THEME EXPLORATION

poverty and disease

12 films · 3 directors
FILMS THAT EXPLORE THIS
Macario
Macario
1960 · Roberto Gavaldon
Miracle in Milan
Miracle in Milan
1951 · Vittorio De Sica
Flowers of Shanghai
Flowers of Shanghai
1998 · Hou Hsiao-hsien
The Gleaners and I
The Gleaners and I
2000 · Agnès Varda
Capernaum
Capernaum
2018 · Nadine Labaki
Harakiri
Harakiri
1962 · Masaki Kobayashi
Once Were Warriors
Once Were Warriors
1994 · Lee Tamahori
Children of Heaven
Children of Heaven
1997 · Majid Majidi
City of God
City of God
2002 · Fernando Meirelles
Grave of the Fireflies
Grave of the Fireflies
1988 · Isao Takahata
Poetry
Poetry
2010 · Lee Chang-dong
The Man Without a Past
The Man Without a Past
2002 · Aki Kaurismäki
DIRECTORS WHO EXPLORE THIS
Ken Loach United Kingdom

His films unflinchingly document how poverty strips dignity from ordinary people, particularly examining systemic inequality and its devastating human toll.

 Hirokazu Koreeda Japan

He explores poverty with compassion and nuance, showing how marginalized families survive and find love despite economic hardship and social neglect.

 Darren Aronofsky United States

His visceral, intimate style exposes how poverty and addiction intersect with disease, showing psychological and physical deterioration with unflinching intensity.