For many people, film is often the only way they are able to visit a foreign country. When James Bond orders a martini in Vienna, millions of movie-goers are right there with him.
This is especially true in America. Unfortunately, actual foreign films–those filmed in another country with a foreign crew and foreign actors speaking another language–are never quite as popular in America, whether subtitled or dubbed. This is sad because foreign films tend to be far truer and more accurate visionary journeys of distant lands.
I therefore make it a point to catch such films when they come to my home town. The best time to do so in Los Angeles where I live, is in early November during the AFI Film Festival.
AFI is the American Film Institute. Despite the name, the AFI Fest (November 1-12) features dozens of films from foreign lands. In fact, films from 45 different countries are among the 147 movies being showcased this year.
If you’re going to be in Los Angeles, take a moment to check out the various offerings under World Cinema, Latin Cinema, African Voices, and Asian New Classics. Or simply look up films based upon the country in which they were made.
Personally, I’m excited to catch 12:08 East of Bucharest, about the downfall of the Ceausescu regime (Romanian), Beauty in Trouble (so that I can brush up on my Czech) and a comedy called Offside about six Iranian women who sneak into Iran’s World Cup qualifier match dressed as boys (women were prohibited from entering Tehran’s Azadi Stadium to watch the match).
Not a bad showing of films if I say so myself. For $12 a pop I’m going to grab a box of popcorn, settle into my seat, and let the world come to me.