Exploring movies made in different countries is an experience that you should not miss out on. Even though we are accustomed to one specific type of film, made by similar production houses, if you really want to experience everything that today’s cinematography has to offer, you need to expand your views and start exploring foreign films. If you have been entertaining this idea, then you are probably worried about how you are going to get used to them, and if there are some things that you need to know before you jump into it. Here, we are going to list some tips and tricks that are going to help you with watching movies in foreign languages.
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1. Understand that it is going to be different
You need to understand that this experience is going to be far different than watching a movie in your native language, or some of the popular Hollywood movies. Every production house approaches the cinematography in a different way, so you will realize that some foreign films are based on dialogue a lot, and most of them don’t have extremely high budgets. Some of the movies are going to be made with no more than a dozen actors, and others may be filmed in just one room. This does not mean that the movies are not worth it, or that they are not going to be brilliant, but the experience is definitely going to be different than anything you are used to seeing.
2. Get proper subtitles
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When you purchase the movie, or download it, in some cases, it will not come with subtitles. You need to get really good ones that will be adjusted properly and that will show the right type of translation. Some subtitles will be technically correct, but the sentence structure is going to be terrible. Every multilingual person knows that one of the biggest mistakes that can be made is putting, for example, English words in a sentence that is structured in a different language. These subtitles are pretty easy to notice, so look for translations that are made by reliable professionals who are experts in this field.
3. Consider watching dubbed films
If you want to get used to the new way that films are made, and if you don’t want to have to focus on the subtitles all the time, then explore watching dubbed pieces. This way you will be able to notice the big and subtle differences between movies that you are already accustomed to, and the new cinematography that you are exploring. You can start with dubbed movies so that you can follow the plot with ease, and once you notice the differences and get used to the production houses, you can move to movies that are in their original language.
4. Find the right platform
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To have the best experience with foreign movies, then you need to look for them on the right platform. Some of them are available on the already extremely popular streaming platforms, but if you don’t want to pay for a membership on them, then you don’t have to do it. You can even get those films for your smartphone, and you can use websites such as lusogamer.com to find out where you can watch the latest films and TV shows in pretty much every language. Keep in mind that depending on the platform you choose; you will be able to get movies that are in great resolution and that are lesser-known but more amazing than the films we are accustomed to.
5. Give yourself time to get used to the movies
You will need time to get accustomed to following the story along with the subtitles. When you watch a movie in your native language, you don’t need to stare at the letters at the bottom of the screen, and you can just look at the scenes and the actors. When you first start exploring foreign films, you will realize that most of your attention will go to the subtitles. It is going to take some time to get used to how to follow the story and the scenes along with the letters, so give yourself time. If needed pause the movie, roll backward, and watch some scenes twice to capture everything.
6. Understand what is the best that a country can offer
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When you start exploring foreign films you will notice that every country is special for some things. For example, the movies that come from lesser-known UK-based production houses will offer dry humor and extreme wit that is not that common in other regions. If you love dark humor and sarcasm, then you should definitely give them a go. On the other hand, if you want mind-blowing but difficult films, then you should opt for Scandinavian movies. For those of you who love horror films, then you should explore Japanese, Korean, and Spanish cinematography. The films made in the southern parts of India that are not Bollywood-based offer deep stories and you should give those thrillers a shot.
7. Go with a familiar genre
Finally, you should always watch films that you are already accustomed to. If you love thrillers, then choose a foreign movie that is based on that genre. The same goes for romantic comedies, horror, or any other type that you enjoy. It will be much easier for you to focus on the plot and to see the difference between blockbusters that you are used to and smaller budget films that might be even better than the extremely famous ones. Go with a safe option because you don’t want to have to understand or get used to the new genre along with the new way of watching films.
These are some things that you should pay attention to if you want to get accustomed to watching movies in foreign languages. Give these films a shot and you will see that you may even love some of them far more than anything else you’ve seen before. As you explore cinematography from different regions you will see that you will know which production houses will become your go-to when you want to watch something memorable.
