Sorry, i should have concentrated more on recent films as you asked.You liked To Live,which i also enjoyed;I think the same director's Red Sorghum and Raise the Red Lantern are , if anything, slightly better- both excellent.My favourites (not in English) of the past 12 years are;Abraham Valley, Maborosi, Eternity and a day, Rosetta, The White Balloon, Chungking Express,The Double Life of Veronique, Close-Up, Ulysses' Gaze, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, A Short Film about Love, Gabbeh ... Iran and the Far East have produced many of the best contemporary films.Several of my list are "not everyone's cup of tea";The White Balloon and Chungking Express may be the easiest to like.It would be pretty boring if we all had the same taste.