Foreign Films

A topic my girlfriends and I discuss when we're due with a baby is "what will be our TV theme this time?" Newborns come with a lot of time sitting and nursing, so some of my friends and I have found that we end up finding a favorite of something to watch during those early postpartum weeks, like the entire series of a television program or a certain kind of movies. I have stumbled into watching a lot of foreign films with dark or dramatic themes this time around, so I thought I'd share some of the titles. (And if I watch more, I think I'll come back and add the listings to this post.)

The Stoning of Soraya M. (Iran): Based on the true story of a woman whose abusive husband falsely accuses her of adultery so that she will be stoned to death and he can be free to marry again. The film was visually beautifully and full of tense drama and plot twists without the usual Hollywood bang 'em up, shoot 'em up. (The stoning scene is very graphic and I turned away for much of it.) Shohreh Aghdashloo is an amazing actress and a stunning woman.

Not Without My Daughter (Iran): Based on the true story of an American woman whose Iranian husband takes her back to his country and then holds her and her daughter prisoner. Classic Sally Field!

Monsoon Wedding (India): This aesthetically exquisite movie follows the four days surrounding a modern arranged marriage. A dark family secret is exposed, giving the opportunity for real, sacrificial love to be expressed.

Arranged (Judaism and Islam in New York City): This warm little film is one of the most respectful I have ever seen of traditional religions, in this case Judaism and Islam. Two young ladies are teachers this year in a New York City public school, but each expect to enter into an arranged marriage soon. The viewer gets to learn the differences between how Orthodox Judaism and Islam manage arranged marriages and the potential beauty of such an institution within a loving family structure.

Which Way Home (Mexico): This documentary reveals the fate of children emigrating illegally from Mexico and other Latin American countries to America. I have fairly set political opinions about this subject, yet I found the movie quite balanced (without presenting a boring "this side/that side says"). Considering the emigration actions of unescorted young children gives a new twist to the whole debate.

China's Lost Girls (China): This documentary, available on Netflix Instant Play, reveals the results of China's one-child policy on its country's girls and follows adoptive parents from the U.S. bringing their new daughters home.

Bliss (Turkey): A young girl is violated and left for dead so, according to the local tradition, is condemned to death by honor killing. The man assigned to do it finds he cannot: he is a character representative of the sharp dichotomy between modern Turkey with its more Western laws and beliefs, and traditional Turkey found in the desert villages. This is another aesthetically gorgeous film.