1. Michael Haneke
Austrias Michael Haneke is the most difficult director on this list; hes also probably the best, and potentially the best in the world right now. Haneke is known for taking an unflinching, detached, and even cold approach to his subject matter. His direction doesnt imply or create emotion in the way that Bier, Iñárritu, or Almodovar do. Rather, he stands back and films from a distance, and then lets the audience take what theyre seeing as they will. The formality of his films can be off-putting, but the distance he creates between himself, the audience, and his subject matter is important because it creates the need for discussion of what has just been witnessed. Haneke is not a director who tells you how to feel about something. He shows you life, often at its most base and grim conditions, and then, by refusing to comment, forces you to take a stand or engage in a discussion (even if it's an internal discussion) about what youve just seen. Winner of Cannes prestigious Palme dOr for back to back films (2009s The White Ribbon and 2012s Amour), Hanekes talents have seemingly grown stronger and stronger with each film. And while pictures like The Piano Teacher, Time of the Wolf, and Funny Games can be difficult to stomach emotionally, he has shown some signs of softening a bit (at least in Amour, his most recent film). Still, while he can be difficult, or even seem intentionally cruel at times, his films are a vital and important piece of world cinema, and often the starting point for important conversations about emotional detachment and the value of humanity in modern society. Start with: Cache. As much of a thriller as Haneke could ever make, its the story of a Parisian couple who finds that their lives are being videotaped by a stranger. A gripping examination of past secrets, voyeurism, and unresolved truths. Note: These are, of course, only five of the many great foreign language filmmakers in the world. There would be too many names on an honorable mentions list to even bother with writing one, but feel free to comment with foreign language directors that you love, think I forgot about, or want others to explore.