Foreign Films

The Academy Awards are tonight, and there are 2 foreign films nominated that are both fantastic. "Indigènes"--translated as "Days of Glory" is an Algerian-French film about how France recruited soldiers from its colonies to fight on her behalf during WWII. About 3/4 the soldiers came from Algeria, and not only were they on the front lines, but they weren't treated the same, and even afterwards (though this part is not in the film) they were given 1/3 the pension of the French-born soldiers. That law didn't change until Oct. of 2006, after the release of this movie, when Chirac decided that these soldiers who were still living would receive the same compensation.
Another film definitely worth seeing is "The Lives of Others." This is a German film about the Stasi in East Berlin during the 1980s before the fall of the wall. It follows how one couple--a writer and an actress--are suspected of going against the communist government. You learn about the web of under-cover Stasi spys but also the life and conditions under this repressive regime. And I can't say anything else without giving away key aspects of the movie!
Last year's foreign film winner is also exceptional. "Tsotsi" takes place in Soweto, one of the largest black townships during apartheid in South Africa. It is still the only movie after which I watched every single extra feature on the DVD.