Movies About Child Neglect

From Lee Tamahori, starring Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, Julian Arahanga
Rated R

Once Were Warriors is a 1994 New Zealand drama directed by Lee Tamahori and starring Rena Owen and Temuera Morrison. The film follows the Heke family, a lower-class Maori family living in urban New Zealand. Beth Heke, played by Rena Owen, is a strong-willed, passionate woman trying to keep her family together despite the struggles of poverty, alcoholism, and domestic abuse. Her husband Jake, played by Temuera Morrison, is a violent alcoholic who often turns his anger on his children and Beth. As Beth struggles to keep the family together, she begins to realize that the only way for them to survive is for her to make a change. Through her courage and resilience, she is able to find a way to make her family stronger and more united than ever before.

From Lukas Moodysson, starring Oksana Akinshina, Artyom Bogucharskiy, Pavel Ponomaryov, Lyubov Agapova
Rated R

Lilya 4-Ever is a 2002 drama film directed by Lukas Moodysson. The film follows a 16-year-old girl named Lilya, who lives in poverty in the slums of a small town in the former Soviet Union. When her mother abandons her, Lilya is left alone and desperate, with no one to turn to. Desperate for a better life, she escapes to Sweden, thinking she can start fresh there. However, she soon discovers that life in Sweden is not what she had hoped for, as she has to resort to prostitution in order to survive. The film follows Lilya as she struggles to find her place in this harsh new world, while battling feelings of loneliness and despair.

From Andrew Jarecki, starring Arnold Friedman, Jesse Friedman, David Friedman, Elaine Friedman
Rated Not Rated

Capturing the Friedmans is a 2003 American documentary film directed by Andrew Jarecki which tells the story of the Friedmans, a middle-class Jewish family living in Great Neck, Long Island whose world is instantly transformed when Arnold Friedman and his son Jesse are arrested and charged with shocking and horrible crimes. The film documents the family's struggles as they each deal with the consequences of the accusations and subsequent media attention. Through home videos and interviews with family members, friends, neighbors, and legal and law enforcement personnel, the documentary explores the complexities of the case and the difficult questions it raises. Drawing on a wealth of archival material, the film ultimately serves as an exploration of truth and objectivity in our justice system and reflects the toll that public condemnation and media frenzy can take on a family.

From Michael Caton-Jones, starring Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Barkin, Jonah Blechman
Rated R

From Anjelica Huston, starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ron Eldard, Glenne Headly, Lyle Lovett
Rated R

From Gary Oldman, starring Ray Winstone, Kathy Burke, Charlie Creed-Miles, Laila Morse
Rated R

From Michael Cuesta, starring Brian Cox, Paul Dano, Bruce Altman, Billy Kay
Rated R

From Damian Harris, starring Gillian Jacobs, John Malkovich, Ryan Simpkins, Tom Arnold
Rated R

From Gregory Wilson, starring William Atherton, Blythe Auffarth, Blanche Baker, Kevin Chamberlin
Rated R

From Terry Gilliam, starring Jeff Bridges, Jennifer Tilly, Jodelle Ferland, Janet McTeer
Rated R

From Asia Argento, starring Asia Argento, Dylan Sprouse, Cole Sprouse, Jimmy Bennett
Rated R

From Michael Apted, starring Jennifer Lopez, Billy Campbell, Tessa Allen, Juliette Lewis
Rated PG-13