Films from Italy, Norway, Denmark, Japan, and for the first time in Oscar's history,

Bhutan are buying for this year's Academy Award for best international feature.

While they share several common themes, finding yourself in your purpose, coming to terms

with your past, they're five films that vary wildly in subject and tone and in what they

have to say.

I'm Glenn Weldon and today on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, we're bringing you a guide

to this year's Oscar-nominated international feature films.

Joining me today is frequent NPR contributor and culture writer Balal Koreshi Hableal.

Hi Glenn, it's a nice to be here.

Great to have you.

So of the five films nominated for best international feature this year, we've already devoted a

full episode to one of them.

Japan's nominee drive my car.

It's directed and co-written by Ryusuke Hamakuchi, it's based on a Haruki Murakami short story,

and it's about a director grieving the death of his wife.

He's invited to direct a production of Uncle Vanya in Hiroshima.

There he meets a young woman who is tasked to be his driver.

This film is also up for best picture, best director, and best adapted screenplay.

It's now streaming on HBO Max.

Balal, let's get your take on this.

What do you think?

I mean, this is a grand and big movie.

...