3 Foreign Films You Have To See

The world outside the good ol' USA is a fascinating place....I'm serious! I know as Americans we get caught up with our own Bull$#!+, with the MTV's and the HBO's, we don't really think about the rest of the world because we've got so much to look at here. With our media hungry culture we can entertain ourselves just fine without looking outside our borders.

But as cool as we think America is, there is still a whole world out there with even cooler stuff. The different cultures that comprise the various societies make for interesting stories. I know most Americans don't even have passports, so watching these three films -- from three different continents -- will give you a pretty amazing look at the rest of the world. While you're watching them you can finally go get you're passport. Remember to smile for your picture!

La Haine (1995)

Paris, France - You think being a minority in the U.S. is rough? You haven't seen anything until you've seen Mathieu Kassovitz's La Haine. It follows three friends ,a Jewish guy, a Muslim guy, and a Black Guy (no they don't walk into a bar), the day after a race riot in their projects. The events that transpire through the next 24 hours expolde from the screen and latch onto your mind as you see that even halfway across the world people of color still have it rough. It's an amazing film to say the least and the ending will leave you speechless. If you beleive in social justice then this film is a must see.

Tsotsi (2005)

Johannesburg, South Africa - Tsotsi, from director Gavin Hood, won the Oscar for best Foreign Film in 2005. It follows the story of a young hoodlum in Soweto after he steals a car and finds a baby in the back seat. He goes on a transforming journey with the baby which gives him hope to being a better person. Don't be mistaken though. This isn't your normal bad boy with a heart of gold movie. Tsotsi does some pretty awful things. At times you will really hate the character, but that's what makes the movie great. He's complex. It's a thought provoking film and worth a good watch.

Cidade De Deus (2002)

Rio De Janiero, Brazil - Directed by Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund, Cidade De Deus (City of God in english) has got to be one of the films you see before you die. It's THAT GOOD. Seriously. It follows the story of a young boy growing up in the City of God favela in Rio. As he matures you see the rise in organized crime through his eyes. The storytelling is fantastic as they move through the years and tell side stories that become relevant in the film but don't take away from the main plot line. The movie is supurb in every sense of the word. Go watch it...Now!