1. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

Weird thing: I only saw this movie because Johnny Weir actually recommended to me during the shortest but most awesome meet-and-greet conversation in history. I watched it because I was uber-obsessed at the time (I mean, more so than I am now), but the French film, starring the gorgeous Catherine Deneuve, soon became one of the best foreign films I've ever seen. I didn't read anything about it before watching it, so imagine my surprise when I discovered the entire movie is done in song. No, it's not quite a musical, it's … well, you'll just have to watch for yourself.

2. The Seventh Seal

I am an enormous fan of Max von Sydow, which is what first led me to this Swedish film. I'm also a huge fan of Ingmar Bergman but, to be fair, my adulation began after I saw this. The movie is as amazing as the evocative title implies. A chest match against Death: can you imagine anything better?

3. The Death of Mr. Lazarescu

I pay a lot of attention to the Cannes film festival (ah, and would that I could actually get there someday!), which is where I first heard of this Romanian film. If you like dark comedy, you will never see anything better. It's also incredibly relevant in the states, in terms of the plot and what healthcare is coming to in this country – especially healthcare as it relates to the elderly and nursing homes. That fact and the fact that, again, it's incredibly dark, combine to make this one of the best foreign films ever.

4. Yi Yi: a One and a Two...

This movie, too, is incredibly relevant – especially if you grew up in a middle class family where stress could often run high. That's why I love this so much: it proves that whether you live in Taiwan, Paris, Istanbul, or rural West Virginia, you go through the same troubles – and you generally deal with them in the same way. What could be better?

5. The Conformist

I initially watched this movie solely because of the title – simple, but intriguing. It's an Italian film, and it is incredible. It's visually striking down to the last detail, and after watching it, I figured out why: Vittorio Storaro, the same man who did the cinematography for Apocalypse Now, worked on this film as well. Of course, it also doesn't hurt that it was directed by Bertolucci. It's smart and psychological and full of decadence in more ways than one, all of which help make it one of the best foreign films you'll ever watch.

6. The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie

It was actually the title that drew me to this movie as well. That's the most awesome title in all of life! And the story lives up to the bar it sets. It's a comedy of manners, not surprisingly, and although the plot seems simple, the dialogue, the interactions of the cast, and the unequivocal talent of Luis Bunuel turn it into something amazing.

7. Pather Panchali

This movie … is just beautiful. I've often wondered if it was actually the inspiration for Slumdog Millionnaire, because the two are similar in terms of the story. It's the first movie in the Apu trilogy, and it's just … I'm serious, it's breathtaking. It's like a visual orgasm, and Apu's story is by turns sweet, funny, and sad. Altogether, the trilogy makes up the best foreign films you could ever hope to see, but this one stands beautifully on its own as well.

8. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

You probably won't find this on any official lists of the best foreign movies but I love this movie. I love it because it's beautiful, from the story to the scenery to the choreography. It was, I have to be honest, one of the first foreign movies I ever watched – and I haven't looked back since.

The best foreign films, like say, are like the best films in your native language. You laugh, cry, gasp, get angry, empathize with the characters, despise them – the point is, the best foreign films make you feel something, deeply. That's really the keystone of any good movie. So let me know your opinion on the best foreign films, because I'm always glad to add more to my list!

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