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If you like the John Wick series, The Raid will be right up your street. The cinematography lends itself to the well-crafted choreography of the fight scenes, so you don’t miss any of the action (no overuse of shaky cam to be found here) The Raid doesn’t slow for a moment, and if it does, it’s only to create a feeling of tension. An elite police squad must infiltrate a tower block, to take down the drug lord who runs the building. The Raid has a simple premise and fantastic execution. A particular favourite of mine is Mother (2009) The Raid (2011) – Indonesia Credit: SinemArt Director Bong Joon-ho’s body of work in general is also well worth checking out if you enjoy Parasite. Its look at class divide is unfortunately incredibly relevant and will probably remain so for years to come. Parasite is hilarious, grim and poignant. As we soon discover, not everything about the home is as it seems. Each family member finds a way to work for them by creative means, all of which are darkly comical. Speaking of Oscar winners – Parasite was the first (ever!) foreign language film to win Best Picture (it took 92 Academy Award Shows to make this happen – overdue is an understatement in my opinion) A poverty-stricken family end up working for a rich family. Parasite (2019) – South Korea Credit: CJ Entertainment It was the top grossing film in Japan for 19 years! Not only that, but it also won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Spirited Away is usually people’s first introduction to the world of Ghibli, for good reason.
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Lush visuals and whimsical soundtracks are all part and parcel for some Ghibli magic. Studio Ghibli are quite possibly the king of 2D animation. All that changes though when Chihiro’s parents are turned into pigs! Chihiro is lost in a world of spirits and must find a way to help herself and her parents. While on route they take a shortcut through, what at first seems like an abandoned village.
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I dare you not to love it! Spirited Away (2001) – Japan Credit: Studio GhibliĬhihiro and her parents are moving to a new home. The story is expertly crafted, as well as the pacing – there’s a particular scene that still makes me feel tense despite watching it many times. It’s still arguably director, Guillermo del Toro’s, best work. The set pieces and practical effects in this film are incredible to behold. Pan’s Labyrinth is bleak, morbid, magical and beautiful all at once. She soon finds escapism in a dark fantasy world, when a faun asks her to complete three tasks. Ten-year-old, Ofelia, lives with her mother and cruel Stepfather during the early Francoist period. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) – Spain Credit: Warner Bros Pictures If you want to feel inspired or reminded that humans can be something other than assholes, give this one a watch. Audrey Tautou exudes such warmth as Amélie, you can’t help but feel swept into her world of sweetness. The vibrant colour palette and memorable soundtrack have left impressions on me since my first watch.
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Amélie (2001) – France Credit: UGC-Fox-DistributionĪmélie is the story of a young woman who decides to better the lives of those around her – all the while dealing with her own struggles. Here I’ve listed five films I’d deem easily accessible to anyone not used to watching foreign films. If you’ve never dipped your toes into the large ocean of world cinema, you may not know where to start. Five great films, all from different parts of the world!