Diverse International Dramas: 50 Compelling Films from Around the Globe

The Dust of Time

2008 • 128 min

Drama

A Greek-American film director makes a movie about his own life and his parents'. The story spans Italy, Germany, Russia, Kazakhstan, Canada, and the USA. At its heart is Eleni, who believes in the power of unconditional love. The film…

6.4

6.5

The Easy Way

2008 • 100 min

Crime, Drama

Albert Spaggiari is arrested in Nice and taken to court for questioning. He then escapes to South America, where he encounters a journalist investigating his arrest.

5.9

5.8

Cass

2008 • 108 min

Crime, Drama

This is the remarkable true story of a Jamaican infant, adopted by an elderly white couple and raised in a predominantly white London environment. He would later become one of Britain's most formidable and highly regarded figures.

6.0

6.4

17+

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Sleep Dealer

2008 • 90 min • Budget $2M • Box office $107K

Drama, Science Fiction, Thriller

In a near future with strict borders and a society reliant on virtual work, a global digital network links people's minds and experiences. Three strangers take a dangerous risk to connect with one another and overcome technological barriers.

5.9

6.0

13+

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Smart People

2008 • 95 min • Budget $7M • Box office $10M

Comedy, Drama, Romance

Professor Lawrence Wetherhold is a brilliant, self-assured intellectual. However, he struggles with the complexities of love and family, finding himself as bewildered as anyone else.

5.8

6.1

17+

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Coluche

2008 • 103 min

Comedy, Drama

French comedian Michel Colucci, widely known as Coluche, jokingly declares his intention to run for President of France in the 1981 elections.

5.8

5.6

Everybody Dies But Me

2008 • 80 min • Budget $1M • Box office $270K

Drama

On a Monday morning, Katya, Vika, and Zhanna discover they're having their first school disco that Saturday night. The girls excitedly begin preparing for the event, which quickly becomes the most important thing in their lives and seems like a…

5.5

6.4

Downloading Nancy

2008 • 97 min • Budget $3M • Box office $20K

Thriller, Drama, Romance

Albert Stockwell returns home from work to a note from his wife of 15 years, Nancy, stating she's visiting friends. After several days, he realizes she hasn't returned. Nancy has found solace online with Louis Farley. Both Nancy and Louis,…

5.3

5.7

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Vinyan

2008 • 96 min

Drama, Horror, Thriller

Six months after the Southeast Asia tsunami took her only child, Jeanne becomes convinced she recognizes him in a movie depicting orphans in a jungle setting.

5.1

5.3

17+

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MollyCam

2008 • 87 min

Drama

Sixteen-year-old Molly reports to the police that her boyfriend Sako and his friends raped her. Detective Jens questions her, but she is unclear about the details. Molly has been documenting her life, including her relationship with Sako, on video. Jens…

5.8

5.0

Disgrace

2008 • 120 min

Drama

Disgrace follows a South African professor of English who suffers a devastating fall from grace. He loses his reputation, his job, and his inner peace, along with his physical appearance and aspirations for artistic achievement. Ultimately, he is unable to…

6.2

6.5

17+

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The World Is Big and Salvation Lurks Around the Corner

2008 • 105 min

Drama

Alex sets out on a journey with his engaging grandfather, hoping to discover who he truly is.

6.9

7.9

Kabei: Our Mother

2008 • 133 min

Family, Drama

In Tokyo, 1940, the peaceful life of the Nogami family is shattered when Shigeru, the father, is arrested on Communist charges. His wife Kayo works tirelessly to manage the household and raise their two daughters, with help from Shigeru's sister…

7.4

7.6

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Tony Manero

2008 • 97 min

Drama

A man becomes fixated on the disco dancing of John Travolta's character in the film "Saturday Night Fever."

6.4

6.8

17+

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Paraiso Travel

2008 • 110 min

Adventure, Drama, Romance

Driven by his girlfriend Reina, Marlon Cruz, a young man from Medellin, Colombia, leaves his comfortable life to journey to the United States. They illegally cross the borders of Guatemala and Mexico to reach the U.S. Together.

6.8

7.0

17+

The Art of Travel

2008 • 100 min

Action, Adventure, Drama

Conner Layne, a recent high school graduate, is preparing to marry his girlfriend. However, when his wedding plans fall through, he decides to go on his honeymoon alone to Central America. There, he joins a diverse group of travelers who…

5.7

6.3

17+

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Dolls and Angels

2008 • 102 min

Drama

A North African immigrant father in a Parisian housing project struggles to control his teenage daughters, Lya, 17, and Chirine, 18. Their defiance mirrors typical teenage rebellion against their father's anger. When Chirine gets a modeling opportunity, she eagerly accepts,…

6.4

5.2

A Lake

2008 • 85 min

Drama

In a remote, snowy, and forested region of the North, a family lives in isolation near a lake. Alexi, a kind woodcutter, experiences epileptic seizures that often lead to ecstatic visions of nature. He shares a deep bond with his…

6.4

6.5

Carnera: The Walking Mountain

2008 • 125 min • Budget $6M • Box office $408K

Drama

This is the story of Primo Carnera, known as the "Ambling Alp." He was an Italian professional boxer who held the World Heavyweight Championship from June 1933 to June 1934. Throughout his career, he was also rumored by some to…

5.9

5.5

17+

Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic

2008 • 145 min

Drama, Comedy

Desperate for help, they pray for a miracle, and God answers with a playful, endearing angel sent to reunite Ranbeer with his children. Geeta (Rani Mukerji) arrives unexpectedly on a bicycle appearing after a rainbow, announcing herself as their new…

5.3

5.1

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Left Bank

2008 • 102 min

Drama, Horror, Mystery

After moving in with her boyfriend, Marie discovers a troubling secret surrounding the previous resident of the apartment.

5.6

5.9

Viva

2008 • 120 min

Comedy, Drama

Left by her husband, Barbi is drawn into a new world by her girlfriend, who encourages her to embrace a liberated lifestyle. Barbi's experiences quickly become overwhelming as she navigates unfamiliar environments – from nudist camps and the hippie scene…

5.1

5.8

17+

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Turn the River

2008 • 92 min

Drama

A skilled pool player makes a desperate move by kidnapping her son and running away from her ex-husband.

5.3

5.8

17+

Stream on

The Christmas Clause

2008 • 84 min

Comedy, Drama, TV Movie

A stressed-out lawyer and mother of three gets a chance to see an alternate reality when she wishes to know what her life would have been like if she had chosen a career in law instead of marrying and raising…

5.7

4.7

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Newcastle

2008 • 107 min

Romance, Drama

Seventeen-year-old Jesse feels overshadowed by his brother Victor's unfulfilled potential as a professional surfer. Despite thriving in the ocean, Jesse is constantly reminded of his working-class life by the nearby coal barges. He possesses the talent to escape this reality…

4.8

6.0

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Donkey Punch

2008 • 99 min

Horror, Drama, Thriller

A group of three attractive young women and four young men gather on a luxurious yacht for a night of drug use and sexual exploration. A single reckless event escalates the weekend into a violent and deadly ordeal.

4.7

5.2

17+

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Revolutionary Road

2008 • 119 min • Budget $35M • Box office $76M

Drama, Romance

In a Connecticut suburb of the mid-1950s, a young couple navigates the challenges of raising two children while grappling with their own personal struggles. Adapted from a novel by Richard Yates.

7.0

7.3

17+

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In Bruges

2008 • 108 min • Budget $15M • Box office $34M

Comedy, Drama, Crime

In Bruges, Belgium, two hit men, Ray and Ken, await their next assignment. With downtime, they reflect on a past job. When Ken learns the details of the new mission, it turns out to be unexpected.

7.5

7.9

17+

Stream on

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

2008 • 96 min • Budget $15M • Box office $96M

Drama, Romance

During a summer vacation in Spain, two friends are captivated by a local artist. Their admiration turns complicated when his volatile ex-wife unexpectedly appears, disrupting their budding affections.

6.8

7.1

13+

Stream on

+13

The Wrestler

2008 • 109 min • Budget $6M • Box office $44M

Drama, Romance

Randy "The Ram" Robinson, an aging wrestler past his prime, is eager to return to the pro-wrestling circuit. Following a severe injury, Randy retires, begins a relationship with a fellow stripper, and attempts to reconcile with his daughter. However, he…

7.5

7.9

17+

Stream on

Camp Rock

2008 • 99 min

Music, Comedy, Drama

Mitchie gets the opportunity to go to Camp Rock, which changes her life in unexpected ways, and she discovers the importance of staying true to who she is.

6.4

5.3

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The Informers

2008 • 98 min • Budget $18M • Box office $382K

Drama, Crime, Thriller

This collection of interconnected short stories follows a group of disconnected, mostly affluent people navigating early 1980s Los Angeles over the course of a week. They seek to fill the void in their lives through fleeting sexual encounters, acts of…

4.8

4.9

17+

Stream on

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

2008 • 117 min • Budget $27M • Box office $44M

Adventure, Comedy, Drama

Years after "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," four close friends navigate the transition to adulthood. As they begin their first year of college and explore new experiences, their paths diverge. They stay connected by sharing their lives and adventures…

6.3

6.2

13+

Stream on

The Spirit

2008 • 103 min • Budget $60M • Box office $39M

Crime, Thriller, Fantasy

Denny Colt, a new police officer, comes back from the dead as The Spirit, a hero dedicated to battling the city's hidden dangers. But The Octopus, a villain who kills anyone who looks at him, intends to destroy Central City…

4.8

13+

Stream on

+15

What Doesn't Kill You

2008 • 100 min • Box office $44K

Action, Crime, Drama

Growing up in South Boston, two friends find themselves drawn to a life of crime. Their choices begin to damage their relationships and test the strength of their bond.

6.0

6.5

17+

Stream on

Jodhaa Akbar

2008 • 213 min • Budget $5M • Box office $28M

Romance, History, Drama

This sixteenth-century story follows a marriage arranged for political gain between a Mughal emperor and a Rajput princess. Over time, the union blossoms into genuine love between them.

7.3

7.5

Milk

2008 • 128 min • Budget $20M • Box office $54M

History, Drama

This is the true story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay person elected to public office. In San Francisco during the late 1970s, Milk becomes an advocate for gay rights, galvanizing people to join him in his struggle for…

7.2

7.5

17+

Stream on

Passchendaele

2008 • 114 min

Drama, Romance, War

Sergeant Michael Dunne served with the 10th Battalion, known as the "Fighting Tenth," as part of the 1st Canadian Division. He took part in all major Canadian battles of the war and earned the most individual bravery awards by any…

6.1

6.4

17+

Stream on

Ghost in the Shell 2.0

2008 • 85 min

Action, Animation, Crime

Set in 2029, *Ghost in the Shell 2.0* revisits the story of Section 9, a team of cybernetically enhanced law enforcement officers tasked with capturing a notorious hacker called 'The Puppetmaster'. This version is a remake of the 1995 film,…

7.4

7.8

14+

Stream on

Charlie Bartlett

2008 • 97 min • Budget $12M • Box office $5M

Comedy, Drama, Romance

Charlie Bartlett, an awkward teenager, struggles to fit in at his new high school. Desperate for friends, he decides to become the school's unofficial psychiatrist. By offering advice – and sometimes even medication – to his classmates, he quickly gains…

6.7

6.9

17+

Stream on

Restraint

2008 • 94 min

Drama, Thriller

Two people on the run find themselves in serious trouble after taking someone hostage who endangers them.

5.9

6.0

17+

Stream on

Killshot

2008 • 95 min • Box office $2M

Crime, Drama, Thriller

Carmen Colson and her husband Wayne, an ironworker, enter the Witness Protection program after witnessing an unspecified event. Believing they've finally found safety, they become targets for a seasoned assassin and a violent, ambitious killer.

5.8

6.0

17+

Stream on

+10

A Christmas Tale

2008 • 152 min • Box office $7M

Comedy, Drama

The fractured Vuillard family gathers for a strained Christmas when their matriarch falls ill. The reunion brings together Henri, a rebellious outsider, and Elizabeth, who is tightly wound. Sharing a home again after years apart, their complicated history of unspoken…

6.8

6.9

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Lemon Tree

2008 • 106 min • Box office $7M

Drama

Salma Zidane, a widow, lives a quiet life tending her lemon grove in the West Bank. When the Israeli defense minister and his wife settle nearby, the Secret Service orders the grove's destruction for security reasons. Salma turns to the…

7.0

7.3

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Race

2008 • 161 min

Drama, Action, Thriller

The lives of two rival horse-racing competitors become complicated when three attractive women enter their world, leading to a murder.

6.0

6.7

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2008 • 88 min

TV Movie, Drama, Romance

Henry Winkler stars in *The Most Wonderful Time of the Year*, about a woman who rediscovers the magic of Christmas. Jennifer Cullen (Brooke Burns), a single mom, is cynical about the holiday, and her son is even struggling to believe…

6.4

7.3

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Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway

2008 • 165 min

Drama, Romance, TV Movie

RENT, set in New York City's East Village, follows a group of young artists as they navigate life and the struggle to afford rent. Driven by love, these artists pursue their dreams while facing poverty, illness, and the challenges of…

7.9

8.1

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Julia

2008 • 144 min • Budget $6M • Box office $1M

Drama

Haunted by alcoholism, a man becomes entangled in a desperate scheme orchestrated by a fellow member of Alcoholics Anonymous. The plan involves kidnapping the young son of a wealthy grandfather.

6.7

7.0

17+

Three Monkeys

2008 • 109 min • Box office $1M

Drama, Thriller

A family struggles to hold itself together as small lies escalate into a massive deception. To escape difficult realities and responsibilities, they decide to avoid the truth – to pretend it doesn't exist. But can they truly ignore what's happening…

6.8

7.3

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The Blind Sunflowers

2008 • 98 min

Drama

Orense, Spain, 1940. In the aftermath of the Civil War, Elena and her children protect a dangerous secret: their husband and father, Ricardo, is hiding in their home. He's fleeing the brutal reprisals of the victorious regime, which relentlessly hunts…

6.5

6.4

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