WATCH THE WORLD

Our goal is to open up the world to everyone through film. Everyone should travel if they can (the world is amazing), but it costs time and money which we don't always have. That's where FilmRoot comes in. We bring the world of films to your couch, so you can travel wherever you want to without the flight fees.


Use our World Map to find the best films from each country, choose a continent below to explore the best films from each continent, or simply scroll down to see our latest posts featuring films from around the world. Or, if you're up for a challenge, work your way up to the top of our Film Difficulty Rankings to become a World Film expert.







Latest Posts


The Assassin – Live the Art of an Assassin in 8th Century China

The Assassin Film Difficulty Ranking: 4

You may have seen a lot of films without really paying attention to how they’re put together. But to get the most out of The Assassin you’ll need to become aware of the subtleties on camera. Everything is set up to celebrate the art of the assassin and it’s just beautiful!

Why Watch The Assassin?
  • It’s one of the most beautiful films of the 2010s!
  • To immerse yourself in 8th Century China
  • If you’re a fan of martial arts and want to see the art of an assassin
  • Because it Hou Hsiao-hsien won Best Director for this film at Cannes
The Breakdown

The Assassin is set in 8th century China when the Tang dynasty is in decline. It’s based on the story of Nie Yinniang written by Pei Xing, a writer from Tang dynasty era China. Sometimes knowing the origin material of the film isn’t that important, but knowing the story of Nie Yinniang will help you get the most out of watching The Assassin. Check out a short summary below!

Summary of Nie Yinniang

(Mostly based on info from the internet – for more in depth summary and background to The Assassin check out this article on Taipei Notes)

The Tang crown prince sends his tenth daughter Princess Jiacheng and her twin sister to a nunnery for safety (from the Anlushan rebellion). Princess Jiacheng returns home when it’s safe, but her sister stays on and leads an order of assassins.

Later on, Princess Jiacheng marries Tian Xu (who holds power in the Weibo district of China) to secure peace in the region. The Princess adopts Tian Ji-an and gives birth to Yinniang, who both grow up as childhood friends. When they’re both older, the Princess gives two jade disks to Tian Ji-an and Yinniang to symbolize their future marriage. However, their relationship is broken off when Tian Xu marries his son to the daughter of one of his strongest allies. Yinniang is then sent to the Taoist nunnery to live with Princess Jiacheng’s assassin twin sister. She later returns when her old childhood friend has taken over from his father on orders to assassinate him.

The Breakdown continued

The Assassin is not like your usual martial arts film. Firstly, it helps to have a bit of background (as written above) as Hsiao-hsien rarely delves into any exposition. Secondly, the whole film is a piece of subtle beauty geared to celebrate the art of the assassin. And before you stop reading because I’m sounding a bit pretentious, I’ll try and demonstrate why.

For most of the film, the only thing you’ll hear is nature, from birds singing to the wind blowing. Similarly, for the most part, the shots are mid-distance and still. Both these things create calmness as the sounds are natural and the pictures are still. Think of the ambience/tone it creates as a still lake.

The stillness creates an environment for the assassin to showcase her skills. She must do her job without disturbing the serenity of her environment, or using our analogy, without splashing into the lake. And of course, she does this well. Firstly, she sneaks around the house of Tian Ji-an without making any noise (you’ll always hear the same natural noises in the background). Secondly, the director rarely breaks from mid-distance shots. When he does for the action scenes, the assassin deals with her victims quickly to avoid creating a disturbance or ripple. She never sticks out. Yinniang and the director, showcase the art of the assassin.

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Conclusion

I’m not sure how this film was overlooked by the Academy Awards after picking up the Best Director at Cannes. Perhaps, because many viewers come out a bit confused as the director chooses not to offer too much exposition.

If you take a moment to read up a bit of background before you watch this film (see above) and are up for delving deeper into a film than usual, by watching it more than once, this may well become one of your favorite films.

 

No (Chile) – Probably The Best Film About the Fall of a Modern Dictator

No Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

No is probably the best film about the fall of a modern dictator (Pinochet in Chile).

Why Watch No?
  • To see what life was like in a country where police brutality was not just normal, but expected: Pinochet’s Chile
  • If you work in advertising and want to see how you could change the world
  • Because it’s got Gael Garcia Bernal in the lead role, that guy in Motorcycle Diaries, Amores Perros, Desierto, and many more
  • It’s another great film from Pablo Larrain; for more check out Neruda, Jackie, and Tony Manero
The Breakdown

It’s 1988 in Chile, and Chile is still being lorded over by Pinochet, one of the world’s most repressive dictators. After 16 years in power, growing international pressure has forced Pinochet and the Chilean government to hold a vote where the public can vote ‘No’ for a democracy or ‘Yes’ for another 8 years of Pinochet. Gael Garcia Bernal plays Rene, one of Chile’s top advertising professionals who has been given the opportunity to lead the ‘No’ campaign to end the Pinochet dictatorship.

You’ll see that the team behind the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ campaigns use completely different advertising tactics. Whilst the ‘Yes’ campaign goes for very obvious propaganda messages depicting Pinochet as a national hero, the ‘No’ campaign message simply tries to depict ‘freedom’ (kind of like your typical Coke or Pepsi ad). If you don’t know anything about advertising, this film is worth watching just to see how people use adverts to influence people.

You’ll also notice that this film looks different from most. To film it, Pablo Larrain used 3/4 inch Sony U-matic magnetic tape, which some might recognise from old TV news shows. It’s grainy look gives the film’s storyline more credibility as it makes it appear more like a documentary film. It made me believe that Rene was an actual person, and that this whole film was based on truth. In reality, it’s only based on a true story.

Image result for no film

Conclusion

No is shot well, has a great story line, and you’ll learn something about Chilean history. It was also nominated for an Academy Award so I’m not wrong.

Homeland: Iraq Year Zero – Life Before the Iraq War

Homeland Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

How much do you know about the Iraq War? You may know that it was a war between the U.S. and it’s allies and Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein and bring democracy. However, that’s just the account that you’ve probably been exposed to. Homeland is your chance to see the Iraqi perspective. Through the home footage of Abbas Fahdel’s family maybe your view of the war and it’s intentions may change.

Why Watch Homeland: Iraq Year Zero?
  • Because this is one of the only ways you can experience life in Iraq before the Iraq War started in 2003
  • You’ll pretty much become part of an Iraqi family for close to 6 hours
  • To hear some of the best stories, all from the simple act of people watching
  • You’ve seen Ahlaam or The Journey and want to see some real footage of life in Iraq to compliment these great fictional films
The Breakdown

You’ll join director Abbas Fahdel’s family in Iraq as soon as this film starts as if you’ve always been a part of his family. His nephew, Haidar, is watching a piece of state propaganda referring to Saddam Hussein as ‘our beloved leader.’

Outside of the short interruptions of unsubtle state propaganda on TV, life in Iraq is very familiar. Haidar and his friends are just like any other kids of their age, playing fun pretend war games and fooling around. Similarly, adult life goes on normally. People talk to their neighbours, go to the market to buy provisions, and spend a lot of time with their family.

However, their normal lives slowly disappear as the American invasion gets closer and closer. They all start preparing for war: stocking up provisions, preparing water pumps, and moving to the country in attempts to get out of the war zone. Then the war hits. You’ll then experience what it was like to live in the Iraq War. You’ll hear injustices, you’ll see cultural buildings ruthlessly bombed, and you’ll also witness the resilience of the Iraqi people.

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Conclusion

Homeland: Iraq Year Zero is the film to watch to get a first-hand account of the Iraq War from the Iraqi perspective. You’ll get to experience how life was before the war and also how life changed when the war started.

It is less biased than you might expect because it is solely home footage rather than a more opinionated narrated documentary. But it’s a strong statement against war.

 

he shows his niece and nephews watching television one morning; a piece of state propaganda referring to Hussein as “Beloved Leader” soon gives way to a Looney Tune cartoon featuring Foghorn Leghorn.

The Towrope (Colombia) – Can You Hide from the Colombian Civil War?

The Towrope Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

Could you escape from the Colombian Civil War? Even in the remote parts of Colombia where The Towrope is set, the effects of the Civil War are unavoidable. It seems like everyone knows someone who has been affected by the conflict. However, the part of Colombia in The Towrope is like another world. Welcome to the grey skies and cold rain you don’t see on the Colombian guide books.

Why Watch The Towrope?
  • To see more evidence of the beautiful, diverse landscape of Colombia (for more evidence see Colours of the Mountain and Embrace of the Serpent)
  • See how the landscape becomes an extra character (like the sparse desert landscape of New Mexico in Breaking Bad)
  • Learn how the Civil War has permeated all parts of Colombia
  • See what it’s like to live in the remote countryside without electricity
The Breakdown

The Towrope starts with the silhouette of a limp figure hanging from a stake. It’s dawn, and the sky is so grey that it’s impossible to see if it’s a dead person or a scarecrow; either a sign of the civil war or a sign of fertility.

It’s not people, but the landscape that sets the tone of this film. The grey sky and persistent rain is not the sunny, hot Colombia that foreigners probably think of. The lake they live by is empty and quiet and not full of tourists or visitors. The landscape and weather defines the life of the locals. They have to continually fix their houses to withstand the weather and their movement and freedom is limited by the lake.

The gloomy weather compliments the dark backdrop of the Civil War. 19 year old Alicia arrives at her Uncle’s house on the lake after her hometown was destroyed by the Civil War. It’s not clear if her family have been killed or abandoned. Her Uncle reluctantly lets her stay with him but does not offer her much hospitality.

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Conclusion

This slow paced film masterfully builds tension. The sound of creaking floorboards and rain and wind battering the sides of the house ominously hint that trouble is nearby. All the signs of Civil War are around, but nothing is explained in any detail. It’s not clear how they have been affected by the Civil War and if danger is nearby. All we can do is keep guessing.

Lucia (Cuba) – This 1960s Film is Stylish and Progressive

Lucia Film Difficulty Ranking: 4

How well do you know your Cuban history? Lucia charts the evolution of revolutionary consciousness in Cuba from Spanish Imperialism until after the Cuban revolution through the stories of three women named Lucia (living in 1896, 1932, and 1960 respectively). Who’d thought a Cuban film made in the 1960s would be more progressive than most of the Hollywood films of today because of it’s political consciousness and female protagonists.

Image result for lucia 1968

Why Should You Watch Lucia?
  • To experience life in Cuba before and after the revolution
  • If you like period films you’ll love the first two parts
  • For some chaotic battle scenes
  • To see how to add emotion to film scenes
The Breakdown

Part one. It’s 1895. Lucia, a lady from the upper class, gossips with her friends about another lady who has just returned from Paris with a rich, chubby husband before they all head into church. She catches the eye of a trader whilst in church, and they both exchange smiles. This is romance of the 1890s.

As part one progresses, you gradually see more and more of the demise of Spanish imperialism. Firstly, from the horrific story of Fernandina; a former nun that crazily roams the streets after being raped. Secondly from the doomed love affair of Lucia. And, lastly from the chaotic battles that take place at the end of the segment. The chaos which ends part one is a long way from the playful gossip that starts the film.

You’ll also notice how Humberto Solas adds loads of emotion to his film. For example, in Fernandina’s rape scene, he quickly cuts between different angles preventing us from focusing on one view point which disrupts our viewing flow.  To add to the effect, he uses a hand-held camera. The combination of the quick cutting and the hand-held camera make us feel Fernandina’s confusion and horror as all these soldiers are frantically chasing her. If you’ve seen Sergei Eisenstein’s famous Battleship Potemkin, you’ll recognise this chaotic montage.

Conclusion

Lucia is stylish and progressive. It mixes quick cutting montages and hand-held cameras into it’s three parts which all feature women. For a film that charts the evolution of the revolutionary consciousness in Cuba from Spanish Imperialism to after the Cuban revolution, check out Lucia!

Click on the poster on the left to buy on Amazon!