5 Must-See Movies About Human Rights

These strong movies are placed in a world in which human rights are being challenged continuously; in this respect, therefore, cinema powerfully acts as an educative medium and provokes thought and inspiration. Five outstanding films throw light on a wide range of human rights issues—horrors of genocide, struggle for justice, and dignity. In these films, different dimensions of human experience are portrayed in times of crisis and conflict.

Through these movies, much more is learned about the relevance of human rights and the continued struggle for their protection worldwide. These are important stories about the rights of people, their struggles, and wills around the world.

1. Life is Beautiful (1997)

Embraced: Right to life, liberty, and security; Freedom from discrimination

The movie is set in Italy in the 1930s. The film is about a cheerful, smiling Jewish owner of a bookshop who falls in love and marries; later, he has a son, and the unexpected happens — Guido and his family are taken to a concentration camp during the Holocaust.

Guido protects his young son from the “realization” of the camp by telling him that it is all part of a game. He goes further to say that if they win this “game,” they will get a tank as a prize.

2. The Uncondemned (2015)

Main focus: Women’s rights; Right to Justice

It is a film adapted from a true event that happened in 1997. It’s about the cooperation of people, a very mixed group of young people all over the world, on one very significant case: being able to charge rape as a war crime for the first time.

It is headed by two young lawyers—one fresh out of law school and another in the prosecutor’s office. They face a lot of challenges, yet they just keep going. The movie depicted how these fearless women were to fight for the change of the law and the help of victims of terrible crimes.

3. Incendies (2010)

Main focus: Right to nationality; Freedom from torture

This is a film about twin siblings, Simon and Jeanne. The mother dies, and the twin siblings set out to the Middle East to learn about their family history. They want to fulfill the last wishes of their mother, which they find out in her will.

It is a torn-apart and hate-filled country, but it is also a story of enduring love through some seriously tough times. Painful secrets about their family and the motherland are revealed to the twins.

Related Posts

4. Hotel Rwanda (2004)

Main focus: Right to life; Freedom from genocide

This movie has been adapted from a real story dating back to the 1990s. It relates to the story of Paul Rusesabagina, who managed one of the hotels in Rwanda. At a time when countless people were being massacred, Paul managed to save more than a thousand people.

This man allowed the people who were running from fierce soldiers to stay in his hotel. At a time when many countries turned a blind eye or were even oblivious to events, Paul showed great acts of bravery. He worked hard to protect those who were in danger when their lives were at stake.

5. Blood Diamond (2006)

Main focus: Labor rights; Freedom from slavery

This is a film about a man named Archer. His life has been rough, and he now works in the dangerous business of conflict diamonds—diamonds sold to pay for wars.

The movie is set in Sierra Leone, a country torn apart by fighting. Two people who enter Archer’s life help him change his life. Now, he begins to see the world around him and the wars a bit differently, and he sees how much destruction the diamond business has caused.

These movies unfold before us in certain ways through which rights can be taken away from people. They also teach us about the importance of bravery, kindness, and fighting for what is right. If we have an opportunity to watch all these films, they will help us understand why human rights are very important to all of us.