Netflix plans to release a slew of new movies and TV episodes in 2024. Over the following four weeks, the streaming service will roll out a new collection, from returning shows to legendary blockbusters. To any new language learner, do not miss out on the possibilities to indulge over the holiday. Netflix movies are the ideal way to immerse yourself in a foreign culture, and watching movies may help you destress while also putting your language abilities into practice.
Foreign filmgoers are curious to see which film will follow in the footsteps of the 2019 kdrama HIT “Crash Landing on You” or which actor will emerge as a rising star like the young Zhao Lusi, who appeared in three different Chinese films: “Hidden Love” (2023), “Who Rules the World” (2022), and “I Hear You” (2019). We have particularly selected a list of three foreign-language films on Netflix, ranging from Spanish to Korean and Italian. Scroll down for more!
1. Society of the Snow (La sociedad de la Nieve) – An original Netflix movie for Spanish learners, coming January 4th
Based on a true story, the film tells the tale of the 1972 crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 in the heart of the Andes, of which only 29 passengers—a rugby team bound for Chile—survived. Trapped in one of the planet’s most inhospitable and hostile environments, the survivors must resort to desperate measures to survive. This story was previously told in the 1993 film Alive with Ethan Hawke, directed by John Patrick Shanley. This new Netflix makeover is set to commence on January 4th but is already receiving raving reviews from early critics. One of the lucky viewers, Eva Gonzalez, wrote that it was “a film that will stay with me forever.”. A thorough movie review can be found here or on the fandom website.
Popular Spanish word for any new language learner:
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- La sociedad: the society
- La Nieve: the snow
2. Badland Hunters ( 황야 ) – An original Netflix movie for Korean learners, coming January 26th
Badland Hunters is a highly anticipated South Korean dystopian action film set to premiere on Netflix on January 26, 2024. The Korean title 황야 (hwang-ya) means wilderness. The movie is a sequel to the 2023 film Concrete Utopia, picking up the story in a post-earthquake Seoul transformed into a harsh wasteland, where survival is the ultimate challenge.
Expectations are high for Badland Hunters because the movie is starring Ma Dong-seok , whose proven action hero credentials is highly acclaimed. The post-apocalyptic setting with its gritty survival themes promises a thought-provoking and suspenseful story. Finally, the film’s connection to the successful Concrete Utopia adds to the anticipation.
If you’re a fan of dystopian thrillers, action movies, or Korean cinema in general, Badland Hunters is definitely one to keep an eye on. Mark your calendar for January 26th and get ready to dive into the harsh and unforgiving world of this post-apocalyptic Seoul!
An example Korean quote from the movie:
세상은 멸망했고 (sesang-eun myeolmanghaessgo): The world was destroyed
우리에겐 사냥꾼이 필요하다 (uliegen sanyangkkun-i pil-yohada): We need hunters.
Popular Korean words for any new language learner:
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- 세상 (sesang): the world
- 필요하다 (pil-yohada): need
3. Skam Italia (season 6) for Italian learners, coming January 18th
Skam Italia is an Italian teen drama television series based on the Norwegian television series Skam. It’s a popular show among fans of the Skam universe and Italian TV in general.
The story follows the lives of a group of high school students in Rome, Italy, focusing on a different character’s story each season. Explores themes of love, friendship, identity, and social media. The movie is unique for its use of social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp to tell the story and interact with viewers. It gained a dedicated fanbase in Italy and internationally. The movie portrays a realistic teenage life, relatable characters, and an innovative storytelling format. It has won several awards, including the Giffoni Film Festival Award for Best TV Series and the Premio Web Series for Best Drama. If you’re interested in teen dramas, coming-of-age stories, or shows that use innovative storytelling methods, Skam Italia is definitely worth checking out!
Below is a quote from season 5 in both Italian and English:
Italian: “Fare coming out non è una cosa una tantum. È un processo”
English: “Coming out isn’t a one-time thing. It’s a process.” (This quote acknowledges the ongoing nature of coming out and the challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face.)
Italian: “L’amore è amore, non importa chi ami.”
English: “Love is love, no matter who you love.” (This simple yet powerful message promotes inclusivity and acceptance of all forms of love.)
4. Tips for every new language learner
Netflix movies are great resources to learn new languages while watching your favorite movies. However, for an efficient learning experience, we have a few tips for you:
– Use the original audio of the movie. For instance, if you are learning Spanish, use Spanish audio. This will help you pick up the language in its natural speaking environment.
– Pause the video when you come across a sentence that interests you. For example, in the screenshot above, you can see “Your friends are nice”. Repeat the actor’s voice to learn how to speak a sentence in its context.
– Use tools like the PinyinTube Chrome Extension to help display both original and English subtitles. Pinyintube can record your voice and compare it to the actor’s voice, helping you improve your pronunciation! An instruction video can be found on our Youtube channel.
We hope our article has inspired you to watch a new movie and learn a new language. If you are already a seasoned language learner, we hope to motivate you to keep practicing your skills. There is no need to fly all the way to Italy for a language camp when you can get the same immersive experience from the comfort of your sofa. Happy learning languages!
