Movie List

Social Justice Movie List

Here is a list of popular films and documentaries that could be used as a basis for a film and discussion night. Perhaps you could use a film night as an opportunity to take part in some campaigning actions. Films with an asterisk (*) are unsuitable for children i.e. certificated as 15 and above in UK cinemas. Most of the films in the list contain subject matter of death and violence and ‘intense scenes’. Please check the films certification and content and use your discretion before showing any of these films to children – some films may not be available worldwide.

HIV/AIDS

Living with Slim—Documentary following the lives of children in sub-Saharan African who have AIDS (slim)

Yesterday—HBO presents a very powerful film about a woman with AIDS. This film shows how many innocent people are dying of this disease and it also gives an insightful glimpse of rural poverty in Africa.

A Closer Walk (2003)—Documentary about HIV/AIDS, containing interviews with Kofi Annan, and Will Smith amongst others. Uses statistics and a compassionate, urgent tone to convey its message about the AIDS epidemic.

Conflict/War

*Blood Diamond — Hollywood film starring Leonardo di Caprio about the civil war in Sierra Leone. It connects this horrible war with global trade and conflict diamonds. It creates a good opportunity to explain how war and conflict are some of the greatest contributors to poverty and inhibitors to overcoming poverty. Also exposes the injustice of child soldiers. UK Cert: 15

Lost Boys of Sudan (2003) — Documentary about children who fled Sudan on foot amidst civil war and resettled in the United States.

God Grew Tired of Us (2006) — Story chronicling the challenges and adversities of three “lost Boys” from Sudan who relocate to the United States, but are deeply committed to their friends and family back home. Narrated by Nicole Kidman.

Hotel Rwanda—Based on the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel owner who saved thousands of lives during the Rwandan genocide. UK Cert: 12a

*Shooting Dogs—set in the Rwandan genocide, the film is based on a true story about a priest and a teacher caught up in the fighting. UK Cert 15

Poverty

*Girl in the Café—HBO film about a girl who attends the G8 summit as she starts dating a man who is part of the UK delegation. She presses him and other world leaders on issues of global poverty and meeting the millennium development goals.

*Born into Brothels—documentary photographer travels to India and teaches children of prostitutes how to operate a camera. Much of the film documents the children’s lives through photos they took. UK Cert 15

Life and Debt—film set in Jamaica about how unfair global economic policies affect people in poverty around the world.

Fair Trade

Black Gold (2006)—documentary about the journey coffee takes from impoverished farmers in Ethiopia to our coffee cups.

Arms Trade

*Lord of War (2005)—Nicholas Cage stars as an arms dealer who is confronted by the morality of his line of work.

Other Films of Interest

Africa United (2010)—Entertaining road-trip movie exploring Africa as rarely seen, as three boys travel from Rwanda to South Africa to watch the world cup. UK Cert 12a

The Inside Job (2010)—Matt Damon narrates this documentary charting the global financial crisis of 2008.

If you have any other recommendations of films that can be used in discussions then please let us know.

Thanks to Micah Challenge USA for creating this list.