Identity, Belonging & Integration

Bend It Like Beckham still
Bend It Like Beckham still

A celebration of identity and the importance of belonging and inclusion these films for Primary and Secondary explore themes of race, disability and gender and highlight the challenges to integration faced by individuals at the hands of tradition, discrimination or social barriers. These films offer a platform for young people to discuss the importance of tolerance and understanding and encourage them to learn about each other through ideas of identity and belonging. 

Arrietty

CertU

Age group5–15

Duration90 mins

Arrietty(2011)

Exquisite animation and lively score creates a fantastical backdrop for this classic story about the little people who 'borrow' everyday objects.

Studio Ghibli animation based on the tale of the race of tiny people called The Borrowers who must hide from humans. When teenage Borrower Arrietty befriends human boy Sho she must count on him to protect her family, offering a subtle route into learning about how two people from different cultures learn to understand and like each other.

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The Secret of Kells
Available to stream on Into Film+

CertPG

Age group8–15

Duration75 mins

The Secret of Kells(2009)

Oscar-nominated hand-drawn animation about a boy living in medieval Ireland who is recruited to complete a series of perilous, magical tasks.

The animation engagingly explores ideas of faith and religion and Celtic heritage through the story of a young Monk called Brendan who must protect the magical Book of Kells from Vikings.

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Wadjda
Available to stream on Into Film+

CertPG

Age group8–16

Duration96 mins

Wadjda(2012)

A sweet and uplifting story about ten-year-old girl Wadjda who refuses to let the fact she's a girl stop her from doing the things she wants to do.

The first female directed Saudi Arabian film it confronts the restrictions placed on young women by religion and culture within certain communities around the world through the simple actions of a little girl determined to buy her own bike.

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Whale Rider
Available to stream on Into Film+

CertPG

Age group8–16

Duration101 mins

Whale Rider(2002)

Tradition causes trouble in a family when a young Maori girl wants to take up what she believes is her rightful place at the head of her tribe.

Heartening story of an 11-year-old Maori girl who challenges patriarchal tradition within her culture in order to take her place as head of the tribe, a role traditionally held by a male.

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Kirikou et les hommes et les femmes (Kirikou and the Men and the Women)

CertU

Age group5–12

Duration88 mins

Kirikou et les hommes et les femmes (Kirikou and the Men and the Women)(2012)

Gorgeous, striking animated feature that follows the resourceful and heroic Kirikou; a small child living in a village in Africa.

French animation based on traditional African tales of a headstrong baby called Kirikou who helps his village overcome a series of events. Each chapter focuses on Kirikou’s relationship with his community and the values his village upholds, including one about them welcoming in a Taureg boy despite being of a different culture to them.

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Lagaan - Once Upon a Time in India

CertPG

Age group12+

Duration215 mins

Lagaan - Once Upon a Time in India(2001)

A Bollywood-style sports film in which Indian villagers are challenged to a cricket match by the British after refusing to pay their land taxes.

Through comedy, sport, romance and song the film promotes the importance of cultural understanding by exploring the values and beliefs upheld by the villagers versus their oppressive British rulers.

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Wadjda
Available to stream on Into Film+

CertPG

Age group8–16

Duration96 mins

Wadjda(2012)

A sweet and uplifting story about ten-year-old girl Wadjda who refuses to let the fact she's a girl stop her from doing the things she wants to do.

The first female directed Saudi Arabian film it confronts the restrictions placed on young women by religion and culture within certain communities around the world through the simple actions of a little girl determined to buy her own bike.

Read more
Boya Boya (Shine Shine)

CertUnclassified

Age group12+

Duration18 mins

Boya Boya (Shine Shine)(2014)

Short documentary focusing on 12 year-old Syrian refugee Mohammed as he shines shoes to earn enough to feed his family.

Remarkable film following a young boy embrace his situation. Passionately singing songs of the Syrian Revolution he reveals the fierce loyalty so many refugees must have for a country they have been forced to flee while embracing life in a new city, undaunted by the people he meets.

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Jemima + Johnny
Available to stream on Into Film+

CertPG

Age group8+

Duration30 mins

Jemima + Johnny(1966)

A short British film exploring race relations in post-riots Notting Hill in the 1960s through the friendship of a little girl and boy.

A sweet yet astute short film from the BFI archive that reveals the innocence of children amongst troubling times.

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Persepolis
Available to stream on Into Film+

Cert12

Age group12+

Duration91 mins

Persepolis(2007)

Adapted from Marjane Satrapi's brilliantly funny autobiographical graphic novel about a rebellious young girl's experience of revolutionary Iran.

A witty and incisive animation that explores what it means to be a young girl growing up in a country whose laws suddenly become stricter. Sent to Europe for safety, without her parents it then delves into how a teenage girl must cope with new environments while holding on to who she is and where she has come from.

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Bend It Like Beckham
Available to stream on Into Film+

Cert12

Age group12+

Duration112 mins

Bend It Like Beckham(2002)

Feel good British comedy following Jessminder and Jules whose shared passion for football brings them together in a local girls' team.

Jessminder’s story of rebelling against her traditional-minded Indian parents who disapprove of her joining a football team is a great platform to discussion issued of identity as shaped by sexuality, religion and family.

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Circo

CertE

Age group15+

Duration75 mins

Circo(2010)

A sensitive portrait of the family behind a century-old travelling circus in rural Mexico. A fascinating insight into a landscape rarely seen.

Tracking the highs and lows of running a circus and a life on the road it reveals the pride the family have in their culture as well as the struggle they face when it comes to leaving the circus behind and integrating into society.

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