Movies About Dictators

From Steven Spielberg, starring Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Caroline Goodall
Rated R

Schindler's List is a 1993 American epic historical drama film directed and produced by Steven Spielberg. It is based on the novel Schindler's Ark by Australian novelist Thomas Keneally, which is based on the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved thousands of Jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. The film stars Liam Neeson as Schindler, whose story is told through the eyes of his Jewish accountant, Itzhak Stern, played by Ben Kingsley. The film follows Schindler's efforts to save Jewish lives during the Holocaust by protecting his Jewish workers from the Nazi concentration camps and death marches. Schindler's journey from being an opportunistic war profiteer to a savior of the Jewish people is depicted through archival footage and powerful performances. The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Spielberg. It was also nominated for twelve other awards, including Best Actor for Neeson and Best Supporting Actor for Kingsley.

From Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, starring Ulrich Mühe, Martina Gedeck, Sebastian Koch, Ulrich Tukur
Rated R

The Lives of Others is a German drama film set in East Berlin in 1984, just five years before the fall of the Berlin Wall. It tells the story of a dedicated and loyal East German Stasi (secret police) officer, Gerd Wiesler, who is assigned to spy on the playwright Georg Dreyman and his lover, the actressChrista-Maria Sieland. Wiesler’s mission is to find evidence of an underground resistance movement, but instead, he begins to form an unlikely friendship with the couple. The film follows Wiesler’s transformation from a devoted Stasi operative to someone who recognizes the senselessness of the oppressive regime and ultimately helps the couple escape to the West. The Lives of Others is an exploration of political and moral issues concerning human freedom, surveillance, guilt, and redemption.

From Guillermo del Toro, starring Ivana Baquero, Ariadna Gil, Sergi López, Maribel Verdú
Rated R

"Pan's Labyrinth" is a dark fantasy drama written and directed by Guillermo del Toro set in Spain in 1944, five years after the Spanish Civil War. The movie follows a young girl named Ofelia who moves with her pregnant mother to a rural military camp, the home of her stepfather, the oppressive Captain Vidal. While exploring the nearby woods, Ofelia discovers a magical labyrinth where she meets a mysterious faun creature who tells her she is a princess from an underground kingdom. He gives her three dangerous tasks to complete in order for her to reclaim her throne. With the help of her new friend, a mysterious doctor, Ofelia embarks on a dangerous journey to complete her quests, while her stepfather's cruel rule of the camp continues to worsen. Along the way, Ofelia must confront ancient creatures, dark forces and her own inner demons, as she attempts to find the strength to fulfill her destiny.

From Emir Kusturica, starring Predrag 'Miki' Manojlovic, Lazar Ristovski, Mirjana Jokovic, Slavko Stimac
Rated Not Rated

Underground is a 1995 comedy-drama film directed by Emir Kusturica, set in Belgrade during World War II and the Yugoslav Wars. It follows two men, Marko and Blacky, who establish an underground resistance movement against Nazi occupation. The story follows their friendship and the development of their movement as they fight for their beliefs, despite the chaos and destruction of war. As the war progresses, their movement begins to gain more followers and eventually becomes a powerful force in the country. In the end, Marko and Blacky's movement helps restore hope and freedom to the people of Yugoslavia.

From Louis Malle, starring Gaspard Manesse, Raphael Fejtö, Francine Racette, Stanislas Carré de Malberg
Rated PG

Goodbye, Children is a 1987 French drama film directed by Louis Malle. Set during the summer of 1944 in occupied France during World War II, it tells the story of two Catholic boys attending a boarding school run by a stern priest. When the priest discovers that one of the boys is Jewish, he must grapple with his own conscience and personal beliefs as he struggles to protect the boys from the Nazis. The film follows the boys' friendship as it is tested by the harsh realities of war, and the difficult choices that must be made in the face of danger.

From Cristian Mungiu, starring Anamaria Marinca, Laura Vasiliu, Vlad Ivanov, Alexandru Potocean
Rated Not Rated

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days is a 2007 Romanian drama film directed by Cristian Mungiu. Set in Communist Romania in the late 1980s, the film follows two university students, Gabita and Otilia, who must arrange an illegal abortion for Gabita. Despite the many obstacles they must face, the two manage to achieve their goal, but not without cost. Throughout the film, Mungiu captures the harsh realities of life in Romania during this era, emphasizing the women’s struggle against the oppressive government while keeping a focus on the strength of their friendship. The film was released to critical acclaim, winning the Palme d'Or at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival.

From Andrés Wood, starring Matías Quer, Ariel Mateluna, Manuela Martelli, Aline Küppenheim
Rated Not Rated

"Machuca" (2004) is a socially conscious drama from Chilean director Andrés Wood. Set in 1973 against the backdrop of the growing political unrest in Chile, the film follows two friends—Pedro Machuca, an impoverished boy from the slums of Santiago, and Gonzalo Infante, the son of a wealthy family—whose friendship is tested by the turbulent changes that occur as a result of the Chilean coup d'état. As the country is divided into two distinct camps—the progressive and the conservative—so too are the two boys and their families. Despite their differences, however, Pedro and Gonzalo are determined to remain friends, and they must find a way to navigate the rapidly shifting political landscape in order to preserve their bond. The film explores the complexities of the period and its implications for the two boys, and in doing so, offers a powerful commentary on class and identity in post-coup Chile.

From Nora Twomey, starring Saara Chaudry, Soma Chhaya, Noorin Gulamgaus, Laara Sadiq
Rated PG-13

The Breadwinner is a 2017 animated film directed by Nora Twomey. The film is set in Afghanistan and follows the story of 11-year-old Parvana, a brave and determined girl who must disguise herself as a boy in order to provide for her family. In Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, women and girls are forbidden from leaving their homes unescorted, so Parvana takes on the identity of a boy in order to go out and make money to support her family. With help from her father and her best friend, Shauzia, Parvana embarks on a journey of self-discovery, courage, and strength as she attempts to bring her family back together in spite of the oppressive regime. Along the way, she discovers the power of stories in her own life and in the lives of those around her. The Breadwinner is a powerful and inspiring story about the resilience of the human spirit and the courage it takes to stand up for what is right.

From Talal Derki, starring Tia Alkerdi, Yara Ibrahim, Abdul Basset Saroot
Rated Not Rated

The Return to Homs is a 2013 documentary film by director Talal Derki. The film follows two young Syrians, Ossama and his friend both of whom are heavily involved in the Syrian Revolution against Bashar Al-Assad. The film chronicles the transition of the city of Homs, one of the main centres of the Revolution, as it falls to the hands of the Syrian military. It recounts how Ossama and his friend become important figures in the struggle as they make an attempt to fight back against the oppressors. The film follows the two young men as they stand up for their political beliefs and document the suffering of their fellow citizens in the face of violence and destruction. The Return to Homs is a powerful and moving account of the human cost of the Syrian conflict and a powerful testament to the courage of those who continue to fight for freedom in the face of insurmountable odds.

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

The Last King of Scotland is a 2006 historical drama directed by Kevin Macdonald. Set in Uganda during the tyrannical reign of Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker), the film is based on the novel of the same name by Giles Foden. The story follows Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy), a young Scottish doctor who sets off to Uganda in the hopes of doing some good. Upon his arrival, Nicholas is introduced to Amin, who quickly takes a liking to him. Nicholas becomes Amin's personal doctor, and is soon granted access to the innermost chambers of the Ugandan government. However, he soon finds himself risking his life for the sake of his principles, as he comes to realize the true horror of Amin's regime. As the situation in Uganda spirals out of control, Nicholas must use his knowledge and connections in a desperate attempt to survive. Ultimately, Nicholas must make a difficult decision: stay and fight for what is right, or flee for his own safety.

From Sergio Leone, starring Rod Steiger, James Coburn, Romolo Valli, Maria Monti
Rated PG

"Duck, You Sucker!" (1971) is an epic Western directed by Sergio Leone, starring James Coburn and Rod Steiger. In the film, set during the Mexican Revolution, an Irish former soldier named Sean Mallory (Coburn) teams up with a Mexican bandit named Juan Miranda (Steiger) to rob a government train filled with money, guns, and gold. Along the way, the two men learn about each other's respective cultures and gain a mutual understanding and respect. As the two come to discover, their robbery is part of a larger plan by a notorious revolutionary leader, and they must decide if they are willing to risk their lives to help the revolution. In the end, their choices have far-reaching consequences for all involved.

From José Luis Cuerda, starring Manuel Lozano, Fernando Fernán Gómez, Uxía Blanco, Gonzalo Uriarte
Rated R

Butterfly is a Spanish drama film directed by José Luis Cuerda and released in 1999. It tells the story of Moncho, a young boy living in a small Galician village in the 1930s. His life is filled with adventure, imagination, and the beauty of nature. With the help of his teacher, Don Gregorio, Moncho begins to explore the world around him and discovers the power of independence and his inner strength. Along the way, he discovers the strength of friendship and love, as well as the importance of standing up for what you believe in. Moncho's journey of self-discovery is a beautiful and moving story with a timeless message.

From Fernando Meirelles, starring Jonathan Pryce, Anthony Hopkins, Juan Minujín, Luis Gnecco
Rated PG-13

The Two Popes is a 2019 biographical drama film directed by Fernando Meirelles. It follows the relationships between Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio (Anthony Hopkins) and Pope Benedict XVI (Jonathan Pryce), as they attempt to find common ground despite their vastly different perspectives on life, faith, and the role of the Catholic Church. The two men engage in a series of discussions as they confront each other's ideological differences and find a way to bridge the gap between them. The film explores the challenges of leading the Catholic Church and ultimately shows how both men found strength and courage to make the difficult choices necessary to move the Church forward.

From Haifaa Al-Mansour, starring Waad Mohammed, Reem Abdullah, Abdullrahman Al Gohani, Ahd
Rated PG

Wadjda is a coming-of-age drama set in Saudi Arabia. The story follows a ten-year-old girl named Wadjda, who dreams of owning a bicycle so that she can race her friend Abdullah. However, in the conservative Riyadh suburb where she lives, girls are not allowed to ride bicycles. Wadjda decides to try and raise the money to buy the bike by entering an Islamic Qur’an recitation competition at her school. The film follows Wadjda as she navigates the restrictions and expectations of her conservative society to pursue her dream. Along the way, she must confront and challenge the traditional values of her culture and her own family, who do not understand her desire for freedom. Ultimately, Wadjda proves that if she is determined and persistent enough, she can achieve her goals.

From Jay Roach, starring Bryan Cranston, Diane Lane, Helen Mirren, Louis C.K.
Rated R

From Pablo Larraín, starring Gael García Bernal, Alfredo Castro, Antonia Zegers, Luis Gnecco
Rated R

From Cao Hamburger, starring Michel Joelsas, Germano Haiut, Daniela Piepszyk, Paulo Autran
Rated PG

From Vitaliy Manskiy, starring Lee Zin-Mi, Yu-Yong, Hye-Yong, Oh-Gyong
Rated Not Rated

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

From Guillermo del Toro, starring Marisa Paredes, Eduardo Noriega, Federico Luppi, Fernando Tielve
Rated R

From Eran Riklis, starring Hiam Abbass, Rona Lipaz-Michael, Ali Suliman, Doron Tavory
Rated Not Rated

From Hector Babenco, starring William Hurt, Raul Julia, Sonia Braga, José Lewgoy
Rated R

From Jong-bin Yoon, starring Hwang Jung-min, Lee Sung-min, Cho Jin-woong, Ju Ji-Hoon
Rated Not Rated

From Warren Beatty, starring Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, Edward Herrmann, Jerzy Kosinski
Rated PG

From Trey Parker, starring Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Elle Russ, Kristen Miller
Rated R