6 foreign movies worth watching after 40 years old

Taira Fogelson

cultural critic, writer, film critic, head of cultural projects of Oliva Group company.

The list includes movies that will help you look at life in a different way.

We have already written about Soviet and Russian movies that are worth revisiting after 40, because the perception of a person changes significantly over time. What seemed important in 20, in the fifth decade may not occupy your attention at all.

We suggest you pay attention to six foreign films that will help you cope with inner feelings and answer many questions.

“Misplaced Man”

2006, Norway, directed by Jens Lien.

A movie about too comfortable life, when the window is opened only on Mondays and Wednesdays, but if someone dares to do it on another day, the act is perceived as a shift in the system. “You’ll get used to it,” it says twice in the frame. Indeed, one gets used to plastic feelings, tasteless food, indifferent smiles and lack of empathy.

This is a reality in which there is no place for love, emotions, delicious pie, unusual choice of a sofa, children’s voices, life not on schedule. If you want something else, then you are misplaced. No, you’re not fired, because they don’t call it that. Director Jens Lien doesn’t exaggerate anything. The movie is recommended viewing to see for yourself what an abnormal reality many of us tend to live in.

“Bread and Chocolate”

1974, Italy, directed by Franco Brusati.

“Who am I?” asks the hero of the Italian movie, a guest worker in Switzerland. Everyone points to his place and tries to convince him that it is normal to live in a former chicken coop with a low ceiling. That it is normal to be a “second class” among the high society. But the inner content of the hero strongly disagrees with the state of affairs.

All the hero wants is to be a full citizen and have a decent job. He wants to be a human being, and this choice throughout the movie he gradually makes.

“The Big Bore.”

1973, Bulgaria, directed by Metodi Andonov

The plot of the movie evolves around two spies, one of whom tries to recruit the other. It makes sense to watch the movie for the sake of a line of one of the spies. He noted that if a society believes in something, it is ready to fight for it, so it becomes dangerous for others. But if a society doesn’t believe in anything, such a society is safe. This is the truth of any social institution’s work with its audience.

Take away the idea, values, love for homeland and family from a person’s head, give him chewing gum instead, and you will get a passive citizen. A movie for those who would like to learn how to stand up for their principles.

“Once Upon a Time in April”

2005, Rwanda, directed by Raoul Peck.

In the movie the characters are shown from different angles and in different social roles, so it is impossible to say unequivocally: this person is guilty and this one is not. In fact, everyone is guilty in this movie except the victims.

As the main character, who lost his entire family, correctly notes, the reason for such tragedies lies in the greed, avarice and malice of some people, because of which other people suffer. Each viewer after watching will be able to reconsider his social role, because “little people” in big events are not and can not be.

“Diamond”

2021, Kazakhstan, directed by Aidos Kesper

Throughout the entire Kazakh movie, the viewer sees only one road and one actor. The hero seemed to have everything: a company, a fleet of cars, money, opportunities, an influential father, a beautiful wife. What else is there to dream about? Until this road, the hero had really thought of nothing. Once, in order to save a friend, he was forced to leave his own wedding in another city. No one knew about it, for what is a wedding without a groom?

As a result, it turned out that every call was a revelation. The father disrespects, the sister decides to divorce the shabby husband, the sister’s husband dreamed of taking his place in the company. But what about the wife? It turned out that on the eve of the wedding she cheated on him with the very friend who is in trouble. Will the hero begin to save his friend after such a truth? A very interesting question, for the sake of which it makes sense to watch this Kazakh movie in its entirety.

And if you have already watched this movie, in the material you will find other interesting pictures of domestic production.

“A Man Without a Past”

2003, Finland, directed by Aki Kaurismäki

Even if a person has lost his memory and has nothing, and life has “thrown” him to the wayside, it still means nothing. Finnish cinema is relevant because, despite everything, everyone has a chance to return to normal life and love. And love is the very source of solving many problems in life.

Love for another person, for nature, for one’s work, for life itself. In moments of despair love helps to go on and cope with difficulties, and this is very important for a person, because any obstacle can provoke him to give up. For young viewers this film is like a textbook, and for those who are over 40 – a good way to analyze their lives and make the right decisions.