Backbencher

Wow. I think a whole class could be taught on the ideas of this movie. Issues such as race, gender, poverty, law enforcement involvment all come into play in this awesome movie. The story is about Jake and his family. Jake beats his wife Beth, and fails to provide an income besides the dole for his family. He spends most of his time drinking and being with his "mates", bringing them into the house at all hours of the night and putting them first before his family. The only somewhat functional character in this movie seems to be Grace, the daughter who is the glue that holds the siblings and Beth together. The movie continues is depressing, downwards spiral when Boogie (the brother) is sent to a group home, and Grace is raped by one of her fathers mates. In the end, Grace commits suicide, Beth takes the remaining kids home to the Marae and Jake is left all alone.
This movie is amazing. It shows a part of New Zealand very few people ever see. There is no green landscape, no Lord of the Rings sets. It's just the streets of Auckland, alcoholism and domestic abuse and the tolls that it takes on the human spirit. This movie could be set with any group of people, anywhere in the world. It is an important film because it shows the audience what it can mean to be in poverty, abused, and left with very little choices.