Country with best cinematography?

[Fake Boris]

Without getting too patriotic, and by avoiding at all costs judging nationalities from their cultural production, I would like to know which country you believe has produced the most interesting cinematography throughout history.

My poll only includes countries with an important cinematographic tradition, but feel free to choose a smaller nation and explain why.

EDIT:
Ok forgot to include a poll. Here are some suggestions:

USA
Mexico
France
Germany
Italy
Poland
Russia/USSR
Yugoslavia
Iran
India
Japan

[Thorn]

Germany, I love their films...

[MRT144]

their poop porn thorn?

[Kuciwalker]

Mexico?

[Fake Boris]

Originally posted by skywalker
Mexico?

What's wrong? they have a decent filmmaking history. Besides, I felt like it was unfair not to include any South American country (though I left Africa).

[Thorn]

their poop porn thorn?

No you've been watching too much SouthPark. Films like Run Lola Run! Cinematic Genius!

[The Emperor Fabulous]

It all depends on the movie. Amelie had great cinematography, while Brotherhood of the Wolf did not.

Skywalker: Awesome avatar

[Kuciwalker]

That has to be the fourth or fifth time I've heard that

[OzzyKP]

btw, great avatar.

[Drake Tungsten]

Where the hell is New Zealand?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Japan. The Japanese traditions in visual arts have been carried over into their films to a greater extent than in other countries, and the result is a filmmaking tradition that emphasizes teh breathtaking individual shot. Ozu and Kurosawa, while very different from each other, are both good examples of filmmakers who made such films, but the best example is probably Mizoguchi; his Ugetsu Monogatari may be the most beautifully shot film I've ever seen.

[aaglo]

The list (at least a part of it):

France
Usa
Great Britain
Australia
New Zealand
Germany
Russia
Finland

[Harry Tuttle]

France has managed to put out a few really notable films over the years such as:

Jean de Florette/Manon of the Spring (1986)

Wasabi (2002) - a new one, but it's up there.

...and don't forget some of the good French films out of the late fifties, early sixties. The French were always good at the suspenseful safe-cracker movies, or detective noir.

Of the foreign films I've seen I've always noticed the great cinematography in French films. None have really matched the high-quality films that Hollywood has put out over the years, but then again Hollywood is one of those money meccas that can afford cinematography every once and awhile.

[gopher]

France.
A history of bold, independent films transcending the usual Hollywood fluff.
Also, strong nods to Japan for its animation, very one of a kind.

[MrFun]

I've never seen any foreign films -- unless one or two films I have seen were originally produced in Texas.