Movies that will educate you about Racism!

The USA is having a hard time this year, with the highest number of active Corona patients as well as deaths, along with the sudden revolution around the murder of George Floyd. The police brutality was increasing day by day and is still persistent, the people had had enough. It was just one push that brought thousands of Americans to the streets, chanting Black Lives Matter, and shouting the names of the victims. Even though there was the fear of the virus, but some things screamed priority. The country has got one of the worst cases of internalized and institutionalized racism, and people of color started living in fear. And this owes to the lack of morality, education, and awareness. Even though we have come a long way in bashing the system, yet it is still ingrained within many.

But changes are being seen. People are buying books to enlighten themselves, some are gaining knowledge from the internet, and some are revisiting the movies based on racism. Media, especially cinemas, play a crucial role in educating minds. Hence, we have jotted down a few movies that will teach you a lot about racism, and the terrifying sides of it. You would know why they are doing what they are doing today.

1. 12 Years A Slave (2013)

A book adapted movie, written by Solomon Northup. A historical drama film, based on a heart-wrenching memoir chronicling his fight for survival and freedom. Solomon was born a free man of color in New York but was tricked, drugged, and sold as a slave. It is one of the best slave narratives ever told. The film is directed by Steve McQueen and won the Golden Globe Award.

2. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013)

Based on the autobiography written by South African President Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom talks about his early years of his life, growing up, education, and living life as a black man. He was regarded as a terrorist and jailed on the infamous Robben Island, under the Apartheid government, and penned down his struggles in becoming the President. It is directed by Justin Chadwick from a script written by William Nicholson and starring Idris Elba and Naomie Harris.

3. Selma (2014)

Selma is based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches initiated by James Bevel and led by Martin Luther King Jr., Hosea Williams, and John Lewis. Directed by Ava DuVernay, the film received huge criticisms. Selma got nominated for Golden Globe Award four times and won Best Original Song at the 87th Academy Awards. The movie is very much relevant to today’s revolution and rallies for black lives.

4. A Dry White Season (1989)

The 1989 American drama-historical film tells us the horrific stories of Apartheid in South Africa. Based on the novel of the same name, written by André Brink, Ben Du Toit, a school teacher for an all-white school in South Africa, ignorant of the racism in the country, encounters his gardener’s son, Gordon, getting beaten up and arrested by the white police for standing up for the black education. Ben goes on to seek justice for the family as well as for the black community following a tough path.

https://youtu.be/kbNbN3KSkI8

5. The Birth of a Nation (2016)

A remake of the 1915 silent-film of the same name, The Birth of a Nation is based on the story of Nat Turner, the enslaved man who led a slave rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia, in 1831. A Mind-boggling narrative story of obnoxious American past, where men were treated worse than animals. The film is co-written, co-produced, and directed by Nate Parker and later on released by Fox Searchlight Pictures.

6. Little Boxes (2017)

Little Boxes is a film that tackles racial discrimination in America in a funny and a little lighter way. A family moves from a small town in Washington to go to New York City. This film shows how the difference in racial stigma can be seen between urban and suburban neighborhoods. It is directed by Rob Meyer and written by Annie Howell. It stars Melanie Lynskey, Nelsan Ellis, Armani Jackson, Oona Laurence, Janeane Garofalo, and Christine Taylor.

https://youtu.be/TaV_dbXdV_Y