A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place
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Cinema is an incredibly versatile medium, presenting stories that evoke every possible human emotion. However, the truly good films – the ones that stick with us during tough times – are the films that make us believe in one another and help us see the best facets of humanity. Tales of bravery, heroism, love and friendship translate into every language, because they speak to our universal desire to make the world a better place. This month, we’ve searched the world over to find inspiring movies from every continent, all of which will leave you feeling lighter and more hopeful than when you pressed ‘play’.

By Victoria Luxford

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place.
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France: I Got Life! (2017) – A very modern story of personal liberation. Starting out on a low note, we follow Aurore (Agnès Jaoui), a woman in her early fifties who separates from her partner, loses her job and finds out she’s going to be a grandmother, all in a short space of time. Facing a crossroads in her life, she learns to move toward what makes her heart sing, whether that’s reigniting passions with an old flame, or simply dancing around the kitchen with her daughters.

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place.
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England: Happy Go Lucky (2008) – Played by Sally Hawkins (Paddington, The Shape of Water), It’s impossible not to fall in love with Poppy – a London schoolteacher who always looks on the bright side of life. However, her sunny disposition is at odds with the people in her life, who view her as irresponsible. A rare departure for Mike Leigh, famous for searing personal dramas like the Oscar-nominated Secrets & Lies, it’s a great film that illustrates the importance of a positive mindset – showing us that being cheerful doesn’t mean ignoring the uglier side of life, but rather working through it.

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place.
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US: Whip It (2009) – Have you ever discovered something you are incredibly passionate about, but which not everyone understands? That’s the problem faced by Bliss (Elliot Page), a small-town high schooler who defies the wishes of her beauty-pageant-obsessed mother in joining the local roller derby squad, made up of rough but loving teammates who revel in their sisterhood. Led by a heartfelt performance by Page (made prior to his 2020 transition), it’s a story about fighting for the place where you belong, and being your own hero.

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place.
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Wales: Dream Horse (2020) – Based on the remarkable documentary Dark Horse, this comedy-drama is inspired by the true story of a small Welsh town that came together to buy a racehorse, named Dream Alliance, who made waves in the traditionally exclusive world of horse racing. The idea wasn’t to get rich or build a sporting empire, but simply to bring excitement and purpose to a town that needed something to hope for. For animal lovers, it’s the ultimate example of the happiness a four-legged friend can bring to one’s life. The plucky spirit of these eccentric locals proved a winner with cinema audiences – and will with you, too!

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place.
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Japan: Your Name. (2016) – Life is a matter of perspective: you never really know someone until you walk a mile in their shoes. Animated Japanese fantasy Your Name. puts this adage in literal terms, when a young girl and boy magically swap bodies and forge a special connection through their shared experiences. Gentle but also emotionally complex, the dreamlike story will take you away for a couple of hours and help you see things differently.

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place.
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Argentina: Metegol/Underdogs (2013) – A story about the beautiful game, told in a way you may have never seen before! This animated Argentinian film tells the story of a young man who tries to save his town from demolition by playing a football match, aided when the players from his foosball table come to life. A gorgeous tale filled with whimsy and a lot of celebrity voices; the UK version stars Harry Potter’s Rupert Grint, while the US version features the vocals of Ariana Grande and Shawn Mendes!

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place.
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Australia: Paper Planes (2014) – A story about paper plane racing may not sound like the most compelling premise, but this Aussie hit shows how great movies can be at depicting the importance of resilience. The happy, earnest movie from Down Under follows a young boy as he competes in the World Paper Plane Championships, overcoming physical and personal obstacles along the way. Featuring Sam Worthington (Avatar), it takes a strong will to not punch the air as our hero flies toward his dreams.

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place.
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India: The Lunchbox (2013) – A lonely widower and an unhappy housewife forge an unexpected connection in this endearing drama, where Ila (Nimrat Kaur) accidentally sends a lunchbox intended for her husband to retiring accountant Saajan (Irrfan Khan). A masterclass in acting – and cinematic tenderness – it became one of the late Irrfan Khan’s most successful films, proving a huge success on the awards circuit and at the Cannes Film Festival. The unanimously positive reaction is down to the film’s story, which examines our universal need to be acknowledged and appreciated, depicting how special it can be when we find someone who sees us for who we really are.

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place.
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Italy: Cinema Paradiso (1988) – A wonderful example of the “movie about movies” genre, Cinema Paradiso stands the test of time as arguably the most heart-warming films you’re ever likely to encounter, and one that breathed life back into the Italian cinema industry. It follows a famous film director as he returns to his small hometown to attend the funeral of the local cinema owner, rediscovering memories of the childhood experiences that led him to where he is today. Despite featuring one of the most tear-jerking finales in film history, this is a warm hug of a movie that will certainly lift your spirits!

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place.
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New Zealand: Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) – A funny and tender comedy from Taika Waititi, made just before his move to Hollywood superhero movies. Julian Dennison plays a child in foster care who escapes to the bush when his beloved foster aunt dies. His foster uncle, the cantankerous Hector (Sam Neill) follows him into the New Zealand bush, inadvertently setting off a police manhunt and forcing the pair to open up to each other. It’s a film about the beauty of embracing one’s emotions, and about the bonds we make on our journey through life.

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place.
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Scotland: Sunshine on Leith (2013) – “I’m on my way, from misery to happiness today!” Based on the music of The Proclaimers, this musical about two soldiers putting their lives back together after returning home to Edinburgh is filled with hope, love and, of course, lots of songs! The excellent cast put their all into making the story feel real – like you’ve lived with this family for years – with each character looking to heal from the struggles of the past. By the time the band’s famous “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” kicks in, you’ll be dancing on your seat!

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place.
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Ireland: Once (2007) – How do you go from a small production with a tiny, government-backed budget, to one of the biggest successes of the 2000s? When you have the heart and spirit of Once, a tale of two Dublin musicians struggling to make it, and seemingly destined for each other. Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, both real-life musicians, etch themselves into your heart with a chemistry that feels natural. Filmed in friends’ homes with largely first-time actors, it’s a bittersweet but gorgeous ode to the first sparks of romance, and needing to say something but never quite having the words.

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place.
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Spain: Volver (2006) – A rousing family tale, which sees Penélope Cruz play a working-class woman looking to shield her daughter from the many issues in her personal life. On top of this, her sisters are keeping secret the arrival of their late mother, who has returned as a ghost to solve issues left unfixed. Filled with music and misunderstandings, the power of community is present throughout this Oscar-nominated film from Pedro Almodóvar. It’s sure to work its way into your heart, and have you looking differently at your family!

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place.
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Mexico: Rudo y Cursi (2008) – Literally translated as “Rough and Corny”, this Mexican comedy follows the dreams of two footballing brothers who achieve success through their own merits, and who clash because of their own character flaws. One of the most successful Mexican films ever, it captures the country’s sporting obsession through good humour and insightful observations. With sparkling performances from Diego Luna (Rogue One) and Gael García Bernal (Coco), this is a hilarious look at the winding path to stardom, and the determination it takes to achieve your dreams.

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place.
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Germany: Toni Erdmann (2016) – Peter Simonischek charms his way into your heart as Winfried Conradi, a divorced man fond of pranks and fake personas, including the buck-toothed ‘life coach’ Toni Erdmann. Winfried attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter, whose unhappiness is alleviated by the character of Toni and his joyous view on life. The German/Austrian co-production taught us that many of life’s everyday difficulties can be combated simply by finding your inner silliness!

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place.
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Canada: Maudie (2016) – Biopics have a habit of introducing us to people we may not have heard of before, but whom we fall in love with over the course of two hours – this is definitely one of those films! Starring the always excellent Sally Hawkins, this is a drama about how incredible beauty can come from the unlikeliest of places. It tells the story of Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis (Hawkins), a cleaner from rural Nova Scotia who began painting the house of her employer and future husband (Ethan Hawke), catching the eye of locals and becoming a worldwide sensation as a folk artist. This true story is one of hope, struggle and, ultimately, love between two people who see the magic in one another.

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place.
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China: The Farewell (2019) – This American-made dramedy may be rooted in Chinese culture, but at its heart, the film speaks to the relatable topic of family. Awkwafina plays a New York-raised Chinese-American who travels to Changchun in China to attend a party for her grandmother, or Nai Nai. What Nai Nai doesn’t know is that she is dying, a fact kept from her by relatives who have staged a wedding so that everyone can see her one last time. This sombre premise actually belies quite an uplifting comedy, where the love between generations positively glows.

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place.
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Sweden: The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (2013) – One of the most popular Swedish films of all time, the title of this absurdist comedy pretty much says it all! Put in a retirement home against his will, eccentric Allan Karlsson (Robert Gustafsson) hops out of the window of his room and goes on an adventure involving gangsters, revolutionaries and an elephant. Wholesome fun that won’t fail to bring a smile to your face, and ignite a sense of adventure.

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place.
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Kenya: The First Grader (2010) – It’s never too late to learn something new, as 84-year-old Kenyan villager Kimani Maruge (Oliver Litondo) finds out when he signs up for an elementary school following his country’s decision to offer free education. A charming journey that shows one person’s fight for what many of us perceive as a basic right, the drama was a breakthrough performance for Bond actor Naomi Harris, and a story that makes us look differently at the value of learning.

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place.
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Antarctica: March of the Penguins (2005) – We did say EVERY continent! Our final choice is the Oscar-winning documentary that follows the migration of Emperor Penguins in Antarctica, braving treacherous environments in order to reach their mating grounds. It was part of a group of documentaries in the 2000s that seemed to make a huge impact on our culture, revealing how the natural world is affected by humanity’s actions – and planting the seeds for some of the environmental movements we see today. Infamously narrated by Morgan Freeman, the cameras capture not only the beauty of the natural world, but the power of life to survive and thrive.

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A World Of Inspiration: Movie Gems That Make The World A Better Place

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