Top 10 Biopic Films About Protests

Description: Spike Lee's epic biopic on the life of Malcolm X, detailing his transformation from a street hustler to a prominent civil rights leader advocating for black empowerment and protest.

Fact: Denzel Washington's performance was widely praised, earning him an Oscar nomination. The film was partly financed by Oprah Winfrey.

Description: This film explores the life of Larry Flynt, the controversial publisher of Hustler magazine, and his legal battles over free speech, which can be seen as a form of protest against censorship.

Fact: Woody Harrelson was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Larry Flynt. The film was directed by Milos Forman, who also directed "Amadeus."

Description: This film follows the journey of a young Che Guevara across South America, witnessing poverty and injustice, which later fuels his revolutionary spirit.

Fact: The film was shot in various locations across South America, retracing Che Guevara's actual route. It won the BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language.

Description: Although not directly about protests, this film portrays Margaret Thatcher's political career, including her handling of the miners' strike, which was a significant protest movement in the UK.

Fact: Meryl Streep won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher. The film was criticized for its portrayal of Thatcher's dementia.

Description: This film chronicles Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965.

Fact: Oprah Winfrey, who plays Annie Lee Cooper, was also one of the film's producers. The film was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars.

Description: While primarily about rugby, this film captures the spirit of post-apartheid South Africa, where Nelson Mandela uses the sport to unite a divided nation, showcasing the power of peaceful protest.

Fact: Morgan Freeman's portrayal of Nelson Mandela was critically acclaimed, earning him an Oscar nomination. The film was shot in South Africa.

Description: While not solely about protests, this film includes significant scenes of civil rights protests, showing the life of Cecil Gaines, a butler who served eight presidents during the civil rights movement.

Fact: Forest Whitaker's performance as Cecil Gaines earned him a Golden Globe nomination. The film was inspired by the real-life story of Eugene Allen.

Description: A biopic about the civil rights activist Cesar Chavez, who led the United Farm Workers in a non-violent protest against the inhumane treatment of farm workers.

Fact: The film was directed by Diego Luna, who also played Chavez in the 1992 biopic "The Fight in the Fields."

Description: A story of the foot soldiers of the early feminist movement, women who were forced underground to pursue a dangerous game of cat and mouse with an increasingly brutal State.

Fact: Meryl Streep makes a brief appearance as Emmeline Pankhurst. The film was shot in London, capturing the historical essence of the suffragette movement.

Description: The story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California, and his fight for gay rights amidst protests and political battles.

Fact: Sean Penn won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Harvey Milk. The film was shot on location in San Francisco, where Milk lived and worked.