Best International Language Films of 2022
We live in a world dominated by the English language. Many accept the fact as universal and are constantly on the lookout for Hollywood-like textured films that are easy to watch. many are even too unwilling read subtitles and explore the wide world of global cinema. Fortunately, times are slowly changing. Many films such as Parasite, Roma, MinariAnd A Fantastic woman break through the barriers of our western-centric perspective.
While we still have a long way to go when it comes to bringing non-English language films to a wide audience, we’re here to show you what you’ve been missing. Let’s take a look at the best international language films to hit theaters in 2022.
Updated May 2023 If you’re a fan of international language films, you’re in luck. This article has been updated with additional content and input from Amria Abdel-Fadil.
13 nothing new in the West
nothing new in the West is a German film that has won four impressive Oscars. Directed by Edward Berger, the Netflix production chronicles the turbulent and horrific experience of a young German soldier on the Western Front during World War I. It is based on Erich Maria Remarque’s anti-war novel, which was inspired by his own experiences as a German soldier at war.
This is a raw portrayal of the atrocities of war and a reminder of how awful it is that the world is still grappling with this concept. The film features hauntingly realistic combat scenes, and the excellent cinematography and soundtrack beautifully underscores one of the most intense war films of all time.
12 don’t say anything bad
With a combination of English, Dutch and Danish, don’t say anything bad is a psychological thriller directed by Christian Tafdrup. It is about a Danish couple, Bjørn and Louise, who meet a Dutch couple while on vacation. A year later, they receive an invitation to their rural Dutch homeland. Things escalate when the hosts begin to push their guests’ limits to unexpected degrees.
The film premiered at the 38th Sundance Film Festival and immediately received positive reviews for its script and performances. It’s often described as a very relatable psychological thriller, as “Dutch hospitality is quickly unsettling for Danes, and they become more and more entangled in a web of their own politeness.”
11 The blue caftan
The blue caftan is a gripping and bold tale by Moroccan director Maryam Touzani about a middle-aged tailor who runs his business with his wife. Set in one of Morocco’s oldest medinas, the couple hire a young apprentice to help them keep up with their craft and their customers. Interestingly, husband Halim displays a rather intense affection for the young man that raises questions and fills the air with mystery.
The delicate film is tender and arouses feelings of romance, sensuality and eroticism. Love is viewed from the perspective of the three protagonists in an unusual way. The intimate film received critical acclaim and won awards at several international film festivals such as Cannes.
10 godland
Partly inspired by a collection of wet plate photographs of rural Iceland taken by a priest in the late 19th century, godland is an international co-produced drama directed by Hlynur Pálmason. Set in the late 19th century, the film stars actor Elliott Crosset Hove as Lucas, a Lutheran Danish priest who travels to Iceland to oversee the establishment of a new church, only to find his faith is overwhelmed by harsh Icelandic conditions put to the test.
It explores the contradictory realities of Iceland, with its rapidly changing biological make-up, while conveying the sense that time has stood still. Another focus is on language barriers and their challenges.
9 Leila’s brothers
Leila’s brothers is an Iranian film directed by Saeed Roustayi. It tells the story of Leila, a 40-year-old woman who spent her life looking after the needs of her parents and brothers. Her family is under a lot of pressure due to the high debt burden, which is compounded by the sanctions against Iran. As her family fights and struggles to survive, she hatches a plan. It is a captivating story about the struggles of the Iranian people, told in a masterful way. It is told realistically, emotionally and makes you think. The film also won several awards, including at the Cannes Film Festival
8th juggernaut
Director: Nico van den Brink juggernaut is a Dutch folk horror film starring Sallie Harmsen and Alexandre Willaume. It’s about a Dutch family who are attacked by a stranger one night, prompting the mother to investigate the incident. The deeper she digs, the more convinced she is that her family is being hunted by something ancient.
The name Moloch occurs several times in the Hebrew Bible and is often used in reference to a person or thing that requires or requires a very costly sacrifice, such as children. The film mixes character-based drama with horror and uses a slower pacing, which may make it difficult to watch, but it’s worth the wait.
7 Close
We can’t possibly forget to include it Close in our list. Directed by Lukas Dhont, Close is a French-language coming-of-age drama starring Eden Dambrine and Gustav de Waele. The story follows two 13-year-old boys, Léo and Rémi, who spend a long summer building an innocent, deep friendship.
However, once classes resume and people around her start making uncomfortable comments about her closeness, Léo decides to distance herself from Rémi. It was named Best Foreign Language Film by the National Board of Review and nominated for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars.
6 hatching
Directed by Hanna Bergholm hatching is a Finnish psychological body horror starring Siiri Solalinna, Sophia Heikkilä and Jani Volanen. The film centers on Tinja, who is desperately trying to please her picture-obsessed mother while running a blog portraying her family perfectly. One day, Tinja finds a mysterious egg that she begins to nest and nurture until it hatches and grows into a doppelganger that acts on her repressed emotions. Focusing on mixed themes like blood, motherhood and body dysmorphia, the film is so much more than just the horror aspects. There is very little of it online, which is a shame considering the quality.
5 piggy
Based on the short film of the same name, piggy is a Spanish-French rural horror thriller film directed and written by Carlota Pereda. The action takes place in the Spanish countryside and revolves around an overweight girl, Sara, who is intensely bullied by a clique of cool girls during the summer. When she later witnesses how a stranger kidnaps the gang, she is faced with the question of whether she wants to help the police or take revenge. It offers the refreshing sight of having an overweight girl in the lead character rather than making her the butt of jokes, and the choice doesn’t disappoint.
4 You won’t be alone
Written and directed by Goran Stolevski in his directorial debut. You won’t be alone is a horror film starring Sara Klimoska, Anamaria Marinca and Alice Englert. Set in 19th-century Macedonia, it revolves around a young girl who is turned into a witch by an ancient spirit. To understand what it feels like to be human, she kills a peasant girl, assumes her form, and begins living as a human under horrible circumstances. He succeeds in emphasizing timeless themes such as love, lust and betrayal. It combines horror and beauty and honestly deserves to be shown in more theaters.
3 RRR
As the most expensive Indian film to date RRR is an Indian Telugu language epic action drama directed by SS Rajamouli. It stars NT Rama Rao Jr. as Komaram Bheem, a Gond tribal chief from Telangana, and Ram Charan as Alluri Sitarama Raju, a revolutionary leader from Andhra Pradesh who led an armed campaign against the British Raj. Set in the 1920s, it depicts the fictional friendship of the leaders fighting the British Raj.
The film broke streaming records on Netflix and became the third Indian film and first Telugu film to be nominated at the Golden Globes. As RRR As Hollywood helps bring Indian films into the mainstream, it still has a lot to learn from this epic film.
2 decision to go
Director: Park Chan-wook, decision to go is a South Korean romantic mystery film starring Tang Wei and Park Hae-il. It’s about the sleepless detective Jang Hae-jun, who investigates the death of a man in the mountains and eventually falls in love with Song Seo-rae, the dead man’s wife.
Many have described the film as the best love story of 2022, with its incredibly satisfying understated and tragic storyline. No wonder it was selected as the South Korean entry for Best International Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards.
1 girl picture
Finally, directed by Alli Haapasalo, girl picture is a Finnish coming-of-age film. It follows three young women as they brave the prolonged winter darkness in Finland. They end up getting caught up in a mess of dreams, friendships and relationships. It’s a story of love, pleasure, loyalty and the vivid experiences of youth. If you haven’t already, you should definitely gift her your watch if you want to enjoy an amazing female-worn spectacle.
