Foreign
Films or "World Cinema"
World cinema is a term used primarily in the West to
refer to the films and film industries
of non-English language speaking countries (those outside of the Anglosphere).
It is therefore often used interchangeably with the term Foreign film.
However, both World cinema and Foreign film could be taken
to refer to the films of all countries other than one's
own, regardless of native language.
Technically, foreign film does not mean the
same as foreign language film,
but the inference, particularly in the U.S., is that a foreign film
is not only foreign in terms of the country of production, but also
in terms of the language used.
As such, the use of the term foreign film for films produced in the
UK, Australia, Canada or other English speaking countries would be
uncommon.
In other English speaking countries, it would be extremely unlikely
to class films made in the U.S. as foreign films, or belonging to
World cinema,
as American films are reasonably dominant in all English-language
markets.
World cinema has an un-official implication
of films
with "artistic value" as opposed to "Hollywood commercialism."
Foreign language films are often grouped with "Art House films"
and other independent films in DVD stores, cinema listings etc.
Unless dubbed into one's native language, foreign language films usually
have English subtitles.
Few films of this kind receive more than a limited release and many
are never played in major cinemas.
As such the marketing, popularity and gross takings for these films
are usually markedly less than for typical Hollywood blockbusters.
The combination of subtitles and minimal exposure
adds to the notion that "World Cinema"
has an inferred artistic prestige or intelligence, which may discourage
less sophisticated viewers.
Additionally, differences in cultural style and tone between foreign
and domestic films affects attendance at cinemas and DVD sales.
Foreign language films can be commercial, low brow or B-movies,
so to automatically assume that World cinema is "arty" or
intellectual is erroneous.
Furthermore, foreign language films can cross cultural boundaries,
particularly when the visual spectacle and style is sufficent to overcome
people's misgivings.
Films of this ilk are becoming more common,
and recent examples such as Crouching Tiger,
Hidden Dragon and Amelie
enjoyed great success in Western cinemas and DVD sales.
The first foreign language film to top the North American box office
was Hero in the fall of 2004.
