20 Foreign language films that were nominated for Oscar

The Academy Awards is the pinnacle of cinematic recognition. Hollywood movies usually dominate at the award function however, movies from around the world also feature at the nominations sometimes. Filmmaking when done correctly transcends the boundary of language and resonates with people from all around the world. In this list, we are going to talk about 20 foreign language films that were nominated for Oscar. These movies showcase their cultural perspectives, innovative storytelling, and unique voices which capture the audiences. Please note, this article is entirely based on the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.

1) Parasite

Parasite is a South Korean movie directed by the esteemed director Bong Joon Ho. This movie was released in 2019 and has become one of the most acclaimed movies of all time. The movie tells the story of the Kim Family who are struggling with poverty and their witty technique of infiltrating the house of their employer. This movie is intricately woven with thrill and class inequality which piqued the interest of the audience from around the world. This movie made history at the 92nd Academy Awards becoming the first non-English-language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture along with three other categories. This movie was nominated for 6 categories.

2) The Zone Of Interest

This is a historical movie that revolves around the life of Rudolph Höss who was the commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp. The movie is considered to be profoundly unsettling and explores the psychological impact that occurs while living with evil as mentioned by its viewers. The movie also depicts the atrocities that took place in the camp. The movie was nominated for five categories at the Academy Awards and won the awards for Best Sound and Best International Feature Film.

3) All Quiet on the Western Front

The movie is based on World War I. It tells the story of Paul Bäumer and his friends who encounter the brutality of the war. Initially, they were enthusiastic with fervor of patriotism however their illusion is broken. They come face to face with death and constant fear. They struggle with their humanity. The movie received 5 nominations at the 95th Academy Awards and took home 4 awards for the categories of Best International Feature Film, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, and Best Original Score.

4) Drive My Car

Drive My Car is a poignant movie that deals with the themes of grief, loss, communication, and healing from unexpected connections. The movie focuses on the story of Yûsuke Kafuka who is a stage actor and gets the offer to direct a production of Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya. On his journey, he encounters his wife’s secrets and finds a new sense of purpose. The movie received 4 nominations at the Academy Awards and won the category of Best International Feature Film.

5) Roma

The movie is based on the story of Cleo who works as a domestic worker. Roma delves into the themes of class, gender, and social inequality. As Cleo struggles with the challenges of the job along with social and political turmoil of that time she grows a bond with the family that she works for. This movie received 10 nominations at the 91st Academy Awards and won four categories. This is a critically acclaimed movie and has received praise from around the world.

6) Amour

Amour is a profound story that depicts the love between an elderly couple. It is a devastating drama. The themes of loss, love, and the impact of illness are deeply explored in the movie and have received immense appraise from its viewers. Georges struggles to take care of his ailing wife which makes him ponder the struggles of old age. He also ponders the inevitable end of life. This movie received five nominations at the 85th Academy Awards and won in two categories that are Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director.

7) Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

The movie is directed by Ang Lee. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is the story of two legendary warriors of the 19th century. The movie is filled with breathtaking scenery. The themes of this movie are love, loss, honor, and the complexities of human relationships which have been well portrayed throughout the film. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon received 7 nominations and won three categories i.e. Best Foreign Language Film, Best Art Direction, and Best Original Score.

8) Life is Beautiful

This is an Italian comedy-drama which is directed by Roberto Benigni. The movie tells the story of Guido who is an optimistic Jewish waiter whose life turns upside down when Guido and his son Giusue are deported to a Nazi concentration camp. Guido tries to shield his son from the atrocities of his surroundings using his imagination and wit. The movie received 7 nominations at the 71st Academy Awards. Life Is Beautiful won three Academy Awards for Best Actor, Best Foreign Language Film, and Best Original Score.

9) Z

Z is a movie that effectively blends suspense with social commentary. This movie is considered an impactful political thriller by its viewers. The cast delivered a nuanced performance in this film and effectively conveyed the emotional weight of the events occurring in the movie. The film was nominated for 5 categories at the 42nd Academy Awards. The movie received the award for Best Foreign Language Film.

10) Cries And Whispers

Cries And Whispers is a Swedish film directed by Ingmar Bergman. The movie focuses on the themes of mortality, family dynamics, female sexuality, guilt, and the profound question of the meaning of life. The movie tells the story of Agnes who is struggling with cancer. The movie was nominated for five categories at the 45th Academy Awards. It won the categories of Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction. The movie is said to be "visually stunning" and "beautiful" by its viewers.

11) Grand Illusion

Grand Illusion is considered to be a masterpiece of French Cinema for its significant contribution to the anti-war genre. The viewers praise the movie’s nuanced characters and social commentary. Grand Illusion is directed by French Film Director and Screenwriter Jean Renoir. It revolves around the story of two French soldiers who are captured by Germans. The movie focuses on the themes of class, nationality, and the futility of war. The movie received two nominations at the 10th Academy Awards and is highly acclaimed worldwide.

12) The Emigrants

The Emigrants is a movie that tells the story of Karl Oskar Nilson who is a farmer struggling with poverty and hardships. He decides to emigrate to America for a better life. The movie delves into the themes of immense hardships faced by the emigrants, family resilience, cultural identity, and social inequality. The movie was nominated for five categories at the 44th Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Score. The movie received immense positive reviews from its viewers.

13) Il Postino

Il Postino revolves around the life of Mario Ruoppoio. He is a postman on a small Italian Island. Mario is tasked to send letters to the famous poet Pablo Neruda who visits the island. Initially, Mario is shy, but he slowly becomes fascinated with Neruda’s poems and becomes friends with the poet. The movie focuses on the power of art and the importance of human connection. The movie received five nominations at the 68th Academy Awards and won the category of Best Music which was composed by Luis Enriquez Bacalov.

14) Letters from Iwo Jima

Letters from Iwo Jima is a war film that focuses on the hardships of Japanese soldiers while facing the American forces. General Tadamichi Kuribayashi, who is shown as a brilliant strategist shows his unconventional skills as a military leader. The movie also shows the horrors of war and the psychological trauma faced by the human mind. Letters From Iwo Jiwa was nominated for four categories including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score. The movie received immense appraise from around the world.

15) Son Of The Bride

Son Of The Bride is an Argentine movie that focuses on the themes of family, love, loss, and the importance of the present moment. The movie tells the story of restaurant owner Rafael Belvedere, who reconnects with his family after his father proposes to remarry his mother. His sudden heart attack makes him rethink his life and prioritize his relationships. The movie has received critical acclamation for its unique storytelling from its viewers. The movie received 4 nominations at the 79th Academy Awards for various categories including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score.

16) Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India

The movie is based on the oppression of the British Raj in India. When the British impose tax on a draught-stricken village, Bhuvan challenges them to a cricket match. If the Britishers win the villagers will pay thrice the amount of tax and if the villagers win they will be exempted from paying the tax for three years. The movie delves into the themes of teamwork, social injustice, the human spirit, and resilience. The movie received a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

17) Son Of Saul

Son Of Saul is a Hungarian historical drama released in the year 2015. The movie tells the story of a Jewish prisoner who is forced to work as a Sonderkommando, that is a group of Jewish prisoners compelled to assist the Nazis in the operation of the gas chambers. The movie depicts the horrors of the concentration camps. The movie provides an intensely immersive experience as mentioned by the viewers. The movie received one nomination at the 88th Academy Awards and the category of Best Foreign Language Film.

18) Honeyland

Honeyland is a documentary film based on Hatidze Muratova who is one of the last wild beekeepers of Europe. She follows the traditional methods of beekeeping and lives a solitary life. Hatidze is deeply concerned about the bee population when a nomadic family arrives and harvests honey from the same area. The movie portrays the importance of human action on the environment. The movie received two nominations at the 92nd Academy Awards for Best Documentary Feature and Best International Feature Film.

19) Society of The Snow

Society Of Snow is based on the true story of the Uruguayan Flight that crashed in the Andes Mountains in 1972. The film focuses on the difficult situations that the survivors face when they are stranded. They have to take drastic measures to survive the freezing temperatures and the shortage of food. The movie focuses on the themes of survival, resilience, and ethical dilemmas faced by the survivors. The movie received nominations for Best International Feature Film and Best Achievement In Makeup And Hairstyling.

20) The Teacher’s Lounge

The movie focuses on the complexities of the education system. The Teacher’s Lounge is a German film directed by Ilker Catak. The Teacher’s Lounge explores the themes of teacher-student dynamics, bureaucracy, and social issues. The movie received immense appraise from its viewers. At the 96th Academy Awards, The Teacher’s Lounge was nominated for Best International Feature Film.