The devil sends some troubadors from Hell to cause the residents of a medieval castle to lose their virtue but one of his emissaries falls deeply in love. In my eyes, this is the most romantic picture ever made. Director Marcel Carne is a master of atmospheric mood pieces of doomed lovers as evidenced by his beloved masterpiece, "Children of Paradise.

The story of Christ updated to 19th century Mexico. Filmed without forced sentiment or miraculous healings, this portrait is the most convincing film version of what Jesus THE MAN may have been like.

A West African animated fable. A boy is born with magical powers and he undertakes a quest to save his village from a dangerous sorceress.

The Italian authorities take away two children of a prostitute. Assigned the task of finding new homes for the innocents, a policeman develops a warm friendship for them...then has to let them go. Other incredible foreign films about "lost or stolen children" include the Russian movie "The Italian", the Moroccan "Ali Zaoua", and the gypsy film "The King of Thieves.

Arguably the best animated film ever made. From French Canada we have this short story of a shepherd who plants thousands of acorns in a wasteland and turns the earth into an oasis of milk and honey. Gorgeous artwork inspired at times by Monet, Chagall, and Picasso. The moving narration by Christopher Plummer conveys the experience of a poem in motion.

A beautiful film that explores the significance of music in the soul of an artist and the soul of a nation. (The instrument - the ranard ek - is a traditional Thai wooden xylophone)

Three daughters of the same family became the most important women in 20th century China. The film weaves their story with the epic changes in the Far East. Other glorious movies which also tackle the sweeping events before and after Mao's control of China include "To Live," "Farewell My Concubine," and of course, "The Last Emperor.

A unique film, offbeat actually, about the transitional world of limbo. What will we remember of our earthly existence as we journey onwards to eternal life?

Done in a documentary style, the film is a "hoax", a tongue-in-cheek spoof, about a cinema wizard who allegedly made extraordinary technological innovations in moviemaking during the early 20th century. In film parlance, this type of film is called a "mockumentary." Another must-see film in this genre, awaiting DVD release, is "Max Baer's Last Right Hook.

Thriller or documentary? When the Japanese government decided to accept the Allies' terms for peace, members of the military were secretely plotting to stage a political coup to postpone surrender.

A girl of inferior class wants to break free of the cycle of poverty by studying Indian classical dance. Contrast this movie with "Bandit Queen" a true story of another young Hindu woman who similarly challenges her caste status but selects violence as her tool in doing so.

You know Vivaldi (Italy) and Bach (Germany) but what about Jean-Baptiste Lully? He was France's Baroque genius who created musical triumphs for King Louis XIV. Here we have a spectacular recreation of one of his important theatrical productions. If you can find it, sample more of Lully's glorious music in a film on his life called "Le Roi Danse.

The gradual disappearance of Old Beijing (and its unique and vibrant corridors and courtyards) is a metaphor for the changing attitudes of the family - old way or new way.