Looking for teen thriller at the other end of the spectrum from the usual teen horror films? Try Bad Genius. It will conjure up those dreaded memories of sitting in exam rooms at school. And before you think, how can a film about exams be exciting, think again. These fun characters are big time cheaters and keep taking their tricks to the next level as the stakes get higher and higher.
Why Watch Bad Genius?
If you’re looking for an exciting teen-thriller that everyone will enjoy!
To be introduced to the criminal underworld of exam cheating
It’s easy to watch – in fact 20-30% of the dialogue in this film was unscripted (according to the director, Nattawut Poonpiriy)
There’s already rumours of an American remake
The Breakdown
Bad Genius starts with Lynn, a teenager applying to a top secondary school to take her final year exams. She’s got a load of trophies from all her academic achievements, but she knows her dad can’t afford to pay for the education at this new school. So, her Dad pays for it on the sly by hiding the payments he makes.
It’s inevitable that she finds out he is paying more than she expected (which she’s not happy about). But, more importantly, she finds out after she’s helped her best friend cheat in a maths exam. The perfect time to receive a proposition from her richer classmates: to help them cheat their school exams for a price. From then on, the stakes slowly get higher and higher.
What’s obvious from the start is the massive class divide between the kids at this scholarship school. Unfortunately, the poor, clever kids are exploited by the rich, lazy kids. Ultimately, this is the wealth privilege. As presented in this film, the rich will always make it out OK, whereas the lives of the underprivileged have to be absolutely speck free to get anywhere close to success.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a thrill, watch Bad Genius. The story-line is tight, and the characters are fun, and just like the best magic shows, you’ll be enthralled by seeing how these kids managed to cheat the SAT exams.
Watch the world with Netflix. Here’s 10 of the best foreign films on Netflix you need to watch right now!
As you’ll know if you have Netflix, there’s a lot of content! So it takes a lot of browsing to find good foreign films. Plus, the other problem is the Netflix reviews. When Adam Sandler films are the highest rated films on the entire platform, you know Netflix reviews can’t be trusted. So when you think you’ve found a good foreign film to watch with 4.5 stars, you may have ended up with a cheesy comedy!
That’s where we come in, we’re here to help you find the best foreign films on Netflix. We’ll save you browsing time and make sure you end up with a gem. Here’s 10 of our favourite foreign films on Netflix UK (hopefully some of them will be available elsewhere as well).
10. Hunt for the Wilderpeople (New Zealand)
This feel good comedy from Taika Waititi is the perfect film for a family night in. It stars Sam Neill (from Jurassic Park fame) and newcomer Julian Dennison, playing a grumpy old man and a juvenile delinquent respectively. You’ll get a sense of the fun in the trailer below. For more fun from Taika Waititi check out What We Do in the Shadows.
9. The Square (Egypt)
If you’re up for a thrilling political documentary, check out The Square. It documents the Arab Spring movement from the Tahir Square in Cairo, Egypt. You’ll feel like you’re right there. Perfect if you’re up for learning a bit about contemporary history.
8. Elle (Netherlands)
Do you want to be thrilled? Then watch Elle. In the opening minutes, Michele is raped by a masked assailant. She decides not to report it. I’ve cut the trailer below, but feel free to click through to watch the full trailer if you don’t mind spoilers. Just watch it – you won’t be bored!
7. Ip Man (Hong Kong)
If you’re into martial arts films, you can’t go wrong with Ip Man. Firstly, the action is quality. Secondly, there’s actually a half decent story-line. Lastly, it’s got Donnie Yen.
6. Son of Saul (Hungary)
If you want a more gritty version of Schindler’s List, this might be just what you are after. It follows a day and a half in the life of a Hungarian member of the SonderKommando (prisoners that were forced to dispose the gas chamber victims). If you don’t like the sound of that, at least watch the trailer below to get a taster for the incredible cinematography. More analysis here.
5. Let the Right One In (Sweden)
Who said you can’t make romantic horror films? Director Tomas Alfredson obviously doesn’t see any problems in mixing genres. It’s clever and original. So check it out if you dare!
4. District 9 (South Africa)
One of my personal favourites. District 9 is another genre masher; a science fiction film shot like a documentary. It explores humanity, xenophobia, and social segregation in an alternate 1982. If you haven’t seen it, watch it. If you’ve already seen it and didn’t think much of it, trust me and watch it again. You’ll also notice the direct influence it had on Arrival.
3. Under the Shadow (Iran)
Who’s up for another psychological thriller? This beauty starts in 1980s war-torn Iran. Everyone is evacuating Tehran as Iraqi missiles start landing all across the city. All except for Shideh and her young daughter who have been left alone in a spooky tenement building as her husband is away fighting in the war. Being alone like that in the middle of a war will affect your mind!
2. The Great Beauty (Italy)
The Great Beauty is Sorrentino’s tribute to Fellini’s La Dolce Vita. So much so it feels like an update of the classic – a contemporary ode to the city of Rome. Let it’s stream of consciousness style carry you along. Perfect for a relaxed night in.
1. City of God (Brazil)
Can anyone really argue with City of God at number one? It’s entertaining, brutal, and brilliantly shot. It’s also probably the most gripping film about drug-wars in the Rio de Janeiro favelas ever made. Also, the perfect film to watch if you’ve already finished watching Narcos. (For more post-Narcos suggestions check out this list). It also has one of the worst trailers out there (you can blame the early 00s for that).
If you think we’re missing some of the best foreign films on Netflix, leave us a comment!
Do you know how to identify a witch? If you do, do you know how to keep them from flying away? I am not a Witch will provide you with all you need to know about witches in Zambia. Go watch this dark satire based on real life ‘witch camps’ in Africa.
Why Watch I Am Not a Witch?
See your first film from Zambia! (If you’ve already seen a Zambian film let me know what you saw – comment below)
Learn how to identify a witch and prevent them from flying away!
If you love satirical films – especially with a hint of magical realism
Because 9 year old Margaret Mulubwa is excellent in the star acting role
The Breakdown
Little ‘Shula’ is taken to the police for strangely staring at a local villager. As no one knows where she has come from, and because she is too shy to respond to speak, she is quickly denounced as a witch.
So what happens to the people denounced as witches? First, they’re taken to a special witch camp, which is pretty much an outdoor zoo where tourists can come and take pictures. To keep them there, each ‘witch’ has a ribbon attached to a tree attached to their back to stop them flying away. Life as a witch isn’t great!
Director Rungano Nyoni subtly satirises the whole film. There are moments when you think the police officer doesn’t believe in witchcraft before he convicts Shula. Nyoni walks a fine line between making the film too comedic and too serious. Ultimately she does it incredibly well and creates a film that communicates a serious matter without being too heavy or light.
The Breakdown
I am not a Witch is original and clever. It’s a satirical film about real life witches in Zambia splashed with dashes of magical realism. The film is carried by the excellent performance of 9 year old Margaret Mulubwa. Go find and watch this film if you want to celebrate unique international film.
“This isn’t Hollywood, this isn’t Bollywood, this is Nothingwood, because there’s no money”. – Salim Shaheen
Salim Shaheen is Afghanistan’s biggest film star. He’s Afghanistan’s working class hero (like Cantiflas or Charlie Chaplin) and action film star (like Sylvester Stallone or Arnold Schwarzenegger). It’s time for you to get to know him!
Why Watch Prince of Nothingwood?
To meet Afghanistan’s biggest film star
For a positive alternative to the negative war dominated footage of Afghanistan you’ll usually see
Salim Shaheen’s story mirrors the story of Afghani cinema. There should be no role for him or for film within the strict Afghani customs. Back when he was a kid, he was beaten by his mother and brothers when they caught him singing and dancing on film. He was also beaten when he was caught sneaking off to the cinema to see some of the Bollywood hits. He was beaten up whenever he got near to film! Simply put, dancing, singing, and acting were all taboo; it just doesn’t fit in strict Afghani tradition.
However, even though Salim Shaheen’s films are a triumph for creativity, you’ll notice there aren’t any women on camera. The director, Sonia Kronlund, is the only woman you’ll see in the whole film. That’s because she’s treated like a man because she isn’t from there. In contrast, Sonia’s female translator is always hidden off camera. According to Sonia, she refused to say anything on camera. As there are no actresses, some of the men have to dress up as women. Despite the apparently strict society, this is considered acceptable, perhaps because homosexuality is inconceivable.
If you’ve been wanting to go to Afghanistan but are worried about the security, this is the perfect film to see. You’ll meet the people, travel across the country (to Bamyan), hear the music, and see the food.
Conclusion
All in all The Prince of Nothingwood is a rare opportunity to see life in Afghanistan, and an equally rare opportunity to see a positive story from Afghanistan. Salim Shaheen’s story is a triumph for creativity in a society where access to cinematic resources is pretty much non-existent.
How much do you know about the Iraq War? Chances are, you’re picture of the war is made up of news footage and films like American Sniper. You’ll rarely see the Iraqi perspective of the war, which is inexcusable as this war happened in Iraq. So do yourself a favour and check out The Journey and learn about the effects of the Iraq war.
Why Watch The Journey?
See how the war has affected Iraq and the people living there
To see the Iraq war from the Iraqi perspective as opposed to the western perspective shown in The Hurt Locker and American Sniper
You’ll also get to know and understand a suicide bomber
The Journey starts with our protagonist, a woman walking along train tracks to a train station. As she gets closer she pulls off her hijab and throws it away and joins a group of schoolchildren to disguise herself as a teacher. In this disguise, she gets past the security checks and through to the station.
In the station, she stands silently people watching. You quickly see two kids cleaning shoes, a man loudly talking the phone, and hear the sound of a busker nearby. As life goes on, the camera cuts to a close up of her hand wavering over a detonator. She’s wearing a bomb vest!
The story was spawned from a news article that Mohamed Al-Daradji saw about a female suicide bomber in Iraq. Just before she was about to detonate her bomb vest, she went to the police station. But later on, she still blew herself up. What’s interesting is that she went to the police; possibly a moment of regret or doubt. Her uncertainty inspired Mohamed Al-Daradji to focus on a suicide bomber, to explore what could be going through their minds.
The Conclusion
The Journey is a must watch for everyone who remembers the Iraq War. It explores the side of the conflict that is rarely seen: the Iraqi perspective. It shows normal Iraqis carrying out the lives infected by the trauma of war. You’ll also meet a suicide bomber and become her friend.
