How to Build a Foreign Film DVD Collection

Do you fancy yourself as a foreign film snob? Are you continually espousing the idea that American cinema is dead? Do you have the guts to back it up with your time and money? When fellow film enthusiasts come to visit, is your collection of foreign DVD sorely lacking in scope and taste? Here is a method that will start you on your way to gathering a foreign DVD collection that will make even the most jaded cineaste green with envy.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Disposable income
• Internet access
• A sense of elitism

1. Make a list of the prominent film cultures from around the world. This should include Germany, France, England, Japan, Sweden, China, Spain and India.

2. Choose the predominant directors from each of these cultures and list them under their appropriate country. Keep it short at the start: Rainer Werner Fassbinder and Werner Herzog for Germany; Jean-Luc Godard and Francois Truffaut for France; Mike Leigh and Ken Loach for England; Akira Kurosawa and Yasujiro Ozu for Japan; Ingmar Bergman and Victor Sjostrom for Sweden; Zhang Yimou for China; Pedro Almodovar and Luis Bunuel for Spain; Satyajit Ray for India.

3. Make a list of the director's filmographies. Read up on the films considered to be their masterworks. Choose one from each director.

4. Search the internet for bargain sale prices on your selections. Often these directors will have boxed set DVD collections at very affordable prices. This will reduce your per disc cost if you plan to expand your film library in the future.

5. Purchase and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• Always buy subtitled versions of the films, never the dubbed format.
• Check the DVD region codes on the disks before purchasing and make sure they are compatible with your player.
• Always buy widescreen versions whenever available.
• Add countries and directors as you proceed.