Next Tuesday, the Oscar shortlist for Best International Feature Film will be revealed. Many of the hottest titles are already available on streaming services or are opening imminently, so now’s the perfect time to craft an at-home international film festival to see if any of your favorites make it onto the list of 15 titles in contention.
On Netflix, catch Mexico’s entry, “I’m No Longer Here,” written and directed by Fernando Frias. This is an achingly beautiful immigration portrait set against the fascinating subculture of cumbia rebajada music and dance, featuring a sensitive debut performance from star Juan Daniel Garcia Treviño. Also on Netflix, make the time for “A Sun,” Taiwan’s entry. This intergenerational family crime drama directed by Chung Mong-hong is a story about finding redemption in oneself and in each other in the face of tragedy.
Guatemala’s entry, “La Llorona,” directed and co-written by Jayro Bustamante, adapts the classic Latin American folktale to the real-life trauma of indigenous genocide in that country, reconfiguring the central ghost figure into a victim who haunts the perpetrators of these atrocities. Spare and stunning, this one is not to be missed. Watch it on Shudder.
On Amazon Prime, watch India’s entry, “Jallikattu,” a wild, rollicking, face-melting action flick, about a cow sent to slaughter that escapes, and the ensuing chase that wreaks unholy havoc in a small village. It’s truly a feat of jaw-dropping filmmaking by director Lijo Jose Pellissery.
Italy’s entry, Gianfranco Rosi's documentary about surviving the war-torn Middle East, “Notturno,” is now available on Hulu (and on demand). This Friday, Russia’s entry, “Dear Comrades,” bows on Hulu. Andrey Konchalovskiy’s black-and-white drama depicts a 1962 strike-turned-massacre.
The damning documentary “Collective,” about a nightclub fire that revealed subsequent failures in the health care system and government corruption, is Romania’s entry this year. Alexander Nanau’s film one of the most relevant and urgent of the year. Rent it for $6.99 on Amazon, iTunes, YouTube or wherever you get your digital rentals.
Denmark’s entry, Thomas Vinterberg’s Mads Mikkelsen-starring examination of drinking culture and midlife crises, “Another Round,” is also available for rent for $4.99- $6.99 on YouTube, Amazon, Vudu. Mikkelsen is heartbreaking and funny, and he even demonstrates his incredible dancing skills in the role, one of his best performances.
The Film Independent Spirit Awards bestowed nominations on Hungary’s official entry, Lili Horvát’s “Preparations To Be Together For An Unknown Period of Time,” which is currently playing in virtual cinemas (your digital rental fee benefits a movie theater of your choice). The Ivory Coast entry, Philippe Lacôte’s “Night of Kings” also garnered a Spirit Award nomination. It will be available Feb. 26 in select theaters and on demand March 5 (so keep an eye out).
Ukraine’s entry, “Atlantis,” grapples with the realities of war in a near-futuristic setting. Valentyn Vasyanovych's film is a viewing experience that requires patience, and more than earns your attention. Watch it currently in virtual cinemas. On Friday, France’s entry, “Two of Us,” a heart-wrenching story about two older women in love directed by Filippo Meneghetti bows in theaters and on demand. Serbia’s selection, “Dara of Jasenovac,” directed by Predrag Antonijevic, is the first film to depict Jasenovac, a Nazi concentration camp that was located in the former Yugoslavia. That is also in theaters Friday and hopefully on demand soon.
