May 1st, 2006

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Complete the Set: Hotel Rwanda, Schindler’s List and…

A reader writes with a request for film recommendations against some pretty specific criteria. I’m crap at recommending films when put on the spot, so I thought I’d open things up to you, my dear readers:

We watched Hotel Rwanda last night for the first time. It’s the first movie I’ve really enjoyed since The Pianist (though it’s probably one of only movies I’ve seen since The Pianist). I would put these two films in a category along with (though I haven’t seen) Schindler’s List. Stories that dramatize historic events, with main characters displaying extraordinary survival/humanity in a milieu lacking in humanity.

Given that I’ve been raising children over the last few years, I’m worried I’ve missed similar films. Would you add any others?

At the moment, I’m pretty much coming up empty. I pointed him to Participant Productions, as they produced created Murderball, Syriana, North Country and Good Night, Good Luck.. None of those quite fit the criteria he outlines, however.

Comments: 15 Responses so far

Rob Cottingham
May 1st, 2006
10:25 am

Would The Killing Fields be suitable? Or (Spielberg again) Empire of the Sun?

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Anonymous
May 1st, 2006
10:55 am

Well I think you’re on the right track with “North Country” and “Erin Brockovich” springs to mind as well. There are of course all the War Movies which would be appropriate “Platoon” Thin Red Line” Blackhawk Down” etc but one that stood out in my list was “Before Night Falls” the story of Cuban poet/activist Reinaldo Arenas. the movie also features Johnny Depp. Highly recommended.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynaldo_Arenas

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Darren
May 1st, 2006
11:21 am

“Before Night Falls” is an excellent film, and I’d definitely recommend it. Mind you, it doesn’t reflect the selfless sacrifice that a couple of the aforementioned films do. Still, a great film starring, in my opinion, the best actor in the world, Javier Bardem. Okay, maybe he’s tied with Chiwetel Ejiofor.

I’ve never seen “The Killing Fields”, though I’m familiar with its subject matter. “Empire of the Sun” qualifies, though again not with the whole self-sacrifice element.

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Aaron Brazell
May 1st, 2006
11:34 am

Lord of War…

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nick
May 1st, 2006
11:37 am

don’t forget Life Is Beautiful.

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-j.
May 1st, 2006
11:47 am

Or perhaps “Amistad”.

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Jarrett
May 1st, 2006
1:42 pm

The Pianist, for sure. Maybe The Insider.

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Patt - UBC
May 1st, 2006
1:44 pm

hmmmm….I’m thinking “Silkwood” might fit the bill

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Patty - UBC
May 1st, 2006
1:45 pm

hmmm…I’m thinking “Silkwood” might fit the bill

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Roland
May 1st, 2006
4:24 pm

I’ll second The Pianist and also offer The Constant Gardener.

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Celia
May 1st, 2006
5:21 pm

I second The Constant Gardener, and would like to add Sophie School: The Final Days.

We recently saw Osama, which was depressing as hell, and might not quite fit the bill if you’re looking for some kind of redemption or moral triumph by the movie’s end.

Two other excellent movies I highly recommend, but don’t meet the criteria: Dirty Pretty Things (non-historical), and Grave of the Fireflies (main characters fail at survival)

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tjd
May 1st, 2006
5:37 pm

Sophie’s Choice

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harp
May 1st, 2006
7:28 pm

I’d add:
The Sea Inside
North Country
Water
Carandiru
the world’s Fastest Indian
City of God (best movie in the last 3 years, FACT)

(…isn’t it obnoxious when people say “FACT” like that? ;) )

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Matt
May 1st, 2006
8:07 pm

Hey! Another Ejiofor fan. Just saw Kinky Boots the other night. And he, again, rocked.

As for answering the question, all of the ones I’d mention are above. So, how about The Matrix? Pretty much defines what he says. And who’s to say it’s not accurate?

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Nathan
May 2nd, 2006
11:33 am

Another recommendation for Amistad.

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