Movies can be a great way to draw awareness to a particular issue because of their ability to entertain large, broad audiences. Major film studios typically produce superhero franchises and action blockbusters. However, independent film studios often address social issues such as poverty. Because indie movies are more likely to take on controversial topics, they can be extremely effective at giving viewers a glimpse at life in developing nations. Here are the seven top indie films that address global poverty.

7 Indie Films About Global Poverty

1. Pamilya Ordinaryo – This film follows teenage parents Jane and Aries, who make ends meet by stealing until a fateful turn of events changes everything. After stealing from others for months, the couple falls victim to the theft of their own child. The film tracks their search for the baby. During their journey, the couple faces the harrowing realities of poverty and being young parents. The narrative does not encourage judgment from audiences and instead provokes a raw understanding of impoverished lifestyles.
2. Trashborn – This indie film documents a group of scavengers who dig through one of the Dominican Republic’s largest trash dumps for food and basic necessities, including materials to build their homes. The movie captures one of the world’s most drastic instances of poverty while still highlighting the beauty of humanity that thrives throughout the debris.
3. Ma’Rosa – When financial matters become tougher, Ma’Rosa and her husband begin to sell drugs for additional income. The primary theme of the film is that being poor can drive people to take drastic action in order to survive.
4. Traitors – This film tells the story of Malika, the leader of a punk rock band in Morocco. She agrees to a dangerous drug-related job to save her parents from eviction. The film is empowering and full of charisma while also being honest about the dangers one can face when living in poverty.
5. Factory Girl – This Egyptian film features a forbidden romance between the protagonist, who is a factory worker, and her new supervisor. The movie challenges patriarchal norms and social hierarchy. There are also multiple scenes that emphasize unfair conditions for working classes, making this film one of the top seven indie films to address global poverty.
6. Engkwentro – Engkwentro is a Filipino film about two brothers trying to escape a life of crime. It stresses the perils of poverty with a political edge.
7. Beasts of the Southern Wild – This film revolves around Hushpuppy, a six-year-old who embarks on a quest to find her long-lost mother after her father, Wink, falls dangerously ill. Amid Wink’s illness comes an onslaught of natural disasters, including a major flood and the emergence of prehistoric creatures that wreak havoc throughout Hushpuppy’s fictional world. The film draws sympathy from its viewers while simultaneously placing them in an impoverished community, allowing them to experience the struggles through an honest and heartening narrative.

The titles listed here are prime examples of how indie films can demonstrate poverty in its many forms, as independent directors are often driven by passion rather than ticket sales potential. Each of the top seven indie films that address global poverty grants audiences with a unique perspective on the issue while providing a captivating viewing experience.

– Harley Goebel
Photo: Flickr