Some movies about racial conflict

Some movies about racial conflict

Cry Freedom

Release Date 1987
Rating : 7.4 Production Companies: Universal Pictures, Marble Arch Productions Director: Richard Attenborough, David Tomblin Stars: Kevin Kline, Denzel Washington, Penelope Wilton

Summary: A dramatic story, based on actual events, about the friendship between two men struggling against apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s. Donald Woods is a white liberal journalist in South Africa who begins to follow the activities of Stephen Biko, a courageous and outspoken black anti-apartheid activist.

Freedom Writers

Release Date 2007
Rating : 7.6 Production Companies: Paramount Pictures, Double Feature Films Director: Richard LaGravenese, Brenda Lopez Stars: Hilary Swank, Scott Glenn, Imelda Staunton

Summary: A young teacher inspires her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance, apply themselves, and pursue education beyond high school.

Schindler's List

Release Date 1993
Rating : 9 Production Companies: Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment Director: Steven Spielberg, Nada Pinter Stars: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes

Summary: The true story of how businessman Oskar Schindler saved over a thousand Jewish lives from the Nazis while they worked as slaves in his factory during World War II.

12 Years a Slave

Release Date 2013
Rating : 8.1 Production Companies: Plan B Entertainment, Regency Enterprises Director: Doug Torres, Eva Z. Cabrera, Steve McQueen Stars: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o

Summary: In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty as well as unexpected kindnesses Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist will forever alter his life.

American History X

Release Date 1998
Rating : 8.5 Production Companies: New Line Cinema, The Turman-Morrissey Company Director: Mark Cotone, Ira Hurvitz, Tony Kaye Stars: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Beverly D'Angelo

Summary: Derek Vineyard is paroled after serving 3 years in prison for killing two African-American men. Through his brother, Danny Vineyard's narration, we learn that before going to prison, Derek was a skinhead and the leader of a violent white supremacist gang that committed acts of racial crime throughout L.A. and his actions greatly influenced Danny. Reformed and fresh out of prison, Derek severs contact with the gang and becomes determined to keep Danny from going down the same violent path as he did.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Release Date 1962
Rating : 8.3 Production Companies: Universal Pictures, Pakula-Mulligan Director: Robert Mulligan, Terry Morse Jr., Joseph E. Kenney Stars: Mary Badham, Gregory Peck, Phillip Alford

Summary: Scout Finch, 6, and her older brother Jem live in sleepy Maycomb, Alabama, spending much of their time with their friend Dill and spying on their reclusive and mysterious neighbor, Boo Radley. When Atticus, their widowed father and a respected lawyer, defends a black man named Tom Robinson against fabricated rape charges, the trial and tangent events expose the children to evils of racism and stereotyping.

The Hurricane

Release Date 1999
Rating : 7.6 Production Companies: Universal Pictures, Beacon Communications Director: Samantha Armstrong, Norman Jewison Stars: Denzel Washington, Vicellous Shannon, Deborah Kara Unger

Summary: The story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a boxer wrongly imprisoned for murder, and the people who aided in his fight to prove his innocence.

Crash

Release Date 2005
Rating : 7.7 Production Companies: Lionsgate, Blackfriars Bridge Films Director: Jay Mason, Paul Haggis, Ime Etuk Stars: Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon

Summary: In post-Sept. 11 Los Angeles, tensions erupt when the lives of a Brentwood housewife, her district attorney husband, a Persian shopkeeper, two cops, a pair of carjackers and a Korean couple converge during a 36-hour period.