While the definition of what makes a filminternationalcan be nebulous, for all intents and purposes here, they can be defined as a film not made in America, and therefore doesn’t have the esthetics Americans are used to seeing. This is also referred to as world cinema in film theory. Essentially, the American aesthetic is glamorous or loud, depending on the genre. International films typically have a limited release in theaters and print. Therefore, if an international film does do well in America, it joins a specialized group of movies.
The80sare immortalized for plenty of reasons. Countless movies and TV shows are central to that decade. From high school dramas to iconic action movies, the energy of the 80s was wrapped up in being tough. Whether a prep or Goth, authenticity was fundamental to a production. This mentality, when translated through an international film, can do wonders for those filmmakers. From the Japanese historical filmKagemushato the Chinese thrillerThe Killer, the international films of the 80s are must-sees. Between 1980 and 1989, the list below covers the best international film of each year.
1980: Kagemusha
The Japanese filmKagemushaspins the age-old tale ofThe Prince and the Pauper. Instead of a pauper and prince trading places, a peasant is thrust into the highest ranking of a warlordin feudal Japan.Kagemushais regarded highly among film critics for the dichotomy of elegance and violence, both scenically and emotionally. The struggle of becoming a warlord overnight mixed with the elegance of the samurai is why the film is a double win. Director Akira Kurosawa brilliantly made the best international film of 1980.
During the 1980s, action movies likeDie Hard,Indiana Jones, andTop Gunmade the main stars household names. Yet the Australian filmThe Road Warrior, also known asMad Max 2, is what solidified Australia as a competitor of U.S. action films. In the sequel to the 1979Mad Maxfilm, Max is searching for petrol in a barren Australia. Fans of the original as well as critics rave that this film does the impossible:The Road Warrior, a sequel, is better than the original.
1982: Fitzcarraldo
World-renowned director Werner Herzog wrote the filmFitzcarraldo,a Peruvian and Western German film. Though he began making documentaries, his 1982 filmFitzcarraldostands out among his already unique filmography. In the film, Brian Fitzgerald moves to the middle of the jungle to fulfill a lifelong dream. Brian longs to build an opera house there. The film is exquisite for the storyline and passion Herzog himself has for opera.
Related:The 21 Best International Films of the 2000s
1983: Fanny and Alexander
Swedish filmFanny and Alexanderfocuses on two adolescent siblings who suffer a tragedy soon after Christmas. Alexander is the golden child of the family as he takes after his grandmother, the matriarch and a famed actress. When his father passes and his mother quickly remarries, his life turns upside down. The film is regarded as one of the best Swedish films of all time due to its renowned director.Ingmar Bergman, the directorofFanny and Alexander, created a film so transcendent, it is regarded as Berman’s swan song.
1984: Dangerous Moves
Thebest French movieshave a way of capturing the emotion conveyed through literature in cinematic form.Dangerous Movesis no exception. The film follows the World Chess Championship that took place during the Cold War. In this gripping political thriller, audiences couldn’t stop themselves from seeing the parallels between the game of chess and how wars are fought. Even though the film isn’t the all-time best French film, it reigns as the best international film of 1984 for bringing the thrill of chess to players and non-players alike.
1985: Kiss of the Spider Woman
Brazilian cinema has hadquite the evolution, despite their Golden Era happening early on in their emergence onto the scene. Around the 1970s, the government controlled entertainment, which meant a shift away from artistic freedom. Towards the end of this era, however,Kiss of the Spider Womanwas released. In the film, a political prisoner and an immoral man share a prison cell. Both men deal with the trauma of prison differently.Kiss of the Spider Womanis a criticism of government control.
Related:The Case Against Remaking Parasite (Or Any Other International Film)
1986: Manon of the Spring
After her father dies and her mother abandons her, Manon is left in the countryside to shepherd. She is forced to marry someone who she grows to resent and goes on a murdering spree. For a French film,Manon of the Springpresent a shocking turn since their cinema is largely poetic. Yet asRoger Ebertpoints out, the Greek tragedy marries well with the theme of revenge in this film. This is the second sequel on this list that is marked as better than the first.
1987: Pathfinder
One of the Native tribes in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia are the Sámi people. The Norwegian filmPathfinderis abouta Sámi legend. Algin’s family is murdered, and he reaches out to the Pathfinders, Sámi shaman, for guidance. In many films depicting Natives, they are not shown in a positive light or their history is erased. ButPathfinder’s story is a celebration of Native culture, which is why it was nominated for Best International Film at the Oscars in 1987.
1988: Salaam Bombay!
Indian cinema has a long history of showcasing the disparity of the caste system on the marginalized communities.Salaam Bombay!is no exception to this history as it centers around a young boy named Krishna, who was abandoned by his family. He is tasked with raising 500 rupees, which is the equivalent of 5,600 rupees today. The film’s commentary on survival, community, and poverty make this film the best international film of 1988.
1989: Lo que le Pasó a Santiago
Puerto Rican cinema found its footing in the 70s and came to a fully developed marker by the late-80s. This development on the world stage won director Jacobo Morales' filmLo que le Pasó a Santiagothe award for Best International Film. In the movie, Santiago is grieving the loss of his wife and meets a woman named Angelina. As Santiago deals with his grief, he and Angelina fall in love. This love-after-death movie is full of twists and turns that a romantic drama typically misses.
