Movies About Africa

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

Hotel Rwanda is an emotionally gripping drama about the horrific genocide in Rwanda in 1994. The film follows hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle) as he shelters over a thousand refugees during their desperate struggle to survive the violent ethnic conflict of Hutu and Tutsi. Despite the hostility of the Hutu extremist Interahamwe militia and the indifference of the international community, Paul manages to maintain a delicate balance between the two warring factions in the hotel. Through courage, cunning and compassion, he saves the lives of his family and many of his fellow citizens. Against all odds, Paul’s heroic actions serve as a testament to the triumph of the human spirit.

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

Blood Diamond is a 2006 action-adventure war drama film directed by Edward Zwick, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, and Djimon Hounsou. Set during the Sierra Leone Civil War in 1999, the film tells the story of Danny Archer (DiCaprio), a South African mercenary, and Solomon Vandy (Hounsou), a Mende fisherman. Both men are in search of a rare pink diamond, which has the potential to transform their lives. After finding the diamond, they must navigate the treacherous landscape of the war-torn country, while avoiding the civil war’s rebel forces and the forces of an unscrupulous diamond smuggler (Connelly). As they attempt to get the diamond to safety, they are forced to confront the realities of the war and its devastating effects on Sierra Leone's people.

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

District 9 is a science fiction action film directed by Neill Blomkamp and produced by Peter Jackson. Set in Johannesburg, South Africa, the story follows an extraterrestrial race called the "Prawns" who are forced to live in a slum on Earth. An agent of the Multi-National United (MNU), Wikus Van de Merwe, is tasked with the relocation of the aliens to a new district. When Wikus begins to investigate, he contracts an alien virus that begins to transform him into a Prawn. In order to save himself when the MNU learns of his condition, he must help the aliens escape from the government forces. The story follows Wikus as he battles his way through Johannesburg looking for a way to reverse his transformation and make peace with the aliens. Along the way he discovers a powerful weapon left behind by the aliens and the truth behind the MNU's intentions.

From Directors: Sean Fine, Andrea Nix, starring Dominic, Nancy, Rose, Jane Adong
Rated PG-13

War Dance is a 2007 documentary focusing on three children from a refugee camp in Northern Uganda who compete in their country's national music and dance competition. The film follows Dominic, Rose, and Nancy, as they practice and perform alongside their schoolmates under the guidance of their music teacher, Mr. Richard. Despite the difficulties of living in the refugee camp, the children are determined to use music and dance as a way to rise above their situation. Along the way, viewers learn about the difficult conditions in the camp, as well as the struggles of the people living there. Through the children's journey, the audience is offered an intimate look at the resilience of the human spirit and the power of music to bring hope and joy in even the most challenging of circumstances.

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 and starring Idris Elba. The film tells the story of a young African boy, Agu, who is forced to join a group of mercenary fighters as a child soldier. The film follows Agu's journey as he struggles to survive in a violent and chaotic world. Throughout his journey, he learns the harsh realities of war and must find a way to stay alive. The film explores the horrors of war and its devastating effects on those who are caught in its crossfire.

From John Huston, starring Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Morley, Peter Bull
Rated PG

The African Queen is a 1951 adventure drama directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. Set during World War I, the film follows an old sailor named Charlie Allnut (Bogart) and a missionary's sister, Rose Sayer (Hepburn), as they face various perils while navigating a river on a steam-powered boat called the African Queen in an attempt to destroy a German gunboat. Along the way, the two unlikely companions develop a close bond and find themselves in the midst of a thrilling adventure.

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

The Last King of Scotland is a 2006 historical drama film directed by Kevin Macdonald, based on the novel of the same name by Giles Foden. The film follows a young Scottish doctor, Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy), who travels to Uganda in the 1970s to work as a doctor in a rural hospital. After a chance encounter with the notorious dictator Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker), Garrigan quickly finds himself as Amin's personal physician and confidant, quickly rising up the ranks of Amin's trusted circle as the dictator's brutal regime begins to take its toll on the country. Garrigan soon discovers that Amin's unpredictable and often violent behavior is a direct result of his mental illness, and is forced to decide between his allegiance to Amin and his conscience as he struggles to survive in a dangerous and unpredictable political climate.

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

Shooting Dogs is a 2005 film directed by Michael Caton-Jones. Set in Rwanda in 1994, the film follows the story of two expatriates - Father Christopher (John Hurt) and Joe Connor (Hugh Dancy), who are working at a Catholic school and are caught up in the horrific events of the Rwandan Genocide. As the violence increases, the two form an unlikely bond as they attempt to lead the school full of orphans to safety. Along the way, they encounter both violence and compassion in a desperate attempt to survive. As the violence builds to a climax, the two must decide how far they are willing to go to protect those around them.

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

Nowhere in Africa is a 2001 German drama film about the life of a German-Jewish family who immigrated to Kenya in 1938 to escape the increasing persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany. The family, consisting of Jettel Redlich (Juliane Köhler), Walter Redlich (Merab Ninidze) and their five-year-old daughter Regina (Lea Kurka), must learn to adjust to their new home while struggling to overcome the trauma of the past. Despite the difficulties they face, the family eventually find a sense of belonging in their new home, helping to heal the wounds of the past. The film follows the family through their struggles over the course of many years and highlights the deep bond formed between Jettel and Regina, and the father and daughter, in the face of adversity.

From Ousmane Sembene, starring Mbissine Thérèse Diop, Anne-Marie Jelinek, Robert Fontaine, Momar Nar Sene
Rated Not Rated

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

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

From Sydney Pollack, starring Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Michael Kitchen
Rated PG

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

From Oliver Schmitz, starring Khomotso Manyaka, Keaobaka Makanyane, Harriet Lenabe, Lerato Mvelase
Rated PG-13

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

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

From Antoine Fuqua, starring Bruce Willis, Cole Hauser, Monica Bellucci, Eamonn Walker
Rated R