As a connoisseur of the fantastical and the bizarre, having traversed through the desolate dunes of Dune, the whimsical time warps of Time Bandits, and the nightmarish dreams of Nightmare on Elm Street, I must say that the aesthetic of La Cité des enfants perdus is a delightful addition to my ever-expanding universe of otherworldly experiences. The intricate plot involving Krank, the carnival, the cyborg cult, and the girl who manipulates dreams to defeat the antagonist was a fascinating blend of science fiction, fantasy, and horror that kept me on the edge of my seat.
Dark Fantasy is a widely appreciated genre that blends surrealism, horror, and sorcery within its backdrops and narratives. Often, it delves into ancient myths and folklore as themes, so when a movie originates from another country and falls under the dark fantasy category, traditional local legends and mystical aspects are frequently incorporated into its plot.
On other occasions, these films bear a strong resemblance to retellings of timeless tales, sometimes even serving as their basis. Ranging from age-old folklore to contemporary documentary-style productions, here is a list showcasing the top dark fantasy movies in foreign languages that truly captivate.
7 Black Orpheus
A Modern Adaptation Of A Dark Legend
- Original Language: Portuguese
- Directed By: Marcel Camus
- Starring: Breno Mello, Marpessa Dawn
- Release Date: June 12th, 1959
The timeless Greek myth of Eurydice and Orpheus, one of the earliest examples of dark fantasy, narrates the tale of a mortal venturing into the underworld to strike a bargain with the God of Death, aiming to reclaim his deceased lover. This film is a screen adaptation of the stage play “Orfeu da Conceição” by Vinicius de Moraes, another Brazilian creation, which similarly retells this ancient legend.
The tale of “Black Orpheus” unfolds amidst the vibrant, chaotic setting of a traditional Brazilian working-class district during a Carneval celebration, which is vividly portrayed as a “favela”. The narrative is accentuated by an award-winning soundtrack that contributes to a lively yet ominous ambiance, while also utilizing imaginative lighting and costume designs. Moreover, figures like Hermes are present, making it a stunning cinematic representation of the ancient world.
6 Pan’s Labyrinth
A Twisted Tale With An Unhappy Ending
- Original Language: Spanish
- Directed By: Guillermo del Toro
- Starring: Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, Ivana Baquero
- Release Date: May 27th, 2006
One of Guillermo del Toro’s celebrated works is the film titled “The Labyrinth of the Faun” in its original Spanish, widely recognized as one of the most outstanding examples of fantasy and horror cinema in recent times. Del Toro aimed to create a fable within a fairy tale universe, and the striking parallels to the waning days of World War 2 serve to heighten the suspense. The movie received a prolonged standing ovation lasting 22 minutes when it was premiered at Cannes, suggesting that del Toro achieved his objective.
In this tale, the central figure is a young girl named Ofelia, who relocates along with her expectant mother to join her stepfather in a different city. As events unfold, she starts to think that she’s actually the reborn version of a legendary princess from the Underworld. Over time, she embarks on a heart-wrenching journey through a maze to find her path back.
5 Hero
The Fantasy Of A King’s Assassination
- Original Language: Chinese
- Directed By: Zhang Yimou
- Starring: Jet Li, Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung
- Release Date: October 24th, 2002
The movie is categorized as a “wuxia” production, a genre that draws inspiration from ancient Chinese tales and folklore. This film narrates the adventures of skilled swordsmen, rulers, and martial artists set in the era of the Warring States, more specifically, around 227-221 BC.
The film weaves together historical events, fantasy, and the mystical, with its costumes and sets featuring vibrant color-symbolism representing the characters’ elements, deities, or powers. Characters such as Long Sky, Flying Snow, and Broken Sword have distinct names, while the protagonist remains unnamed.
4 Trollhunter
A Dark Fantasy Mockumentary
- Original Language: Norwegian
- Directed By: André Øvredal
- Starring: Otto Jespersen, Hans Morten Hansen, Tomas Alf Larsen
- Release Date: October 29th, 2010
Comedy and dark fantasy are a fun and entertaining combination, and plenty of movies and TV shows that take this angle seem to be from Norway. Trollhunter is one example. The Trolls of Norwegian mythology are giant humanoid creatures with powers like immense strength, stunning longevity, and a keen sense of smell. This movie’s esthetic is very much a documentary, with some unmistakable references to movies like Twister, except it’s Trolls the main characters are chasing instead of tornadoes.
Initially, a team of college students embarks on an investigation to gather details about a bear poacher. However, things take an unexpected turn when the suspect admits that he isn’t hunting bears, but instead, is a troll, a being known as Hans. The students then propose accompanying him during a hunt, which Hans agrees to, under the condition they follow his instructions without question. A mix of fear and laughter ensues throughout the adventure.
3 The City Of Lost Children
Stealing Dreams And Making Nightmares
- Original Language: French
- Directed By: Marc Caro and Jean-Pierre Jeunet
- Starring: Ron Perlman, Daniel Emilfork, Judith Vittet
- Release Date: May 17th, 1995
In this French dark fantasy sci-fi film, nightmares, creatures incapable of dreaming, and secret lairs in derelict oil rigs are integral elements. If you’re a fan of mecha-horror with a hint of nostalgia reminiscent of films like David Lynch’s Dune or Time Bandits, then the aesthetic of The City of Lost Children would surely appeal to you.
The main character is a creature named Krank, who was created by a scientist who has long since passed away. Krank uses the dreams of kidnapped children to slow down his aging process. The rest of the plot involves a cyborg cult, a carnival, and a girl who learns how to manipulate dreams to beat the bad guy, which might sound familiar to fans of Nightmare On Elm Street.
2 La Belle Et La Bête
The Original French Movie Adaptation
- Original Language: French
- Directed By: Jean Cocteau
- Starring: Jean Marais, Josette Day, Mila Parély
- Release Date: October 26th, 1946
The original story of Beauty and the Beast was published in 1757, so this dark fantasy movie was almost two centuries in the making. The way that camera work and editing are used to create a fantastic, surreal world within the Beast’s castle at a time when special effects were limited is nothing less than amazing, which is one of the reasons this movie has aged so well.
As a gamer, I’d rephrase it like this: In this tale, my character’s father once held wealth beyond measure, but fate took it all at sea, leaving him to barely keep his family afloat. He’s heading off to another town for a much-needed payment and asks us girls what we desire most. My sisters ask for trinkets and baubles, but I, Belle, simply yearn for the beauty of a single rose, an exquisite bloom that carries the highest price tag.
1 Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds
Occult Fantasy From Another World
- Original Language: Korean
- Directed By: Kim Yong-hwa
- Starring: Ha Jung-woo, Cha Tae-hyun, Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Hyang-gi
- Release Date: December 20th, 2017
Originally penned in Hangul, this title translates as “Together with God: Sin and Punishment“. This title offers a clearer understanding of the storyline and draws from multiple concepts regarding the hereafter. The narrative unfolds when the protagonist, firefighter Kim Ja-hong, meets his demise on duty and subsequently is led to the afterlife for evaluation.
Ja-hong won’t face trial on his own; instead, he has three assigned guardians who will accompany him during his trials, provide legal defense, and help him navigate through them. They have a deadline of 49 days to achieve this objective. However, the journey isn’t easy for Ja-hong as he must traverse multiple hellish realms, including the Murder Hell, Indolence Hell, and Filial Piety Hell, before being reincarnated. His situation becomes even more complex when a close relative dies and transforms into an avenging spirit seeking revenge.
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2024-08-31 15:34