Films about poverty often delve deep into the socioeconomic struggles faced by individuals or communities, showcasing the challenges and often harsh realities of living with limited resources. The stories depicted can provide a mix of empathetic insights, social commentary, and gritty portrayals of resilience and hardship. They tend to explore themes such as inequality, survival, and the human spirit in the face of adversity. Many of these films serve to raise awareness about the ongoing issues related to poverty, sparking discussions and sometimes even inspiring actions for change.
Here are some films about poverty with a brief description of each:
“City of God”, 2011
Director: Lijo Jose Pellissery
Directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, this Brazilian film portrays the growth of organized crime in the Cidade de Deus suburb of Rio de Janeiro, between the end of the 1960s and the beginning of the 1980s, where poverty fuels a cycle of violence.
Starring: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Indrajith Sukumaran, Rajeev Pillai, Jagadish, Anil Murali, Sreehari, Arun Narayan, Kishore Satya, Sudheer Karamana, Shaju K.S., Jayashankar, Nandu, Achankunju, Chemban Vinod Jose, Sumesh, Rajesh Hebbar, Abraham Koshy, Payas, Das, Santhosh, Shweta Menon, Rima Kallingal, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Rohini, Valsala Menon, Renjusha Menon, Shobha Singh, Sudha Nair;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama;
Duration: 145 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “City of God” on the website imdb.com
“Slumdog Millionaire”, 2008
Director: Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan
Directed by Danny Boyle, this drama tells the story of Jamal Malik, an 18-year-old from the slums of Mumbai, who gets the chance to win a staggering amount of money on the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” The film dives into flashbacks of his life, revealing how his experiences helped him know the answers.
Starring: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla, Mahesh Manjrekar, Irfan Khan, Madhur Mittal, Raj Zutshi, Jeneva Talwar, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: crime, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “Slumdog Millionaire” on the website imdb.com
“The Pursuit of Happyness”, 2006
Director: Gabriele Muccino
A biographical drama featuring Will Smith as Chris Gardner, a salesman struggling to make ends meet for himself and his son. The film follows his nearly one-year struggle with homelessness as he strives to build a better life.
Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Brian Howe, James Karen, Dan Castellaneta, Kurt Fuller, Takayo Fischer, Kevin West, George Cheung;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “The Pursuit of Happyness” on the website imdb.com
“Precious”, 2009
Director: Lee Daniels
Directed by Lee Daniels, this film is based on the novel “Push” by Sapphire and follows the life of Claireece “Precious” Jones, a teenager born into a life of poverty and abuse in Harlem. The movie depicts her effort to overcome these obstacles and transform her life.
Starring: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz, Stephanie Andujar, Chyna Layne, Amina Robinson, Xosha Roquemore;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Precious” on the website imdb.com
“Winter's Bone”, 2010
Director: Debra Granik
Debra Granik directs Jennifer Lawrence as Ree Dolly, a teenager trying to track down her father in the Ozark Mountains while keeping her family intact. The film thoroughly portrays the rural poverty of the area and the associated social dynamics.
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, Garret Dillahunt, Lauren Sweetser, Dale Dickey, Kevin Breznahan, Shelley Waggener, Sheryl Lee, Tate Taylor, Cody Brown;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Winter's Bone” on the website imdb.com
“Les Misérables”, 2012
Director: Tom Hooper
Tom Hooper's film adaptation of the popular musical and Victor Hugo's classic novel details the struggles of Jean Valjean, a former convict, during a time of great social and economic inequality in 19th-century France.
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, Aaron Tveit, Samantha Barks, Daniel Huttlestone;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: musical, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 158 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Les Misérables” on the website imdb.com
“I, Daniel Blake”, 2016
Director: Ken Loach
Directed by Ken Loach, the film tells the story of a middle-aged carpenter who requires state welfare after suffering a heart attack. The story delves into the bureaucracy and the often dehumanizing process experienced by those in need.
Starring: Dave Johns, Hayley Squires, Briana Shann, Dylan McKiernan, Kate Rutter, Sharon Percy, Kema Sikazwe, Magpie Richens, Amanda Payne, Chris McGlade;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
“The Florida Project”, 2017
Director: Sean Baker
Directed by Sean Baker, this film follows six-year-old Moonee and her young single mother, who live in a budget motel near Disney World, depicting the contrasts between childhood imagination and the adult reality of poverty.
Starring: Brooklynn Prince, Bria Vinaite, Valeria Cotto, Christopher Rivera, Willem Dafoe, Caleb Landry Jones, Macon Blair, Aiden Malik, Josie Olivo, Edward Pagan;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
These films reflect just a fraction of the many works that touch upon the topic of poverty, each offering a unique perspective and emotional impact on the viewer.
In conclusion, films about poverty serve as a profound conduit for empathy and social consciousness, often compelling audiences to confront uncomfortable realities and sparking dialogue about critical socio-economic issues. They provide a visceral and humanizing lens into the struggles faced by those on the socioeconomic fringes, challenging viewers to move beyond passive observation to active contemplation and, ideally, action. By spotlighting the resilience of the human spirit, even amid dire circumstances, these films not only raise awareness but can also inspire a collective resolve to address and alleviate the systemic conditions that perpetuate poverty. From the stark neorealism of early Italian cinema to the contemporary docudramas and narrative films portraying poverty across the globe, each work contributes to a tapestry of stories that underscore the urgency for social change while affirming the dignity of those who endure economic hardship.
