Beyond Hollywood: World Cinema

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration91 mins

Kaaka Muttai (The Crow's Egg)(2014)

Tamil children’s film about two boys desperate to earn enough money to get a slice of pizza from the new pizza shop.

Told in Tamil, this film depicts the encroaching influence of the Western World on the slums of India, as two boys strive for what seems like a simple thing to many of us - to taste a slice of pizza. Highlights inequality amid its comedy and drama.

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration90 mins

The Cup(1999)

A unique and entertaining film from Tibet about two young monks desperate to find a way of watching the 1998 World Cup Final in their monastery.

Directed by a former Buddhist monk, The Cup takes something we're massively familiar with in the UK - the sport of football and World Cup fever - and shows how it has a similar effect on those in places as remote as the Himalayan Mountains.

Cert

Age group7–16

Duration101 mins

Whale Rider(2002)

Tradition causes trouble in a family when a young Maori girl wants to take up what she believes is her rightful place at the head of her tribe.

A great coming of age film from New Zealand, much-loved by Into Film members.

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration86 mins

CJ7(2008)

Chinese take on E.T, about a little boy with a new best friend from space, from the director of Shaolin Soccer.

While often Hollywood borrows many of its ideas from international cinema, this is an example of the opposite - a Chinese take on E.T. that goes to show how stories can differ between cultures whilst still remaining universal.

Cert

Age group5–11

Duration96 mins

Oddball and the Penguins(2015)

Charming adventure about an eccentric farmer and his wayward dog who come up with a plan to help protect their town’s endangered penguins.

Another great example on this list of entertaining children's films coming from Australia.

Cert

Age groupAll ages

Duration82 mins

My Neighbour Totoro(1988)

Sweet, imaginative animated fable about a girl and her sister who move to a forest which is full of friendly spirits.

One of the first Japanese animes produced by the renowned Studio Ghibli and an everlasting world cinema favourite amongst our youngest Into Film members.

Cert

Age group7–11

Duration89 mins

The Cave Of The Yellow Dog(2005)

A touching story backdropped by beautiful Mongolian scenery, as little Nansal befriends a stray dog.

This film presents the spectacular landscapes of Mongolia, showing us a land that many of us will never see in person, and offsets it against a story that's very relatable for people everywhere - that of a young boy and his pet dog.

Cert

Age group5–11

Duration83 mins

The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales...(2017)

A trio of animated short stories involving a bunch of witty farmyard animals.

A stylish and refreshing animation from France that moves away from CGI animation and to a delightful hand-drawn style. Adapted from co-director Benjamin Renner’s comic books, these tales of pigs, rabbits ducks and many more are sweet, playful and laugh-out-loud stories which challenge preconceptions about identity, suitable for the youngest audiences.

Cert

Age group11+

Duration79 mins

Tomboy(2011)

A beautifully understated, naturalistic drama about childhood gender identity confusion that’s both touching and gently humorous.

From revered French director Celine Sciamma comes this sweet and gentle slant on growing up and finding your identity. The film smartly embraces a child’s point of view and generates a hugely compassionate character in Laure, whose story is one that engages with the trials and tribulations we all go through as we grow up into adolescents.

CertUnclassified

Age group5–14

Duration9 mins

Mogu & Perol(2018)

Two colourful woodland creatures have their friendship tested when they try to share food with each other.

A short animation from the shores of Japan, Mogu and Perol is very different from the traditional ‘anime’ style we expect from this part of the world and instead tells its story without dialogue, using texture and sounds to bring the adorable, battling characters of Mogu and Perol to life.

Cert

Age group7–16

Duration74 mins

Supa Modo(2018)

A village come together to make a young girl’s dream of becoming a superhero come true when she is diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Told like a modern day fable, Supa Modo is a triumph of international cinema. Set and shot within a rural village in Kenya, its themes are nevertheless universal, ranging from the importance of memories to the heartache of grief. Approached with a light touch, we believe Supa Modo is a film that can truly make a difference.