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Slavery is a form of relationship in which a person is owned by another. The slave is deprived of all rights. This phenomenon was widespread until the beginning of the twentieth century. In some states it still exists today.
Such a burning topic could not go unnoticed by filmmakers. It is very popular, as films dedicated to slavery are interesting, exciting, dynamic.
Life in slavery, the struggle for freedom – what will be the finale? Every viewer wants to know how the struggle against the slave system will end.
If you like stories like this, take a look at our ranking of the most interesting films about slavery. Here are collected the most worthy examples of thematic cinema.
10 Free State of Jones (2016)
Military historical drama based on real events. The film is set in 1862. Civil War. Newton Knight is a poor farmer from Mississippi. After the death of his nephew, he realizes that he has no reason to fight.
Ordinary residents suffer from the actions of the army. The soldiers take the last from them. Knight deserts, he escapes to runaway slaves and creates a community. It gradually grows, new slaves and deserters come.
A team is being formed that is able to repulse the soldiers. Now the community, led by Newton, will begin its struggle against the forces of the Confederacy.
9. Slave Isaura (1976-1977)
The first Brazilian series broadcast on Soviet television. However, he was a huge success not only in the USSR, but throughout the world. “Slave Izaura” became the best-selling telenovela in the history of Brazilian television.
The main character Izaura is a young girl. It belongs to the family of Commander Almeida. Izaura dreams of a free life, but these are just fantasies. Lack of rights, hard work – this is not the worst thing.
The life of a slave is complicated by the close attention of the owner’s son Leoncio. This imperious and cruel man wants to take possession of Izaura at all costs and make her his mistress…
8. Belle (2013)
Biographical drama that tells about the life of the daughter of Admiral John Lindsey Didi – Elizabeth Belle. 1769 Little Belle is the daughter of John and a black slave. After the death of his mother, the admiral decides to take her to his house.
He entrusts the care of the girl to his uncle. Lindsay himself sets sail, from which he is not destined to return. 14 years pass. Belle grew up, received a decent education, the same as her cousin. Now she is a rich heiress, but society does not accept her because of the color of her skin.
The time has come to marry the girls, but John’s daughter is not even entitled to sit at the table along with eminent guests. Only one person treats Dydu as an equal. The vicar’s son John is a supporter of the movement to abolish slavery. How will Elizabeth’s life turn out? The answer to this question is in the movie Belle.
7. Amistad (1997)
The film is based on the novel “Black Riot”. This is not fantasy, but a real story that happened in the 40s of the XIX century.
Spanish ship transporting black slaves from Sierra Leone. Inhuman conditions and a thirst for freedom – the captives stage a riot. They kill the entire crew of the ship, with the exception of a couple of people who should show them the way home.
Slaves hope to find her by the stars. For 1,5 months, the team wandered in the Bermuda Triangle zone until the ship was captured by a US patrol. Ironically, the trial is being held in the state of Connecticut. There is no slavery here.
Spain demands the return of the slaves, the United States is trying to get its own benefit – compensation for saving Amistad. Anti-slavery fighters want to free the captives. The judge has a tough decision to make.
6. Starting position (2011)
French comedy about time travel. Regis and Joel are stepbrothers. Their relationship is nothing more than a formality, and they even knew their father rather poorly. Before dying, a man notifies his sons of the inheritance.
The brothers arrive on the island and are disappointed. Instead of money and real estate, they receive a family heirloom – a document about the release of a distant ancestor.
In anger, they tear the paper, at the same moment a certain woman sends them into the past. Now Regis and Joel are slaves, and soon a sad fate awaits them – a slave market.
5. Book of Slaves (2015)
The film is based on the novel of the same name by Lawrence Hill.. This is the story of the slave Aminata Diallo. She was enslaved at the age of 11. The girl was brought from West Africa. Before becoming free, she had to go through a real hell.
This film is often compared to the sensational “12 Years a Slave” (more about it in paragraph 1). But here the main role is given to a woman, not a man.
4. Lincoln (2012)
Biographical film about the sixteenth US President Abraham Lincoln. This man became a national hero of the American people.
Lincoln had to solve difficult problems. 1865 is Abraham’s last year as president. The end of the Civil War and the abolition of slavery are the main goals that he pursues.
This is a serious, patriotic film. There are no historical inaccuracies in it, there are few artistic details and fiction. It is unlikely to interest those who just want to have a good time, but it will be a real find for lovers of classic historical cinema.
3. Birth of a Nation (2016)
The film is dedicated to the events of the uprising of African-American slaves in Virginia.led by Nat Turner. He was born a slave, but the mistress noticed the abilities of a smart boy. She taught him to read and write.
Nat became an excellent storyteller, he knew how to capture the attention of listeners. The owners decided to use this advantage for their own benefit. They took Nat to the plantations, where he was to preach to the rebel slaves.
He urged the captives to accept their fate. All this time, Nat has seen black people suffer. He became the leader of an uprising that killed 160 people.
2. Django Unchained (2012)
Spaghetti Western with elements of comedy. The film tells about the everyday life of bounty hunters. 1859 King Schultz makes a living by shooting dangerous criminals. Now his target is the gang of Brittle brothers.
Fate brings King with the slave Django, who once worked for the Beatle and is able to identify them. However, the new owners of Django are in no hurry to sell it. Schultz solves this problem. The slave agrees to accept King’s terms in exchange for freedom.
1. 12 Years a Slave (2013)
Screen adaptation of Solomon Northal’s autobiography. A story about the price of freedom, touching on important themes of tolerance and equality. The film is set in 1841.
Solomon is black, but he is free. This is an educated man, a musician. One day he is invited on tour to Washington. His circus companions offer to celebrate a successful performance. Nortal agrees.
The next day he wakes up in a cell chained. His acquaintances decided to earn extra money and hand over Solomon to the police as Platt’s runaway slave.
A new life begins, a terrible dangerous one. Slave market, cruel masters, slavery. And Nortal’s family is still waiting at home. That’s just to prove their real pedigree is very difficult.
Moreover, now nobody wants to listen to Nortal. He is no longer considered human, but he will try to survive and, no matter what, return home.