So I recently have watched nothing but Foreign films, all but a couple being Asian films. I have to say, these movies are some of the craziest movies I have ever seen. Almost everyone had a 'WTF!' moment in it. Actually, most ended with me thinking 'WTF was that!' I must admit though, some of these movies are up there with the best of any movie I have ever seen. So if you are interested in just excellent films, or something that will leave you confused or shocked, you may want to take a look.

 

 

City of God (Brazil).

 

This movie takes place in Rio de Janeiro and deals with the violence and general power and control of the gangs in the city. The movie is simply incredible. It has long been one of my favorite movies of any sorts. It is worth watching.

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317248/

 

Battle Royale (Japan)

 

Again, I saw this years ago. The basic premise is that in order to get the youth motivated after the economy collapsed largely due to them, a middle/high school class is kidnapped, brought to an island, and forced to play a game where they kill each other. If they don't, or don't follow the rules, a collar around their neck will explode killing them. Seems like a crazy plot that couldn't be much more then some ridiculous violence right? Well, there is surprisingly a lot more too it. It is both funny and depressing, and filled with mixed emotions, while maintaining a level of pure badass-ery. Watch it.

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266308/

 

Audition (Japan)

 

Probably the most messed up movie I have ever seen. If you know nothing about it, it will surprise you like no other. If you do, it still will destroy you. It starts off kind of slow, like almost a strangely placed love story that seems a bit off. I was a bit creeped out, and knew something was going to happen. And boy did it. I still have no idea what was real and what wasn't. In fact, this movie is what prompted me to start this thread. I am not sure it could have been more 'WTF'.

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0235198/

 

J.S.A: Joint Security Area (Korea)

 

Probably the only of the Asian movies that wasn't WTF. This movie was absolutely incredible. Basic idea is a South Korean soldier kills two North Koreans just over the border on the NK side. SK says he was kidnapped and killed them escaping. NK says he went over on his own. A Swiss and Swedish investigator are brought in. The truth is something neither side wants to hear. If you watch any of these movies, watch this one.

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0260991/

 

Old Boy (Korea)

 

Another one of my favorite movies. Without saying much, a man is kiddnapped and imprisoned for 15 years. Finally, he is released. He doesn't know who did it, or why, and his goal is to find out. Simple right? Hell no! When you find out the reason, and what has happened/happening, it's pure WTF! Go watch this.

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0364569/

 

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (Korea)

 

Same director as Old Boy, and follows the same revenge theme. Another well done movie of similar proportions. Not quite, but almost as incredible. Basic plot is, a woman is released from prison after serving 13 years for a murder she confessed to. You find out right away that she, though involved, was not the murderer. Her goal is to get revenge on the real killer. Again, seems straight forward, but it is not.

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0451094/

 

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (Korea)

 

The first of the 3 movies (the two above). I found this the least enjoyable, but was still good. To put it simply, it is a movie where one bad decision spirals out of control and leaves pretty much everybody in the movie seeking revenge on each other. It reminds me of 'The Square' in the sense that one bad choice for perceived good intentions turns everything to crap.

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0310775/

 

The Isle (Korea)

 

Sort of confusing. Kind of an artsy type film with characters of questionable morals and intentions, loneliness, with a few WTF moments. It ended with me having no idea what I just watched. But it was entertaining.

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0255589/

 

Samaritan Girl (Korea)

 

From the same director as The Isle. Confusing to the extend where you aren't sure the exact motive behind what the characters are doing, so seems unlikely they would actual take the course of action they do. However it does deliver some strong emotions, and I found the movie to be totally depressing. I don't know if I liked the movie or not because of such. Another movie where I'm left wondering WTF I just watched.

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0397619/

 

The Square (Australia)

 

Basically, a guy makes one bad choice, and everything spirals way out of control, leading to all sorts of bad things. Entirely depressing.

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1085507/

 

Animal Kingdom (Australia)

 

After a teenagers mother dies, he goes to live with his cold hearted grandmother and uncles. His uncles are criminals, and by virtue of his association with them, gets caught up in the mess, and his family turns on him. Also a depressing movie, but not too badly. It is very well done.

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1313092/

I was going to suggest Old Boy, but I see it already made your list. I don't watch Foreign films that much any more, but Old Boy is the exception to that.

 

Another pure WTF Foreign Film is 'Big Tit Zombies'

 

Its got a fire breathing vag in it. That should tell you all you need to know about that movie.

Another "WTF'er" that gets so ridiculous it becomes laughable:

 

Riki-Oh (Hong Kong)

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102293/

Trollhunter (2010) ( Norwegian )

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1740707/

 

Infernal Affairs (the original "The Departed)

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338564/

Trollhunter (2010) ( Norwegian )

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1740707/

 

See if you can find "Dead Snow". Norwegian Zombie Nazis flix with it's fair share of gore,guts,girls and goofs.

Infernal Affairs (the original "The Departed)

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338564/

 

I was trying to find this film. In fact, now they you mention it, I think I do have a link for it.

 

If anybody is interested in a low budget direct to dvd type movie with potential (I heard they are making a sequel!), check out

Outpost (UK)

NAZI ZOMBIES! I don't think I need to say much more.

 

I'll have to check out both Trollhunter and Riki-Oh. Thanks for the info.

 

I'm still trying to digest Audition. So freaking bizarre and crazy. Too many little details that make you think one thing, but then other details that make you think the opposite.

Battle Royale is pretty good. There's a lot of nuances, etc that are hard for non-japanese that are hard to understand.

Your first one is a good one.

 

Try, this one too

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109045/

and this one

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110729/

I like Kurosawa a lot--Ran, Seven Samurai, etc.

 

Il Postino (Michael Radford) Not least for the story behind it of the lead (Massimo Troisi), who postponed heart surgery to complete the film, and died of a heart attack the shortly after filming it.

 

Brazil (Terry Gilliam) I was just astounded the first time I saw this in the theater. Intense, but I find many people really hate it as much as I love it.

 

The Four Hundred Blows (Truffaut)

I really do not remember much about this--I will have to watch it again soon. But I did find it intriguing.

Not a WTF movie but it's a foriegn film and won ACADEMY awards for best foriegn film language.

 

In a better world

 

But if you want a WTF movie I'm sure you have heard of HUMAN CENTIPEDE 1 & 2

Now that's a serious WTF holy sshh..cow movie.

 

I have all three and probably never watch it again. Hahaha

Battle Royale is pretty good, I have read the manga series on it. Another good foreign film is called Suicide Club http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0312843/

Geez, I gotta get out from under my rock. I have no idea wtf these films are.

Yes you do. I suggest you watch City of God and Old Boy for two truely great films. And Joint Security Area actually. To be honest, also Battle Royale (ignore the sequel, damn why did they make a sequel!), Audition, and Lady Vengeance.

Anyone watch the German flic Run Lola Run?

Anyone watch the German flic Run Lola Run?

Loved that one... then "Lola" showed in Bourne.

13 assassins, a Japanese samurai movie, was very good.

2nd on 13 assassins (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1436045/). About honor, sacrifice, and justice all served up with a hefty dose of katanas.

 

I'd also recommend the original French version of La Femme Nikita (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100263/). I always liked this better than the US remake or the US TV series.

 

If you'd like a sense of the Hong Kong style shoot'em ups, Hard Boiled (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104684/) by John Woo starring Chow Yun Fat is an oldie by goodie.

Well, I finally saw Audition because of this thread. I will never date an asian woman again. Thanks.

Well, I finally saw Audition because of this thread. I will never date an asian woman again. Thanks.

 

You're welcome!

Well, I finally saw Audition because of this thread. I will never date an asian woman again. Thanks.

 

your loss

 

 

your loss

 

More Asians for Ray Ray, today's gonna be a good day