What Makes a Film Foreign?

After my review of Let The Right One In on IMDB, I got rebuffed by a few people who thought I sounded snob in saying that it can only be appreciated by those familiar with foreign films.

I wasn't being snob, just pragmatic. So, below is my response to one person who got especially sensitive.

*** A film is not good because it is foreign or bad because it was made in the USA. And a film is not foreign because it was filmed abroad!!! ***

What makes a film foreign is the distinct cultural elements portrayed in the film that are distinct to that country, region or people. Babel was not a foreign film. Nor was Inglorious Basterds. Those were American films shot abroad. A Single Man was shot in America but it had a distinct foreign film feel to it.

If you study film and/or watch a variety of films, you will soon realize that each culture brings different elements to their films (speech, religion, language, cultural/personal experiences, history, satire, blah blah blah.) There are strong distinctions between Russian films and Asian films and French films and Indian films and Swedish films etc..

Basically, European films tend to be SLOW PACED, Indian films often portray traditional dances and garments, American films tend to be FAST PACED... I don't mean to stereotype here. The distinctions are far greater but I hope you get the idea. What works for one audience, will not work for another.

Most foreigners have been exposed to American films and culture. Few Americans watch foreign films or travel abroad.

On another note, I have a versatile palate when it comes to food but I still do not like Asian or Eastern food. They are not bad. It's just not what I am used to.