PacMan2006

I just saw the film Dark Days about people living in Subway tunnels. I liked it and am interested in seeing other things.

Whether they are fiction or non-fiction films, anyone know of any other kinds of films that deal with these subjects (or, it can be just people living on the street--I tried to get "Streetwise" but can't find a place to rent it from).

Thanks.

Corvin

If memory serves correct, Amores perros has one segment that deals with a street-wanderer in Mexico City.

wendersfan

Rosetta touches on these themes in a very powerful way. The main character isn't homeless, but is very close. Also the classic film Umberto D is a touching, sad film about the spectre of homelessness for the elderly. In a more humorous vein (really) there's the Renoir classic Boudu Saved From Drowning, which was remade as Down and Out in Beverly Hills.

Mondo Kane

Where the Day takes you

William Fuld

Bikini Summer 2

Doc Mardan

If you are looking for a great film about the homeless, look no further then The Saint of Fort Washington a 1993 drama starring Danny Glover and Matt Dillon. I love this film; seen it at least a handful of times and it always bring out emotions in me. Wonderful performances by the two leads, great NYC setting, a story about loss and redemtion, on the smallest scale. Also features a nice turn by a pre-Marsalles Wallace Ving Rhames as a rutheless thug in a men's homeless shelter.

I consider this to be one of the BEST unknown films of the 90s... I've yet to recommend to anyone who didn't like it. A really touching film that needs to be seen by more people -- it's not even on DVD!

Check out...I'd love to hear your thoughts...

Troy Stiffler

Wha??? Nobody remembers Life Stinks? The beautifully shot, sharply directed, phlisophical, definitive look at life on the streets.

You should all be AHAMED of yourselves!









Or should I be ashamed for remembering the movie?

theneobez

Midnight Cowboy is one incredible film.

NavinJohnson

Other countries & times, but Grave of the Fireflies & Los Olvidados deal with these themes.

Goldberg74

That's what I was going to say. I'll second this one.

Norm de Plume

You must get your hands on the magnificent Streetwise. Rosetta, mentioned above, is very good. Henning Carlsen's Hunger (1966), about a struggling
Norwegian writer, is superb. If you like over-the-top horror-comedies, Street Trash (1987), a loose remake of Kurosawa's Dodes 'Ka-den is simultaneously hilarious and bleak. Christiane F. (1983) is a masterpiece, but concerns itself more with drug addiction than homelessness per se. Hidden in America (1996), a telefilm about an out-of-work single father of two, is very moving; directed by Martin Bell ("Streetwise"). The Canadian classic Goin' Down the Road (1970) deals with these themes. Susan Seidelman's Smithereens (1982) is well worth seeing, especially for its final shot.
Wanda(1970) is a grim portrayal of a woman who is "lost". Going out on a limb with regard to relevancy, the great The Swimmer (1968), with Burt Lancaster, makes allusions to homelessness.

Doc Mardan

How could I forget Midnight Cowboy?!

Ratso Rizzo is one of the greatest characters in the history of cinema.

PacMan2006

Thanks guys!

Norm, where would you suggest I get Streetwise from? It's not on DVD and on Amazon, it's like 20.00 for a VHS copy. And I would only need to see the film once for class.

shill66

Joe Gould's Secret

inri222

Pixote

ArchibaldTuttle

Street Trash... jk

Verbal Gorilla

Children Underground

A must see if you are looking for a real look at street children. It is heartbreaking.

marty888

You beat me to it - yes, a very powerful movie!

EvilConradBain

HBO did a couple of great documentaries on being homeless in America if you can find them.

Bill Geiger

I was also going to say Saint Of Fort Washington but one shouldn't forget the Samuel L Jackson film, Caveman's Valentine.

Colleen

With Honors

It Was a Wonderful Life (haven't seen this, but read the DVD Talk review)

clappj

With regards to poverty, George Washington, released by Criterion, does a good job of handling the topic. Check it out, if you get the chance.

Playitagainsam

The Fisher King ... Terry Giliam fans, where are you?

FiveO

I'll 3rd...Where The Day Takes You.

Great film.

Norm de Plume

If no rental place in your area stocks it, I have no advice other than to buy it. At Half.com it's going for as little as $10, which is still a little steep for a purely research utility...Or: I've never used one, but are there not online video rental outlets?
It will come to DVD, probably sooner than later. I was lucky enough to have snapped up an old LD of the film about ten years ago.