For a film thats brutally honest about human trafficking try Promised Land
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KBrown29 — 14 years ago(December 24, 2011 08:34 AM)
I know it's been said, but Der siebente Kontinent 1989 definitely deserves to be on this list. Probably the most depressing movie I've seen.
http://www.imdb.com/board/10098327/ -
dakedoom — 13 years ago(June 20, 2012 02:57 PM)
realist?
If a film is dark and depressing it doesn't make it realist. It just makes it dark and tragic, and more often than not, exaggerated.
deep/depressing?
Deep and depressing don't go hand in hand. I don't envy your world view.
Not trying to go out of my way to deny things that happen, just pointing out that it's an extremely one dimensional and stupid way to look at things. And even worse to pretend that it's the true or objective way. -
LadyKosha — 13 years ago(June 25, 2012 10:00 AM)
Not every film has to have all the elements of an entertaining film. This just is what it is. It's bleek, an it's supposed to be. And it's definitely realistic. There are many more clips like the one I posted from all over Russia.
"I still don't understand it, why they hate us so much" - Valerie, V for Vendetta -
Thrillseeker303 — 13 years ago(December 03, 2012 11:18 AM)
You definately need to check out beep ml" if you haven't seen it yet.
Same filming style and atmosphere. Also a little depressing but not as much as Lilja 4-ever.Relax! -
www.bryanel.com -
easyguy — 13 years ago(January 06, 2013 10:56 AM)
Red Road
http://www.imdb.com/board/10471030/ -
Proper_Slut — 13 years ago(February 25, 2013 07:56 PM)
I am a fan of movies like this and over the past few years I have kept up with this thread & others like it across imdb.
That being said, I'm so surprised
The Magdalene Sisters
and
Gardens of the Night
have not been mentioned.
Both are such terrific films and well acted. If you like stories of troubled female youths facing adolescence as well as tough times, both films are tailor made for you.
Suicide is like the ultimate fck you. -
Swzki — 11 years ago(May 20, 2014 03:05 PM)
I refuse to believe that there is anything better than Lilja 4-Ever. I think even if I watch a thousand films this one will stay in my heart for all eternity. Haha.
Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I am not the original poster but I didn't know even half of these films and I will try to watch them all.
I am not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but "The 400 Blows" is also kind of depressing, although I didn't cry at the end. It deals with parental neglect just like Lilja 4-Ever. There is also "J'ai tu ma mre" which I could relate to, and it's also very emotional. I'm a very sensitive person and I tend to have lots of feelings while watching something. Be it either sadness, disgust, happiness, or whatever.
Thank you! -
daxisunder — 11 years ago(September 08, 2014 12:49 PM)
Try this one,"Sestre" (means Sisters)
http://www.imdb.com/board/11797491/?ref_=fn_al_tt_4
,Serbian movie with a same theme of human trafficking.I found it even better than Lilya,but I'm probably biased being from the same area as the Sisters. -
thepixinator — 11 years ago(December 14, 2014 09:40 AM)
I would recommend for bleak realism:
Pixote [1981] The life of a boy in the streets of Sao Paulo, involved with little crimes, prostitution, etc. See the film before googling the life of the child actor.
Mystic River [2003] "With a childhood tragedy that overshadowed their lives, three men are reunited by circumstance when one loses a daughter." Dark AND depressing. But very good.
Whores' Glory [20110] An examination of the lives, needs, troubles and hopes of prostitutes in Thailand, Bangladesh and Mexico. This is the anti-Pretty Woman.
Other people recommend Irreversible but I found it to be "gore porn" (exaggerated violence for its own sake and a simplistic revenge-based plot). Just my humble opinion.A life lived in fear is a life half-lived
Strictly Ballroom