Watch the impeccable portrayals of powerful and influential people across the globe
Lifestyle Asia celebrates the power of influence this month of October. From empowered, passionate artists to brilliant inventors, we list down some of the memorable movies about these people who made an impact on hundreds of lives.
Selma (2015)
A Christian minister and activist, Martin Luther King Jr.’s influence especially in the Civil Rights Movement is unforgettable. David Oyelowo channels the character of the minister well, recreating his speaking voice without the overuse of cadences. Selma is not solely about King but about the political maneuvering of the movement and the media’s role in it. The film is a timeless reminder of how mistakes can be repeated if history was not explored.
The Social Network (2010)
The groundbreaking invention of Facebook continues to resonate with millions of frequent users across the globe. Yet behind its creation is the story of Mark Zuckerberg played by Jesse Eisenberg whose success came with personal and legal problems. The highly-anticipated movie moves along communication through different codes–friendships, conduct, social, and legal. It is a fascinating telling of how meanings can be interpreted and can affect people’s lives in this digital age.
La Vie en Rose (2007)
Looking similar to Edith Piaf may have helped Marion Cotillard in playing the beloved French singer but it is her talent and her moving portrayal that bagged her Best Actress in the Academy and Golden Globe. Olivier Dahan’s depiction of Piaf is mosaic storytelling, intersecting the singer’s joys, tragedies, and romances, moving back and forth between her difficult childhood and rise to fame. The film is simply poignant and memorable.
Gandhi (1982)
An eight-time Academy Award winner, the film follows the story of Mahatma Gandhi who led the liberation of India. Millions know him but not the reason why he is an important figure in history. The epic film depicts his moral journey and the performance of Ben Kingsley who comes out observant and soft-spoken yet the power behind it resonates, reflecting the sheer moral force of Gandhi.
The Aviator (2004)
In this star-studded cast-led film, witness the glory years of renowned business magnate Howard Hughes. Leonardo DiCaprio plays the reckless spirit of the man as he bought airlines, made films, and dated Hollywood’s beauties like Ava Gardner (Kate Beckinsale) and Jean Harlow (Gwen Stefani). Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, delightfully portraying the fierce yet mannered American actress. The film follows the intersecting story arcs of Howard: both his successes and the dark moments in his life.
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Winner of four Oscars, Bohemian Rhapsody follows Freddie Mercury and Queen’s rise to fame and iconic status. Discover the chronological artistic journey of the band albeit it is a simple and direct depiction of their genesis to producing their biggest hits. This biopic becomes sensational with the stunning and excellent performance of Rami Malek and the powerful amalgamation of the band’s legendary songs.
Frida (2002)
Salma Hayek plays the controversial artist Frida Kahlo in this storytelling of her relationship with her mentor Diego Rivera and other affairs. Yet we witness how Frida engages with life’s circumstances with her forward-thinking political and artistic attitudes. Director Julie Taymor incorporates magic realism into the film, blending art and imagination as ways in which Frida overcomes pain, especially in the closing scene of her death.
