This month World Movies celebrates the international actors and actresses that became stars in their home countries, and then went on to conquer Hollywood.
We’re spending two weeks showcasing the films that launched these foreign stars into Hollywood, or the international movies they returned home to make after their big US break, including Mads Mikkelsen, Gerard Depardieu, Gael Garcia Bernal, Penelope Cruz, Mélanie Laurent, Marion Cotillard and many more.
Gael Garcia Bernal: The Crime of Father Amaro (Mexico, 2002) – Sunday 7 October 8.30pm
The most shocking film ever released in Mexico. Star of The Motorcycle Diaries, Gael Garcia Bernal is a morally corrupt Catholic priest tempted by a young woman. A Golden Globe and an Academy Award® nominee.
Alexander Skarsgard: Trust Me (Sweden, 2010) – Monday 8 October 8.30pm
Starring True Blood’s Alexander Skarsgård, Trust Me is a Swedish comedy about a group of neurotic yet lovable young women running an amateur Stockholm theatre, and the men in their lives. Don’t miss this Australian Television Premiere.
Jet Li: Hero (China, Hong Kong, 2002) – Tuesday 9 October 8.30pm
This Oscar-nominated Chinese action epic stars Jet Li as an unnamed third century BC swordsman who faces a trial of sorts after deftly dispatching three assassins.
Til Schweiger: Men In The City (Germany, 2009) – Wednesday 10 October 8.30pm
This all-star romantic comedy follows five friends who have nothing in common except they are hopeless at finding love. Sharing their misadventures, each goes from one woman to another in search of ‘the one’.
Jean Dujardin: Oss 117: Cairo: Nest Of Spies (France, 2006) – Thursday 11 October 8.30pm
A riotous spy-spoof with an Austin Powers flair following agent OSS, who despite his almost complete incompetence, manages to solve the mystery and get the girls. Nominated for numerous Cesar awards in 2007.
Javier Bardem: Jamon Jamon (Spain, 1992) – Friday 12 October 8.30pm
When Jose Luis announces his plans to marry Silvia (Penelope Cruz), his mother will stop at nothing to break them up including hiring a seductive male model (Javier Bardem).
Mads Mikkelsen: The Door (Germany, 2009) – Saturday 13 October 8.30pm
Mads Mikkelsen gives a tour de force performance in this thriller based on Akif Pirrincci’s novel. A miserable artist discovers a passage back in time and risks everything to bring back the daughter he lost.
