Foreign Film Recommendations?

[DarkStorm]

I am in a sort of conumdrum at the moment. I enjoy all forms of filmography and tend to be on the liberal side of what I consider art vs. pornography. However, my wife sees things differently, especially when our 3 year old is around. Can anyone recommend some foreign film endeavors which are more or less devoid of blatent sexual imagery (by this I am specifically trying to stear away from bear breasts - implied sex, innuendo, hidden angels, occasional ass, etc are fine). Thank you.

[Shakamaker]

For cutsey stuff without a hint of titties, check out the films of Gérard Jugnot (from 1991 to present). His theme is usually to make light of some somber historical events. He's not usually belly-ache funny, nor heart-break dramatic, but he tells a good story, and employs talented crew.

[phelonious]

A few foreign film suggestions with a child in the room.

Jean-Pierre Jeunet: Amelie, the city of lost children, Delicatessen.

Jean-Marie Poiré: Les Visiteurs

Lasse Hallstrom: My life as a dog

François Bouvier: Des histoires d'hiver

Louis Malle: Au revoir les enfants

Wim Wenders: Wings of desire

[The 8 Ball]

Though Japanese films have lots of nudity (not as commonly as European films though), and the only Chinese films with nudity are the very easy to spot explotation films like Naked Weapon for instance, but mainland Chinese films are completely absent of that. Let me recconmend you some Asian films if you don't mind.

Zhang Yimou - His films are very sentimental and visually beautiful. Most of of his films are PG rated, except for Shanghai Triad which is R, due to a scene with language (one scene). Happy Times and The Road Home are very clean and great films for instance. The only film one might not want to show their kids of his is Ju Dou.

His works include: Happy Times, Shanghai Triad, Not One Less, Keep Cool, Raise The Red Lantern, Ju Dou, Red Sorghum, Hero, and To Live.

Also, check how the Hong Kongese film directed by Wong Kar-wai, In The Mood For Love, which is set in the 60's and has a delicous European feel to it

[Hannibal21]

I agree with The 8 Ball on Zhang Yimou's films, most of them are really worth watching especially Raise the Red Lantern and To Live. The Road Home is another great example, a beautiful, beautiful film.

Breaking the Silence with Gong Li is another one that's good to watch with a child in the room.

Also, Francois Truffaut's Small Change, The 400 Blows and The Wild Child; Walter Salles' Central Station; Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon, Fellini's 8 1/2 and La Dolce Vita, and Ingmar Bergman's Persona.

[zeppelin]

Originally posted by phelonious
A few foreign film suggestions with a child in the room.

Jean-Pierre Jeunet: Amelie

Actually, Amelie has some breasts in it, and also a rather graphic scene of a woman giving birth (it shows...down there). They're extremely brief, but they are there.

Akira Kurosawa has made some of my absolute favorite foreign films without ever using nudity in any of them. Fellini's a pretty safe bet too...you get some sexual situations in his films, but it's never anything explicit, and there's no nudity in any of the films of his that I have seen. Try Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal and Wild Strawberries also.

[fransisca]

Great recs so far!!!

I would recommend the Japanese movie 'Kikujiro no natsu' by Takeshi Kitano. It's a great comedy/drama roadmovie about Kikujiro (at first very unsympathetic character) who helps a small boy find his mother.

[scottish-movie-freak]

I haven't seen it myself but Etre Et Avoir sounds like a solid choice, it's about school kids so it wont have any sexual "stuff".

[bowieee]

Originally posted by zeppelin
\ The Seventh Seal [/B]

Yeah but then the poor kid will be looking over her shoulder looking out for the grim reaper throughout the rest of her childhood ;) Great movie by the way.

[DarkStorm]

hey thank you guys and gals for such a strong turn out to help me out!