I enjoy challenging myself sometimes to try and read or follow other media in other languages besides English, and although I could skim over bestselling or top/best of lists in other languages, if those are anything like their English contemporaries, I imagine odds are they don’t catch some of the lesser known yet still enjoyable works.
So, what are some works in your native language that haven’t been translated to English that you’d recommend? Also if it’s not clear by the title, could you mention the language it’s in?
Chinese is not my speaking language but Wuxia novels (ancients Chinese kung-fu novels) by Jin Yong are classics in Asia. They got translated to many languages including English iirc.
I recommend El Chavo del Ocho (imdb link), it’s a Mexican show that is very popular here in Brazil
I’m an English speaker, but I loved the Metro series of books (which are in Russian). Had a helluva time finding translations, though. The books are way more interesting than the games with a much more crazy twist in the first one. I thought they would just help with context, but the games deviate a lot from the books.
Other Russian books I’ve read include Roadside Picnic and The Wishgranter (because of STALKER).
I can second Metro 2033. YouTube has got some audiobooks book versions of it in English, but there’s a whole bunch of noncannon fan books that are only in Russian.
I thought the books and games complimented each other nicely. Both were clearly made in a manner to suit their medium best. And having read/played one shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying the other.
Tropa de elite, bacurau and Bingo: o rei das manhãs comes to mind. If you get away from comedy, our most common genre, you get pretty much a good movie from Brazil.
Also, a lot of poetry/music. Unfortunately the spirit gets a bit lot in translation. I’m of the popular opinion that romance languages are the best for them, but the unpopular one that french sucks to hear and brazilian portuguese-spanish-italian are so much better.
As for books, Senhora. It’s about a rich woman who “buys” a man in a marriage contract and makes him jump loops as her whims. Written in 1875, 50+ years before women could even vote.
There’s Oorlogswinter (Winter in Wartime) by Jan Terlouw. It tells the story of a teenager’s time during the German occupation. Specifically, how he survives the winter of 44/45, which is commonly known as the “Hunger Winter.” It was written for young teens, so it’s not super challenging, but it’s still an interesting story written by someone who’s lived through it himself.
For movies, there’s the Resistance Banker. It’s loosely based on true events (as it’s somewhat dramatized for the screen). It’s about the brothers Van Hall, who played a major role in financing the Dutch resistance.
Then, for something not WW2 related, there’s a bizarre comedy series called Rundfunk. I think it can be found with subtitles on youtube, but I’m not sure about the quality. It’s about two guys in high school who are, well, kinda losers tbh, and the other bizarre characters in and around the school. If you do end up watching it, I want to say two things: 1) It was broadcasted on national television, and it was less censored there than on youtube, and 2) it was partially made using taxpayer money.
