A Place to Live
Inner city squalor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the subject of this documentary, which focuses on a child returning from school to his home, a cramped and squalid apartment in a rat-infested slum neighborhood.
Top Cast
-
Bill Watts
Narrator
-
Frieda N. Blank
The Mother
-
William Kesselring
The Boy
Overview
Inner city squalor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the subject of this documentary, which focuses on a child returning from school to his home, a cramped and squalid apartment in a rat-infested slum neighborhood.
Rating
6.0
/ 10
6 Reviews 0 Popular
1 Reviews
-
CinemaSerf6 Jul 27, 2025It is quite interesting to look at this film, from a British perspective, and observe that though we exported a great deal to the USA - a bicameral parliamentary system, Magna Carta, Charlie Chaplin et al - I hadn’t quite appreciated that slum dwellings was also one of them! This is a rather stark depiction of a young boy’s life in a Philadelphia that has seen many better days. It showcases all the historic sights of this former American capital city before contrasting those images with some squalid sights that would not have look out of place in a bombed out London, or Manchester, or Glasgow - and at least they could blame the Nazis! That these tiny accommodations were ever built in the first place is a question worth asking, but that they were expected to house families is one too imponderable. The photography almost makes you want to look, nervously, at where you are walking as we are taken through the squalor from the youngster’s perspective for a quarter of an hour that ought to be shown now to anyone planning large scale, economic, housing as an example of how not do do it.
Recommendations
A visual montage portrait of our contemporary world dominated by globalized technology and violence.
Naqoyqatsi
6.1 2002
A detailing of the rise to prominence and global sporting superstardom of six supremely talented young Manchester United football players (David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil and Gary Neville). The film covers the period 1992-1999, culminating in Manchester United's European Cup triumph.
The Class of ‘92
7.1 2013
Alexander McQueen's rags-to-riches story is a modern-day fairy tale, laced with the gothic. Mirroring the savage beauty, boldness and vivacity of his design, this documentary is an intimate revelation of McQueen's own world, both tortured and inspired, which celebrates a radical and mesmerizing genius of profound influence.
McQueen
7.5 2018
A documentary on the expletive's origin, why it offends some people so deeply, and what can be gained from its use.
Fuck
6.4 2006
A compilation of over 30 years of private home movie footage shot by Lithuanian-American avant-garde director Jonas Mekas, assembled by Mekas "purely by chance", without concern for chronological order.
As I Was Moving Ahead, Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty
7.7 2000
An inside look at one of the most anticipated movie sequels ever with James Cameron and cast.
Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20
7.2 2022
A documentary about the life and films of director John Ford.
Directed by John Ford
7.0 1971
From the heights of her modeling fame to her tragic death, this documentary reveals Anna Nicole Smith through the eyes of the people closest to her.
Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me
6.0 2023
A documentary focused on plastic pollution in the world's oceans.
A Plastic Ocean
7.5 2016
Martin Scorsese’s portrait of writer and social commentator Fran Lebowitz, celebrated for her sharp wit and observations on modern life. Filmed at New York’s Waverly Inn and intercut with archival footage and interviews, the documentary captures Lebowitz’s distinctive worldview through her spontaneous monologues and public appearances.
Public Speaking
7.0 2011