Les Misérables is a TV show set in 19th century France, depicting the struggles of poverty, rebellion, and redemption. It follows the story of an obsessed man, a former convict named Jean Valjean, as he seeks forgiveness and a new life after being released from prison. Valjean crosses paths with other characters, including a police officer determined to capture him, as well as a young girl named Cosette. The show explores themes of social injustice, love, and sacrifice.
Spice and Wolf follows the story of a merchant named Kraft Lawrence who encounters a wolf goddess named Holo. Together, they embark on a journey filled with medieval economics, romance, and supernatural elements.
In the 14th century, in Barcelona, a young serf seeks to make his own destiny amid class war and political turmoil in the city.
The Cow is a 1969 Iranian drama film directed by Dariush Mehrjui. The story revolves around a mentally ill peasant who believes his cow is possessed and treats it as his best friend. When the cow dies, the peasant's mental health deteriorates, and he descends into madness. The film explores themes of mental illness, rural life, and the power of belief.
Toni follows the story of an abusive husband in a small French village who falls victim to a wrongful accusation and pays the price for his crimes. As tensions rise within the community, secrets are revealed, and alliances are tested.
In 17th century Italy, a peasant woman enters a rigged contest in the hopes of winning a diamond ring and the love of a prince. With the help of a guardian angel, she must overcome witchcraft, challenges, and her own doubts to find true love and happiness.
With the death of her mother, eight-year-old Anna ends her childhood: From now on, she has to look after the nine-member family. Deprivation-rich years, which also find no end when Anna marries: Her husband Albert must be a soldier in the Second World War, and the pregnant Anna has to work hard in the farm and care sick relatives. Lonely and exposed to the harassment of the tyrannical mother-in-law, she waits for Albert, with no certainty that he will ever return.
In 1930s Egypt, a town council controlled by a despotic rule deprives the working-class peasants of their water resources. A brave schoolteacher leads a petition to fight against the corrupt mayor and land owner to secure water rights and put an end to the oppressive regime.
Kaos is an anthology of five stories set in Sicily, each focusing on different characters and themes. The stories include tales of love, betrayal, comedy, and drama, all intertwined with the unique Sicilian culture and landscape. From a feud between two families to a newlywed couple experiencing marital difficulties, Kaos offers a glimpse into the lives of the people living in this beautiful and complex island.
Last Train Home follows the Zhangs, a Chinese couple who work in a factory in Guangzhou and only get to go home once a year for the Chinese New Year. The film explores the challenges they face in their journey to reunite with their children and the hardships of being part of China's massive migrant worker population. It depicts the struggles of the working class, the impact of urbanization, and the tension between tradition and modernity.
Don Fernando rallies peasants and townspeople to overthrow Moorish occupiers in medieval Spain.
The life of the virgin and martyr Santa Maria Goretti
In Knight Without Armour, a British journalist is recruited as an undercover agent during the Russian Revolution. He falls in love with a countess and must navigate the dangerous political landscape to save her from execution.
Cupertino, Italy, 1623: A simple-minded and clumsy young man joins a Franciscan order as a hired hand, overcoming his intellectual and social challenges with a pure heart and a simple faith. God performs a miracle through him, quite literally raising him to sainthood.
In the Po Valley during the 19th century, a rich girl engaged to a well-to-do farmer ends up penniless and is forced to work for her fiancé’s relatives. Peasant unrest, carried to extremes by both workers and landowners, leads to violence and tragedy.
We Live Again is a pre-code film set in Russia during the 1870s, depicting the story of a young woman and a military officer who face challenges of social inequality, betrayal, and unrequited love.
Set during the Russian Civil War and the Revolution, Mockery tells the story of an aristocrat, mentally-challenged due to war, who falls in love with a countess. The film explores themes of loyalty, love, social unrest, and class differences. As the war rages on, the characters navigate through the chaos and violence, questioning the promises and ideals of the time. Silent but powerful, Mockery delivers a captivating portrayal of the challenges faced by individuals caught in the midst of a revolution.
Documentary examining the conflicts between the coming of modernization and the traditional culture of a small Mexican village.
The Spanish Earth is a documentary film that chronicles the struggles and achievements of the Spanish peasants during the Spanish Civil War. It portrays the arid lands, the sweeping of the streets, and the destruction caused by air raids. The film also highlights the role of military officers and showcases the rural setting and the peasantry. It serves as a propaganda piece, focusing on the resilience and determination of the Spanish people. The documentary captures the atmosphere of the 1930s and includes scenes of a German airplane, a city in ruins, waterworks, bakery, irrigation projects, and art preservation.
The film shows that Romanian peasants were divided between those opposing and those embracing collectivization. The heated debates between the pro and con camps would ultimately lead to murder.