5 Human Rights Movies to watch in December

JAYNE LOO

When someone says December, you would probably think of the month of Christmas. The month where you are splashed with the Christmas spirit and presents. But one thing that people don't know is that December is also the month of Human Rights. What are human rights? Human rights are the rights and liberties that everyone should have the right to own. Everyone should have their rights to own them, without any sort of discrimination.

Why is December the month of Human Rights? December has been recognized as the National Human Rights Month and everyone is supposed to come together and support the dignity, equity and equality of all individuals in the world. These rights are involved in giving freedom from discrimination of sex, race, disability and the rights that only proves you guilty until announced, that means you will remain innocent until a official verdict is announced.

PHOTO FROM UNSPLASH BY Miko Guziuk

As much as the Youth should learn that December is the month of Human Rights, here are 5 movies that involve fighting for the rights of a basic individual from all over the world.

The Uncondemned, directed by Michele Mitchell, Nick Louvel and was released in 2016, is actually a documentary about the very first rape and the act of genocide case in the history of Rwanda. In 1997, young lawyers of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda was formed as a group in authority to prosecute the first ever genocide case in the history. Without any experience or guidelines and insufficient funds, the group of brave people find their way to fight for the basic rights against the mayor of a small town.

Directed by Angeline Jolie, First They Killed My Father that was released in 2017 is a movie about the time when the Khmer Rouge took over the power of Cambodia back in 1975. The movie is adapted from the original novel, First They Killed My Father, which was written by Cambodian human rights activist Loung Ung in 2000. 5 year old Loung had to take care of herself when she and her family were brought to a labour camp to survive after the Khmer Rouge took everything from her family. She was separated from her family and then trained to become a child soldier to fight when the Vietnamese came to save Cambodia. The movie ends with Lounge reunited with her siblings praying in a temple reminiscing on those who were killed by the Khmer Rouge and Cambodia is finally a safe place again.

Sareum Srey as young Loung Ung in Cambodian movie “First They Killed My Father” / Netflix

A movie like Hooligan Sparrow might catch your attention. Directed by Nanfu Wang, this documentary/drama that was released in 2016 will bring you on a journey with Human Rights Activist Ye Haiyan, also known as Sparrow, as she travelled to Hainan with her team to fight on behalf of 6 girls who were sexually abused by their own principal in elementary school. People like Ye Haiyan have constantly been under government surveillance and will be involved in interrogations in her journey of fighting for justice. Join Nanfu’s adventure as she tells the story of how Sparrow and her team fights for the most basic human rights that everyone should have.

Ye Haiyan in “Hooligan Sparrow”/ HOOLIGAN SPARROW

As proud Malaysians growing up, Rise: Ini Kalilah would definitely be your choice for movie nights. Proud directors M.S. Prem Nath, Nik Amir Mustapha and Saw Teong Hin had released the movie in 2018 in conjunction with Malaysia's biggest election yet. Take the journey with 6 Malaysians who fight their rights to vote for the election despite facing numerous obstacles in the way. The movie reflects on the different parts that different Malaysians have to play during the critical event. It is truly a movie that will unite people of different cultures and races from all over the world to come together for the historical incident. Not only will you learn about the history of Malaysia, you will also see how Malaysians help each other when they face difficulties.

Mark O’ Dea & Jenn Chia in Malaysian Film “Rise : Ini Kalilah” /Netflix

Nominated for the best picture in the 87th Academy Awards in 2014 and many more, Selma has won over the hearts of many people around the world. With Ava DuVernay as the director and Oprah Winfrey as one of the producers, the movie has portrayed how people were suffering in a time span of three months during 1965. Dr Martin Luther King (portrayed by David Oyelowo) was leading a very courageous yet risky campaign at that time against the opposition team, which were racist and had violent thoughts towards them that aimed as one of the obstacles for people to have their right to vote for the election. The movie holds one of the most ironic civil rights movements as detailed from the original famous march from Delma to Montgomery that made the President witness such event which is the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

David Oyelowo plays Dr Martin Luther King Jr. in film “Selma” /Paramount / Everett

It’s important for the Youth to learn about human rights to keep yourself educated and prepared for the future! Enjoy these movie recommendations and you can watch them with your family or have a movie night with your friends! Hope these movies will leave a deep impression on you!