How many non US movies do they show in US theater?

[porcy62]

I was asking myself how many foreign movies reach US market. I mean outside NY or LA, do you have the chance to see them?

I am asking it because I go to cinema twice a week, and mostly I watch non US movies (aka blockbusters). This evening I saw a very touching movie: 'Va, vis et deviens' directed by Radu Mihaileanu, the same directors of 'Train de vie'. Have you got the chance to see them?

Edited November 9, 2005 by porcy62

[kh1958]

As a general rule, Americans who are not movie buffs will not attend movies with subtitles. (Reading is really hard, you know.) Hence, the multiplex theaters which are dominant in the U.S. will rarely, if ever, show foreign films.

Most major cities will have one or two "arthouse" theaters, which will show a mixture of U.S. independent films and foreign films. I couldn't say how many foreign films are shown in such theaters over the course of the year, but I would guess the number is likely surprisingly small.

[Johnny E]

8.7

[jlhoots]

We get a fair number of "foreign" films here in Santa Fe.

For example I saw Cronicas & Balzac & The Little Chinese Seamstress this week.

[Jazzmoose]

Two. Wait, no; I forgot Iron Giant. Three.

[skeith]

Plenty

right now near me they are showing "The Passenger"

[porcy62]

8.7

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Is it the percentage of foreign movies in US theaters?

[Guy Berger]

Porcy -- the number of foreign movies that make it to major movie theaters is pretty small. But a lot of cities have smaller movie theaters that show all those artsy movies that give me a headache and don't have enough explosions.

Guy

[7/4]

Plus we have the Sundance channel on cable. (or I do).

[porcy62]

Porcy -- the number of foreign movies that make it to major movie theaters is pretty small.  But a lot of cities have smaller movie theaters that show all those artsy movies that give me a headache and don't have enough explosions.

      Guy

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Eisestein movies have a lot of explosions, sadly they were silent movies.

[porcy62]

Plus we have the Sundance channel on cable. (or I do).

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I presume they do not have it in the White House!

[porcy62]

Just joking, before the Administrator move this topic to 'Guantanamo' forum.

[porcy62]

BTW thanks for the explanations.

[scottb]

I don't get it. Why would Americans want to watch movies from other countries? They should just watch our movies.

That's just how it is. You do cars and electronics, we do movies!

Edited November 9, 2005 by scottb

[RDK]

A bit of a tangent, but many film buffs (myself included) in the U.S. tend to automatically consider foreign films to be "better" or "classier" than the average domestic flick. But that's only because we're not exposed to the "average" foreign film. The imports we get to see in the U.S. tend to be the cream of the crop: the award winners, the hits, the films of the world's greatest directors. If one ever gets the chance to see the run-of-the-mill (mainstream, commercial) films of any foreign country, you might be shocked to realize just how bad some of them are. I know we sometimes sarcastically joke about the U.S. making the "best" movies - but if you look at the big picture it's very likely true.

[porcy62]

I don't get it.  Why would Americans want to watch movies from other countries?  They should just watch our movies.

That's  just how it is.  You do cars and electronics, we do movies!

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Are you serious?

[porcy62]

A bit of a tangent, but many film buffs (myself included) in the U.S. tend to automatically consider foreign films to be "better" or "classier" than the average domestic flick.  But that's only because we're not exposed to the "average" foreign film.  The imports we get to see in the U.S. tend to be the cream of the crop: the award winners, the hits, the films of the world's greatest directors.  If one ever gets the chance to see the run-of-the-mill (mainstream, commercial) films of any foreign country, you might be shocked to realize just how bad some of them are.  I know we sometimes sarcastically joke about the U.S. making the "best" movies - but if you look at the big picture it's very likely true.

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I tend to agree with you, about big picture.

BTW I love US movies. I was curious about how much people usually go to watch movies from other countries, a part people like Scorsese, Tarantino or Tim Burton.

[scottb]

Are you serious?

Hardly ever! At least not around this place. I like to not give it away with smilies, it's more fun when people aren't sure if I'm serious or not.

I refuse to watch the crap that Hollywood puts out as blockbusters. My wife and I like to rent the better American films and foreign films as well. Usually wait until a film gets some good reviews (taken with a grain of salt,) or wins some awards (other than best action scene or best stunt coordiation) or friends (only certain friends) recommend something strongly.

[PHILLYQ]

In the US, the ratio of junk, disposable movies to good/great movies is getting worse every year.

[Jazzmoose]

Just to mix things up a bit, I'll throw a serious answer in here, Porcy...where I used to live (SF Bay Area) there was no problem finding non US movies if you looked for them. Unfortunately, where I am now I'm not so lucky. The only foreign movie I've found since I've moved here is the new Wallace & Grommett movie. Mind you, I loved it, but it's probably not what you're thinking about when you mention non US movies...