Slavery, in any of its gruesome manifestations, is a horrid thing that leaves families and entire communities scarred for generations. Throughout the history of humankind, slavery has been a horrifying tool in the hands of those who had control over the means of production. Nowadays, slavery, racial segregation, and sexual exploitation remain crucial problems that still harm millions of people around the world. It is an unspeakable experience, and most of us cannot even begin to imagine what it is like to be deprived of freedom. Many movies have approached this topic, and below are some you will find on Netflix. The aim of this list is to try and recommend some decent ones to watch for the next time you want to see a film with a powerful message.
13th
13th is a documentary about the 13th Amendment. Independence and liberty are things we often take for granted, but it is essential for us not to forget about those who were or still are deprived of these basic rights. The documentary discusses the problem of mass incarceration of people of color in the US, which has become a point of serious concern for most scholars and social activists, and reveals to viewers the flaws in the penitentiary system, and the African-American experience of being wrongfully accused and, thus, incarcerated. Though you cannot call the inmates slaves, this film explains how an average black person becomes a slave to a system that punishes folks on the basis of their skin color rather than what they did or did not do.
Gladiator
Gladiator is one of the most epic movies ever made, telling us the story of Maximus, a Roman general, turned slave, turned gladiator. This film reminds us that slavery is an ancient problem that has been around for centuries. Widely considered a real masterpiece, Gladiator tells us the story of a man who's managed to overthrow the tyrant emperor while staying in a cage and fighting for his life in the Coliseum. The powerful message of this picture is that they can take your liberty, your family, your glory, and all that you ever held dear, but they should never be able to break your character. This message should be an inspiration to anyone going through tough times and all those who are currently oppressed by violence, tyranny, and injustice.
The Prince of Egypt
The Prince of Egypt is an animated feature from Dreamworks based on a biblical story of Moses, the great leader of the Jewish folks who led them out of Egypt to free them from oppression and servitude. The story begins with baby Moses being adopted by the family of the Egyptian pharaoh, who treats him as his own child. Moses grows up to become a strong and wise man, respected and loved by his adopted family. Everything changes when he learns about his true heritage and hears the words of God, who instructs Moses on how to free his nation from oppression. From that point on, Moses begins his one-man crusade to free Jewish slaves from his adopted brother's oppression. This is the old story that still resonates in the hearts of millions of people even after all those centuries. Watch on Netflix and see where this struggle for liberty leads the main character.
Madiba
Madiba is one of many documentaries about Nelson Mandela, the civil rights leader, and the former president of South Africa. Mandela was one of the most inspiring figures of the 20th century as his lifelong struggle against oppression and injustice has led him through some serious ups and downs. From prison to the presidential chair, Mandela has never let go of his ideals and his strong will to change the lives of black communities both in his country and around the world. This is one of the segregation movies on Netflix that gives us a clear picture of what the apartheid was and how it influenced the lives of millions of blacks in South Africa. If you want to know more about Nelson Mandela and his lifelong struggle, check this biopic out.
Django Unchained
Though some might say this movie is not as serious as other movies on our list, it still tells us a tragic story of African-Americans fighting for their liberty. It all starts with the headhunter named King Schultz looking for the gang of outlaws. He frees the African slave named Django from his shackles just because he can provide the information on the gang members' whereabouts. The two then form a strong friendship, and Schultz agrees to aid Django on his quest to free his wife Broomhilda from the Candyland plantation. Yes, it is a ridiculously violent Tarantino movie that does not take itself too seriously, but it sure as hell shows us some of the most gruesome pictures of what being a slave meant for black people in Americas.
Wrap Up
Of course, there are more history movies on Netflix, and we could've been talking about them for the rest of the day, but these are some of the most notable pictures about slavery you should check out. Some of these are documentaries, some are works of pure fiction, but all of them are significant works of art we must all cherish. We have to remember our history, especially some of its safest pages, not to repeat the same mistakes ever again. Slavery is still a real problem, so we must all be aware of it and realize how resentful and tragic it truly is.
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