ABOVE: The Martin Luther King Foundation laid a wreath Monday at the Martin Luther King, Jr. monument in Washington, DC
TORONTO — It is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the U.S., a federal holiday honouring the birthday of the leader of the African-American Civil Rights Movement, who was assassinated on April 4, 1968.
For those not familiar with what King was rallying against, here are 10 movies that explored — in different ways — issues of racism in America.
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Based on the Harper Lee novel of the same name, this classic movie explores crime and injustice in America’s Deep South. Gregory Peck stars as lawyer Atticus Finch, who defends a black man (Brock Peters) false accused of raping a white girl.
Mississippi Burning (1988)
This Oscar-nominated film stars Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe as FBI agents investigating the murders of three civil rights workers in Mississippi in 1964. The film explores the racism and influence of the KKK at the time.
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967)
Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn and Sidney Poitier star in this film that deals with the issue of interracial marriage — at a time when it was still illegal in 17 states — and the subtle racism in a family of liberals.
In the Heat of the Night (1967)
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Directed by Toronto’s Norman Jewison, this crime drama follows black police detective Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) investigating a murder in Mississippi in the 1960s. Based on John Ball’s novel of the same name, the movie won several Oscars, including Best Picture.
Malcolm X (1992)
Denzel Washington portrays civil rights leader Malcolm X in this acclaimed biopic directed by Spike Lee. It tells the story of Malcolm Little’s personal and public struggles against racism and depicts his transformation into a leader of the movement.
Talk to Me (2007)
This film is loosely based on the life of radio host and political activist Ralph “Petey” Greene (played by Don Cheadle). At one point, we watch Greene address an angry crowd following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Ghosts of Mississippi (1996)
Directed by Rob Reiner, this is the story of the murder of civil rights leader Medgar Evans and the trial of his killer three decades later. The film stars Alec Baldwin, James Woods and Whoopi Goldberg.
Freedom On My Mind (1994)
The only documentary on this list, Freedom On My Mind is a powerful exploration of the civil rights movement, focusing on the efforts to register African-American voters in Mississippi in the 1960s.
A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
A big screen adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry’s play of the same name, this is the story of a poor black family in 1950s Chicago looking for a better life. It stars Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee. For a more contemporary take on the tale, check out the 2008 made-in-Toronto TV movie starring Sean “P. Diddy” Combs and Phylicia Rashad.
Hairspray (2007)
For something less intense, check out how the issue of racial segregation is addressed in this remake of John Waters’ 1988 film. Set in 1962 Baltimore (but filmed in Toronto and Hamilton), it follows Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) and her friends (including Zac Efron and Amanda Bynes) as they combat racism on a popular dance show.
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