Viewers whose first language is English often primarily follow American and British movies because they’re not only more accessible to them, but also more understandable. Not everybody wants to read subtitles in movies and listen to a foreign language. However, those viewers who are able to overcome this are often rewarded with a unique experience.
RELATED:Best Bollywood Movies, Ranked
They get the chance to look into the lives of people who have different options, live in a different environment, and also have to overcome unusual challenges. Plus, watching non-English movies is a good way how to learn another language or get acquainted with the work of talented foreign actors. Many great non-English movies premiered in 2021 but some of them stand out even among the huge competition.
6Even Mice Belong In Heaven
Afterlife and the journey it sometimes entails is a somewhat popular topic in movies. However, it’s rare to see animals undertake it, even less so inan animated movie. This Czech movie tells the story of a young mouse who dies when she’s facing a fox. Both of them end up in animal heaven and they have to go on a journey together.
The movie’s animation is more classical, different from the likes ofDisneyandPixar, but the charming yet intelligent story makes it an ideal watch for both children and adults. The movie also sends out a subtle message that sometimes people (in this case animals) aren’t as bad as others originally thought.
5The Worst Person In The World
Love and relationships are complicated, especially if people have trouble finding themselves and figuring out what they want. This Norwegian movie focuses on Julie, a 29-year-old woman, who has an older boyfriend who would like to settle down. However, Julie meets a charming young man at a party she crashed and things get complicated.
The Worst Person in the Worldoffers a realistic portrayal of complex relationships and it manages to combine both dramatic situations as well as funny moments. The characters aren’t always sympathetic but it’s fascinating to watch their decisions and actions, especially if the viewers belong to the same generation as Julie.
4Outlaws
Spanish movies often offer a unique type of energy that makes them seem livelier than their American counterparts. This story that takes place in the 1970s is no exception. It focuses on a somewhat introverted and shy student who meets two people, a guy, and a girl, who aren’t afraid to break the rules. He gradually gets more and more caught up in their style of life.
RELATED:Best Comedy Series Of 2021
The movie creates a strong retro atmosphere of the year 1978 and since it takes place during summer, it’s ideal to watch in cold winter months when the audience wants to remind themselves of warmer days. Unlike a lot of foreign movies,Outlawsis easily available sincethe movie is now streaming on Netflix.
3The Trip
Even though the movie’s title suggests it could be a road-trip movie, the truth is much more complicated. The Norwegian movie tells the story of a married couple that goes on a trip to a cabin. Both of them have a single goal - to kill the other - but after they arrive in the cabin, they face a bigger threat and have to work together.
Tommy Wirkola has directed movies both in Hollywood as well as his native Norway, and his latest movie has the same type of dark, cynical humor that’s typical for his work. It’s difficult to guess what will happen next, which keeps the viewers hooked from the start to the end.The Tripalso doesn’t shy away from the violence,which is something fans of action movies will appreciate. Just likeOutlaws, the movie is streaming on Netflix.
2Onoda: 10,000 Nights In The Jungle
A lot of World War Two movies focus on the perspective of those who fought against Germany and their allies. However, this Japanese movie offers a look from the other side. Its protagonist, the 22-year-old Onoda, ends up on an island in 1944, where he’s supposed to fight the approaching American troops. A year later, the war ends but Onoda is unwilling to concede and admit something like that has happened, so he keeps fighting for another 10 thousand days.
RELATED:The Best Drama Series Of 2021
The movie keeps a slower pace at the beginning, which might discourage some viewers but if they persevere, they will get a unique story about an extraordinary man as a reward. The best thing about the movie, other than its captivating story, is thatit is actually based on real events!
1The Exam
Most women want to live free lives but not all of them get the opportunity. Shilan suffers in a bad marriage and she decides to help her younger sister, Rojin, pass the exam to a university. If Rojin passes it, she’s free to do what she wants and won’t have to submit to an arranged marriage.
The stakes are high in this Kurdish movie and it’s easy to sympathize with the sisters. The actors are lesser-known, which makesThe Examseem even more realistic. It reflects the real world and also emphasizes the bond of sisterly love that can bring strength to people even in difficult circumstances.
