Hollywood Quality...But Overseas

       Here in America we are in a bit of a bubble and are absolutely obsessed with our own uber successful film industry, but there are others our there. We often think of all foreign films as being poor quality or beneath our level of interest, when in all actuality there many countries with wonderful production studios and excellent directors.

Two of the countries that are on the top of my “favorites list” for films, are Sweden and South Korea.  Even if you do not agree with the Hollywood film style, you cannot argue that the acting and production values are not well beyond amazing. I’ve always thought that  Asian movies have pretty corny plots and fake-looking acting, so when I saw my boyfriend suggested that we see a S. Korean film called “Old Boy” I said yes, mostly to humor him. I can say that I was pleasantly surprised with the satisfaction that I felt at the end of those two hours. I walked away having just watched a well written and well directed movie with believable acting and a fascinating plot. This movie also had a great twist ending that was completely shocking and unexpected. The actual storyline followed a path that would never be acceptable in American cinema, which is something that I enjoy about foreign films. They don’t necessarily conform to what society deems admissible; therefore they are free to explore new ideas and they can also show scenes that America’s rating system would immediately send back to the editing room.

From my experience, Swedish film is also excellent in quality and acting. Swedish movies to tend to move very slowly, but in the end there is just as much action and intrigue as a typical American film of the same genre, just a little more spread out. I feel that it maybe takes a more intellectual type to sit through one of these films, someone who actually looks for cinematic quality and doesn’t mind putting in the effort, as opposed to the viewer who is just looking for an easy thrill. In the past few decades Sweden has become much better known worldwide for its filming industry. A lot of this is due to director Ingmar Bergman, whose films are critically acclaimed and well known in America. In the recent past there have even been Swedish films showing at theaters in major U.S. cities, and not just as a special showing, but playing in a normal run alongside American movies. Let the Right One In is a vampire film, but a vampire film done right. This movie was received so well among American audiences that Hollywood decided to remake the film in English. The trilogy of Swedish movies that begin with The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo have all been released in Sweden, with the only the first movie being released in theaters here thus far, a remake of this is also in the works at Hollywood while the second and third have not yet made it to the states.

While the films of  “Bollywood” and “Nollywood” may be innovative and pertinent to their cultures, the Swedish and South Korean studios offer movies that will appeal to a mass audience while staying true to their country’s standards and beliefs.

Concept: International Film Industry