James’ Journey to Jerusalem
(2003) Israeli 
Director:  Ra’Anan Alexandrowicz
Screenwriter Ra’Anan Alexandrowicz, Sam Duenias
Principals:  Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe, Arie Elias


This film tells the story of a naive, dedicated, African Christian who takes a spiritual pilgrimage to Jerusalem and winds up working as part of a migrant labor pool for a group of unscrupulous Israelis.  The characters are natural and sharply drawn with Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe and Arie Elias playing the lead roles.  This is a sad story but filled with enough points of light to dispel the gloom.  No technical wizardry here, just straightforward storytelling.
 
 

Japanese Story
(2003) Australian
Director:  Sue Brooks; Screenwriter:  Alison Tilson
Principals:  Toni Collette, Gotaro Tsunashima

Toni Collette stars in this film about falling in love, culture clash, haiku, life’s journey, and acceptance.  The acting, especially by Collette, is endearing.  Japanese Story is about two people who fall in love while visiting the Australian outback.  It is not an easy film because it involves a love story with an unhappy ending. The film is a visual feast with vibrant colors dominating every frame of the landscape.

 


Kandahar
(2001) Afghan, subtitles 
Director/Screenwriter/Producer:  Mohsen Makhmalbaf
Principals:  Niloufar Pazira, Hassan Tantai


If you want to know what it’s like to be a woman and have your face and body hidden from view, to lose a limb from a land mine and wait a year to receive prosthesis, and to live in a state of poverty the West can hardly imagine, see this film.  Yes, this is no walk in the park but the insight and empathy which you will gain will stay with you for a long time.  The acting by Niloufar Pazira and Hassan Tantai has a dramatic, real quality that holds your attention throughout.  Director, writer, producer Mohsen Makhmalbaf creates a horrifyingly beautiful vision of a society torn apart by modern warfare and ruled by religious fanatics.  Not for young children.


Kicking and Screaming
(1995) Indie 
Director:  Noah Baumbach
Screenwriter:  Noah Baumbach, Oliver Beckman
Principals:  Eric Stoltz, Parker Posey, Olivia d’Abo, Josh Hamilton

 
First-time director Noah Baumbach creates a whiny, sophomoric and predictable, but nevertheless witty and very funny film about life after college.  With a funny ensemble cast, acerbic dialogue, and outrageous humor, you’re in for some not so serious, guilty pleasure entertainment.  The cast includes Josh Hamilton, Olivia d’Abo, Eric Stoltz, Parker Posey and Elliot Gould.
 
 

King of the Corner
(2005) Indie 
Director/Screenwriter:  Peter Riegert
Principals:  Peter Riegert, Eli Wallach

 
Peter Riegert writes, directs and stars in this film about mid-life crisis.  Riegert plays a successful product tester and businessman whose personal and professional life are brought into turmoil by his teenage daughter, his eccentric father, and a young protégé who is out to get his job.  Supporting actors Eli Wallach, Dominic Chianese and Eric Bogosian give spirited performances in this witty tragicomedy.


Kundun
(1997) Tibetan/Scorsese 
Director:  Martin Scorsese; Screenwriter:  Melissa Mathison
Principals:  Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, Gywine Tethong


This is Scorsese’s opus about the Dalai Lama.  Kundun is a sad story filled with slow and laborious dialogue and plot.  Yet, it is so opulent with natural beauty and history that it begs to be included on the list.  If you have ever wondered why serious old men would prostrate themselves before a rambunctious child, you will learn the answer in this film.  On a more serious note, Kundun examines the interweaving of secular and religious life in Tibet.






La Femme Nikita
(1990) French, subtitles
Director/Screenwriter:  Luc Besson
Principals:  Anne Parriaud, Marc Duret, Patrick Fontana


This film directed by Luc Besson contains similar elements to Besson’s later triumph, The Fifth Element.  It pulsates with a pounding electronic musical score, quick edits which intensify the action, and innovative direction.  Anne Parriaud gives a spirited, complex performance as a girl on the run.  More so than The Fifth Element, La Femme Nikita allows its characters and story to mature and develop.  If you are wowed by Tarrantino, wait until you see what Besson accomplished years earlier.
 

  Lantana
(2001)  Australian
Director:  Ray Lawrence
Screenwriter:  Andrew Bovell
Principals:  Anthony LaPaglia, Barbara Hershey, Geoffrey Rush


This is a twisted mystery that will keep you wondering whodunit.  Anthony LaPaglia, Barbara Hershey and Geoffrey Rush are outstanding in this tightly drawn film which involves frayed relationships, a murder, and subtle dialogue.  This is a very clever picture that stands apart from most Hollywood mysteries because of its well developed characters and chillingly subtle dialogue. 


L’Auberge Espagnole
(2002)  French, Spanish, subtitles
Director/Screenwriter:  Cedric Klapisch
Principals:  Romain Duris, Judith Godreche, Audrey Tautou


This film is a blockbuster of tongue-in-cheek humor, fine acting and extraordinary direction.  The story develops around Javier, a young college graduate played by Romain Duris, who learns about the Erasmus teaching program in Barcelona.  He leaves his Parisian lover, Audrey Tautou, travels to Barcelona, and moves into an apartment with five other open-minded students, all from different European countries.  The language barriers, love triangles, cramped, dirty quarters, and partying fills the screen with amusing and thought provoking imagery.  Love abounds in every corner and you will fall in love with this film written and directed by Cedric Klapisch.


Life Is Beautiful
(1997)  Italian, subtitles
Director/Screenwriter:  Roberto Benigni
Principals:  Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi


Roberto Benigni writes, stars, directs and does about everything else in this award-winning film.  Benigni, Italy’s answer to Jerry Lewis, is both touching and slapstick-funny in this film about a Jewish family that endures the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp because of the indomitable spirit of their father.  Benigni turns the holocaust into a game and his fable tells us more about the human condition than ten documentaries on the subject.



Look at Me
(2005)  French, subtitles
Director:  Agnes Jaoui
Screenwriter:  Agnes Jaoui, Jean-Pierre Bacri
Principals:  Marilou Berry, Jean-Pierre Bacri


This could be called a typical French art film with its complicated plot about interesting people, its meaningful dialogue that is clever and witty, and the fine acting which will stay with you.  Look at Me examines how cruel people can be towards one another, and how money and fame always seem to corrupt even the least corruptible.  Agnes Jaoui directs, and Marilou Berry and Jean-Pierre Bacri create characters that have enough bite and sarcasm to carry the story perfectly.

 
Love and Hate
  (2005)  British
Director/Screenwriter:  Dominic Savage
Principals:  Samina Awan, Tom Hudson


Though a bit sappy and over-the-top, this film still hits enough marks to warrant your attention.  A Romeo and Juliet story in modern-day England, the film examines culture clash, racism, and true love amid Brit/Pakistani hatred.  Writer/director Dominic Savage frames his story with powerful images and actors Samina Awan and Tom Hudson display enough naturalness and likeability to propel this coming of age film.  Stick around for the ending.  It makes it all worthwhile.