Beyond Hollywood: World Cinema

CertUnclassified

Age group7–14

Duration94 mins

Felix(2013)

An uplifting South African film about a 13-year-old talented musician who must earn a place in his new school’s jazz concert.

This vibrant and upbeat film not only showcases life in Cape Town, but in Felix's dream of being a saxophonist, also portrays a character with more unconventional aspirations than we often see.

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

Duration96 mins

Paper Planes(2014)

Australian family drama about a boy with an unusual talent for making paper planes.

This imaginative film from Australia showcases how nurturing even the most unusual of talents - paper plane making, for instance - can be used to help a person navigate the difficulties in their life.

Cert

Age group7–11

Duration160 mins

Like Stars On Earth(2007)

Bollywood family film about a likeable underachiever, an eight-year-old with a new teacher who recognises his hidden talent.

This Bollywood film is Disney's first foray into Hindi-language cinema, which in itself goes to demonstrate how important international cinema is. Even further - its based on the childhood of revered Japanese director Akira Kurosawa.

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 group7–14

Duration88 mins

I Am Kalam(2010)

A funny, moving tale about an Indian boy called Chhotu whose dreams of going to school are granted by a benevolent Prince.

Set in Rajasthan, this is an engaging and uplifting Bollywood film for children with a simple and important message about equality.

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration103 mins

When Marnie Was There(2014)

A shy girl sent to the country to recover from asthma discovers an abandoned mansion and begins to explore its mysteries with her new friend Marnie.

A beautiful and enigmatic Japanese anime, produced by the makers of My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away.

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 group7–16

Duration96 mins

Wadjda(2012)

A sweet and uplifting story about ten-year-old girl Wadjda who refuses to let the fact she's a girl stop her from doing the things she wants to do.

The first ever film by a female Saudi Arabian director provides a very human and child-centric story that brilliantly engages both primary and secondary ages.