The 10 best films inspired by true tragedies to watch online

Works based on real tragedies have the power to inspire profound fascination in audiences. People’s innate predisposition towards true narratives makes it extraordinarily easy to identify with such films.

Furthermore, the drama of real tragedies often provides powerful elements to create magnetic, captivating and unforgettable narratives.

For this reason we have compiled a list of 10 films inspired by true tragedies that you can find to watch online.

Carandiru (2003)

Film by Hector Babenco, this drama is based on the book “Estação Carandiru”, by the famous doctor Drauzio Varella, who recounts his experiences in carrying out AIDS prevention work in prison.

In addition to telling the story of several inmates of the prison, the film portrays the Carandiru massacre. The massacre occurred on October 2, 1992, when, under the pretense of containing a rebellion, the Military Police of the State of São Paulo caused the death of 111 prisoners.

available for Netflix and Globo Play subscribers.

Elephant (2003)

Critically acclaimed and winner of the Palme d’Or in 2003, “Elephant” is inspired by the tragic Columbine massacre.

In April 1999, at Columbine High School in Denver, two students carried out a meticulously planned armed attack. The act resulted in the deaths of 12 students and one teacher, with dozens injured.

Alluding to this event, director Gus Van Sant chose his hometown of Portland as the setting for a fragmented and experimental narrative. The plot follows several students in a seemingly ordinary school day, in a chronicle that will culminate in the tragic event.

available to HBO Max subscribers.

Hotel Rwanda (2004)

Starring Don Cheadle and Sophie Okonedo, this film portrays the genocide in Rwanda during the civil war that occurred in the country in 1994. In the conflict, members of the Tutsi ethnic minority, as well as some moderate Hutu and Twa, were killed by armed Hutu militias.

The story focuses on Paul Rusesabagina (Cheadle), manager of the Hotel des Mille Collines in Kigali, which provided on-site shelter to over a thousand Tutsi refugees.

available for Amazon Prime Video subscribers.

Detroit (2017)

This drama, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, portrays the sickening incident known as “The Algiers Motel.” The tragedy occurred in Detroit during the civil unrest of 1967, a series of protests and clashes that spread to several cities in the United States due to racial and social tensions.

After receiving reports of possible shooters in an area of ​​Detroit, a riot task force, composed of the city’s police department and the state of Michigan, raided the Algiers Motel.

There, police authorities carried out a series of physical and psychological abuse that resulted in the deaths of three black teenagers. Two white women and seven black men were also injured.

Recreating this event in detail, the film stars John Boyega, Will Poulter, Algee Smith, Jason Mitchell, John Krasinski and Anthony Mackie.

Available for rental and purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies and Apple TV.

Fruitvale Station: The Last Stop (2013)

Starring Michael B. Jordan and directed by Ryan Coogler, the drama “Fruitvale Station” is based on the tragic murder of Oscar Grant III.

The 22-year-old African American was shot and killed by police officer Johannes Mehserle at the Fruitvale train station in Oakland on the morning of January 1, 2009.

The incident started with a fight on a train. The police were called and Oscar Grant and some others were arrested. During the approach, the police officer fatally shot Oscar, who was handcuffed and lying on his back on the ground. The incident was recorded on cellphone cameras and went viral, sparking outrage and protests.

available for Amazon Prime Video and Mubi subscribers.

Jean Charles (2009)

A biographical drama that tackles xenophobia and racism, this film stars Selton Mello as Jean Charles de Menezes, a Brazilian unjustly killed by British police on the London Underground.

The film is based on the story of a Brazilian electrician killed by British police after being mistaken for a fugitive terrorist. The cast also includes Vanessa Giácomo and Luís Miranda.

available for Netflix, HBO Max and Globo Play subscribers.

United Flight 93 (2006)

A thriller depicting one of the planes hijacked during the 9/11 attack, “United Flight 93” is directed by Paul Greengrass (from the “Jason Bourne” film series).

The film attempts to make the most realistic depiction possible of the events surrounding the hijacking of United Airlines Flight 93. The film’s story unfolds in real time.

available for rental and purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, and Apple TV.

In the Name of God (1988)

Based on true events, this film addresses the tragic stories that occurred in the convent known as “Maddalena Asilo”, institutions administered by the Catholic Church, where women considered morally “deviant” were sent to carry out jobs in abusive conditions.

The plot is set in Ireland and follows four young women who were sent there in the 1960s, where they face humiliation, physical punishment and are subjected to daily forced labor at the hands of their mothers.

available for Amazon Prime Video subscribers.

Forever Lilya (2002)

Tackling the themes of human trafficking and sexual slavery, “Forever Lilya” is a sad and heavy Swedish drama directed by Lukas Moodysson.

The plot is loosely based on the tragic real-life case of Danguolė Rasalaitė, a Lithuanian teenager victim of human trafficking and forced into prostitution in Arlöv, Sweden.

The film tells the story of Lilya (Oksana Akinshina), a Soviet girl neglected by her parents and living in poverty. Constantly humiliated, the young girl begins to hope for a better life when she meets a man who offers her a job in Sweden. However, the offer is an ambush and Lilja is forced into prostitution.

Unfortunately the film is not available on streaming platforms.

Schindler’s List (1993)

Based on the novel “Schindler’s Ark” by Thomas Keneally, “Schindler’s List” tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of more than a thousand Jews during the Holocaust.

Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film portrays the horrors of the Holocaust, showing the brutality and dehumanization suffered by Jews at the hands of the Nazis.

The cast includes Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley and Ralph Fiennes. With public and critical acclaim, the film won 7 Oscars.

available to Telecine subscribers.

The post The 10 Best Films Inspired by True Tragedies to Watch Online appeared first on Olhar Digital.

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Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.