The Reel World: Newest award-winning international films

Have you thought about watching an international film but didn’t know where to start? Award-winners are always a good place to begin. We just added five award-winning international films to our shelves. Don’t speak the language? Don’t worry, these all have English subtitles you can turn on in the options section of the DVD menu. Place them on hold today! 

Drishyam 2 (Hindi)  2023

Director: Abhishek Pathak

Synopsis: The film picks up the story six years after the events of the first film, Drishyam (2013), and delves deeper into the lives of the main characters. The story revolves around Georgekutty, a common man who runs a cable TV business and lives with his wife Rani, and their two daughters. The family had been involved in an incident in the first film where they accidentally killed the son of a powerful police officer named George. To protect his family, Georgekutty meticulously covers up the crime, creating an alibi and disposing of the body.   

Awards: 3 wins & 17 nominations, including Bollywood Life Awards – Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director & Best Supporting Actress  

I Saw the Devil (Korean)  2011

Director: Jee-Woon Kim  

Synopsis: Kyung-chul is a dangerous psychopath who kills for pleasure. He has committed serial murders in diabolic ways that one cannot even imagine. His victims range from young women to even children. The police have chased him for a long time but were unable to catch him. One day, Joo-yeon, daughter of a retired police chief becomes his prey and is found dead in a horrific state. Her fiancé Soo-Hyun, a top-secret agent, decides to track down the murderer himself.  

Awards: 18 wins & 19 nominations 

83 (Hindi)  2023

Director: Kabir Khan                                         

Synopsis: A sports drama based on the true events of the Indian cricket team's historic victory at the 1983 Cricket World Cup. The movie follows the journey of the Indian cricket team, led by captain Kapil Dev, as they enter the tournament as underdogs. The team faces several challenges on their way to the final match against the mighty West Indies. 83 showcases the struggles and sacrifices of team members, their dedication to the game and their undying spirit to win. It also highlights the importance of teamwork, perseverance and self-belief.  

Awards: 18 wins & 49 nominations

Persian Lessons (German)  2023

Director: Vadim Perelman

Synopsis:  In occupied France, 1942, Gilles is arrested by SS soldiers alongside other Jews and sent to a camp in Germany. He narrowly avoids sudden execution by swearing to the guards he is not Jewish, but Persian. This lie temporarily saves him. Gilles gets assigned a life-or-death mission: to teach Farsi to the Head of Camp Koch, who dreams of opening a restaurant in Iran after the war. Through an ingenious trick, Gilles manages to survive by inventing words of "Farsi" every day and teaching them to Koch. The relationship between the two men sparks the jealousy of other prisoners and SS guards toward Gilles. While Koch's suspicions grow every day, Gilles understands he will not be able to keep his secret very long.

Awards: 8 wins & 13 nominations 

Pacifiction (French) 2023

Director: Albert Serra 

Synopsis: On the French Polynesian island of Tahiti, the High Commissioner of the Republic and French government official De Roller is a calculating man with flawless manners. His somewhat broad perception of his role brings him to navigate the high-end establishment as well as shady venues where he mingles with locals. A persistent rumor has been going around: the sighting of a submarine whose ghostly presence could herald the return of French nuclear testing. 

Awards: 13 wins & 33 nominations