Movies About Africa On Netflix

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

Hotel Rwanda is a 2004 biographical drama directed by Terry George. The film focuses on the true story of Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle), a hotel manager in Rwanda who used his influence and resources to provide shelter for over a thousand Tutsi refugees during the Rwandan Genocide of 1994. Paul's efforts to protect the refugees, despite immense pressure from the Hutu militia, ultimately saved the lives of many innocent people. As the situation in Rwanda spirals out of control, Paul is forced to make difficult decisions in order to keep his family and the refugees safe. The film also stars Sophie Okonedo as Paul's wife, Tatiana Rusesabagina, and Nick Nolte as a United Nations official. Hotel Rwanda is a powerful and emotionally gripping story that highlights the importance of human compassion and courage in the face of evil.

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

Blood Diamond is a 2006 American adventure drama film directed by Edward Zwick and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, and Jennifer Connelly. Set during the Sierra Leone Civil War in 1999-2001, the film tells the story of Danny Archer (DiCaprio), a former Zimbabwean soldier, and Solomon Vandy (Hounsou), a Mende fisherman, who join together to recover a rare pink diamond that can transform their lives. Along the way, they are confronted by the diamond's corrupting influence on all who search for it, including themselves. In addition to the diamond's value, their quest is also motivated by a desire to protect Vandy's family and avenge the death of Archer's friend. The film was a box-office success and received generally positive reviews.

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

"Captain Phillips" (2013) is a biopic directed by Paul Greengrass, based on the true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates. In the film, Captain Phillips (Tom Hanks) is the commander of the ship, who takes measures to protect his crew and ship from the hijackers. When the Somali pirates, led by Muse (Barkhad Abdi), board and take control of the vessel, Phillips negotiates with them in an attempt to protect his crew, ultimately offering himself as a hostage in exchange for the lives of the crew. The film follows Phillips' ordeal as he and the crew are taken hostage at sea, and eventually rescued in a dramatic US Navy SEAL raid. The film is a powerful story of courage and survival, showing how Phillips' strength and courage helped him and his crew survive the harrowing ordeal.

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

"Beasts of No Nation" is a 2015 drama film directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, based on the 2005 novel of the same name by Uzodinma Iweala. The film follows Agu, a young boy from an unnamed West African country who is forced to join a unit of mercenary fighters after his family is killed in a civil war. He is trained in warfare and survival by a ruthless warlord known as the Commandant, and soon finds himself forced to fight alongside the rebels. As his innocence is slowly taken from him by the horrors of war, Agu must make a difficult decision between his own survival and the fate of his nation. The film stars Idris Elba, Abraham Attah, Ama K. Abebrese, and Opeyemi Fagbohungbe.

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

"Black Hawk Down" is a 2001 film directed by Ridley Scott. It is based on the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia, and stars Josh Hartnett, Eric Bana, Ewan McGregor, and Tom Sizemore. The film follows a group of elite US soldiers, whose mission is to capture two of the Somali warlords and the soldiers of their militia. However, when their mission goes wrong, the soldiers find themselves in the middle of a fierce battle, as Somali forces attack and try to take down their helicopters. In the midst of all this chaos, the soldiers must fight for their lives and survive the onslaught. The film is a gritty and realistic portrayal of the battle, and shows the courage and determination of the US forces as they battle to stay alive.

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

The Last King of Scotland is a 2006 drama directed by Kevin Macdonald, based on the novel of the same name by Giles Foden. The film follows the complex relationship between a British doctor, Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy), and the Ugandan dictator Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker). Garrigan, who is hired by Amin as his personal physician, is initially impressed by the charisma and power of the leader, but soon finds himself caught up in Amin's atrocities. As he watches Amin's brutal rule, Garrigan is forced to confront his own moral responsibility in the face of the dictator's horrific crimes. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Whitaker's portrayal of Idi Amin, and won the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor for Whitaker.

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

Shooting Dogs is a 2005 British drama film directed by Michael Caton-Jones. Set in Rwanda in 1994, the film tells the story of a Catholic school turned makeshift refugee camp during the Rwandan genocide. The film follows the struggles of two men, a priest and a school teacher, as they attempt to keep the refugee camp safe and orderly amidst the chaos of the genocide. As the camp is repeatedly attacked by the Hutu militia, the men must make desperate choices to save their lives and the lives of those around them. The film is an emotionally charged and harrowing look at the horrors of war and the power of human resilience.

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-Irish drama film directed by Roger Spottiswoode and Jennifer Donkin, based on the autobiographical novel of the same name by Roméo Dallaire. The film stars Roy Dupuis as Dallaire, and follows his experiences as Force Commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) during the Rwandan genocide of 1994. The film follows Dallaire as he struggles to protect civilians amid the escalating violence, culminating in the massacre of over 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutu citizens. Despite the United Nations' refusal to supply UNAMIR with the necessary resources or mandate to intervene, Dallaire and his small force of Belgian and Ghanaian peacekeepers risk their lives to protect innocent civilians from death and destruction. The film also explores Dallaire's personal struggles as he grapples with survivor guilt and the emotional impact of witnessing such atrocities. Ultimately, the film is a story of hope and redemption in the bleakest times.

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

Lord of War is a 2005 crime drama film written, produced and directed by Andrew Niccol, starring Nicolas Cage as Yuri Orlov, a Ukrainian-American arms dealer. The film follows Yuri as he navigates the international arms business, where he deals with corrupt government officials, violent warlords and powerful arms brokers. Along the way, Yuri must also contend with his conscience, as he comes to terms with the destructive effects of his business. The film also stars Ethan Hawke, Jared Leto, Bridget Moynahan and Ian Holm, and features cameos from other well-known actors, including Jean-Claude Van Damme and Willem Dafoe. Lord of War is a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of the effects of the illegal arms trade and its consequences on society.

From Richard Attenborough, starring Denzel Washington, Kevin Kline, Josette Simon, Wabei Siyolwe
Rated PG

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 Michael Apted, starring Ioan Gruffudd, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon, Romola Garai
Rated PG

From Clint Eastwood, starring Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Tony Kgoroge, Patrick Mofokeng
Rated PG-13

From Jamie Uys, starring N!xau, Marius Weyers, Sandra Prinsloo, Louw Verwey
Rated PG

From Ralph Ziman, starring Rapulana Seiphemo, Jeffrey Sekele, Ronnie Nyakale, Shelley Meskin
Rated R

From Steven Spielberg, starring Djimon Hounsou, Matthew McConaughey, Anthony Hopkins, Morgan Freeman
Rated R

From Gavin Hood, starring Presley Chweneyagae, Mothusi Magano, Israel Matseke-Zulu, Terry Pheto
Rated R

From Raoul Peck, starring Eriq Ebouaney, Alex Descas, Théophile Sowié, Maka Kotto
Rated Not Rated

From Justin Chadwick, starring Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Terry Pheto, Robert Hobbs
Rated PG-13

From Kim Nguyen, starring Rachel Mwanza, Alain Lino Mic Eli Bastien, Serge Kanyinda, Ralph Prosper
Rated Not Rated

From Rachid Bouchareb, starring Samy Naceri, Roschdy Zem, Sami Bouajila, Jamel Debbouze
Rated R

From Anthony Fabian, starring Sophie Okonedo, Sam Neill, Alice Krige, Tony Kgoroge
Rated PG-13

From Darrell Roodt, starring Richard Harris, James Earl Jones, Vusi Kunene, Charles S. Dutton
Rated PG-13

From Jamie Uys, starring N!xau, Lena Farugia, Hans Strydom, Eiros
Rated PG