Best Foreign Actresses for 2009

The problem with listing the best foreign actresses for a film buff , like me, is that there are too many "greats" to narrow them down to just a handful. Here is a list of the best actresses from abroad with some you know and some whose names you may have never heard before.

1. Penelope Cruz. Spain. This incredibly attractive and versatile actress may still have her best work "in the can" with the highly anticipated opening of Robb Marshall's Nine. In previews, she looked great. She has, at a considerably younger age than most actresses, accumulated a body of work in the US, Spain and Italy that is as versatile as she. It is rare that any artist can work in so many different styles and with so many different directors but Cruz has shown she can ace Woody Allen (Vicky Cristina Barcelona), Almodovar (Volver, Broken Embraces) and Castellitto (Non ti muovere) and do so with amazing range and stamina. She is a huge, yet still upcoming, talent that has made a definitive mark on films and promises to become, perhaps, the greatest film star of our times. It doesnt hurt her hotness rating that she is on Bardems arm these days either.

2.Cate Blanchett.Australia. Ms. Blanchett has been around for a few years now but it is only in this past decade that we have seen her work leap forward to front of the line. Beginning perhaps with her amazing turn in The Aviator (2004), Cate has continually made consistently good choices including both Babel and the incredible Notes on a Scandal (2006) and Elizabeth, The Golden Age (2007). She has range and she has versatility. Surely she is the most talented of all the Australians in many years and she has the chops to continue on for a lifetime without failing to disappoint.

3. Charlize Theron.Africa. I admit that I am not a huge fan of Ms. Theron, but having said that, she has made at least two fascinating and oscar worthy films and aquitted herself quite well for such a young actress. Both her academy award winning performance in Monster and her similarly excellent work in North Country are to be commended. It is still to early to know what to expect of Ms. Theron, but certainly she has demonstrated a skill and talent that would make her perhaps the best actress yet out of Africa.

4. Zhang Ziyi. China. Well if were going to include the likes of academy award winners like Theron, it is only fair to include audience winners who have captured the hearts of billions and Ms. Ziyi surely fits that bill. Best known to American audiences for Crouching Tiger and Rush Hour 2, Ziyi is better known in China for her work as an actress and model. Her number of fans alone demand that she must be included on this list. It is said that she is studying English with hopes to make Hollywood home. Ziyi is clearly a talented dancer and actress who has much to offer and from whom we may yet see great things.

5. Aishwarya Rai. India. You have seen her in Guru and Pink Panther 2, but she is to Bollywood what Roberts, Witherspoon and Diaz all rolled into one are to Hollywood AND she can sing and dance. You may not have heard her name before, but this Queen of Bollywood; enjoys A List Stardom in Asia and her box office numbers far exceed any of her US counterparts. It wouldnt be terribly surprising to see her in more western films, except that she is so busy and doing so well in Asia, it probably won't occur to her to make the move to Hollywood any time soon.

6. Monica Belluci. Italy. The first of two Italian actresses to make the top ten llist, Belluci is best known to American audiences for her work in the Matrix franchise and Bram Stoker's Dracula. She makes the list not only because she is very good but also because she is more popular in France than in her native Italy. While not as ambitious as the other women on this list, she is interesting because of her wide variety of roles and her ability work across a wide range of genres and styles with ease. She works well in many languages but it is up to her where she will go in the future.

7. Catherine Deneuve. France. Yes, this French star has been around for a few decades, but there is no other actress that can match her body of work. She has made 118 films and shows no signs of slowing down at a time when most actresses her age are well into their retirements. Amazingly she also continues to be one of the most beautiful women in the world. A classic film star for all times, she remains iconic for her incredible beauty as well as the sheer length of time she has been on the top of her film game.

8. Kesnia Rappaport. Russia. This russian actress who makes films in both Russia and Italy is amazingly versatile and has given performances that will rock even the hardest film critic or cynic. Her international acclaims and recognition led her to be named host of the 2008 Venice Film Festival. If you want to see one of her most riveting performances look for La Sconosciuta (The Unknown Woman) at your local Blockbuster. The woman is amazing and unlike many actresses can carry the entire film on her own.

9. Sophia Loren. Italy. Like Deneuve she is legendary for her beauty (these women never age) and a large body of work over several decades with performances that defy time. Loren may not have the acting chops that some of the other actresses do, this, in spite of a 1962 Oscar, but she is a cinematic presence. She is more comfortable in light hearted comedies than the dramas of her yourthful years. Her upcoming perfomance in Nine just validates what we all know of this timeless creature. She is a muse for all generations and has few equals when it comes to the camera. Loren, surrounded by younger and more lithe actresses steals the show. She has to do this as she is the one and the only Loren.

10. Vanessa Redgrave. UK. Any list of foreign actresses that does not include Vanessa in their top ten list is remiss. Ms. Redgrave is the most gifted actress of our lifetime, be it stage or screen. Her range is far beyond any American counterpart including Streep. She may not have the charisma of a Judi Dench or Maggie Smith (who are closely behind Ms. Redgrave as is Ms. Plowright in the realm of acting honors) but she is the perfect storm of flawless technique and unbridled passion. Redgrave does not get the accolades she so richy deserves but that may be due to some of the choices she has made over her long and rich career. I saw her, in the West End, in a production of Ibsen's Ghosts several years ago and as with the rest of the audience was struck speechless by the enormity of her presence and gift.

Happy film viewing. While these are the top ten best actresses from around the world, one of these days I will get around to writing about my favorite international actresses. They are not the same, but I say Brava to all these women and thank you for being so generous with your enormous talents.