2020 was a breakthrough year in the Anglosphere for subtitled films; Parasite swept the season, becoming the first subtitled film to win best picture at the Oscars, as well as a slew of other awards. When collecting his Golden Globe for best motion picture for a non-English language film, Parasite director Bong Joon-Ho quipped: “Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.”
From Japanese horror to German romance, and global stories that defy genre altogether, there is quite literally a world of subtitled cinema waiting for you. So, if the “one-inch barrier” has ever stopped you, consider these films your invitation to begin exploring, and a BFI Player subscription your passport to international films.
