I realize to people say in China or France that an American or English film IS a foreign film. But I was thinking about the English speaking countries mainly. I rented Pan's Labyrinth on Monday and watched it that night. It had won a few Oscars last year, and it looked intriguing. It was in Spanish, but I didn't really care if it had subtitles. Pretty soon I never really even thought about the fact that the movie was in a different language. I was deeply touched by that movie, and was glad I didn't let the fact that it was a foreign film deter me from watching it.
Do you have a favorite foreign film or movie in a different language besides your own? Do you ever even watch them? Some people find it frustrating to have to read the words while trying to watch the film I guess. My sister's favorite is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
[question posted by AmbiePam]
responses and comments:
I love to watch couple of french movies which comes with english subtitles. they are really good. So also at film festivals held in Bangalore, I watch films from czekoslavakia now different country. [ssh123]
Hi!!! I cannot watch a movie and read subtitles simultaneously, but I do like watching movies in a different language.At first I watch the movie with subtitles and then without it. For this reason I cannot watch such movies while it is telecasted in movie channels,mostly I prefer CD's. My favourite foreign language movie is "Ich war neunjehn"(I was nineteen).It is a German movie. [chirantani]
My husband watched Pan's Labyrinth at the movie theater and enjoyed it. He enjoys watching movies made in German, as speaks the language fluently. My daughter and I enjoyed The House of Flying Daggers, which was done so well. We watched it several times and each time the characters really make me understand the characters even more. I had several years of French in school. Now I watch movies in French to help improve my usage of words and how to say them correctly. [Fishmomma]
That is a good idea. [AmbiePam]
I accidently bought my husband a Jackie Chan movie called Armour of God and we didn't understand a thing and I realized after the movie that we could turn the subtitles on so we watched it again so atleast we knew what was going on..lol But we haven't watched it since. I am thinking of ebaying it. Well me and my husband miss most the movie and action by trying to read the subtitles. We also watched Passions of christ that way too. Now that was a touching movie. I watched Crouching Tiger ,Hidden Dragon and it was a great movie. I will watch movies with subtitles if I really have to but will end up watching it 2-3 times and still see things I missed because some subtitles went to fast before we could read them all. [mtdewgurl74]
If your parents have it then you should borrow it to watch it is a good movie and as a precautionary device take a migraine pill before you watch it. The worst if the beating scenes I bawled like a baby it is really moving atleast it was for me. [mtdewgurl74]
For good readers and people with good eyesight its not a problem. [ElicBxn]
I had no problem watching any subtitles movies. Cause maybe I just got used of it since I was small. I watched English movies, HongKong, Taiwan, Korean, Japan, India , France , sometimes A bit of Spain and Italy movies. so I be able to read the subtitles real quick and get the whole story line. But of course sometimes the problem was when I had to watched movies woth a bad subtitles. Its not a problem for me watching English or Mandarin movies without any subtitles, but I cannot understand others without a good subtitles. [hcpoirot]
I did like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon as well. One of my favorites though would have to be The Fearless Hyena. This was one of Jackie Chan's earlier movies, and I laughed at that movie till I nearly cried. [jer31558]
I do not mind watching them Ambie, in fact I quite enjoy it sometimes, helps my concentration as well. Also I find that after a while, depending on the film, I have no need to read the subtitles and am just going with the flow, gaining understanding of the language by just viewing LOL Hmmm? Well, I cannot think of a favourite I have, as my memory escapes me at present time, but I truly did enjoy that Pans Labyrinth. I saw it too Ambie. I hope all is going fairly well for you and I am thinking and praying for all myLotters who need prayers at this time. I truly hope you sort out your rent and medicine issues. xoxoxooxox God Bless you Precious Ambie. My son says Hello! [OceanTiara]
Give your son a hug for me, OK? I'm glad he is with you now. I thought Pan's Labyrinth was such a beautiful movie. Even though it made me cry I was glad I rented it. I know what you mean about picking up the language. After a while I was like, hey, I know what he's saying without reading it! I get amused at the oddest things. confused [AmbiePam]
i love watching japanese, korean films and other asian films. i had watched a german film too. but that's because of my history subjects and international politics course back then. my current favorite is death note movies 1 and 2 (japanese), my sassy girl (korean) and shutter (malaysian or thai?). i don't really mind reading subtitles, i don't like it more when they are dubbed. [blue_thr3e]
Oh I hate it when they are dubbed! [AmbiePam]
My favorite is Taxi. The version we watch does not have subtitles. It is in French. I took up French in high school and college and my husband speaks/writes fluent French. It is such a funny film. We love it! [Yestheypayme2dothis]
i'm from China and many foreign films attract me,especially American films.The big problem is that my English is not good and i can't follow the dialogue in the films.So i must read the subtitles.When i read the subtitles i miss many wonderful scenes.What a pity!Now i am trying my hard to improve my english.I hope there is not handicap to me some day. [hackbuteer]
I have seen a couple of movies with sub titles Pans Labyrinth happened to be one of them it was a great movie, I speak spanish but found myself reading the subtitles anyway. The other movie I saw with subtitles was The Passion of the Christ, both were good movies I don't mind subtitles at all. [jczvrse]
Do you have any other recommendations? I'm thinking I should try more foreign films since I enjoyed this last one so much. [AmbiePam]
I like most of the kung fu movies and they come like that. the last one that I have seen was the one call Curse of the Golden Flower and it was really good the action was off the wall. Then sometimes the sundance channels has movies in French and Spanish and i will watch them. I don't mind the reading at all as long as the story line of the movie is good. Have a nice one. [twallace]
I've heard of Curse of the Golden Flower. I wonder if my local Blockbuster has it. It seems that lately there are more games than DVDs there anymore. [AmbiePam]
i always watch movies with subtitles foreign or my mothertongue because sometimes with all the talking in the house, my son playing.. i cant hear scenes with whispers. i love a few foreign movies. heres to name a few: 1. malena - this stars monica bellucci. she was hated for being too beautiful. 2. princess hours - this is a korean series a modern day cinderella it talks about arranged marriage to a prince. 3. my girl - again another korean series where the lead (girl) was asked by this rich guy to pretend to be his cousin to help cure their sick grandfather. 4. shutter - the thai version of the horror movie 5. three- a compilation of three asian horror movies. i actually love watching foreign movies because they are not predictable. I am a Filipino and almost all Filipino movies have a happy ending and most of the time you know how the movie is gonna end. Most Filipino viewers are not ready to see twists in the endings. We love a good fairytale with happy endings. At least we can have it in the movies. [crixiegreen]
if you really want a good scare then watch shutter. its not just you know scary for no apparent reason. it has a story too. i would like to watch the US version to compare. another scary movie that has very little effects is the ring. the story was so simple but was indeed very scary. i can say that the japanese version's better. but what sucks about piracy (yep im guilty) is that if you are watching english ..the subtitles arent accurate. why dont they just write what the person actually said and not put their own translation of what he said hehe [crixiegreen]
I like watching movies in Spanish, but they are not so common. Those films are usually available with subtitles, which I dont mind really, as at least those who do not speak the language can understand them and I can enjoy the Spanish language! [sylvia13]
I was raised on movies with subtitles, so it doesn't detract from the movie at all for me.I am used to it. I don't have a favourite foreign language film. I will watch any language movie with subtitles and even some without. LOL. Pan's Labyrinth was a really good movie. I have a copy of it. One that comes to mind is Cinema Paradiso. [Dreamweaverr]
Cinema Paradisio is an older movie, yes? Could you tell me what it is about? I have heard movie stars over the years say that is one of their favorite foreign films. [AmbiePam]
No....I haven't watched a foreign movie....I hardly watch one in English.....a long time ago I did see one but can't even remember the name. [jillhill]
I am slightly deaf so I will switch subtitles on even if it is a movie in my own language but yes I will watch foreign films but haven't one that I can think of as a favourite. Ellie :D [ellie333]
I will look out for it, thanks. Ellie :D [ellie333]
Yes,I always watch movies with sutitles though I could understand some of dialogue means . In my opinion ,Forrest Gump is all a classical film yet since I have seen the film. and also other movies . [zhubaohuisdme]
I don't mind watching movie's with subtitles as long as they are good. My husband however doesn't like subtitle movies, but we watched pans Labyrinth on the airplane on our way to Canada and he loved it. [chapcity]
Usually I can't stand subtitled films, Ambie, but the one that I fell in love with and have watched over and over again is Amelie. Have you seen it? It's so fun and sweet and romantic. [dfn12968]
You're welcome! I hope you like it. Let me know what you think. I think it's a really beautiful movie in a lot of ways. Acting, story, romance, cinematography, direction. So many great things about it. [dfn12968]
I can't see well enough to keep up with anything that has subitles. However I do own one interesting looking Croatian film that I bought simply because my favourite singer, Ivo Robic, did the music for it. I wish I could read the subtitles, and I wish I knew someone near by who understands Croatian. [danishcanadian]
i like to watch foreign films too. some are very good and ya with the subtitles you get a good hold of them. and also watch the jet li movies in chinese before they come out in english. i watch them with chines subtitles. Crouching Tiger, and the Hidden Dragon is also my favorite movie. i have watched it three or four times. [sagarsamrat]
Some of the movies with subtitles are really nice. I do not mnd seeing them. besides they are different from the usual country movies I watch. You really get educated and entertained. [daffodil1949]
I mostly don't watch movies with subtitles because they go so fast I can't keep up with reading them so fast.There were 2 movies that just had parts in it that had subtitles.But,I love the movies."Passion of Christ" had sub titles in Hebrew and "Dances With Wolves" had subtitle's in Sioux. [dfollin]
Subtitles don't bother me. It really is a matter of personal taste. Many foreign films tend to be more personal and about people than most American Hollywood blockbusters. It is a matter of genre. [jtfmulder]
I enjoy movies better with subtitles usually, even if it is a local firms because sometimes it becomes hard to catch what they are saying, especially if the sound system isnt up to standard. Foreign firms are usually harder to understand, even with subtitles because of the context they are based in and we might not always understand what they truly meant. [profitsg]
I also watched Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with subtitles... i also do not let that discourage me in watching great movies... in fact... every time i watch dvd movie or tv series and it is already in English... i still turn on the English subtitle... just so i wouldn't miss out on any important dialogues... [aseretdd]
If the movie is great, and the subtitling is done well - it's fine. I've watched Korean and Japanese horror movies like Ring, Dark Waters, The Drudge...and they are better than the English speaking ones (esp. those with boring storylines) [lazeebee]
hmm, yes, as I love to watched anime and j-dorama series or movie, usually it had a subtitle. I don't have any problems on watching some that have a subtitle on it, in fact, I do prefer it as such because sometimes I don't like how it was dubbed or the dubber's voice seems wasn't right to the characters. Sometimes I also watched some Chinese movies, like Jet Li or Chow Yun Fat movies. Yeah, Crouching Tiger, was really great movie to watched. happy [kylie_quistis]
I love to watch good films even if they are in a language, unknown to me. Subtitles help me understand the thing going on the screen. But I find difficult to read the fast changing subtitles and watch the screen at the same time. So I don't read all the subtitles but glance at them in between.I have seen many interesting forign language films (like chinese, french, german etc.)and enjoyed them to the fullest. [suruchi86]
Yes, subtitles are fine, as long as there's a great story. My favorite so far is "Hero". "House of the Flying Daggers" was really good too. My only complaint is that you have to divide your attention between screen and subtitles, in the case of Hero, I saw it in the theatre, it would have been better at home, so I could rewind it if I missed something. The movie had a lot of action, and a great story. [thelastwolf113]
I like french, chinese/japanese/etc and spanish movies. I don't mind the subtitles, but sometimes it's annoying to realize that they're are not traslating exactly what it says in the language that is made. I know this because my first language is spanish, and I watch spanish movies with english subtitles!!! [maplaver]
Yea. I often water foreign movies. I've watched Pans Labyrinth and I think it's nice. I have to rely on the subtitles as I only know basic Spanish (ie. Hola) lol My favorite foreign movies are from Japan and Korea. Recently I watched this Korean movie called Hearty Paws. It's about the relationship between a pair of siblings and their dog. It's a very touching and heart wrenching movie. I was crying a lot while watching. I also love watching Japanese animes happy [poohgal]
Pan's Labyrinth is one of my favoritge movies and I usually hate subtitle. Still, we watch a fair amount of anime with subtitles and I really like Death Note as well. I've seen the first movie dubbed into English and with subtitles and I like the subtitles better. [moonshadow68]
Ya there are lot's of foreign films [non english] , which are awesome even without subtitle .But let me tell you frankly i have seen Pan's Labyrinth with subtitle because i got the subtitle of that movie . But i have seen some foreign films without subtitle and it's truly amazing that i just finished the whole movie without knowing the language and i just get the every theme of movie ! [vjindia]
I like to watch forgien films, as does my fella. We really enoy seeing other's perspectives on life issues displayed in movies. I get frustrated at first, but I adapt to the rythm and settle right in. [Katesmama]
I have watched a few films that had English subtitles, I even watched a few films with Italian, German, and French subtitles. I do not have a favorite film as of yet, because I watch so many that I cannot keep track of them, not subtitled films, but films in general. I did watch an English/Dutch film or an American film made for a Dutch audience and the subtitles were all in Dutch, I think it was called a Man to Remember and was about an immigrant who came to America, was a doctor and his life in a small town and all the good deeds he did. Of course, I also watched the Godfather movies, and I learned a little Italian from the subtitles. I was not that good at watching The Longest Day with the German, though. Anyway I should make a data list of the movies I watched, but I have not even made one of the dvds I have already got. [suspenseful]
I used to watch a lot more foreign films than I do now. I'd have to say one of my all time favorite foreign films was Life Is Beautiful. It was a movie that made me cry and laugh at the same time. The main character tried so valiantly to make a holocaust camp less scary for his young son. All his antics were so funny, but their family's situation was so sad at the same time. A simply amazing movie. I love the essence of a foreign film because I feel more immersed in the culture of the film. Since I like reading anyway, it's no hardship to have to read subtitles in a movie. And I find it so much more authentic to read subtitles than to listen to dubbed voices that don't match the movement of the actors' mouths. That is much more disorienting than subtitles. The latest foreign film I watched was this spanish horror movie called .REC. It's filmed as if through a live tv show is filming where the anchor goes with the fire department to investigate an alarm in a building, that turns out to have zombies. I highly recommend it if you're into scary movies. [doubloonie]
No ,I do not. I hate them. I a so busy reading the words, that I don't see the movie at all!I won't watch them. [patricia4225]
I love watching foreign films...especially French ones...my favorite there is the Tall Blonde Man In The One Black Shoe..hysterically funny. Have you ever watched Like Water For Chocolate? That's a Spanish one and I highly recommend it...I know you're studying Spanish. Sí, señorita? Sometimes what I do is switch the language option on my DVDs...either switch the audio to the french language, or have the subtitles in French..or, even both on...It works best with a movie you've seen a million times and know the dialogue anyway [pyewacket]
I love French films. But in French with subtitles. I hate it when a movie id dubbed. My favorites are The Bride wore Black and Day For Night. [sarahruthbeth22]
I just cannot watch a movie that is dubbed. It drives me up the wall. [AmbiePam]
movies with subtitles, yes i enjoy watching them and though some would find watching and reading at the same time a hard work, well for me i dont mind. im very fond of watching foreign films specially that of korean films and my favorite among those ive watched is "3-iron." its a very good film and really interesting. it boost awards from both local and foreign scene. what i love most about this movie is its uniqueness and simpleness. unique being the main cast has no dialouges yet, you will moved by the story, plus points is the plot of the movie itself. its a bit weird but like i said its no ordinary film which makes it really interesting. i find watching foreign films really interesting coz not only because of the story of the movies itself but likewise the idea of knowing the cultures and way of life of other countries.Ü check out 3-iron, its really a good film.Ü [psyche_1024]
my native language is spanish, almost every movie is in english. I hate voice over translation to spanish since lots content get lost during transaltion. So I preffer to have my subtiles to compare the voice with the real thing hehehe, thats my secret for practicing english. [tubeth2000]
I hate movies where I have to read. If I wanted to read I would of got the book. They are not as bad as those movies when your watching them their words are off from what they are saying I can't stand that. [mflower2053]
The only foreign film that I have ever seen is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. I loved it. at first I wasn't sure if I would like it. Not because of the movie itself, but because of the subtitles. I ended up really liking that movie a lot. I might try to rent a foreign film in the near future. [cortney09]
I Thought Das Boat a German Made for for Tv was a Great Movie with English Subtitles & Kung Fu Hustle was a Great Funny, Clever, Well Done Martial Arts Movie also Subtitled in English. Das Boat is about Life in a German U-Boat in World War II from Wolfgang Petersen, See both Moives if You didn't View Both or Either One. [mrgpk66]
hey ambiepam! happy i've watched Pan's Labyrinth too before. its a good movie. it was like a dark fairytale. and yeah, i think i held my patience in reading the subtitles too. ^__^;; i watch a lot of foreign movies. mostly Japanese, Chinese and Korean films. i just love their films and i'm a fast reader so it was okay for me to read subtitles. its actually kinda ironic because i don't watch any of our local movies here. i hardly ever watch one in the theaters. i mostly watch Hollywood films in the big screen. as for the Japanese, Korean and Chinese films, i usually watch them on dvds and online. there's a lot of Japanese, Chinese and Korean dvds being sold in our town and we a have a lot to choose from. not only movies but also tv series. i have bought a lot of them. wink and there's more available in the internet. i usually downloaded them and sometimes i just watch them on streaming sites. i like watching subtitled series and movies because i can learn some of their words and phrases. that's where i learned a lot of Japanese words and phrases actually. happy [secretbear]
Hi,dear friend, That's true here in china we call the English movies foreign movies .Actually I do not like to watch the movies quite so much as my short attention span.I would rather read books instead of watching the movies .Most of the time I watch the films for the sake of learning a foreign language but in the process of learining a foriengen language I am fond of watching the movies as well. While I am watching the movies I can't watch it without the subtitles .Normally,I will watch the films with subtiles and then the second time I will watch without the subtitles to learn something from the films as well as write down some perfect expressions. [comeonmolly]
The Red Balloon is my favorite foreign film though it has few or no subtitles. I don't think any words are spoken at all in it. Subtitles don't bother me at all. I often wonder if Chinese restaurants have signs in the windows there that say "Chinese Food" like they do here in the U.S. [WhatsHerName]
Hello, AmbiePam. I do watch movies with subtitle. My native language is Portuguese, and I have never talked to an American face-to-face, so I don't have a perfect English. However, I can understand all of the words I hear if I read the subtitles. I can either watch it with English Subtitles or with portuguese subtitles, and I will still understand it. I tried to watch Spiderman 3 without any subtitles, only English audio, and I understood it completely. So, I guess it doesn't make any difference at all. I'm used to reading, but I'm also fine if I just listen. And no, I do not have a favorite movie nor anything. Respectfully, Munhozmib. [munhozmib]
Thanks for being so kind, but in fact I make many grammar mistakes. If you try searching on some of my responses, you will find them. :D [munhozmib]
i don't like watching movies with subtitles because i cannot concentrate on the movie if there are subtitles. I don't think you need a language to understand a movie. we can understand the movie by the emotions and situations in the movie. I would like to watch foreign movies that too in specific romantic love stories. To understand love there is no need any language. [duttmyneni]
But foreign movies aren't always love stories. [AmbiePam]