Whether binging a favorite television show or watching the latest movies dropping on Netflix, attendees at any viewing circle are going to be met with the inevitable question: should the subtitles be on?
Despite the obvious reasoning behind the use of subtitles for a foreign language film—or when combatting the noise of a rambunctious, loud neighbor—subtitles are seen by many to be distracting and ultimately detrimental to the visual components of a film.
South Korean writer and director Bong Joon Ho discussed the subject of subtitles and foreign cinema during an acceptance speech at the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Bong had just won the award for best foreign-language film for his most recent project, Parasite.
Speaking through a translator, Bong explained that “once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many amazing films.” While that quote offers much in insight, the keyword to draw attention to is “many.”
Currently, India produces the most films of any country, followed by the United States, China, Japan and France. Furthermore, all countries apart from the United Kingdom have increased movie production, with South Korea seeing a stunning 81 percent increase in film production over the past six years.
Despite the majority of films being produced outside of the U.S., not many will reach American audiences, and even fewer will enjoy wide releases. Foreign films are also largely ignored by U.S. award shows, with both the Golden Globes and Oscars only reserving five spots for best foreign or international film. In fact, Bong’s Parasite is only one of a handful of international films to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture.
This lack of critical and commercial recognition has had a significant impact on whether American audiences watch international films. According to Indiewire, the U.S. box office for the top five foreign-language films had historically dropped 61 percent between 2007 and 2014 and has shown limited improvement. This is due in part to the perceived distraction of English subtitles or dubbing—when prerecorded lines delivered in English are played over original footage spoken in a different language.
Bong’s speech sheds light on the limitations we create for ourselves by forgoing international films. When a director goes through the process of creating a film, that director’s ideas and motivations are essentially taken from their brains and expressed through moving picture and sound. If anything, watching a film is the closest we can get to visually understanding a director’s thought process.
A director’s identity, including their heritage, culture and language, all inform how a film comes to fruition and essentially acts as the lens through which the audience sees what’s portrayed on screen. By only watching domestic films, U.S. audiences deprive themselves of perspectives and understandings rooted outside their norms.
While the accommodations for watching international films may seem to detract from the final product, this is a small loss compared to the high-quality films that are ultimately ignored by U.S. viewership. Not only are U.S. audiences losing the chance to enjoy a new perspective, but they are ignoring most films put into circulation around the world.
Bong ended his Golden Globe speech noting that, “I think we just use one language—the cinema.” Films are powerful ways for people to communicate ideas through barriers, be they cultural, political or linguistic. While not enjoying subtitles with every show or movie is perfectly reasonable, it is worth watching an international film with subtitles. After all, there’s an entire world’s worth of incredible films to experience.