What does courage look like? Here are our top picks for documentaries and movies featuring Right Livelihood Laureates to inspire you this summer.
Just Mercy
How can we help fight against systemic racism?
Based on the autobiography by US civil rights lawyer and 2020 Laureate Bryan Stevenson, this 2019 movie depicts the real-life story of his battle to appeal the murder conviction of death row inmate Walter McMillian. This case became emblematic of Stevenson’s struggle to reform the country’s criminal justice system to ensure equal rights for all.
I am Greta
Three years ago, 2019 Laureate Greta Thunberg went on a climate strike all by herself. But what is it really like to be Greta?
In the recent documentary “I am Greta” you can follow her journey across the world as she tries to convince world leaders to start treating the climate crisis as an actual crisis.
Percy
Get inspired by 2007 Laureate Percy Schmeiser’s courage depicted by the 2020 movie that follows the story of a small-town Saskatchewan farmer who took on global giant Monsanto after their GMOs interfered with his crops. In a David-and-Goliath struggle, Schmeiser chose to fight a lengthy court battle in order to stand up for his rights.
The most dangerous man in America
Have you heard of the Pentagon Papers?
Fifty years ago, Henry Kissinger called 2006 Right Livelihood Laureate Daniel Ellsberg “the most dangerous man in America” for leaking them. The papers showed that four successive US presidents had lied about the country’s involvement in the Vietnam War. Learn more in this Oscar-nominated documentary!
How to start a revolution?
How do you start an uprising? Learn from 2012 Right Livelihood Laureate Gene Sharp, described as the world’s foremost scholar on nonviolent revolution, in this 2011 film that follows Sharp’s ideas and their influence around the world.
NASRIN
What are the risks of advocating for human rights?
Follow the story of 2020 Laureate Nasrin Sotoudeh in the documentary “NASRIN,” and learn just how high the price of advocating for human and women’s rights in Iran can be. Sotoudeh, who had been sentenced to 37 years in prison and 143 lashes for her activism, continues her fight even from behind bars!
Dark Waters
How did one lawyer become DuPont’s “worst nightmare”?
For over 20 years, 2017 Laureate Robert Bilott fought a legal battle against the chemical giant in order to secure clean and safe drinking water. Find out how he took on DuPont in “Dark Waters,” starring Mark Ruffalo as Bilott!
City of Joy
Watch “City of Joy” to get inspired by the resilience of the women in the Democratic Republic of Congo who transformed devastation into powerful forms of leadership at a centre co-founded by 2013 Laureate Denis Mukwege.
Citizenfour
Who is Citizenfour?
The alias was used by 2014 Laureate Edward Snowden when he first reached out to a journalist about the US National Security Agency’s mass surveillance programmes on American citizens. Blowing the whistle on the unprecedented surveillance mechanism, he risked his life and freedom. Learn more about Snowden’s courageous decision in this documentary!
The White Cube
Why is it important to decolonize art?
“The White Cube” shines a light on African art and artists as they regain the profits from their labour. The film features a cooperative of local sculptors, headed by 2009 Laureate René Ngongo.
