Socioeconomic Diversity

Cert

Age group7+

Duration110 mins

Kes(1969)

Enchanting film from famed British social realist director Ken Loach, about a young lad with an unhappy life, who befriends and tames a kestrel hawk.

This story of an alienated boy who finds hope as he nurtures a kestrel is a moving depiction of low-income family life and the failures of the 1960s class-based education system.

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration92 mins

The Boxtrolls(2014)

Charming stop-motion animated fable from the makers of Coraline, based on Alan Snow's children's novel Here Be Monsters.

In this animation Eggs, an orphaned boy brought up underground by rubbish-dwelling creatures called ‘boxtrolls’ befriends a girl from the rich world above. However her father, the mayor, is keen to ‘clean up’ the town by getting rid of undesirables like the boxtrolls.

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.

Nansal and her family live a nomadic lifestyle, dependent on the land to provide them with enough to live on, and any extra money they need they must raise by travelling to the nearest town. In their isolated existence, Nansal finds herself free to explore nature- but when she makes friends with a stray dog her father worries it may be a danger to the family livestock.

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration108 mins

Akeelah and The Bee(2006)

Inspiring and uplifting movie about an impoverished child who discovers an exceptional spelling talent.

A young girl brought up in a struggling household gets the chance to shine when she is encouraged to compete in the spelling bee.

Cert

Age group5–14

Duration95 mins

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory(1971)

Visually brilliant 1971 Roald Dahl adaptation about a little boy who wins a tour of the maddest sweet factory in the world!

Charlie Bucket’s wildest dreams come true when he finds a golden ticket to visit Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, as even buying a chocolate bar for him is a treat his family can rarely afford.

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.

Talented musician Felix is from the townships, where his tin flute forms part of the music of everyday life. When he wins a scholarship into a prestigious private school, he and his choice of instrument are looked down upon by his wealthy fellow students.

Cert

Age group7–11

Duration101 mins

Mad Hot Ballroom(2005)

An uplifting, thought-provoking documentary about a group of ordinary eleven year olds who set out to compete in a ballroom dance contest in New York.

Children in the public school system in New York are enrolled in a special ballroom dancing programme to engage them and build their self-esteem. Before long, pupils from all backgrounds are displaying elegance, flair and discipline which trickles down to enrich their other studies.

Cert

Age group5–11

Duration74 mins

Cinderella(1950)

Cinderella's cruel stepmother stops her from going to the ball, however, she has a Fairy Godmother who uses her magic to ensure she gets to the ball.

When orphaned Cinderella is left to the care of her wicked stepmother, she is forced to live a life devoid of luxury, working from dawn til dusk waiting on her stepsisters and the victim of their mean pranks. However, when her fairy godmother intervenes Cinderella’s luck might be about to change…

Cert

Age group7+

Duration97 mins

Into The West(1992)

Facing the grim reality of a Dublin Council estate, Tito and Ossie's lives are turned around as their Traveller grandfather brings them a white horse.

Social and magical realism combine in this story of two young boys with a white horse rumoured to have mythical powers, which they attempt to look after in their cramped council flat.

Cert

Age group5–14

Duration139 mins

Oliver!(1968)

Musical version of the famous Charles Dickens novel about the adventures of a Victorian orphan who falls in with a London street gang.

The limited options of an orphan in Victorian London are explored here as young Oliver chooses between a rock and a hard place to try and keep himself afloat, accompanied by villains that look after him and state-sponsored carers who do not.

Cert

Age group5–11

Duration122 mins

Annie(1982)

Big screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, including a few new songs to the heartwarming tale of little orphan Annie trying to find happiness.

A little girl with an optimistic disposition finds her life in a strict run-down orphanage turned around when a wealthy business owner agrees to help her try and find her real parents.

Cert

Age group5–11

Duration80 mins

Robin Hood(1973)

Disney version of the famous story of the outlaw Robin Hood, with a cast of animated animals.

The legendary tale of the man who stole from the rich to give to the poor and his merry band of forest-dwelling outsiders is given the animated Disney treatment, complete with a cast of charming creatures.

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.

A young boy who works at a roadside café is inspired to try and find a place at school so he can grow up to be just like his hero, India’s former president Dr Abdul Kalam. When he befriends a young prince, his positive attitude is noticed and new opportunities open up to him.

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.

Two young boys who are forced to steal eggs every day to feed themselves are desperate to try the new delicacy in town when a pizza shop opens. However, getting together the money to buy a slice proves to be a big challenge.