Films About Humanitarians
Films that focus on humanitarians often highlight the selfless acts of individuals or organizations dedicated to making the world a better place. These stories usually showcase the challenges faced by these individuals, their moral convictions, and the impact of their work on communities in need. From harrowing tales of survival and resilience to inspiring narratives of compassion and activism, humanitarian films offer a powerful lens through which to understand the complexities of human suffering and the efforts made to alleviate it.
Here are some notable films about humanitarians:
“Hotel Rwanda”, 2004
Director: Terry George
Based on true events, this film tells the story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who sheltered over a thousand refugees during the Rwandan genocide. It captures the harrowing choices he made to protect lives amidst widespread violence.
Starring: Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Nick Nolte, Cara Seymour, Joaquin Phoenix, Jean Reno, Fana Mokoena, David O'Hara, Tony Kgoroge, Desmond Dube, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Leleti Khumalo, Antonio David Lyons, Mosa Kaiser, Mduduzi Mabaso, Xolani Mali, Rosie Motene, Neil McCarthy, Mabutho «Kid» Sithole, Jeremiah Ndlovu, Lebo Mashile, Kgomotso Seitshohlo, Lerato Mokgotho, Mathabo Pieterson, Ofentse Modiselle, Lennox Mathabathe, Mothusi Magano, Noxolo Maqashalala, Thulani Nyembe, Simo Mogwaza, Mirriam Ngomani, Harriet Lenabe, Roberto Citran, Sonni Chidiebere, Thomas Kariuki, Sibusiso Mhlongo, Ashleigh Tobias, Eugene Khumbanyiwa;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: drama, war, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 121 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “Hotel Rwanda” on the website imdb.com
“The Kite Runner”, 2007
Director: Marc Forster
Adapted from Khaled Hosseini's novel, this film follows Amir, a man who returns to Afghanistan to confront his past and seek redemption for betraying his childhood friend. The story touches on themes of friendship, guilt, and the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
Starring: Khalid Abdalla, Atossa Leoni, Shaun Toub, Sayed Jafar Masihullah Gharibzada, Zekeria Ebrahimi, Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada, Mir Mahmood Shah Hashimi, Homayon Ershadi, Nabi Tanha, Elham Ehsas, Bahram Ehsas, Tamim Nawabi, Mohamad Nabi Attai, Mohamad Nadir Sarwari, Mustafa Haidari, Ahmad Yasar Shir Agha, Mohammad Aman Joya, Abdul Azim Wahabzada, Vsevolod Bardashev, Murina Abudukelimu, Igor Radchenko, Larry Brown, L. Peter Callender, Josh Chamberlain, Marco Mazariegos, Shaan Price, Abdul Qadir Farookh, Peg McKibbin, Chris Verrill, Amar Kureishi, Maimoona Ghizal, Ehsan Aman, Yunus Osman, Mehboob Ali, Saïd Taghmaoui, Nasser Memarzia, Abdul Salam Yusoufzai, Mohamad Amin Rahimi, Aziz Raxidi, Khalil Ahmad Nooryan, Ali Dinesh, Hameeda Hamraz, Kaiser Doulat-Beek, Ahmad Shah Alam, Habib Zargi, Houshmand Habib, Lukas Ferreira, Saeed Meeran Farhad, Anita Argent;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 128 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “The Kite Runner” on the website imdb.com
“The Good Lie”, 2014
Director: Philippe Falardeau
This film tells the story of the “Lost Boys of Sudan,” a group of children who fled their war-torn country and later found asylum in the U.S. It highlights the challenges they face as they adapt to a new life, and the efforts of a humanitarian worker who helps them navigate their new world.
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Arnold Oceng, Ger Duany, Emmanuel Jal, Corey Stoll, Kuoth Wiel, Femi Oguns, Sarah Baker, Lindsey Garrett, Peterdeng Mongok, Okwar Jale, Thon Kueth, Deng Ajuet, Keji Jale, David Madingi, Kon Akoue Auok, Sibusisu Moyo, Antoine Wonder Kalambay, Elikana Jale, Afemo Omilami, Michael H. Cole, Brian Kurlander, Jimi Kocina, Joshua Mikel, Mike Pniewski, Vince Pisani, Kimberly Banta, Travis Smith, Sharon Morris, Raj Kala, Parisa Johnston, Heather Lyda, Maria Howell, Clifton Guterman, Kenny Alfonso, Victor McCay, Jacob Kuol Alier, Berglind Jonsdottir, Dhan Kueth, Israel Matseke-Zulu, Keith Woulard, John Prendergast, Tiffany Jones, Nathaniel Ramabulana, Lavine Dimo, Julia Ayiol, Sope Aluko, Suehyla El-Attar Young, Abena Ayivor;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
“A United Kingdom”, 2016
Director: Amma Asante
Based on true events, this film follows the love story between Seretse Khama, the heir to the throne of Botswana, and Ruth Williams, a British woman. Their relationship challenges colonial attitudes and leads to significant political change in Botswana, emphasizing themes of equality and humanitarianism.
Starring: David Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike, Tom Felton, Jack Davenport, Laura Carmichael, Terry Pheto, Jessica Oyelowo, Vusi Kunene, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Arnold Oceng, Anastasia Hille, Charlotte Hope, Theo Landey, Abena Ayivor, Jack Lowden, Zackary Momoh, Nicholas Rowe, Billy Boyle, Kevin Hand, Ray Burnet, Anton Lesser, Joseph Makwinja, Michael Howe, Madison Manowe, Motheo Motalaote, Chelsea J. Scott, Donald Molosi, Julian Firth, Duncan Wisbey, Rupert Vansittart, James Northcote, Justice Moilwa, Motsheresanyi Sefanyetso, Gareth Matthews, Merv Lukeba, Femi Ogunbanjo, Letsomo La Tshipa, Sophie Matlapeng, Tapologo Manche, Anthony Kaye, Will Featherstone, Danny Babington, Dave Perry, Dean Roberts, Craig Whittaker, Ookeditse Mosenki, Paul Putner, Kgomotso Delia Tshwenyego, John Mazabathi Mokandla, Oliver Barker;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama, melodrama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “A United Kingdom” on the website imdb.com
“The Breadwinner”, 2017
Director: Nora Twomey
This animated film tells the story of Parvana, a young girl in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan who disguises herself as a boy to support her family after her father is imprisoned. It highlights the struggles of women and children in conflict zones and the resilience of the human spirit.
Starring: Saara Chaudry, Soma Chhaya, Noorin Gulamgaus, Laara Sadiq, Ali Rizvi, Shaista Latif, Kanza Feris, Kawa Ada, Kane Mahon, Ali Kazmi, Mran Volkhard, Ezra Sholeh, Lily Erlinghauser, Wamiq Furoghudin, Millad Hamidkohzad, Salaman Hamidkohzad, Abu Hashim Dostyar, Sapeda Hashim Dostyar, Ali Hassan, Finn Jackson Parle, Enayat Mazaryar, Patrick McGrath;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: animation, drama, family, war;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 94 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “The Breadwinner” on the website imdb.com
“The Zookeeper's Wife”, 2017
Director: Niki Caro
Based on a true story, this film depicts how the keepers of the Warsaw Zoo, Antonina and Jan Żabiński, used their zoo to help save hundreds of Jews during the Nazi occupation of Poland. It emphasizes the couple's bravery and compassion in the face of overwhelming danger.
Starring: Jessica Chastain, Johan Heldenbergh, Daniel Brühl, Timothy Radford, Efrat Dor, Iddo Goldberg, Shira Haas, Michael McElhatton, Val Maloku, Marta Issová, Daniel Ratimorský, Frederick Preston, Theo Preston, Viktoria Zakharyanova, Goran Kostic, Arnost Goldflam, Marian Mitas, Martin Hofmann, Jitka Smutná, Waldemar Kobus, Viktorie Jenicková, Adira B. Cole Abbett, Hana Pindurová, Slavko Sobin, Alena Mihulová, Natasa Burger, Hana Frejková, Magdalena Lamparska, Vilma Frantová, Magdalena Sidonová, Ester Kocicková, Petra Buckova, Roman Vejdovec, Roman Horák, Ladislav Hampl, Václav Neuzil, Brian Caspe, Jakub Smíd, Gabriel Cohen, Josef Gurunz, Jaromír Nosek, Miliana Lenak, Jan Slovák, Jaroslav Achab Haidler, Michael Dushinsky, Shumi Berkowitz, Daniel Sidon, Anna Fialová, Marek Hula, Harry Thompson;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama, war, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 127 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”, 2019
Director: Marielle Heller
Inspired by the real-life friendship between journalist Tom Junod and Fred Rogers, this film explores themes of kindness, forgiveness, and the impact of one human being on another. It showcases how compassion can transform lives.
Starring: Matthew Rhys, Tom Hanks, Chris Cooper, Susan Kelechi Watson, Maryann Plunkett, Enrico Colantoni, Wendy Makkena, Tammy Blanchard, Noah Harpster, Carmen Cusack, Kelley Davis, Christine Lahti, Maddie Corman, Daniel Krell, Jon L Peacock, Gretchen Koerner, Gavin Borders, Mark August, Tressa Glover, Jessica Hecht, Di Zhu, Diane Monroe, Maxine Roach, Lesa Terry, Tahirah Whittington, Nigel Swinson, Kayla Fan, Alexander Ment, Madeline Ment, Olivia Irene Ruiz, Kiesse Yengo-Passy, Marcel Kottmann, John Castagliola, Jimmy Preston Lopez, Reginald Bannerman, Spencer Lott, Haley Jenkins, Marc Petrosino, Kathleen Kim, Mike Ancas, Kathleen Antonia, Krizia Bajos, Greg Black, Tom Bonello, Chris Breen, Gregory Bromfield, Francesca Calo, William Caraballo, Lloyd Crago, Kitty Crystal;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: biography, drama;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” on the website imdb.com
These films not only entertain but also educate audiences about the vital work of humanitarians and the challenges faced by those who dedicate their lives to helping others.
The selection of films about humanitarians offers a poignant and inspiring glimpse into the lives of individuals who selflessly dedicate themselves to making the world a better place. From biographical dramas to documentaries, these films beautifully capture the unwavering commitment and compassion of humanitarians, shedding light on the profound impact of their work. Through compelling storytelling and powerful visuals, these films serve as a reminder of the extraordinary capacity for kindness and empathy within humanity, resonating with audiences and igniting a call to action for positive change. As viewers, we are left with a deep sense of admiration and a renewed belief in the transformative power of compassion, making these films an essential and enriching addition to the cinematic landscape.
