10 Films That Helps You Learn About Racism

With everything that is going on right now. A lot of people are using this time to reflect, which is always important to do. It helps us understand what we have done, what we can do and prevent us making the same mistakes.

One thing people do when reflecting, is learning about history. Whether it be about the country you live in or elsewhere, history is very important. One historical topic that continues to be at the front of many peoples minds, is racism.

Learning about racism through film is a great eye-opener for people of all ages. I remember learning a lot about racism through films or TV shows being shown in school. Films such as Dances With Wolves and TV shows such as Roots gave me great building blocks in understanding the history of racism and how those moments in history are still around today in a more modern guise.

Below are 10 films that I have chosen that cover the themes of racism. I have tried to be as varied as possible and try and avoid going for the obvious choices. There are films that are based on true stories, some that are suitable for family viewing and hidden gems that got overlooked.

They won't be in any order of preference. But all 10 are ones that deserved to be watched. Some are ones that you may have seen. But there are some you might not have realised at the time that they were covering the topic of racism within its plot.

Remember The Titans - A Disney production that shows what sport can do to unite people even during a period a high racial tension in the early 1970's of Virginia.

It sees Denzel Washington play an aspiring American Football coach appointed head coach to a high school that has recently introduced racial integration.

It executes all the usual underdog sports tropes to a high-quality standard whilst making it a great platform for older kids to understand racism.

This film is available on Disney Plus.

Sami Blood - A Scandinavian coming-of-age drama that covers a part of history that very few people would have been aware of going into this film. It sees a young girl with roots from a group of indigenous people in northern Scandinavia become exposed to the ill treatment of her people.

It's poignant and profound vibe gives you a great hidden gem that shows the sacrifices people have made due to colonialism.

This film is available on Amazon Prime.

If Beale Street Could Talk - This well made romantic drama from 2018 really shows the fear of racism and being isolated.

Set in 1970's Harlem, while helping her husband seek justice for a crime he didn't commit, a pregnant woman is preparing for the next stage in her life.

It's beautifully paced, gorgeous to look at and contains strong performances.

This film is available on Amazon Prime.

The Black Panthers: Vanguard Of The Revolution - A highly interesting film documentary about The Black Panther Party, one of the most fascinating and controversial organisations of the past several decades.

It's a fascinating insight on how people fought against racism and police brutality back in the 60's and 70's, and the similarities it has to today's issues.

This films is available on Amazon Prime.

Wind River - A tense and thrilling murder mystery that sees a veteran hunter and FBI agent investigate a murder in the Wyoming area inhabited by Native Americans.

The subtlety of covering the topics of the mistreatment of the Native Americans by the U.S government gives the film a surprising amount of emotional depth. It certainly made me think about a problem which doesn't get talked about enough.

This film is available to rent on Amazon Prime.

Zootropolis - A Disney animation that shocked me in the best way possible.

While it is a fun mystery drama. It also manages to explain how discrimination and prejudice can effect society. Doing that in a family film I felt this was a really brave call.

A great choice if you want your kids to learn about societal issues at an early age.

This film is available on Disney Plus.

Fruitvale Station - A very powerful biographical drama about the death of African-American Oscar Grant.

It saw the directorial debut of Ryan Coogler and a breakthrough performance by Michael B. Jordan who collaborated a couple of years later to make Black Panther.

You can feel how much of a passion project this was for so many of the cast and crew as it pulls no punches. There is also a film that you should watch that was inspired by the same incident called 'The Hate U Giv'.

This film is available on Netflix.

Belle - A British period drama that is inspired by a 18th century painting shows the life of Dido Elizabeth Belle, a British heiress born into slavery.

With top performances, strong writing and the use of historical events at the time that contributed to slave abolition in the British Empire, this is an effective drama that covers themes such as social change, acceptance and justice.

This film is available to rent on Amazon Prime.

Sweet Country - An Australian period piece that covers the severe racism in this country in the early 20th century as well as the country's after effects from World War I.

It tells the story of an Aboriginal man going on the run after shooting a white-man in self-defense.

It's a slow-burner. But that particular style is what makes it watchable as it gradually sucks you in. 

This film is available to rent on Amazon Prime.

Loving - This 2016 biographical drama tells the story of Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple living in 1960's Virginia who begin a landmark legal battle to save their marriage.

Director Jeff Nichols pacing is slow but rewarding and the performances by Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga are engaging and very honest. 

This film is available to rent on Amazon Prime.