Rainforest animation ‘Savages’ leads August’s new cinema releases

School is out, but the opportunity to learn through film is always there, with cinemas across the UK offering a rich range of engaging and exciting new titles that promise to entertain as well as educate young audiences. Highlights this month include Savages, a beautifully crafted stop-motion animation with accessible messaging about conservation, Young Hearts, a semi-autobiographical queer coming-of-age story, and The Life of Chuck, a surreal life-affirming comedy on the threads that connect us and the relationship between maths and rhythm.

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Savages (PG) - in cinemas 1 August 

From the makers of My Life as a Courgette (available to watch for free* on Into Film+) comes a charming coming-of-age story about a young person's journey through environmental awareness and towards self-discovery. At the edge of a vast rainforest in Borneo, a girl named Kéria lives with her father, who works at a palm oil plantation. Her late mother was part of the indigenous Penan people, but Kéria doesn't know much about this side of her heritage. One day she and her dad rescue a baby orangutan from the plantation, where deforestation is causing all kinds of disruption. Her younger cousin Selaï also comes to stay with them, as his tribe's rainforest home is under threat. The two children and their new orangutan friend team up with the local community to fight back against the logging companies.

The Legend of Ochi (12A) - in cinemas 1 August 

This ethereal fantasy-comedy has 80s sci-fi nostalgia with themes of growing up, striking visuals and old-school puppetry. On an island in the Black Sea, a community of farmers is terrorised by a pack of elusive, monkey-like animals known as ochi. To protect their sheep and homes, the impassioned Maxim leads a rag-tag group of youngsters on nightly raids in the mountainous woodland. But when his daughter Yuri comes across an injured baby ochi, she feels an affinity with the creature and decides to try and return it to its own kind. As she sets out into the wilderness, with her stricken father in hot pursuit and her estranged mother becoming embroiled, Yuri discovers a primal truth about family bonds.

Late Shift (12A) - in cinemas 1 August 

This gripping German-language drama follows Floria, a devoted surgical ward nurse who must navigate the pressure and complications that arise during a late shift on her understaffed ward. A family concerned about their gravely ill mother, a high-maintenance and rude private patient and an elderly patient awaiting an important diagnosis are just some of the issues Floria must deal with, leading to an error that threatens to bring her and the ward to the brink of collapse. The film offers an insight into the medical professions and sparks debate on societal expectations of healthcare systems.

Can't Look Away: The Case Against Social Media (15) - in cinemas 8 August 

In the wake of new legislation in the UK regarding the duty of care of online platforms towards children, this US documentary is a timely and sobering reminder of the dark side of social media and its devastating impact on young users. The film follows a law firm that is dedicated to holding social media companies accountable, fighting for justice for families whose children suffered tragic consequences linked to internet use. Exploring personal stories, underlying capitalist structures, toxic algorithms and proposed industry reforms, this film is a tough but urgent wake-up call.

Young Hearts (12A) - in cinemas 8 August 

Coming-of-age stories that draw on personal experiences tend to have a powerful resonance and authenticity, and Dutch writer-director Anthony Schatteman describes this tender and sincere debut as the film he "needed to see" during his own adolescence. Fourteen-year-old Elias makes friends with the new boy in school who has moved in across the road, the bold and confident Alexander. However, as it starts to feel like more than a friendship, Elias becomes confused and scared of how others might react, so keeps his feelings hidden. Caught in a web of lies, he struggles to find a way out, pushing Alexander away.

The Life of Chuck (15) - in cinemas 22 August 

Based one of Stephen King's more uplifting novellas, this sci-fi comedy is a surprising life-affirming celebration of the beauty of life and a powerful lesson in following your passions. On an incongruously sunny and peaceful day, it feels like it's the end of the world: the internet is down, natural disasters are occurring all over the globe, and like many people, high school teacher Marty wonders if he should be reaching out to his loved ones. Bizarrely, it also seems to be the end of an era for one Charles Krantz, a mysterious, seemingly ordinary accountant whose farewell is plastered on billboards and TV ads. Across three chapters, we discover the truth about Charles, known as Chuck, and his vital force giving meaning and beauty to life.

Young Mothers (12A) - in cinemas 29 August 

The stories of five teenage mothers are woven together in this French-language drama by the critically acclaimed Belgian filmmaking duo, the Dardenne brothers. Navigating drug addiction, mental illness and family conflict, a group of girls who have recently given birth or are pregnant live together in a state-run community, learning how to look after their babies and considering the implications of adoption. There are no easy answers, but the sense of sisterhood and support that the space generates speaks of compassion and hope.

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Please note: Film is a powerful tool for learning, helping to develop critical thinking, empathy, and an understanding of different perspectives. Our films have been selected with consideration to age-appropriateness, safeguarding, the curriculum and statutory and non-statutory guidance to schools. Some of our films and resources include sensitive content which is highlighted in the guidance that Into Film provides with each film. Educators should carefully watch or read all elements of any content and must ensure they are following their own school's policies and guidelines prior to using films and resources in the classroom or in after-school clubs. The final decision to use any film or resource sits with teachers, who should decide what is appropriate for their students using their professional judgement and their knowledge of their students, their school context and their community. Teachers must follow their school's safeguarding protocol if a student is distressed or makes a disclosure as a result of the use of any film or other content.

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