saw some of the movies in the list
http://www.primermagazine.com/2010/live/9-kickass-foreign-films-every-guy-should-see
Battle Royale - much better the first time i saw it, although i do think i saw the extended, slightly less disturbing, ending. the declarations of love between grade 8-ers right before they die is what ruins this move for me
the lives of others -great, probably best movie about communism i have ever seen.
persepolis - another great, very good balance of empathy and joy when you watch the movie. i will refrain from the usual socio-economic/religious commentary. spoiler alert, sometime one is unable to fit in either in western and the much more backward (i knew, i did promise, sorry) middle east
the diving bell and the butterfly - i want to live in france, seems like even hospitals are set next to the beach and they have plenty of sexy workers. the movie itself is very very sad and based on a true story. quite inspiring though. great movie