Best Movies About Africa

From Malik Bendjelloul, starring Rodriguez, Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman, Dennis Coffey, Mike Theodore
Rated PG-13

Searching for Sugar Man is a 2012 documentary film directed by Malik Bendjelloul which follows two South Africans, Stephen “Sugar” Segerman and Craig Bartholomew-Strydom, as they search for American musician Sixto Rodriguez. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Rodriguez recorded two albums of music that weren't successful in the United States. However, his music was a huge hit amongst South African listeners, and he quickly gained a cult following there. Segerman and Bartholomew-Strydom become obsessed with finding out what happened to the obscure singer, and their journey eventually leads them to Rodriguez's home in Detroit, Michigan. With the help of Rodriguez's family, the film reveals the incredible story of his life and the impact his music had on South Africa. Along the way, the film also explores the power of music to break down social and political barriers.

From Dereck Joubert, starring Star: Jeremy Irons
Rated PG

The Last Lions is a 2011 documentary film directed by Dereck Joubert. The film follows a lioness and her cubs as they fight for survival in the wilds of Botswana's Okavango Delta. The lioness is confronted with the harsh realities of life in a hostile environment and must make impossible decisions in order to protect her cubs. As the story unfolds, viewers gain insight into the intricate relationships between predator and prey, and the critical importance of conservation. Throughout the film, Joubert's stunning cinematography captures the beauty and brutality of nature, while his narration provides an intimate look at the struggles of life in the wild. Ultimately, The Last Lions is an inspiring tale of courage and determination that shows the power of the human spirit and the importance of respecting and protecting the natural world.

From Terry George, starring Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Joaquin Phoenix, Xolani Mali
Rated PG-13

Hotel Rwanda is a gripping true story of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which took the lives of over 800,000 people. The film follows the story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager, who uses his courage and resourcefulness to save the lives of 1,268 people during the crisis. When the Rwandan government unleashes a horrific campaign of ethnic cleansing against its own citizens, Paul must do what he can to protect his family and the hotel guests – many of whom are Tutsi refugees. With the help of the UN Peacekeepers, Paul embarks on a harrowing mission to keep the refugees sheltered and safe. Hotel Rwanda is a powerful and poignant reminder of the importance of humanity in the face of extreme violence and hatred.

From Gillo Pontecorvo, starring Brahim Hadjadj, Jean Martin, Yacef Saadi, Samia Kerbash
Rated Not Rated

The Battle of Algiers is a 1966 Italian film depicting the events of the Algerian struggle for independence from French colonial rule in the 1950s. Directed by Gillo Pontecorvo, the film follows the story of Ali La Pointe, a nationalist revolutionary and leader of the liberation movement. Through the lens of a war documentary, the film shows the brutality and violence of the struggle, and the courage and determination of those fighting for Algerian independence. The film also depicts the extreme measures taken by the French government to suppress the rebellion, including torture and the use of undercover agents. Ultimately, the Algerians succeed in liberating Algiers from French rule. The Battle of Algiers is a powerful and timeless story of a people’s struggle for freedom and justice.

From Edward Zwick, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly, Kagiso Kuypers
Rated R

Blood Diamond is a 2006 war film directed by Edward Zwick and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, and Djimon Hounsou. The story is set in Sierra Leone, Africa in the late 1990s during the civil war. It follows a fisherman, Solomon Vandy (Hounsou), who discovers a rare and valuable pink diamond while fishing in the river. He soon finds himself caught in the conflict between the rebels who are trying to control the diamond trade, the government forces who are struggling to maintain control, and the Westerners who are looking to exploit the conflict for their own gain. Along the way, Solomon meets Danny Archer (DiCaprio) - a former smuggler who is also desperate to find the diamond. Together, the two men embark on a dangerous and often deadly journey to find the diamond and take back Solomon's family from the rebels. The film ultimately paints a picture of how the illegal diamond trade fuels conflict and creates hardship in the region.

From Leon Gast, starring Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Don King, James Brown
Rated PG

When We Were Kings is a documentary film that chronicles the famous "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between world heavyweight champion George Foreman and challenger Muhammad Ali. The fight took place in Zaire in 1974 and was seen as a cultural event that symbolized a coming together of the African and African-American people. The film features archival footage and interviews with many of the key people involved in the fight, including Foreman, Ali, and promoter Don King. The film covers the politics, press coverage, hype, and controversy that surrounded the fight and gives a behind-the-scenes look at the event. Along with capturing the fight itself, the film also highlights the larger political and cultural context in which it took place.

From Neill Blomkamp, starring Sharlto Copley, David James, Jason Cope, Nathalie Boltt
Rated R

District 9 is a sci-fi action film set in South Africa, directed by Neill Blomkamp and released in 2009. The story follows a government agency which relocates an alien race called the "prawns" to a slum area called District 9, where they are forced to live in poor conditions. The protagonist, Wikus van de Merwe, is a human bureaucrat tasked with managing the relocation of the aliens and overseeing the containment of the area. But when he is exposed to an alien chemical, he begins to transform into one of the aliens and is forced to go on the run. With the help of the aliens, Wikus must avoid the government forces that are hunting him and find a way to reverse the transformation. Along the way, he discovers the truth about the aliens and the experiments that have been conducted on them.

From Paul Greengrass, starring Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman, Catherine Keener
Rated PG-13

Captain Phillips is a 2013 American biographical drama film directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Tom Hanks. The film is based on the true story of the 2009 hijacking of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama by a group of Somali pirates. In the film, Captain Richard Phillips (Hanks) and his crew are taken hostage by the Somali pirates and Phillips is forced to use his exemplary leadership skills to try and keep his crew safe. The pirates eventually resort to desperate measures, leading to a tense and thrilling stand-off between the US Navy and Phillips and his captors. In the end, Phillips is rescued and the pirates are captured or killed. The film showcases the bravery of Phillips and his crew, as well as the courage of the US Navy in the face of danger.

From Cary Joji Fukunaga, starring Abraham Attah, Emmanuel Affadzi, Ricky Adelayitor, Andrew Adote
Rated TV-MA

Beasts of No Nation is a 2015 drama-war film directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, based on the novel of the same name by Uzodinma Iweala. The film follows a young boy named Agu, who lives in an unnamed West African country. When civil war breaks out, he is forced to join a group of mercenary fighters known as the "Beasts of No Nation", led by a ruthless warlord known as Commandant. Agu is thrust into a world of violence and chaos, and must learn to survive in this new reality. Along the way, he discovers the true cost of war and the power of hope in the face of adversity. The film stars Abraham Attah, Idris Elba, Ama K Abebrese, and Opeyemi Fagbohungbe.

From Cy Endfield, starring Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth
Rated Not Rated

Zulu is a 1964 British epic war film depicting the Battle of Rorke's Drift between the British Army and the Zulus in January 1879, during the Anglo-Zulu War. The film stars Stanley Baker and Michael Caine as Lt. John Chard and Lt. Gonville Bromhead, respectively, who both lead a regiment of British soldiers in defending the missionary station of Rorke's Drift from a fierce onslaught by 4,000 Zulu warriors. After a fierce battle, in which the outnumbered British soldiers of only 150 men, manage to hold off the Zulu forces, the British ultimately emerge as the victors. The film is a stirring tribute to the bravery of the British soldiers and their enduring determination in the face of what appears to be a hopeless situation.

From Ridley Scott, starring Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore, Eric Bana
Rated R

Black Hawk Down is a 2001 war film about the U.S. military’s involvement in the Battle of Mogadishu, where U.S. forces attempted to capture Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid in Mogadishu on October 3, 1993. The film follows a group of Army Rangers and Delta Force soldiers, who are sent in to capture two of Aidid’s lieutenants. However, the mission quickly turns into a brutal and costly battle in which the U.S. forces find themselves entrenched in a hostile city. The film provides an unflinching look at the realities of war and the courage of the U.S. soldiers who fought and died in the battle. The film was nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.

From Kevin Macdonald, starring James McAvoy, Forest Whitaker, Gillian Anderson, Kerry Washington
Rated R

The Last King of Scotland is a 2006 British biographical drama film directed by Kevin Macdonald, based on Giles Foden's 1998 novel of the same name. The film tells the story of Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy), a young Scottish doctor who travels to Uganda in the early 1970s and becomes the personal physician of President Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker). As Amin's rule becomes increasingly brutal and unstable, Garrigan is forced to make a difficult choice between his own safety and the safety of those around him. The film also stars Gillian Anderson and Kerry Washington.

From Michael Caton-Jones, starring John Hurt, Hugh Dancy, Dominique Horwitz, Louis Mahoney
Rated R

Shooting Dogs is a 2005 film set in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide. The story follows two Westerners—Father Christopher, a Catholic priest, and Joe Connor, a British teacher—as they struggle to save the lives of thousands of Rwandan refugees trapped in a school. Against the odds, the two must put aside their differences and come together to protect the innocent people from the violence and atrocities of the Hutu militia. With limited resources, the two men must use their courage, resourcefulness, and faith to protect the refugees from the horrific events unfolding outside. As the horror of the genocide reaches its peak, it quickly becomes clear that even their best efforts may not be enough.

From Andrew Niccol, starring Nicolas Cage, Ethan Hawke, Jared Leto, Bridget Moynahan
Rated R

Lord of War follows the life of an international arms dealer, Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage), as he traverses the globe selling weapons to anyone who can pay. His business takes him to the most dangerous and corrupt corners of the world where money is the only language spoken. He is forced to confront the consequences of his actions as he is pursued by an Interpol agent (Ethan Hawke) determined to put an end to his illicit activities. Along the way, he struggles with his conscience and is forced to confront the reality of the world he has chosen to inhabit.

From Susanne Bier, starring Mikael Persbrandt, Trine Dyrholm, Markus Rygaard, Wil Johnson
Rated R

In a Better World is a 2010 Danish drama film written by Anders Thomas Jensen and directed by Susanne Bier. It tells the story of two Danish families and how their lives are affected when the two boys, Elias and Christian, form an unlikely friendship. Elias and his father, Anton, are newly arrived in the small Danish town where Christian lives with his widowed father, Claus. Christian’s father is a doctor and his mother was killed while doing humanitarian work in Africa. As their friendship grows, the boys are faced with difficult moral questions as they each strive to make a better world. Throughout the film, they must grapple with the notion of revenge versus justice. In the end, they must come to terms with the idea that power alone is not enough to create a better world.

From Ousmane Sembene, starring Fatoumata Coulibaly, Maimouna Hélène Diarra, Salimata Traoré, Dominique Zeïda
Rated Unrated

Moolaadé is an award-winning film written and directed by acclaimed African filmmaker Ousmane Sembene. It tells the story of Collé, an African woman in a rural village in Burkina Faso, who uses a moolaadé - a traditional form of protection - to prevent female genital mutilation from occurring on four young village girls. In doing so, she incurs the wrath of the village's patriarchal leaders, who are determined to force the girls to comply with the ritual. With the help of the other women in the village, Collé stands up to the men in a battle of wills, ultimately securing the freedom of the girls and inspiring a new wave of female empowerment. The film is a powerful commentary on the need for gender equality and the resilience of African culture in the face of oppressive traditions.

From Directors: Jennifer Capraru, Roger Spottiswoode, starring Roy Dupuis, Owen Sejake, James Gallanders, Michel Ange Nzojibwami
Rated R

Shake Hands with the Devil is a 2007 Canadian drama film about the Rwandan Genocide, directed by Jennifer Capraru and Roger Spottiswoode. The film follows the story of Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire, a UN peacekeeper who was stationed in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide. Dallaire's attempts to prevent the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of people were thwarted by the indifference of the international community. The film recounts the events leading up to and during the genocide, as well as Dallaire's struggle to cope with the horrors he witnessed. It also delves into his post-traumatic stress disorder, and his subsequent activism to end the use of child soldiers. The film stars Roy Dupuis as Dallaire and reviews the role of the international community in preventing and responding to mass atrocities.

From Caroline Link, starring Juliane Köhler, Merab Ninidze, Matthias Habich, Sidede Onyulo
Rated R

Nowhere in Africa tells the story of the Redlich family, a Jewish family that immigrates from Germany to Kenya in 1938, to escape the Nazi regime. The family is initially at odds with their new rural environment, but gradually come to understand and appreciate the African culture and its people. The father, Walter (Merab Ninidze), is unable to adjust, and eventually returns to Germany, leaving the rest of the family to find their place in the new country. The mother, Jettel (Juliane Köhler), is determined to make a success of their new home, and is eventually able to make a life for her daughter, Regina (Lea Kurka) and son, Walter (Karoline Eckertz). Through their struggles and successes, the Redlich family discovers a new kind of freedom and hope in Africa, despite the many challenges they face.

From Michelangelo Antonioni, starring Jack Nicholson, Maria Schneider, Jenny Runacre, Ian Hendry
Rated PG-13

The Passenger (1975) is a critically acclaimed film directed by Michelangelo Antonioni. It tells the story of David Locke (played by Jack Nicholson), an apathetic British reporter who is covering the war in North Africa. On a whim, he switches identities with a dead businessman. Locke then embarks on an existential journey, traveling to other parts of Africa in an attempt to find himself and his purpose in life. Along the way, he meets a variety of people, including a mysterious woman who seems to be following him. As his journey progresses, Locke comes to the realization that his life is his own to define. The Passenger is a meditative film that explores themes of identity, purpose, and mortality.

From Justin Chadwick, starring Naomie Harris, Oliver Litondo, Tony Kgoroge, Alfred Munyua
Rated PG-13

From Mira Nair, starring Madina Nalwanga, David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong'o, Martin Kabanza
Rated PG

From Anthony Minghella, starring Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Kristin Scott Thomas
Rated R

From Philippe Falardeau, starring Reese Witherspoon, Arnold Oceng, Ger Duany, Emmanuel Jal
Rated PG-13

From Fernando Meirelles, starring Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Danny Huston, Hubert Koundé
Rated R

From Nabil Ayouch, starring Mounïm Kbab, Mustapha Hansali, Hicham Moussoune, Abdelhak Zhayra
Rated Not Rated