Visit the World – Watch a Movie

In a previous post, I discussed the importance of understanding the countries you do business with and listed some ways to learn more about a country’s culture (also referred to as improving your “geocultural literacy“. )

One of the more fun ways of learning about a country, its culture and history is by watching films from that country.

A good place to start your search for a film from your specific country of interest is to check out the Academy Awards. Wikipedia lists all winners and nominations for Best Foreign Film going back to the 1940’s.

What movies do you recommend for learning more about another country?

Some classics to consider:

Asia Pacific

• Australia: Crocodile Dundee (1986), Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002), Australia (scheduled for release in 2008)
• China/Hong Kong/Taiwan: Jackie Chan movies, Raise the Red Lantern (1992), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) and other films by Ang Lee
• India: Salaam Bombay (1988) and the Bollywood classics
• Japan: Princess Mononoke (1997) and the US Film Lost in Translation (2003)

Europe

• Czech Republic: Kolya (1996)
• France: Amelie (2001), The Last Metro (1980), Delicatessen (1991), Red (1994), Blue (1993), White (1994)
• Germany: The Lives of Others (2006), Good Bye, Lenin (2003), Run Lola Run (1999)
• Ireland: Angela’s Ashes (1999), The Commitments (1991), more Irish movies
• Italy: Life is Beautiful (1998) and all things Fellini
• Spain: All About My Mother (1999) and other films by Pedro Almodovar
• UK: Wallace and Gromit, The Flying Scotsman, Billy Eliot, top British movies

South America

• Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
• House of the Spirits (1993) and other films based on Isabel Allende books

International

• Last but not least, in a special category by itself: Night on Earth (1991), a movie by Jim Jarmusch which takes place in 5 different cities.