The Eye
This is an amazing example of cultural differences in filmmaking. The plot of this slower paced, chilling, ghost story, doesn't work for Jessica Alba, American Audiences, or me. After Mun, undergoes surgery to allow her to see, her transplant eyes begin showing her visions that seem to predict death.
Foreign Title: Seeing Ghosts
Director: The Pang Brothers
Country of Origin: China
Year: 2002
Sequels: The Eye 2, The Eye 10
Remakes: 2005 India, 2008 America
Funny Games
Before the ultra-slick, shot for shot remake for American audiences starring Reservoir Dogs'(1992, Quentin Tarantino) Tim Roth, there was the shocking original. This is a film about toprture told through the very troubling story of George, Anna, and Schorschi, their son as they vacation at their lake house. There they are joined by Peter and Paul (Mary is dead by this point) who decide that they want to play a game. This commentary on torture and violence in film, through violence, led to some criticism, but the message gets through. Acute audience members will see shades of this film in Hostel (2005, Eli Roth) and in Saw (2004, James Wan)
Foreign Title: Same
Director: Michael Haneke
Country of Origin: Austria
Year: 1997
Remake: 2008 American
Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance
Western audiences are probably more familiar with the director's outing in Oldboy (2003), but this film came first and is just as powerful. The story centers around Ryu, a deaf mute whose sister will die without a kidney transplant. Not being capable of giving his own, Ryu turns to a dark and often macabre series of events to try and save his sisters life and ultimatly, himself. Less action than Oldboy, slower and more methodical, but stick with it. The ending is something to see. Not a strict horror film exactly, but will assuredly thrill you, chill you, and fufill you.
Foreign Title: Vengeance is Mine
Director: Park Chan-wook
Country of Origin: South Korea
Year: 2002
Sequels: Part of Vengence Trilogy, Oldboy (2003), Sympathy For Lady Vengeance (2005), though the films are not connected.
Tenembre
Admittedly the most well-known example on this list, and perhaps, Argento's finest work. Peter Neil is an American author promoting his new book in Italy. There, a brutal killer is calling Neil's books his inspiration. The body count rises, and Argento weaves a terrifying narrative that sends the audience on a ride that slams into the ending at a hundred miles and hour. Shades of similarity rise up with Stephen King's The Dark Half and T.Vs Castle.
Foreign Title: Tenembrae
Director: Dario Argento
Country of Origin: Italy
Year: 1982
Man Bites Dog
Shot in the first person, a camera crew documents the life and times of serial killer, Ben, as he makes the rounds of murder and mayhem. Placed in the film, the audience assumes the role of filmmaker and experiences this sometimes hard to watch, sometimes hilarious film the way the characters do. A dark comedy/horror that keeps shocking today. Influenced by the likes of Cannnibal Holocaust (1980), and inspiring The Blair Witch Project (1999, Daniel Myrick) and Cloverfield (2008, Matt Reeves).
Foreign Title: It Could Happen Close to You
Director: Remy Belvaux
Country of Origin: France
Year: 1992
