Movies About Human Rights

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 by Steven Spielberg and written by Steven Zaillian. It is based on the novel Schindler’s Ark by Thomas Keneally, an Australian novelist. The film follows the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of more than a thousand mostly Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. It stars Liam Neeson as Schindler, Ralph Fiennes as SS officer Amon Göth, and Ben Kingsley as Schindler’s Jewish accountant Itzhak Stern. The film depicts the cruelty of the Nazi persecution of the Jews in occupied Poland, and Schindler’s transformation from a greedy profiteer of war to a humanitarian who risks his life to save the lives of more than a thousand Jews from being deported to concentration camps. Schindler's List was released to universal acclaim and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Score. It became the highest-grossing film of all time at the time of its release and remains one of the most critically acclaimed films of all time.

From Roberto Benigni, starring Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Giorgio Cantarini, Giustino Durano
Rated PG-13

Life Is Beautiful is a 1997 Italian comedy-drama film directed by and starring Roberto Benigni. Set during the Holocaust, it follows the story of a Jewish father and his son as they attempt to survive the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp. The father, Guido Orefice (Benigni), is determined to protect his son, Giosué (Giorgio Cantarini), from the facts of the camp and instead, creates a game in which Giosué must earn points to win a real tank. Through a combination of charm, inventiveness, and luck, Guido and Giosué eventually manage to survive their ordeal. Life Is Beautiful has been praised for its comedic elements, its depiction of the horrors of war, and Benigni's performance. It won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Original Music Score, and Best Actor for Benigni.

From Directors: Olivier Nakache, Éric Toledano, starring François Cluzet, Omar Sy, Anne Le Ny, Audrey Fleurot
Rated R

The Intouchables is a 2011 French comedy-drama about an unlikely friendship between a wealthy quadriplegic and his ex-con caretaker. After being paralyzed in a paragliding accident, the wealthy Philippe (Francois Cluzet) hires Driss (Omar Sy) as his caretaker. Despite their very different backgrounds, the two quickly become close friends, learning from and supporting each other through life's ups and downs. The film explores themes of class, race, and companionship in a humorous and heartwarming way. It was a major commercial success in France and internationally, and was nominated for several awards including an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

From Roman Polanski, starring Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Frank Finlay, Emilia Fox
Rated R

The Pianist is a 2002 biographical drama directed by Roman Polanski. The film is based on the autobiography of the same name by Polish-Jewish pianist and composer Władysław Szpilman, which chronicles his experiences during the Holocaust. The film follows Szpilman, played by Adrien Brody, as he struggles to survive in German-occupied Warsaw. After his family is taken away to concentration camps, Szpilman manages to remain in the city by hiding in abandoned buildings and surviving on the kindness of strangers. During his time in hiding, he is aided by a German officer, Wilm Hosenfeld, who provides him with food and shelter. Near the end of the film, Szpilman is eventually discovered by Hosenfeld, who brings him to the titular piano so Szpilman can play in front of the German troops. The film ends with Szpilman being reunited with his family, who survived their camps, and the two men embracing in a show of mutual respect. The Pianist was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor, and won three awards: Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best

From Mel Gibson, starring Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Angus Macfadyen
Rated R

Braveheart is a 1995 award-winning period epic directed by Mel Gibson and starring Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, and Patrick McGoohan. The film tells the story of William Wallace, a Scottish commoner who leads his people in a rebellion against the tyrannical English king Edward I. After his oppressive rule leads to the massacre of his family, Wallace rallies the Scots and leads a heroic but ultimately doomed fight for freedom. The film is highlighted by emotionally charged battle sequences and stirring monologues about freedom and patriotism. Braveheart was a critical and commercial success, winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and grossing over $200 million worldwide.

From Denis Villeneuve, starring Lubna Azabal, Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin, Maxim Gaudette, Mustafa Kamel
Rated R

Incendies is a gripping and powerful drama from director Denis Villeneuve. It follows two estranged siblings, twins Jeanne and Simon Marwan (both played by Mélissa Desormeaux-Poulin and Maxim Gaudette), who are set on a journey to the Middle East by their mother's last will and testament. Along the way, they discover secrets and lies that their mother had kept hidden from them their entire lives, including bitter family feuds and a father who may still be alive. As the siblings unravel their mother's secrets, they uncover a complex and often violent history that forces them to confront their past and its effects on their present. The film culminates in a stunning and moving climax that reveals a powerful truth about the nature of family, identity, and fate.

From Richard Attenborough, starring Ben Kingsley, John Gielgud, Rohini Hattangadi, Roshan Seth
Rated PG

Gandhi is an award-winning biographical drama about the life of Mahatma Gandhi, the legendary pacifist and political leader of India during its independence struggle against Britain. Directed by Richard Attenborough and starring Ben Kingsley as Gandhi, the film chronicles Gandhi's early life in South Africa and his fight to free India from British rule through peaceful civil disobedience. It also explores his philosophy of non-violence and his relationship with his wife and family. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

From Jim Sheridan, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Pete Postlethwaite, Alison Crosbie, Philip King
Rated R

In the Name of the Father is the 1993 biographical courtroom drama directed by Jim Sheridan. The film stars Daniel Day-Lewis as Gerry Conlon, a wrongly convicted man sent to prison for a crime he did not commit. Conlon, a Belfast teen living in London, is arrested and convicted of being a member of the IRA and charged with the Guildford Pub bombings in 1974. With the help of a determined lawyer, Gareth Peirce (Emma Thompson), Conlon seeks the truth of his innocence and the real perpetrators. Along the way, Conlon and his father Giuseppe (Pete Postlethwaite) are forced to confront the injustices of the British judicial system and the consequences of their own actions. In the end, Conlon and his father gain their freedom and the real perpetrators are brought to justice.

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

Hotel Rwanda is a 2004 British-Italian-South African historical drama film directed by Terry George. It stars Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, and Nick Nolte. The film tells the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager in Rwanda who used his courage and cunning to save the lives of over 1,200 Hutu and Tutsi refugees during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Rusesabagina risks his own life to protect the refugees in his hotel, using his connections to the corrupt Hutu government and his own personal courage. As the situation deteriorates, the UN peacekeeping force, led by Canadian Colonel Oliver, withdraws and Rusesabagina is forced to take drastic measures to protect the refugees. Despite the odds, Rusesabagina succeeds in keeping the refugees safe, but ultimately finds himself powerless to stop the genocide. Hotel Rwanda is a powerful story which conveys the horror of the Rwandan genocide and the courage of those who fought to save innocent lives.

From Steve McQueen, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Kenneth Williams, Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt
Rated R

12 Years a Slave is a 2013 historical drama directed by Steve McQueen. It is based on the memoir of the same name by Solomon Northup, a free African American man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. The film tells the story of Northup's struggles to survive and regain his freedom for twelve years under harsh and cruel slave owners. His story is one of courage, resilience, and faith as he endures grueling physical labor, psychological abuse, and unimaginable suffering in the hopes of reuniting with his family. Ultimately, Northup is aided in his escape by Bass, a Canadian abolitionist, and he is finally able to return to his home. 12 Years a Slave is an emotionally powerful and important film that sheds light on the brutality and injustice of the slave trade.

From Tate Taylor, starring Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard
Rated PG-13

The Help is a 2011 drama film starring Viola Davis, Emma Stone, and Octavia Spencer. It is based on Kathryn Stockett's best-selling novel of the same name. Set in the early 1960s during the height of the civil rights movement, the film follows Skeeter (Stone), a young white woman who has just returned to Mississippi from college in the North. Despite her family’s wishes, she decides to write a book from the perspective of the African-American maids who work for the prominent white families of Jackson. Through her interactions with the maids, Skeeter discovers the racism and inequality that African-Americans are subjected to in the South. She also learns to appreciate and accept the help of her new friends, Aibileen (Davis) and Minny (Spencer), who risk everything to tell their stories in the book. The Help explores the strength and courage of these women in the face of adversity and oppression, showcasing their resilience and determination. It celebrates the power of friendship, loyalty, and the importance of standing up for what’s right.

From Cyrus Nowrasteh, starring Shohreh Aghdashloo, Jim Caviezel, Mozhan Marnò, Navid Negahban
Rated R

The Stoning of Soraya M. is a 2008 drama film directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh and based on a true story. The film tells the story of a woman in a small Iranian village who is falsely accused of adultery and sentenced to death by stoning. The story is told by the woman’s friend, Zahra, to a journalist who has stopped in the village in search of a story. Through Zahra’s retelling, the viewer is exposed to the cruelty and injustice of the village’s male-dominated culture and the lengths some will go to in order to maintain it. In the end, Soraya is unwaveringly loyal to her faith and family, and her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right.

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

Blood Diamond is a 2006 American adventure thriller film directed by Edward Zwick, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, and Djimon Hounsou. The film is set during the Sierra Leone Civil War in 1999, and follows a smuggler (DiCaprio) who helps a fisherman (Hounsou) find a rare pink diamond that will help him save his family. Along the way, they must face a number of obstacles, including corrupt government forces and rebel militia. The film explores the issues of African conflict diamonds and their role in funding rebel activities and the violence associated with them. Themes of morality, greed, and redemption are explored in the film, as the smuggler and the fisherman become unlikely allies in their quest to find the diamond.

From Kevin Costner, starring Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney A. Grant
Rated PG-13

Dances with Wolves is a 1990 American epic Western film starring, directed, and produced by Kevin Costner. It follows the story of Lt. John Dunbar, a Union Army officer in the American Civil War who travels to the frontier and becomes an adopted member of the Lakota tribe. Dunbar eventually becomes a friend of the tribe and falls in love with Stands With a Fist, a white woman adopted by the tribe. As the Union Army approaches the Lakota, Dunbar must fight to protect the tribe he now loves, as well as his own life. The movie won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Costner, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

From Bahman Ghobadi, starring Soran Ebrahim, Avaz Latif, Saddam Hossein Feysal, Hiresh Feysal Rahman
Rated PG-13

Turtles Can Fly is a 2004 Iranian film directed by Bahman Ghobadi. It is set in a Kurdish refugee camp in Northern Iraq shortly before the American-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. The film follows the lives of several children living in the camp, all of whom have been displaced by the war. The film focuses on the story of a 13-year-old orphan boy named Agrin, who has become the leader of the children in the camp, serving as the "go-between" for the adults and connecting the children to the outside world through his knowledge of satellite television. Agrin also acts as a smuggler, trading goods with the military and helping refugees cross the border. The film follows the events of the camp and the lives of the children living there in the days leading up to the invasion of Iraq, and is ultimately a story of hope and resilience in the face of great tragedy.

From Mira Nair, starring Shafiq Syed, Anjaan, Amrit Patel, Murari Sharma
Rated Not Rated

Salaam Bombay! is a 1988 Indian drama film directed by Mira Nair and written by her and Sooni Taraporevala. The film tells the story of a young boy, Krishna, who moves to the city of Bombay, India. Along the way, he faces many obstacles, hardships, and danger in his attempt to survive in the slums of the city. The film follows the lives of many characters, from the young street children, to the adult streetwalkers, drug dealers, and pimps. The film paints a vivid picture of life in the slums, and the difficulties faced by those living there. The film was a critical success, and won the Camera d’Or prize at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival. It was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

From Roland Joffé, starring Sam Waterston, Haing S. Ngor, John Malkovich, Julian Sands
Rated R

The Killing Fields is a 1984 British-American historical drama directed by Roland Joffé and starring Sam Waterston, Haing S. Ngor, and John Malkovich. The film tells the story of two journalists, Sydney Schanberg (Waterston) and Dith Pran (Ngor), who become trapped in the devastating Cambodian civil war during the 1970s. The film follows the two journalists as they struggle to survive the horrors of the war, and Schanberg's guilt over leaving Pran behind. Pran is eventually captured by the Khmer Rouge, while Schanberg is forced to leave the country. After being subjected to four years of torture and labor in a labor camp, Pran escapes and reunites with Schanberg in New York City. Together, the two men tell the story of the Cambodian people, who lost thousands of lives during the war.

From Walter Salles, starring Gael García Bernal, Rodrigo de la Serna, Mía Maestro, Mercedes Morán
Rated R

The Motorcycle Diaries is a 2004 biopic about the historical journey of two young friends, Ernesto "Che" Guevara and Alberto Granado, across South America in 1952. The film follows the two friends as they travel, facing dangers and adventures while discovering the harsh realities of life and poverty in the continent. During their trip, they come to a better understanding of the social and political issues of the time, which eventually leads Guevara to become a revolutionary leader in Latin America. Along the way, they meet a variety of people, each with their own stories and struggles, which also helps to shape Guevara's outlook on life. The film offers a unique insight into Che Guevara's formative years and his eventual transformation into an icon of rebellion and revolution.

From Alan Parker, starring Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif
Rated R

Mississippi Burning is a 1988 American crime thriller directed by Alan Parker. Set in Mississippi in 1964, the film follows three FBI agents investigating the disappearance of civil rights activists Michael Schwerner, James Chaney, and Andrew Goodman. As they investigate, the agents come up against a local culture of fear and hatred, embodied by the members of the Ku Klux Klan. With the help of a black man, they uncover a web of prejudice and violence that lead to the uncovering of a shocking truth. Despite the risks, the agents are determined to bring the perpetrators to justice. The film showcases the courage and determination of three men in the face of oppression, and their ultimate success in exposing the truth.

From Lukas Moodysson, starring Oksana Akinshina, Artyom Bogucharskiy, Pavel Ponomaryov, Lyubov Agapova
Rated R

Lilya 4-Ever is a 2002 Swedish drama film written and directed by Lukas Moodysson. The film follows the story of Lilya, a 16-year-old girl from a poor family in the suburbs of Moscow. After her mother moves to the United States and abandons her, she falls into a life of prostitution and drug abuse. She meets a kind-hearted man named Volodya who looks out for her, but eventually he is unable to protect her from the cruel realities of her situation. The film follows Lilya as she struggles to make a better life for herself, ultimately leading her to a heartbreaking conclusion.

From Matthew Warchus, starring Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West, Paddy Considine
Rated R

Pride is a 2014 British comedy-drama film directed by Matthew Warchus and written by Stephen Beresford. The film tells the true story of a group of lesbian and gay activists who raised money to help families affected by the British miners' strike in 1984, at the outset of what would become the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners campaign. Beginning in London in 1984, the group of activists led by Mark Ashton (Ben Schnetzer) launch a fundraising initiative to support the families of the Welsh miners on strike. Initially met with suspicion and hostility by the miners and their families, the activists eventually earn the trust and respect of the miners. With their support and assistance, they are able to raise thousands of pounds to help the miners during their financial struggles. Despite the obstacles they face, the activists forge an unlikely and powerful alliance with the miners, which ultimately leads to a closer understanding and acceptance between the two sides. In the process, a strong bond of solidarity is formed between them.

From Mark Herman, starring Asa Butterfield, David Thewlis, Rupert Friend, Zac Mattoon O'Brien
Rated PG-13

"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is a 2008 Holocaust drama directed by Mark Herman and based on the novel by John Boyne. Set during World War II, the story centers around an eight year old German boy named Bruno (Asa Butterfield) who is the son of a high-ranking Nazi officer (David Thewlis). One day, Bruno discovers a young Jewish prisoner (Jack Scanlon) in the nearby concentration camp and the two boys become friends, despite the fact that they are separated by a fence. It is through Bruno's journey of friendship with the boy in the striped pajamas that he discovers the true horror of the Holocaust and the tragedy of war.

From Damien O'Donnell, starring James McAvoy, Steven Robertson, Romola Garai, Alan King
Rated R

Rory O'Shea Was Here is a 2004 Irish drama film directed by Damien O'Donnell and starring James McAvoy and Steven Robertson. The film follows the story of Rory O'Shea (McAvoy) and Michael Connolly (Robertson), two young men with muscular dystrophy who become unlikely friends after meeting in a home for disabled youth. With the help of a social worker, they escape the home and move into an apartment together in Dublin. Despite their disabilities, they become independent and create a successful business. Through this journey, they find importance and meaning in their lives and teach each other to live life to the fullest.

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

"Beasts of No Nation" (2015) is an award-winning war drama film directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and based on the novel of the same name by Uzodinma Iweala. The film follows a young African boy named Agu, who is forced to become a child soldier as his country is in the midst of a civil war. As he is subjected to the horrors of war, Agu must find a way to survive and maintain his sense of humanity. The film stars Idris Elba and has received positive critical acclaim for its story and direction.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Margaret Avery
Rated PG-13

The Color Purple is a 1985 coming-of-age drama directed by Steven Spielberg. Based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the film follows Celie, a young African-American girl growing up in the early 1900s in the rural South. Despite many obstacles and hardships, Celie discovers her own strength and sets out on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. The film stars Whoopi Goldberg in her breakthrough role of Celie, as well as Danny Glover, Margaret Avery, and Oprah Winfrey, who all earned Academy Award nominations for their performances. The Color Purple is a powerful and deeply moving story of courage, resilience, and the power of sisterhood.