Social Issues movies/films/documentaries address a variety of social issues such as systemic racism, political corruption, poverty, war, and injustice.
Here are some options available on Netflix that you can consider watching:
The Trial of the Chicago 7
The film is based on the true story of the trial of seven activists who were charged with conspiracy and inciting riots during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
The cast includes Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Jeremy Strong.
The movie explores the social and political issues of the 1960s, such as the Vietnam War, civil rights, and the counterculture movement. It portrays the tension between the protesters and the government, the violence that erupted during the protests, and the subsequent trial and its aftermath. The film has received critical acclaim for its acting, direction, and screenplay, and has been nominated for numerous awards, including six Oscars.
Da 5 Bloods
“Da 5 Bloods” is a war drama film directed by Spike Lee and released in 2020.
The film follows four African American Vietnam War veterans who return to Vietnam to find the remains of their fallen squad leader and the treasure they buried there during the war. The cast includes Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, and Isiah Whitlock Jr.
Just Mercy ( Also available on Amazon Prime Video)
The film is based on the true story of Bryan Stevenson, a young lawyer who travels to Alabama to defend a wrongfully convicted man on death row. The cast includes Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, and Brie Larson.
Jamie Foxx delivered an exceptional performance in ‘Just Mercy’.
The movie addresses social issues such as systemic racism in the criminal justice system, wrongful convictions, and the death penalty. It portrays the struggles of Stevenson as he fights for justice and equality for his client and other inmates on death row. The film has received critical acclaim for its acting, direction, and screenplay, and has been nominated for several awards.
Mudbound
This one will make you cry.
Mudbound follows two families, one white and one black, living on a farm in rural Mississippi during and after World War II. The cast includes Carey Mulligan, Jason Clarke, Mary J. Blige, and Garrett Hedlund.
The movie addresses social issues such as racism, poverty, and inequality in the Jim Crow South. It portrays the struggles of the black family as they face discrimination and oppression from the white community, and the impact of the war on both families. The film has received critical acclaim for its acting, direction, and cinematography, and has been nominated for several awards, including four Oscars.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
The film tells the true story of a young boy in Malawi who builds a wind turbine to help his village during a famine. The cast includes Maxwell Simba, Aïssa Maïga, and Lily Banda.
The movie addresses social issues such as poverty, food insecurity, and lack of access to education and technology in rural Africa. It portrays the resilience and ingenuity of the young boy, William Kamkwamba, as he overcomes obstacles and uses his knowledge of science and engineering to improve the lives of his family and community.
Roma
This is a good one. It addresses social issues such as class, race, and gender inequality in Mexico. It portrays the life of Cleo, a woman of indigenous heritage, as she navigates her role as a domestic worker and faces various challenges and tragedies.
The film also addresses political events in Mexico at the time, such as the Corpus Christi massacre. The movie has received critical acclaim for its direction, cinematography, and acting, and has won several awards, including three Oscars.
American Son
American Son was released in 2019. The cast includes Kerry Washington, Steven Pasquale, and Jeremy Jordan.
The movie addresses social issues such as racism, police brutality, and the criminal justice system in the United States. It portrays the struggles of the parents, who are an interracial couple, as they try to find out what happened to their son and encounter institutional racism and bias from the police officers they interact with.
Crip Camp: (A Powerful Documentary)
“Crip Camp” is a documentary film available on Netflix that explores the history of the disability rights movement in the United States. The film primarily focuses on Camp Jened, a summer camp for disabled teenagers in the 1970s.
It highlights how the activism and spirit of the campers at Camp Jened contributed to the larger disability rights movement, including the fight for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. Through archival footage, personal stories, and interviews, “Crip Camp” sheds light on the challenges faced by disabled individuals and the incredible resilience and determination of the community in their pursuit of equality and social change.
I Am Not Your Negro (Hulu Plus or Amazon Prime Video)
“I Am Not Your Negro” is a documentary film available on Netflix that is based on an unfinished manuscript by African-American writer and social critic James Baldwin. The film is directed by Raoul Peck and uses Baldwin’s words to explore the history of racism and civil rights in the United States.
The documentary delves into the lives and deaths of three prominent civil rights leaders: Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr., all of whom were Baldwin’s friends. Through Baldwin’s words, archival footage, and contemporary visuals, the film examines the legacy of systemic racism and the ongoing struggle for racial equality in America.
The Hate U Give (Vudu, Apple TV, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store)
This drama tells the story of Starr Carter, a Black teenager who witnesses the police shooting of her unarmed friend. The film explores the themes of racism, police brutality, and activism.
The film follows the story of Starr Carter, a young African American girl who witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood friend Khalil by a police officer. The incident sparks protests and unrest in their community, and Starr finds herself torn between speaking up for justice and safety or staying silent to protect her family. The movie addresses themes of racial injustice, police brutality, and the importance of using one’s voice to stand up against systemic racism.
TILL (Not on Netflix (Amazon Prime Video)
“Till” is a film that tells the true story of Mamie Till-Mobley’s unwavering quest for justice after her 14-year-old son, Emmett Till, was brutally lynched in 1955 while visiting his cousins in Mississippi.
The film chronicles her efforts to seek accountability for the heinous crime and shines a light on the systemic racism and injustice that prevailed during that era.