Meaningful Movies Based on True Stories

Magazine | Inspiring Stories | August 21

Meaningful Movies Based On True Stories

INSPIRING MOVIE #6

Based on the landmark Supreme Court case, an interracial couple fights the law that they cannot be recognized as married in the state of Virginia.

Here are 5 meaningful messages from this true story ...

Love is powerful. Faced with strong opposition, the Lovings continued their fight to be a legally recognised couple. Their fortitude and strength paved the way for many other couples to love and live freely.
Relationships based on genuine love, commitment and communication can overcome great stress and challenges. Love can conquer fear.
Just because it’s law, doesn’t make it right or moral. Laws are made by people who do not necessarily serve everyone’s interests. It’s up to us as individuals, and a collective to make a stand for what is right and just for all.
To make the world a better place, we need to support one another. Without the assistance of family, lawyers, journalists etc, the Lovings may not have succeeded in their fight for justice.
Never take our freedoms for granted. Just like the Lovings, many have fought for freedoms – even to openly be with the person they love. They endure imprisonment, beatings, death threats, and worse over many years to have what many of us take for granted.

INSPIRING MOVIE #5

SON OF THE SOUTH

The grandson of a Klansman comes of age in the deep south and joins the Civil Rights Movement.

Here are some of my take-aways from this film. Would be interested to hear yours.

There is a stand-out quote in the film - “Not choosing, is a choice.” Throughout history there have been groups of people who choose to spread fear, hatred and hostility. At the same time, humanity has enormous potential to share love, kindness and compassion. When we speak, share a thought, an article, a meme, a story. Which side are we most contributing to – fear or love?
Observing a grandson of the KKK endure ostracization, being called a ‘traitor’, beatings and death threats, we draw courage to speak up, and stand up for others facing injustice. We can help change fear and hate narratives by spreading kindness, love, empathy and equality for all.
Just because it appears the majority of a community hold a belief to be moral and right, doesn’t make it so. We each have a responsibility to evaluate beliefs taught to us, and test them against our own ethical and moral standards. If they don’t match up – will we be strong enough to stand up for what we believe is right?
Mobs made-up of everyday people can be incited to commit horrendous crimes – usually initiated by fear and hateful propaganda spread by authoritarian figures . Check and question the voices of authority you listen to. Become part of a group everyday people who collectively make a stand for love, freedom and equality for all.

INSPIRING MOVIE #4

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER

This film is about Irishman Gerry Conlon, who along with three others (known as the Guildford Four) were wrongfully sentenced to life in prison for an IRA terrorist attack. They spend fifteen years in prison fighting to prove their innocence.

These are a few meaningful messages you'll draw from this film ...

Who we keep company with and how we choose to keep our time can influence our life in a big way.
How we imagine those in authority should act, isn't always the way they do act. Just because an individual is convicted as guilty, doesn't always mean they are guilty. Corruption exits. Innocent people get hurt.
Having family support and unconditional love from a father and mother is a wonderful strength builder for those blessed to have it. Never take that love for granted.
We all need a support system; champions to stand-up for our cause. We cannot accomplish great things alone. Are we in a position to offer a voice, or champion a cause on behalf of someone who does not have freedom to speak?
Life isn't always fair. There are people who face injustice and we ourselves may face injustice. Take courage, be persistent and enlist support in your cause for justice. Take action and don't give up.

INSPIRING MOVIE #3

THE UNITED STATES VS BILLIE HOLIDAY

The United States vs. Billie Holiday is a film inspired by the life of Billie Holiday, one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time. While Billie's popularity rose (and her desire to sing her song "Strange Fruit), the Federal Department of Narcotics targeted her with an undercover sting operation.

Here are some meaningful take-aways you'll get from this movie ...

In 1937, an anti lynching bill was considered by the Senate, but did not pass. Billie Holiday rose to fame in part due to her song “Strange Fruit”, casting a spotlight on lynching. It shows the power of the arts and the need for people to stand collectively with artists who make a stand against injustice (especially when authorities are trying to silence the voice of justice).
Stories presented by the media will only tell part of a story, and at times are shared with a political agenda that will influence our thinking... we therefore need to consider there is more to a story, and that media may be used as a propaganda tool to create a narrative to spread a particular idea.
You'll get an insight into what contributes to a life of addiction and the challenges women face when they experience violence and abuse.
The image a person presents to others isn't always reflective of what they enduring or suffering in life. Look beyond the surface, look for the whole person and practice showing empathy to others.
The stories of our lives are created within external cultural and social contexts ... ie. gender, race, socio-economic etc. These factors all play a part in how we experience life. Unless we have lived in the shoes of another, we can never fully understand what they have experienced.

INSPIRING MOVIE #2

KUNDUN

An epic biographical film based on the life and writings of Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, the exiled political and spiritual leader of Tibet.

Here's some of the lessons you'll learn by watching this movie ...

The movie will expand your awareness of Tibet and her people. The atrocities Tibet endured at the hand of another nation calls out for a global conscience to stand-up for love, peace and compassion. Why should one person pick up a gun, or pick up a sword to slaughter another just because an authority has told them to do so?
The 14th Dalai Lama is one of the most famous people on our planet. The movie gives us insight into the man behind the title, how he came to be called His Holiness the Dalai Lama and what he experienced leading up to exile in India.
Though now living in exile the Dalai Lama continues to teach compassion and kindness across the globe. “This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. ~ His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

INSPIRING MOVIE #1

BEST OF ENEMIES

An inspiring true story about the rivalry between Ann Atwater, a fearless and outspoken civil rights activist, and Ku Klux Klan leader C. P. Ellis and their fight over a move to school desegregation in Durham, North Carolina, in 1971.

Here are a few brilliant take-aways you'll get from this movie (would love to hear some of yours) ...

When we seek to understand a person, and the deeper story behind their actions, it’s possible to overcome long-held prejudice and hate.
Even the most difficult and complicated problems can be resolved with consistent effort, consultation, collaboration and negotiation.
Being an initiator and champion of change can be difficult, requiring great courage to face intense opposition and resistance. But never give up hope for a good cause. Eventually love will prevail.
One act of loving kindness can be the catalyst to turn bitter enemies into the best of friends. But it takes one person to make the first move, then it takes another to respond to it.
In an interview with Aliya Faust, of GospelGoodies the lead actors said they hoped people would take these lessons away from watching the movie:

Taraji P. Henson: I think what I really want people to take away from the movie is that when someone matches you with hate, just know it's coming from a place of pain. It's coming from a very broken place and it has nothing to do with you, so don't be offended. Try to understand it. If you're really about change and are humanity-forward, you can't fight that fight with hate. You have to try a different approach.

Bill Riddick: We walk around with a lot of biases we don't even recognize we have. I would hope that the movie would force everyone, even myself, to have a relook at ourselves and look at what we bring to the table that's just not fitting for people around us and people of this country.