a way out of this battle?

Das boot (1981)

A film depicting the naval warfare in world war 2. German uboat crew patrolling the Atlantic ocean navigates the dangerous waters to find its way back to home base.

Taegukgi (2004)

Two brothers find themselves on opposite side of Korean war.  The film captures the horrors of the war on both sides.

The Hurt Locker (2008)

 

 

A new sergeant of bomb disposal squad in Iraq has interesting ways of doing things. The film depicts the dangerous streets of Iraq riddled with IEDs and hostile enemies that are invisible among the crowds. 

No End in Sight (2007) - Documentary

Documentary explaining how Neocons started the bloody war in Iraq without any strategy and planning, took reckless decisions that destroyed Iraq.

Blackadder Goes Forth (1989)

A short TV series. Captain Blackadder is deployed on the front trenches of World war 1. He plots various schemes to escape the madness of imperial war.