Political Drama backdrop

Political Drama movies

Power and policy drama: influence, ideology, corruption, negotiation, and compromise inside institutions.

Life Is a Miracle

1. Life Is a Miracle

Romance Drama Comedy Bittersweet Romance Political Drama
7.5
20042h 35min

Overview

Set during the Bosnian war in the early 1990s, Luka is a mild-mannered railway clerk whose life is turned upside down, not just by the outbreak of the war, but when his wife runs off with a local musician. Then Luka's son is conscripted and eventually captured in the fighting. To recover his son, Luka is commanded to guard a pretty young Muslim nurse who will be used in a hostage swapping operation.

Themes

Loyalty under strain, Romance under pressure, Duty under danger, War disruption of domestic life, Survival through negotiation

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Osama

2. Osama

Drama Political Drama
7.3
20041h 23min

Overview

After the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan and the restriction of women in public life, a preteen girl is forced to masquerade as a boy in order to find work to support her mother and grandmother.

Themes

Forced marriage pressure, Gender-based oppression, Women restricted mobility, Disguise for livelihood, Survival under regime, Education under extremism

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Vizontele Tuuba

3. Vizontele Tuuba

Comedy Drama Political Drama Awkward Comedy
6.5
20041h 51min

Overview

Guner Sernikli is a government official who, with his wife and their wheelchair bound daughter, has been assigned as the head librarian to this isolated province, virtually an exile since there is no library in the village. The family is warmly welcome, but these are the years of political anarchy and leftist/rightist clashes in big cities and the youth of the village inevitably follow the tides. They arrive in Vizontele, just as the situation is becoming really absurd. Guner brings wisdom; his daughter Tuba brings beauty, innocence and love. Some like the Mayor, Nazmi Dogan and crazy Emin appreciate these things but they are in the minority and confusion continues to reign. The story is based on the memories of writer-director Yılmaz Erdoğan of the last summer of his childhood in Hakkâri, Turkey in 1980.

Themes

Family resilience, Rural isolation, Political violence, Community tensions, Cultural clashes, Library as beacon

Available on

Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Tears of the Sun

4. Tears of the Sun

War Action Drama Modern Conflicts Military Action
6.6
20032h 1min

Overview

Navy SEAL Lieutenant A.K. Waters and his elite squadron of tactical specialists are forced to choose between their duty and their humanity, between following orders by ignoring the conflict that surrounds them, or finding the courage to follow their conscience and protect a group of innocent refugees. When the democratic government of Nigeria collapses and the country is taken over by a ruthless military dictator, Waters, a fiercely loyal and hardened veteran is dispatched on a routine mission to retrieve a Doctors Without Borders physician.

Themes

Civilian harm in conflict, Refugee protection under fire, Leadership legitimacy under upheaval, Duty vs humanity

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Good Bye, Lenin!

5. Good Bye, Lenin!

Comedy Drama Satire Political Drama
7.7
20032h 1min

Overview

Alex Kerner's mother was in a coma while the Berlin wall fell. When she wakes up he must try to keep her from learning what happened (as she was an avid communist supporter) to avoid shocking her which could lead to another heart attack.

Themes

State change and deception, Media as reality construction, Consumerism and brand signals, Generation gap under reform, Family loyalty under pressure, Memory versus progress

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Quiet American

6. The Quiet American

Romance Thriller Drama War Bittersweet Romance
7.0
20021h 41min

Overview

Cynical British journalist Fowler falls in love with a young Vietnamese woman but is dismayed when a naïve U.S. official also begins vying for her attention. In retaliation, Fowler informs the communists that the American is selling arms to their enemy.

Themes

Love triangle dynamics, Aid worker guise, Journalist involvement, Growing american involvement, Vietnam war escalation, Indochina tensions

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Last Castle

7. The Last Castle

Action Drama Thriller Military Action Political Drama
6.9
20012h 11min

Overview

A court-martialed general rallies together 1200 inmates to rise against the system that put him away.

Themes

Prison oppression, Military officer coercion, Institutional revolt, Collective uprising, Discipline versus autonomy, Inmate solidarity

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Tailor of Panama

8. The Tailor of Panama

Drama Thriller Political Drama Political Thriller
6.1
20011h 49min

Overview

A British spy is banished to Panama after having an affair with an ambassador's mistress. Once there he makes connection with a local tailor with a nefarious past and connections to all of the top political and gangster figures in Panama. The tailor also has a wife, who works for the Panamanian president and a huge debt. The mission is to learn what the President intends to do with the Canal.

Themes

Deception as leverage, Political corruption, Misinformation consequences, Debt as influence, Elite manipulation, Sovereignty under threat

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Werckmeister Harmonies

9. Werckmeister Harmonies

Drama Political Drama
8.0
20012h 19min

Overview

A naive young man witnesses an escalation of violence in his small hometown following the arrival of a mysterious circus attraction.

Themes

Art and political power, Social pressure and control, Crowd manipulation and violence, Collaboration and betrayal, Social breakdown and unrest, State authority and legitimacy

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Traffic

10. Traffic

Thriller Drama Crime Political Thriller Narcotics Crime
7.5
20002h 27min

Overview

An exploration of the United States of America's war on drugs from multiple perspectives. For the new head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the war becomes personal when he discovers his well-educated daughter is abusing cocaine within their comfortable suburban home. In Mexico, a flawed, but noble policeman agrees to testify against a powerful general in league with a cartel, and in San Diego, a drug kingpin's sheltered trophy wife must learn her husband's ruthless business after he is arrested, endangering her luxurious lifestyle.

Themes

War on drugs, Family under pressure, Cross-border crime networks, Corruption and collusion, Addiction and secrecy, Public policy scrutiny

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.