03/11/2025
five standout international films from 2025
1. I’m Still Here (Brazil)
• Directed by Walter Salles, this Brazilian drama won Best International Feature Film at the 2025 Oscars. 
• Based on a true story in 1970s Rio de Janeiro under military dictatorship. 
• Why it’s worth watching: It brings a historically charged and personal story from Latin America, with strong emotional and political undercurrents.
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2. Flow (Latvia/Belgium/France)
• Directed by Gints Zilbalodis, this dialogue-free animated film won the 2025 Independent Spirit Award for Best International Film. 
• It’s unusual in that it’s an animated film from a small country (Latvia) and uses minimal dialogue, offering a distinct visual-narrative experience.
• Why it’s worth watching: It pushes boundaries of form (animation + little dialogue) and shows how international cinema can innovate beyond language.
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3. The Love That Remains (Iceland/Denmark/France/Finland/Sweden)
• Directed by Hlynur Pálmason, this Icelandic-led film premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. 
• It uses 35 mm film, making it visually rich and tactile in its imagery. 
• Why it’s worth watching: A more contemplative, art-house entry — perfect if you’re open to slower, visually poetic cinema from less mainstream production contexts.
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4. Lost Land (Japan/France/Malaysia/Germany)
• Directed by Akio Fujimoto, this 2025 film is in the Rohingya language and follows a young refugee siblings’ journey. 
• It premiered in the Orizzonti section of the Venice Film Festival and won the Special Jury Prize. 
• Why it’s worth watching: It gives a voice to a severely under-represented group (Rohingya refugees) and uses immersive storytelling to highlight human resilience and migration themes.
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5. Kontinental ’25 (Romania/Brazil/Switzerland/UK/Luxembourg)
• Directed by Radu Jude, this film premiered at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival and won the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay. 
• The story centers around a bailiff in Cluj and the moral crisis she faces — thus a gripping character-driven narrative.
• Why it’s worth watching: It’s European cinema at its compelling best — investigating ethics, society, and personal responsibility through a sharp lens.
