World cinema

Most vibrant cinemas around the world based on IMDb. Over 10,000 titles (green), over 5,000 (yellow), over 1,000 (blue)

World cinema is a term used primarily in English language speaking countries to refer to the films and film industries of non-English speaking countries. It is therefore often used interchangeably with the term foreign film. However, both world cinema and foreign film could be taken to refer to the films of all countries other than one's own, regardless of native language.

Technically, foreign film does not mean the same as foreign language film, but the inference, particularly in the U.S., is that a foreign film is not only foreign in terms of the country of production, but also in terms of the language used. As such, the use of the term foreign film for films produced in the UK, Australia, Canada or other English speaking countries would be uncommon.

In other English speaking countries, it would be extremely unlikely to class films made in the U.S. as foreign films, or belonging to World cinema, as American films are reasonably dominant in all English-language markets.

World cinema has an un-official implication of films with "artistic value" as opposed to "Hollywood commercialism." Foreign language films are often grouped with "art house films" and other independent films in DVD stores, cinema listings etc. Unless dubbed into one's native language, foreign language films played in English speaking regions usually have English subtitles. Few films of this kind receive more than a limited release and many are never played in major cinemas. As such the marketing, popularity and gross takings for these films are usually markedly less than for typical Hollywood blockbusters. The combination of subtitles and minimal exposure adds to the notion that "World Cinema" has an inferred artistic prestige or intelligence, which may discourage less sophisticated viewers. Additionally, differences in cultural style and tone between foreign and domestic films affects attendance at cinemas and DVD sales.

Foreign language films can be commercial, low brow or B-movies. Furthermore, foreign language films can cross cultural boundaries, particularly when the visual spectacle and style is sufficient to overcome people's misgivings. Films of this type are becoming more common, and recent examples such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Amélie and Brotherhood of the Wolf enjoyed great success in American cinemas and DVD sales. The first foreign and foreign language film to top the North American box office was Hero in the fall of 2004.

World cinema on DVD

Foreign language films that are particularly successful in international markets may be taken on by the large film distribution companies for DVD releases. At the other end of the scale, many foreign language films are never given a DVD release outside of their home markets. The majority of those DVDs that are given an international release, come out on specialist labels. These labels include:

• Arrow Films (UK) - Label specialising in foreign language and cult English language films
• Artificial Eye (USA and UK)
• Axiom Films (UK)
• British Film Institute (UK)
• Contender Entertainment Group - Label distributing East Asian films. They bought out Medusa Communications in 2005, and own the sub-labels Hong Kong Legends (specialising in films from Hong Kong) and Premier Asia (specialising in films from the rest of East Asia, particularly Japan, South Korea and Thailand). CEG bought out the label.
• The Criterion Collection (USA)
• Dragon Dynasty (USA) - Label specialising in films from East Asia.
• Eastern Eye (Australia).
• Facets Multimedia (USA)
• Film Movement (USA)
• Fortissimo Films (Netherlands / international)
• ImaginAsian Pictures (USA)
• Janus Films (USA)
• Kino International (USA) - Label distributing foreign language, arthouse and silent films.
• Manga Entertainment (USA and UK) - Label specialising in anime.
• Masters of Cinema (UK)
• Mongrel Media (Canada)
• Optimum Releasing (UK) - Distributor of foreign and English language films in the UK. East Asian films released through their Optimum Asia sub-label.
• Palador Pictures (India) - Distributors of highly awarded foreign language films from across the world.
• Palisades Tartan (USA and UK) - Palisades bought out the back catalogue of Tartan Films when they folded.
• Soda Pictures (UK)
• Studio Canal (France)
• Tartan Films (USA and UK) - Label distributing a variety of foreign and English language films, though primarily East Asian films. The company consists of Tartan Video in the UK and Tartan Films USA, as well as the Tartan Asia Extreme and Tartan Terror horror labels. The company folded in 2008 and were taken over by Palisades.

World cinema television channels

• CinéMoi (UK channel dedicated to French films, launching January 2009)
• World Cinema HD (USA)
• UTV World movies (India)
• NDTV Lumiere (India)
• World Movies (Australia)
• Bollywood information website Films and Cast/Crew profiles

See also

• Cinema of the world
• Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
• César Award for Best Foreign Film
• World Fastest Movie
• History of film
• Transnational cinema
• World Cinema Foundation
• Muslim Cinema
• Film industry