On March 8, Mahmoud Khalil became the first pro-Palestinian activist detained by ICE. He spent three months in custody, missing the birth of his first child. His activism against Israel’s actions in Gaza was misrepresented as support for terrorism, using immigration policies to silence him.
This year, while watching movies, Khalil’s story resonated with themes in various films. Characters faced similar struggles, with their noble intentions twisted into threats. In Wicked: For Good, Elphaba’s truth-telling is viewed as dangerous. Superman’s Kal-El is investigated for defending a community under a violent occupation. Even Zootopia 2 features a bunny cop wrongly accused of murder while exposing attempts to erase a marginalized group’s history.
Unlike those narratives, this year’s standout films connect closely to current global struggles. Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just An Accident tells the story of former political prisoners confronting their torturer in Iran. Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent follows a professor hiding during Brazil’s military dictatorship. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another portrays a former revolutionary dodging fascist forces in America.
These films collectively earned critical acclaim, like those of recent years that addressed humanity’s darker sides. They shift focus from individual heroes to communities united by systemic oppression. This year’s films balance seriousness with dark humor, showcasing the absurdities of tyrannical forces while highlighting the fears of living under their rule.
Panahi’s It Was Just An Accident is particularly powerful. It emerged from his recent imprisonment, showcasing resistance against authoritarianism. The film starts with a man accidentally killing a dog, leading to a moral dilemma about accountability that echoes throughout the story. Eghbal, the driver, soon finds himself in peril as former political prisoners mistake him for their torturer.
The film also reflects Iran’s current social landscape, touching on movements like Women, Life, Freedom. It asks what happens after a regime falls—how do people heal, and who should be blamed? The story’s emotional backbone is shaped by children, as their fresh perspectives and hopes for the future guide the narrative.
The Secret Agent, set during Brazil’s dictatorship, projects a sense of urgency and paranoia. Armando, a professor, navigates dangers as he critiques corruption. The film jumps to the present, showing young archivists using his recorded testimonies for truth and reconciliation, echoing the struggles against contemporary fascism in Brazil.
Lastly, One Battle After Another starred Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob, a former revolutionary on the run. The film moves fluidly between action and social commentary, highlighting how little has changed over time. It kicks off with present-day events where revolutionaries rescue immigrants from an ICE-like facility. This movie raises alarms about current injustices, questioning how society continues to confront its past mistakes.
All three films suggest a shared hope for the future, embodied by younger generations willing to resist oppression. Whether on-screen or on college campuses, their spirit persists, making their stories not just relevant but inspiring in today’s complicated world.
For those interested in exploring related themes further, you can check out “Everything is political: how film can guide us through difficult times” here.
