Hannibal Lecter in "The Hunt" (joeydeangelis/tumblr)

1. "The Broken Circle Breakdown" (Belgium)

Directed by Felix van Groeningen, "The Broken Circle Breakdown" is a Belgium film based on a stage play of the same name written by Johan Heldenbergh and Mieke Dobbels. The story explores young love in the face of reality - when musician Didier and Elise falls in love through their mutual interest in bluegrass music, they are forced into adulthood in face of a family tragedy. The Hollywood Reporter described the film as an "intensely emotional belgian drama flavored by American-style bluegrass music (that) traces the sad spiral of a passionate relationship derailed by devastating loss". The film scored a 79% on Rotten Tomatoes. 

2. The Great Beauty (Italy)

Directed by Paolo Sorrentino, "The Great Beauty" is one of the biggest hits of this year's Oscars, having been listed on many of the Oscar predictions this year. Indiewire predicted that "The Great Beauty" will win this year's Best Foreign film. "The Great Beauty" takes us to the night life of Rome, particularly the 65th birthday of celebrity journalist Jep Gambardella. He once wrote a famous novel in his twenties which gives him a surprise visit on the night of his birthday. LA Weekly described the film as the "most lavish and opulent nominee," stressing that "Soreentino's skills as an image-maker are indisputable." The film scored a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. 

3. The Hunt (Denmark)

Directed by Thomas Vinterberg, "The Hunt" unfolds the story of a kindergarten teacher that was wrongly accused of sexually assaulting his student. Mads Mikkelsen, who recently starred in TV series Hannibal, plays the part of the innocent kindergarten teacher and won the Cannes Film Festival Best Actor Award for the role. Minneapolis Star Tribune describes "The Hunt" as "unsettling in the best sense," saying that "its images and implications are likely to stay in your head a long time." The film scored a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. 

4. The Missing Picture (Cambodia)

Directed by Rithy Panh, "The Missing Picture" brings to life a dark page in history when the Khmer Rouge ruled over Cambodia. The purges between 1975 and 1978 are considered to be genocides. Panh recreates the destruction of his family during the years with clay figures, news and documentary footages. Time Out described the film as not "just another arthouse film, but a powerful testament to incredible human resilience". The film scored a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.

5. Omar (Palestine)

Directed Hany Abu-Assad, "Omar" is a thrilling tale of a Palestinian baker becoming an informant for the Israeli agents after being captured. The film follows his struggles between his friends who may have betrayed him in the first place and ultimately leading to his capture, and his enemies. The film won Best Feature Film at the 2013 Asian Pacific Screen Awards.Chicago Sun-Times described the film as "a portrait of the daily rhythms of the occupation, an endless conflict that has seeped into every aspect of life in the West Bank." The film scarred an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes. 

Read more Neon Tommy Oscars coverage here. 

Reach Staff Reporter Michelle Man here.