The Best Foreign Language Feature Films of 2013, According to Members of the Criticwire Network: ‘No,’ ‘Blue Is the Warmest Color’ And More

Throughout the year, Indiewire updates a master list of the highest-rated indie films released in 2013 according to members of our Criticwire Network. The following supplementary list singles out the top-rated foreign language that have an average of B+ or higher. In
order to be eligible for this list, a film must have received grades
from at least 15 critics in the network. Head to a film page to browse
reviews and other information pertaining to each film. Because the top-rated documentaries have been tallied on a separate list, foreign language documentaries are not included here.

1. No (Film Page), directed by Pablo Larraín (2012 Cannes Film Festival; February 2013 theatrical release)

Average Criticwire Rating: A- (59 grades)

2. Blue Is the Warmest Color (Film Page), directed by Abdellatif Kechiche (2013 Cannes Film Festival; October 2013 theatrical release)

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Average Criticwire Rating: A- (53 grades)

3. A Touch of Sin (Film Page), directed by Jia Zhang-ke (2013 Cannes Film Festival; October 2013 theatrical release)

Average Criticwire Rating: A- (33 grades)

4. Bastards (Film Page), directed by Claire Denis (2013 Cannes Film Festival, October 2013 theatrical/VOD release)

Average Criticwire Rating: A- (24 grades)

5. Wadjda (Film Page), directed by Haifaa al-Mansour (2012 Venice Film Festival; September 2013 theatrical release)

Average Criticwire Rating: A- (20 grades)

6. Drug War (Film Page), directed by Johnnie To (2012 Rome Film Festival, July 2013 theatrical release)

Average Criticwire Rating: A- (18 grades)

7. The Attack (Film Page), directed by Ziad Douieri (2012 Telluride Film Festival; June 2013 theatrical release)

Average Criticwire Rating: A- (15 grades)

8. Like Someone in Love (Film Page), directed by Abbas Kiarostami (2012 Cannes Film Festival; February 2013 theatrical release)

Average Criticwire Rating: B+ (72 grades)

9. Beyond the Hills (Film Page), directed by Cristian Mungiu (2012 Cannes Film Festival; February 2013 theatrical release)

Average Criticwire Rating: B+ (69 grades)

10. Something in the Air (Film Page), directed by Olivier Assayas (2012 Venice Film Festival, May 2013 theatrical release)

Average Criticwire Rating: B+ (61 grades)

11. The Hunt (Film Page), directed by Thomas Vinterberg (2012 Cannes Film Festival; July 2013 theatrical release)

Average Criticwire Rating: B+ (59 grades)

12. Blancanieves (Film Page), directed by Pablo Berger (2012 Toronto International Film Festival; February 2013 theatrical release)

Average Criticwire Rating: B+ (39 grades)

12. Fill the Void (Film Page), directed by Rama Burshtein (2012 Venice Film Festival; May 2013 theatrical release)

Average Criticwire Rating: B+ (39 grades)

13. A Hijacking (Film Page), directed by Tobias Lindholm (2012 Venice Film Festival; June 2013 theatrical release)

Average Criticwire Rating: B+ (38 grades)

14. Lore (Film Page), directed by Cate Shortland (2012 Sydney Film Festival; February 2013 theatrical release)

Average Criticwire Rating: B+ (37 grades)

15. In the House (Film Page), directed by Francois Ozon (2012 Toronto International Film Festival; April 2013 theatrical release)

Average Criticwire Rating: B+ (36 grades)

15. War Witch (Film Page), directed by Kim Nguyen (2012 Berlinale; March 2013 VOD/theatrical release)

Average Criticwire Rating: B+ (36 grades)