Best Foreign Child Actors and the Films that Made Them Famous

Child actors in dramatic films deserve tons of praise for being able to convince viewers that what is happening on screen is real at such a young age. The United States has had many great child actors, most recently Isabelle Allen as young Cosette in “Les Miserables,” but so has many other countries. In just 2012 alone, several foreign child actors have made an impact on the film industry. Here is a look at several foreign child actors and the films that made them famous.

Rachel Mwanza – ‘War Witch’

“War Witch” is one of nine foreign language films on the shortlist for a chance at a Best Foreign Language Film nomination at the 2012 Oscars. While “War Witch” tells a harsh and intriguing story, it is because of Rachel Mwanza that the film has received so much attention. She has already received a few Best Actress awards for her portrayal of a young girl forced to become a child soldier.

Kacey Mottet Klein – ‘Sister’

Also on the shortlist for Best Foreign Language film at the 2013 Oscars, “Sister” is the story of a boy who steals from the rich to feed the poor, namely him and his sister. Kacey Mottet Klein does an amazing job as a boy devoted to his family, who was forced to grow up quickly, and who only wants a mother’s affection.

Tom Holland – ‘The Impossible’

Tom Holland and Naomi Watts steal every scene in 2012’s “The Impossible.” They tug at the heartstrings and make the tears flow. The Impossible” was Tom Holland’s first onscreen film but he does such a great job that is seems impossible he’s never acted in front of a camera before. “The Impossible” is the story of a family separated after a tsunami strikes.

Salvatore Cascio – ‘Cinema Paradiso’

“Cinema Paradiso” won a Best Foreign Language award at the Oscars, and little Salvatore Cascio won a Best Supporting Actor award at the BAFTA’s for his portrayal of the young Salvatore di Vita. The movie is famous for its ending montage, but many film fans remember young Salvatore.

Everlyn Sampi – ‘Rabbit-Proof Fence’

Everlyn Sampi was an unknown actress when she starred in the documentary-like film “Rabbit-Proof Fence.” That’s because she wasn’t an actress. Rabbit-Proof Frence” is the true story of three girls who walk 1500 miles, following a fence, to get back to their village and family after being taken and placed in a camp. The camp was designed to rid them of their aboriginal descent. Credit also goes to the other girls in the film, Tianna Sansbury and Laura Monaghan.

Keisha Castle-Hughes – ‘Whale Rider’

Keisha Castle-Hughes earned a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her role in “Whale Rider,” and she should have won it. The film is the story of a young girl making changes in a man’s world. Young Castle-Hughes made a name for herself with this film, and although she hasn’t made as many notable films since, she is remembered as the quiet, but gutsy girl in “Whale Rider.”

Yuya Yagira – ‘Nobody Knows’

The entire child cast of “Nobody Knows” is amazing. The director filmed the scenes with little direction so that the children acted as children would. This gave the film a very real feeling to it, and made it better. It is also a very depressing film, made more disturbing by the fact it is a true story. Yuya Yagira stands out as the oldest child who struggles to keep his family alive. The film made him famous around the world, although he shied away from the film industry afterwards.

Amir Farrokh Hashemian and Bahare Seddiqi – ‘The Children of Heaven’

“The Children of Heaven” earned a Best Foreign Language film Oscar nomination thanks to Hashemian and Seddiqi. The two children are the entire film, even though the other actors did a fine job, too. The film revolves around these two children and a pair of shoes. They are not actors, and “Children of Heaven” was the only film the two have ever made.