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International films provide a unique and accurate perspective on World War II, depicting events and experiences often overlooked by American and British portrayals. The best non-English language World War II movies feature dialogue primarily in French, German, Polish, Japanese, Italian, Hungarian, Norwegian, and Finnish, providing an authentic representation of global experiences during the war. These films cover a wide range of World War II stories, from resistance fighters in Norway to the aftermath of the Hiroshima bombing, showcasing the diverse and devastating effects of the war on different nations and individuals.

While many great movies about World War II are produced in the U.S. and the UK, some of the best films set during the conflict are international features with dialogue spoken in languages other than English. France, Norway, Germany, Japan, and other countries have released World War II movies, most depicting events more relevant to their experiences and perspectives.

Stars: Martin Starr, Amrita Acharia, Zoe Winther-Hansen, Townes Bunner, Kiran Shah, Henriette Seenstrup | Written by Aleksander Kirkwood Brown | Directed by Magnus Martens

It’s October, so it’s time for two things: pumpkin spice on everything and the start of Christmas marketing. And just in time, the Norwegian holiday horror-comedy There’s Something in the Barn makes its world premiere at Fantastic Fest.

Bill inherits his uncle’s house in Norway after the man dies in a freak accident. We, of course, know it was no accident, and soon enough so will Bill, his wife and Bill’s kids Nora and Lucas (Townes Bunner) will too.

They relocate from California to Norway with plans to open a bed and breakfast, but complications ensue. Both in the obvious cultural differences and, more ominously, what Lucas discovers living in the barn.

It’s a nisse or barn elf. He’s a jolly little...

Netflix has ordered a sequel to “Troll,” the Norwegian action-adventure film directed by Roar Uthaug, who helmed Norway’s first disaster movie, “The Wave.”

“Troll 2” reteams Uthaug (“Tomb Raider”) with writer Espen Aukan and producers Espen Horn and Kristian Strand Sinkerud at Motion Blur, the Oslo-based banner whose credits include “Cadaver,” “Amundsen” and “The 12th Man.”

The first installment unfolds in the aftermath of an explosion in the Norwegian mountains, which awakens an ancient troll. The story revolves around a fearless paleontologist who embarks on a journey to stop the troll from wreaking deadly havoc. The cast included Ine Marie Wilmann, Kim Falck, Mads Pettersen and Gard B. Eidsvold.

“Troll” premiered globally on Netflix in 2022 and quickly became the streamer’s most popular non-English film of all time, with a record-breaking 103,000,000 views in its first 91 days, according to Netflix. The epic movie also ranked in the Top 10 in 93 countries...

Just two weeks after premiering on Dec. 1, Norwegian action-adventure “Troll” has become Netflix’s most popular non-English film.

With a total of 128 million hours viewed and still counting, the film has taken the top spot on the non-English Netflix Top 10. It is in the Top 10 in 93 countries including Norway, France, Germany, the U.S., the U.K., Japan, South Korea, Brazil and Mexico.

In the film, a Norwegian addition to the ever-popular kaiju genre, deep inside the mountain of Dovre, Norway, something gigantic awakens after being trapped for a thousand years. Destroying everything in its path, the creature is fast approaching the capital of Norway, with city-dwellers struggling to stop something they thought existed only in Norwegian folklore.

The film is by “Tomb Raider” director Roar Uthaug. It is produced by Espen Horn and Kristian Strand Sinkerud from Motion Blur, the production company behind Norwegian Netflix film “Cadaver.” It stars Ine Marie Wilmann,...

Joachim Trier now holds the personal record for the most Amanda wins.

The Worst Person In The World was the big winner of Norway’s Amanda Awards last night, winning five prizes at the ceremony held during the Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund.

Worst Person took home the best film title as well as best actress for Renate Reinsve, best supporting actor for Anders Danielsen Lie and the people’s choice award. Joachim Trier shared the best screenplay prize with his longtime co-writer Eskil Vogt, which means Trier now holds the personal record for the most Amanda wins.

The Innocents,...

Joachim Trier’s Oscar-nominated smash “The Worst Person in the World,” about a young woman trying to figure out what – and who – she really wants in her life, won big at Norway’s Amanda Awards on Saturday night, scooping five statuettes, including one for best film.

Trier, who now holds the title for most Amanda Awards, also won for best screenplay with his long-time collaborator Eksil Vogt. The film’s breakout star Renate Reinsve, already awarded at Cannes, picked up her first Amanda for her portrayal of Julie, with Anders Danielsen Lie named best supporting actor.

Back in February, Reinsve – who will be next seen in “A Different Man” alongside Sebastian Stan – opened up about her work with Trier, which started in 2011 on “Oslo, August 31st,” her very first feature film.

“I was an extra with one line. I had nothing to compare it to – it was my first movie set.

Robsahm will move from Motlys and Oslo Pictures where he presently works.

Norway’s Thomas Robsahm, Joachim Trier’s producer on The Worst Person in the World, Thelma and Louder Than Bombs, has joined Nordisk Film Production as producer.

He leaves the two production outfits which are his current homes, Motlys (since 2013) and Oslo Pictures (since 2018).

Robsahm is also a director, most recently of the music documentary a-ha: The Movie, which premiered at Tribeca 2021. He has more than 50 film credits as a producer, including Margreath Olin’s Self Portrait, Emil Trier’s Trust Me and Maria Sodahl’s Hope.

The Worst Person in the World,...

Stellan Skarsgard, Andrea Riseborough and Gustaf Skarsgard have joined the cast of psychological crime drama “What Remains.”

The English-language film, which begins shooting next month in Finland, is the feature directorial debut of Huang Ran, a mainland Chinese artist-turned-filmmaker. His previous “The Administration of Glory” debuted in the short film competition at Cannes in 2014. The script of “What Remains” was written by Megan Everett Skarsgard.

In addition to the stellar cast, the film has attracted a world-class production crew. This includes cinematographer Christopher Blauvelt and production designer Mikael Varhelyi.

“What Remains” is being produced by Film Service Finland and Huang through his production company Fake Action Truth, with financing from iQIYI, a leading video streaming platform in China. It has additional financial support from Business Finland and Art Algorithm Capital, an Asia-based media and art investment fund.

CAA Media Finance arranged the film’s financing and represents the North American distribution rights.

Singapore-based short film site Viddsee expands their June highlights to include an exclusive TikTok event to kick off the month. “TikTok Live: Letters to God 3” features some paranormal activity in livestream, switching out their main highlight each day. We also see an engagement series for arts and culture organizations, providing assistance for them to acclimate to the “new normal.” Among their fiction series, we also see a mixed animated-live action series (“I Failed”) and a delectable Singaporean animated short (“Coming Home”) as well. Read on to see the full list of their offerings for June 2021:

Tiktok Live : Letters To God 3 by Eileen Chong

[3 June – 6 June] : In the latest season of Letters To God, we follow the story of a modern witch, a paranormal investigator, a psychological astrologer, an amulet seller, and a metaphysician psychic. Now, you’ll be able to watch them do what they do best – Live. Join...

Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Connor Paolo will co-star in the upcoming action thriller “Ambush,” starring Aaron Eckhart and Jason Genao with production scheduled to start at the end of November.

“Ambush” is based on the true story of a deadly high-stakes subterranean mission into enemy controlled territory during the Vietnam War by a group of young elite commandos led by Eckhart’s character. They are tasked with collecting highly classified information that can change the fate of the war. The team must overcome their apprehension in order to traverse the complex labyrinth of the Cu Chi tunnels in Vietnam with enemy soldiers and traps at every turn.

Mark Earl Burman (“Dog Eat Dog”) is directing from a script he co-wrote with Michael McClung (“American Martyr”). Highland Film Group is handling international sales at the online American Film Market. Saban Films bought the North American rights in September.

“Jonathan Rhys Meyers...

We might be stuck indoors this Halloween weekend, but thankfully, the various major streaming services are on hand to keep us occupied with a monumental mountain of new content heading our way over the next few days. As it’s both the end of the month and the beginning of November, the likes of Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Max, Hulu and Prime Video are adding a mix of seasonal movies and TV shows today and tomorrow, and a whole load of freshly licensed titles on Sunday.

First of all, Netflix is dropping five new originals this Friday, October 30th, including a couple of horrors, like The Day of the Lord and His House. Disney Plus, meanwhile, debuts The Mandalorian‘s season 2 premiere today, along with a new episode of The Right Stuff and Nicolas Cage movie The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Elsewhere, on the 31st, HBO Max adds last year’s Black Christmas...

Netflix is adding a ton of great titles over the next seven days. From Monday to Sunday, the streaming giant is unleashing some new Halloween-related originals for you to dig into as we approach October 31st, while it’s an usually busy weekend for the site, too, as Sunday marks November 1st, meaning a load of newly licensed movies and shows are being added to Netflix’s library.

Unfortunately, they aren’t bringing us anything fresh on Monday or Thursday, but the rest of the week is well-stocked. As you can see below, Tuesday the 27th delivers three new originals. The highlight of that day’s haul, though, has to be Blood of Zeus, the much-anticipated anime-style series that’s adapting classic Greek myths. Jason O’Mara, Jessica Henwick and Claudia Christian star.

For more, here’s the full list of what’s hitting the service this week:

Coming to Netflix...

Picture Tree Intl. has acquired international sales rights to the Norwegian romantic comedy “Diana’s Wedding,” directed by Charlotte Blom, and will selling the film at Cannes Market Online.

Nordisk Film will handle distribution in the Scandinavian territories, with a theatrical release in Norway scheduled for Sept. 25.

The film, described as a “bittersweet tribute to love,” tells the story of Liv and Terje, and the unconventional, stormy marriage they embark on the very same day as Diana Spencer and Prince Charles exchange vows in London. To their daughter, Diana, they are probably the worst parents in the world, they constantly fight yet are miraculously still in love by the time Diana is preparing for her own marriage 30 years later.

“Diana’s Wedding” is director Blom’s second feature after “Staying Alive” in 2015. She worked from a script she wrote with Mette M. Bølstad. The two leads are played by Marie Blokhus,...

Exclusive: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, a Golden Globe winner for his performance as Elvis Presley in the miniseries Elvis and nominated for The Tudors, has signed for management with Artist International Group. Meyers will next be seen starring in Cj Entertainment’s remake of Hide & Seek and as Sir James Brooke in director Michael Haussman’s historical feature Rajah.

Meyers most recently appeared in the fourth and fifth seasons 4 of Michael Hirst’s Emmy winning historical drama Vikings. Meyers also recently starred in director Harald Zwart’s German and English language WW2 feature, The 12th Man, and alongside James Caan and Rosanna Arquette in Amanda Sthers’ feature Holy Lands for Studio Canal.

Throughout his career, Meyers has worked with acclaimed directors such as Ang Lee, Oliver Stone, Woody Allen, JJ Abrams, Julie Taymor and Neil Jordan in films that include Ride With The Devil, Match Point, Mission: Impossible III and Bend It Like Beckham.

“The Great Century” is being adapted as an epic drama series by Dramacorp-Pampas Studios, which has landed the rights to Swedish author Jan Guillou’s book series.

Guillou is known for his “Hamilton” spy-thriller novels, which Dramacorp-Pampas Studios has brought to TV as “Agent Hamilton.” That project had an international premiere at Mipcom and has presold widely, with a second season already greenlit.

Petter Skavlan will take on the task of bringing “The Great Century” to TV as head writer. His credits include World War II thriller “The 12th Man” and Oscar-nominated “Kon-Tiki.”

“The Bridge Builders” is the first installment of “The Great Century” saga. It opens in Norway in the early years of the 20th century and follows three siblings from a poor fishing family as they set out on a lifetime of adventure, laying the foundations for what will become a dynasty spanning Norway, Sweden and Germany. The action moves from Norway,...

Japanese-American singer-actress Masumi will make her big screen debut opposite Jonathan Rhys Meyers in “Yakuza Princess,” which has completed filming in Brazil. The Japanese-styled thriller also stars Tsuyoshi Ihara (“Letters From Iwo Jima”) and Kenny Leu (“Midway”).

“Princess” is an adaptation of a Brazilian graphic novel “Samurai Shiro” by Danilo Beyruth, in which a Japanese gang boss is killed, and his only heiress is sent abroad as a baby. Twenty years later she discovers her inheritance, and her vulnerability, and unleashes a war against her pursuers.

It is directed by Vincente Amorim, a rising star in Latin American cinema, with film credits including “Motorrad” and “The Division.”

Production is by LG Tubaldini Jr and Andre Skaf, the duo responsible for the success of Amorim’s “Motorrad” and “Divorce.” Company credits include Filmland Internacional and Twentieth Century Fox as co-producer. The film has investment from Bbdtvm, and Warner Bros. Pictures attached as distributor in Latin America.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers ramps up the creepiness in this exclusive first-look image from Hide and Seek, which is complete and debuting to buyers in Cannes.

Rhys Meyers (The Tudors, The 12th Man, Match Point) stars alongside Jacinda Barrett (Bloodline, Poseidon, Ladder 49), Joe Pantoliano (The Sopranos, Memento) and Mustafa Shakir (Luke Cage, The Deuce) in the social horror-thriller, directed by Joel David Moore and building upon themes related to the widening gap between the upper one percent and the lower class. 

As the population in urban areas balloons and real estate prices skyrocket, lower-income segments of society are finding themselves continually getting pushed out. Hide and ...

Jonathan Rhys Meyers ramps up the creepiness in this exclusive first-look image from Hide and Seek, which is complete and debuting to buyers in Cannes.

Rhys Meyers (The Tudors, The 12th Man, Match Point) stars alongside Jacinda Barrett (Bloodline, Poseidon, Ladder 49), Joe Pantoliano (The Sopranos, Memento) and Mustafa Shakir (Luke Cage, The Deuce) in the social horror-thriller, directed by Joel David Moore and building upon themes related to the widening gap between the upper one percent and the lower class. 

As the population in urban areas balloons and real estate prices skyrocket, lower-income segments of society are finding themselves continually getting pushed out. Hide and ...

Australia’s Sbs is to launch a free-to-air movie channel dedicated to international cinema. Sbs World Movies will begin operating from July 1, 2019. Sbs or Special Broadcasting Service is a public private partnership operating as a TV, radio and online broadcaster.

Sbs World Movies describes itself as “a celebration of the diversity of global cinema.” It aims to program 700 titles per year, with at least half in a language other than English, and ranging from European arthouse, to Bollywood, anime, award-winning favorites, and new releases.

While further launch titles will be unveiled in the coming weeks, the company said that its lineup will include: as “Amanda’ (France), “The 12th Man” (Norway), “Just A Breath Away” (France), “Ash is the Purest White” (China), “Aligarth” (India), “Girl” (Belgium), and “Killing of a Sacred Deer.”

Sbs World Movies will also feature curated seasons of special programming to mark cultural events, festivals and celebrations such as Diwali,...

Lukas Dhont’s ‘Girl’ will screen on Sbs World Movies. (Photo: Kris Dewhitte)

Sbs will launch a new channel dedicated to international cinema in July.

Known as Sbs World Movies, the 24-hour channel will be free-to-air, in HD and at least half of all titles will be in a language other than English. It will broadcast more than 700 films each year, including recent films such as Amanda (France), The 12th Man (Norway), Just A Breath Away (France), Ash is the Purest White (China), Aligarth (India), Girl (Belgium) and Killing of a Sacred Deer (UK), with more titles to be announced soon.

Sbs managing director James Taylor said: “Movies provide people with the opportunity to escape to worlds outside of our own, with stories that entertain and inspire us, make us think, laugh and even cry. International cinema does this in a truly unique way, and has been an important part...

Sf Studios has unveiled the international trailer for “Amundsen,” the high-profile Norwegian adventure and biopic drama about Arctic explorer Roald Amundsen which is directed by Espen Sandberg.

Now in post-production, “Amundsen” is headlined by Pål Sverre Hagen (“Kon-Tiki”) who stars as Amundsen, the legendary explorer who was the first to reach the South and the North Poles. Sverre Hagen stars in the film opposite “Fantastic Beasts” actress Katherine Waterston and Christian Rubeck (“What Happened to Monday”).

“Amundsen” will be distributed by Sf Studios in Norway on Feb. 15, and is expected to be the biggest Norwegian release of 2019, surpassing previous big releases such as “The Wave,” “Kon-Tiki” and “The 12th Man.” The movie is being produced by John M. Jacobsen, Kristian Strand Sinkerud and Espen Horn at Motion Blur Films.

Sf Studios will also distribute the film in Sweden, Denmark and Finland. The company has already pre-sold the movie in a flurry of territories,...

To mark the release of The 12th Man on 7th January, we’ve been given 3 copies to give away on DVD.

Norway, 1943 – north of the Arctic Circle. Twelve Norwegian resistance fighters have crossed the North Sea to fight the Nazis who have occupied their homeland. But when they drop anchor in a desolate fjord, they are betrayed by a countryman and attacked by a German minesweeper. Eleven of the men are captured, tortured and killed. Only the twelfth escapes…

The twelfth man Jan Baalsrud (Thomas Gullestad) quickly flees into the merciless Norwegian winter with a bleeding gunshot wound and an SS Officer (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) hot on his heels. His determination and will to survive will turn him into a symbol for the Norwegian resistance – a symbol people are willing to die for.

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To celebrate the Golden Globe nomination for international film for Nadine Labaki’s provocative powerhouse feature ‘Capernaum’, a new UK poster has been released.

The Lebanese drama which received a 15-minute standing ovation following its premiere at Cannes on 17 May 2018, went on to become the Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Nadine Labaki’s Capernaum tells the story of Zain (Zain al Rafeea), a Lebanese boy who sues his parents for the “crime” of giving him life.

The film was made with a cast of non-professionals playing characters whose lives closely parallel their own. Following her script, Labaki placed her performers in scenes and asked them to react spontaneously with their own words and gestures. When the non-actors’ instincts diverged from the written script, Labaki adapted the screenplay to follow them.

The film will see special previews from February 1st and a UK wide release on February 22nd.

Signature Entertainment has released a clip for World War II drama ‘The 12th Man’. Based on the legendary true story of Jan Baalsrud, the film tells one of the wildest and most unfathomable survival stories of World War II.

Set in Norway, 1943 – north of the Arctic Circle. Twelve Norwegian resistance fighters have crossed the North Sea to fight the Nazis who have occupied their homeland. But when they drop anchor in a desolate fjord, they are betrayed by a countryman and attacked by a German minesweeper. Eleven of the men are captured, tortured and killed. Only the twelfth escapes…

The twelfth man Jan Baalsrud (Thomas Gullestad) quickly flees into the merciless Norwegian winter with a bleeding gunshot wound and an SS Officer (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) hot on his heels. His determination and will to survive will turn him into a symbol for the Norwegian resistance – a symbol people are willing to die for.

Denmark, Iceland and Norway registered rises in 2018, but Finland and Sweden saw dips.

Denmark

Denmark has had a strong year for local films, led by Christoffer Boe’s The Purity Of Vengeance (also known as Journal 64), the Nordisk Film release that has already broken records as the highest-ever grossing local film in Danish cinemas and will remain on release until at least January 2019.

The film is the fourth and final feature that Zentropa has produced based on the bestselling Department Q series of novels, about two mismatched detectives solving cold cases; it has earned $10.1m (dkk66.4m) as of December...

Denmark, Iceland and Norway registered rises in 2018, but Finland and Sweden saw dips.

Denmark

Denmark has had a strong year for local films, led by Christoffer Boe’s The Purity Of Vengeance (also known as Journal 64), the Nordisk Film release that has already broken records as the highest-ever grossing local film in Danish cinemas and will remain on release until at least January 2019.

The film is the fourth and final feature that Zentropa has produced based on the bestselling Department Q series of novels, about two mismatched detectives solving cold cases; it has earned $10.1m (dkk66.4m) as of December...

Leading Chinese sales/distribution company H.G.C. Entertainment has come on board Espen Sandberg’s “Amundsen,” the high-profile Norwegian historical drama about Arctic explorer Roald Amundsen.

Sold by Sf Studios, “Amundsen” is headlined by “Fantastic Beasts” star Katherine Waterston. Sandberg is the Norwegian director of Golden Globe- and Oscar-nominated “Kon-Tiki” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.”

H.G.C. Entertainment will release “Amundsen” in China and will be selling the movie across Asia excluding Japan and Taiwan. Sf Studios has also pre-sold “Amundsen” to Bonton Film for the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Cai Chang Intl. for Taiwan and Stars Media Intl. for the ex-Yugoslavia countries including Albania. The deal with H.G.C. Entertainment was negotiated by Martin Ilievski at Sf Studios and Ying Li, president of H.G.C. Entertainment.

The film is currently in post and Sf Studios will present a promo to buyers at the Afm on Nov.

In today’s film news roundup, Andrew Garfield joins Gia Coppola’s “Mainstream,” Jonathan Rhys Meyers is starring in a hot-air balloon thriller, and Jennifer Lawrence has a first-look deal.

Castings

Gia Coppola will direct and co-write “Mainstream,” with Andrew Garfield, Maya Hawke, Nat Wolff, and Jason Schwartzman starring.

The story, to be co-written by Tom Stuart, centers on an eccentric love triangle and cautionary tale of preserving your identity within the fast-moving internet age. CAA Media Finance is handling domestic sales. Wild Bunch is handling foreign sales, and will be introducing the movie at the American Film Market, which opens Wednesday in Santa Monica, Calif.

“La La Land” producer Fred Berger is producing “Mainstream” through his Automatik production company. The film will begin shooting at the end of 2018.

Coppola most recently directed “Palo Alto” for Tribeca Film, which starred Jack Kilmer, Wolff, Emma Roberts, and James Franco. Garfield’s credits include “Hacksaw Ridge,...

Iram Haq’s What Will People Say won best director, Norwegian film, actor and screenplay.

Iram Haq’s What Will People Say triumphed at the Amanda Awards on Aug 18, winning the Norwegian national awards for best director (Haq), best Norwegian film in theatrical release, best actor (Adil Hussain) and best screenplay (Haq).

The film, a hit at festivals including Toronto, Les Arcs, AFI Fest and Goteborg, is about a Norwegian teenage girl who clashes with her traditional Pakistan-born parents.

Erik Poppe’s Utoya story U-July 22 won best actress and best supporting actress for newcomers Andrea Berntzen and Solveig Koløen Birkeland.

Exclusive: Fast-rising Norwegian actor Thomas Gullestad has signed with Ina Petersen’s La-based international management and production firm, Inner Voice Artists. Gullestad recently starred in Harald Zwart’s critically praised adventure drama The 12th Man opposite Jonathan Rhys Myers, receiving strong notices for what was his first major role. He’s also the lead in Zwart’s upcoming comedy series, The Oil Fund.

Other feature credits include crime comedy franchise Tomme Tønner. Before turning to acting, Gullestad was a talk show host, fronting successful Norwegian late night programs including Dansken & Fingern and Min Man Kan. Further, he’s a hip hop musician whose group Klovner I Kamp are opening for Eminem in Oslo on June 30.

Launched early this year, Inner Voice Artists has had a busy couple of months. Petersen tells me she’s in pre-production on the firm’s first film and in development on several international TV projects.

Harrowing physical adventure “The 12th Man” retells the story of Jan Baalsrud, the sole survivor of a thwarted Allied sabotage mission against the Nazis in occupied Norway. Wounded, hunted, often near-death, his long but ultimately successful escape to Sweden was already dramatized onscreen in 1957’s “Ni Liv” aka “Nine Lives,” an Oscar nominee considered one of the greatest Norwegian features ever made. (More recently it was also the subject of documentary miniseries “In the Footsteps of Jan Baalsrud.”)

One might not automatically set expectations quite so high for a new version directed by Harald Zwart, who’s scored some major hits both at home (comedy “Long Flat Balls” and its sequel) and internationally (the “Karate Kid” remake) as well as some thoroughly mainstream duds. But “12th Man” easily reps a personal best for the helmer, and is a stirring adventure by any standard. It opens in New York and Los...