First, let me address the concept of what a “foreign film” is. In this context, “foreign” is used in the most basic sense of the word - a film that is from a country other than your own, regardless of where you are from. As I write this from my home in Dallas, my sense of “foreign” relates to any film not produced within the United States.
Now, cinema, as well as art as a whole, is entirely special and unique in that it harbors the ability to transcend all borders and barriers. This is because emotions are felt across the world, as everyone has had some sort of experience of pain, suffering, joy, and love, and so everyone can relate to on-screen portrayals of these feelings.
After all, nothing can more accurately portray human emotions and the human experience than film.
Still, I have never been a movie buff, or even a true fan of cinema. I would go see movies at my local AMC Theatre with my friends and family, but not give much attention to what I was seeing, and especially not its cultural significance and importance. However, in recent months, I have developed a new attitude toward film and cinema, specifically those of a foreign variety. And I can honestly say that I feel as though I am a different person because of it.
So, what are the benefits of foreign films?
They let you learn more about a culture. Despite living in an increasingly globalized and world, with advances in technology vastly improving methods of communication, it often seems as though we are more distant than ever. This is mostly due to increased levels of hate and intolerance in our world, with these negative feelings being directed at those who are different than ourselves
Through foreign films, we gain a new perspective - we see the world of a culture entirely different than our own. There is the chance to learn so much about history, government, and the practices of a certain religion. This extends to feeling closer to other cultures as well, as by drawing similarities between your own life and the lives of the characters, foreign films emphasize what unifies us as people rather than what separates us. Given the divisiveness of the world today, especially relating to politics, foreign films offer a necessary and valuable lesson in tolerance.
Be exposed to and learn a new language. One of the most basic features of a foreign language film is that it is in a language that you probably are not familiar with. While this does mean that you will have to read subtitles for two hours, it is also a great opportunity to gain familiarity with a new language.
However, passively sitting in front of a movie screen will not make you any more fluent in French than eating crepes does. To learn a language from a film requires great focus not only while watching the film itself, but also great dedication to a language-learning regime. Still, the storylines and messages depicted through film include scenarios not usually encountered in everyday conversation, allowing opportunities to learn new vocabulary terms. In fact, despite being fluent in Farsi, I learned new words through watching The Salesman, an Iranian-French film nominated for the the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
They unify our world. Cinematography has existed as an artform for over one hundred years, and is something anyone with a camera and passion can participate in. No one country can have a patent on filmmaking, and this shows that despite the divisions - political, religious, and everything between - that exist in the world, we will always be unified by arts and the appreciation we have for them. And foreign films bring a sense of unity to the art form itself, as they show that despite living worlds apart, filmmakers share the goal of doing something important with their work - and often this “something important” is nothing short of changing the world.
As the Academy Awards, seemingly the “crowing jewel” of the film industry, nears, there is no doubt that some categories are given more importance than others. Now, there is nothing wrong with wanting to watch all Best Picture nominees, or rooting for your favorite actor or actress to win their own gold statuettes, just as there is nothing wrong with domestic and more “traditional” films.
Rather, it is important to treat all films equally for what they are worth - for their message and purpose - and foreign films offer a special glimpse into humanity that should not be ignored.