Participant (USA): 25

Stillwater (2021), an American film directed by Tom McCarthy, follows the story of Bill Baker, a Stillwater, Oklahoma oil worker who travels to Marseille to visit his daughter Allison. Allison is five years into serving a nine-year prison sentence for the murder of her roommate and unfaithful lover, Lina. While in Marseille, Bill meets with Allison’s defense lawyer, Mrs. Leparq, to pass along a letter from Allison. The letter contains information about a potential new suspect in Lina’s murder heard from Allison’s former professor. Despite Bill’s efforts to convince her otherwise, Leparq dismisses ...

Dark Waters (2019), an American legal thriller directed by Todd Haynes and written by Mario Correa and Matthew Michael Carnahan, follows the story of Robert Bilott’s battle against DuPont, a chemical manufacturing corporation. In 1998, Bilott is a corporate defense lawyer at the law firm Taft Stettinius & Hollister in Cincinnati, Ohio. One day, farmer Wilbur Tennant, who happens to know Bilott’s grandmother, reaches out to him for help with investigating ...

Wonder (2017) is an American family drama directed by Stephen Chbosky, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Steven Conrad and Jack Thorne. Based on the novel by R. J. Palacio, it follows August ‘Auggie’ Pullman, a 10-year-old boy living in Brooklyn with his parents, older sister Via, and their dog Daisy. Auggie was born with a rare facial deformity called ‘mandibulofacial dysostosis’ and has undergone multiple surgeries to help him function. Due to his condition, he wears an astronaut helmet when out in public. After being homeschooled by his mother Isabel for most of his life, Auggie’s ...

The American political thriller film, The Post (2017), centers around the publication of the Pentagon Papers by The Washington Post. During the Vietnam War in 1966, military analyst Daniel Ellsberg joins American troops in combat and records their progress for Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. Despite privately admitting the war is futile on their flight home, McNamara publicly expresses confidence in the effort upon landing. This stark contradiction causes Ellsberg to lose faith. Years later, as a civilian contractor at RAND Corporation, Ellsberg discreetly copies hundreds of classified reports detailing the country’s extensive involvement in the ...

Deepwater Horizon (2016) is a biographical film about the disastrous explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The incident occurred on April 20, 2010, when an oil drilling rig called Deepwater Horizon, operated by contractor Transocean for BP, was completing drilling off the coast of Louisiana. Surprised by the decision of BP managers Donald Vidrine and Robert Kaluza to sed home workers without conducting a cement bond log (CBL), Chief Electronics Technician Mike Williams and Offshore Installation Manager James Harrell take action. Harrell convinces Vidrine to carry out a negative pressure test, which shows that the cement has not properly sealed the well from ...

Spotlight (2015) is a biographical drama film directed and co-written by Tom McCarthy. It follows the story of a group of journalists in Boston, who uncover a scandal involving sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. In 1976, two police officers discuss the arrest of Fr. John Geoghan for molesting children. An important church official meets with the victims’ mother, and an assistant district attorney enters to stress the significance of keeping this information from the media. Despite the severity of the situation, Geoghan is freed and no public statement is made. Fast forward to 2001, when Marty Baron takes ...

The film Bridge of Spies (2015) is an American historical drama directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg. It was written by Matt Charman and the Coen brothers. Set in New York City in 1957, the story follows the arrest of Rudolf Abel on charges of spying for the Soviet Union. James B. Donovan, an insurance lawyer, is appointed as Abel’s legal counsel. Despite pressure from the CIA to violate client confidentiality, Donovan remains committed to providing a vigorous defense for Abel. Ultimately, Abel is convicted ...

Out of the Dark (2014) is a supernatural thriller film primarily in English. In 1992, Dr. Andres Contreras Sr. prepares to leave a finca in Santa Clara, Colombia, attempting to burn and hide some files in the dumbwaiter when he hears strange noises around the house. He is then pursued by what appears to be a group of children on the second floor and tragically falls to his death after being pushed from the balcony. Two decades later, Sarah and Paul Harriman relocate from the UK with their daughter, Hannah, to Santa Clara. Sarah has accepted a managerial position at a paper mill owned by her father, Jordan. They settle into the company-owned finca where they all ...

The Prophet (2014) is an animated drama based on Kahlil Gibran’s 1923 novel of the same title. It takes place in Lebanon during the Ottoman Empire, where Kamila, a widowed mother, serves as the housekeeper for Mustafa, a foreign poet and political activist held under house arrest. Mustafa is guarded by Halim, a soldier who secretly admires Kamila. Kamila’s daughter Almitra has become withdrawn after her father’s passing and often steals from local vendors. Her only companions are seagulls, with whom she communicates through birdlike sounds. As Mustafa prepares to leave for his homeland before ...

Citizenfour (2014), a documentary directed by Laura Poitras, delves into the NSA spying scandal involving Edward Snowden. It premiered in the US on October 10, 2014, at the New York Film Festival and in the UK on October 17, 2014, at the BFI London Film Festival. The film received widespread praise and numerous awards, including Best Documentary Feature at the 87th Academy Awards. After Poitras received encrypted emails from an informant with knowledge of government surveillance programs, she joined forces with journalist ...

The action thriller film Snitch (2013), directed by Ric Roman Waugh and starring Dwayne Johnson, is based on the real-life experiences of DEA informant James Settembrino. College student Jason Collins gets pulled into a dangerous situation by his friend Craig, who convinces him to receive a package of drugs at his house. However, the package also contains a tracking device. When DEA officers raid the house, Jason attempts to escape but is caught and arrested by Agent Cooper. Later on, while attending a barbecue with his estranged father John Matthews (who owns a ...

Gus Van Sant’s drama, Promised Land (2012), follows the journey of Steve Butler as he climbs the ranks at Global Crosspower Solutions, an energy company focused on fracking for natural gas. With a proven record of efficiently and cost-effectively securing mineral rights leases from land owners, Butler catches the attention of top management. Teaming up with his partner Sue Thomason, Butler travels to a struggling farming community in Pennsylvania where residents take great pride in their long-standing family farms. Having grown up in a town similar to this one, Butler is determined to win over the locals on behalf ...

The American biographical historical drama film Lincoln (2012) was brought to life by director and producer Steven Spielberg. With a focus on Lincoln’s efforts in early 1865, the film showcases his determination to abolish slavery and involuntary servitude through the passing of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. As the Civil War nears its end with the defeat of the Confederate States, President Abraham Lincoln shares his concern that his 1863 Emancipation Proclamation may not hold up in court post-war, and that the proposed Thirteenth Amendment may face defeat from returning slave states. ...

The psychological drama film, The Beaver (2011), was helmed by director Jodie Foster and penned by Kyle Killen. Walter Black, a troubled CEO of Jerry Co., is evicted from his home by his wife, much to the satisfaction of their eldest son Porter. He relocates to a hotel where he makes multiple attempts at taking his own life. However, his situation takes a turn when he adopts an alternative persona manifested through a discarded hand puppet shaped like a beaver. Donning the puppet at all times, Walter communicates exclusively as the beaver, aiding in his recovery process. ...

Director Steven Soderbergh released the American thriller film Contagion (2011). After a business trip to Hong Kong, PR executive Beth Emhoff had an encounter with a former lover during her layover in Chicago. She initially chalked up her slight illness to jet lag. However, just two days later, upon returning to Minneapolis, Beth’s husband Mitch rushed her to the hospital after she suffered a seizure. Despite her treatment, she tragically passed away from an unknown disease. Meanwhile, Mitch’s stepson Clark also succumbed to the illness. Thankfully, Mitch was found to be naturally immune but chose to keep ...

The Help (2011), a period drama film directed and written by Tate Taylor, is based on Kathryn Stockett’s 2009 novel of the same title. Set in Jackson, Mississippi in 1963, the story follows Aibileen Clark, an African-American domestic worker who works for socialite Elizabeth Leefolt. Aibileen cares for Elizabeth’s two-year-old daughter Mae Mobley as Elizabeth neglects her emotionally. Aibileen’s close friend Minny Jackson also works as a maid for Mrs. Walters and her manipulative daughter Hilly Holbrook, who is known for leading the women’s ...

Fair Game (2010) is a biographical political drama film directed by Doug Liman and starring Naomi Watts and Sean Penn. Valerie Plame, employed by the Central Intelligence Agency, keeps her job secret from everyone outside of her husband and parents. She is an intelligence officer involved in numerous sensitive and potentially hazardous undercover operations abroad. Her husband, Joseph C. Wilson, formerly served as the U.S. ambassador to Gabon with a previous diplomatic history in Niger. Plame’s colleagues at the CIA ...

The horror flick The Crazies (2010), directed by Breck Eisner and penned by Scott Kosar and Ray Wright, takes place in Ogden Marsh, Iowa. During a local baseball game, resident Rory causes a disturbance by appearing on the field with a shotgun. Sheriff David Dutton tries to reason with him but is ultimately forced to take lethal action. Meanwhile, Judy (David’s wife), who serves as the town doctor, notices strange changes in another resident named Bill. His behavior includes repetitive speech and a vacant expression. ...

The Soloist (2009), directed by Joe Wright, features Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. in lead roles. The film tells the true story of Nathaniel Ayers, a homeless man who struggles with schizophrenia and is also an exceptionally talented musician. In 2005, Steve Lopez works as a journalist for the Los Angeles Times under his ex-wife Mary, who is now his editor. After being involved in a biking accident, Lopez is hospitalized. It is during this time that he hears the beautiful sound of a violin being played. Intrigued, he ...

The Informant! (2009) is an American biographical-crime comedy film directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Scott Z. Burns. It follows the story of Mark Whitacre, a rising star at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) in Decatur, Illinois during the early 1990s. Whitacre’s wife Ginger urges him to blow the whistle on the company’s illegal price-fixing practices. In November 1992, he confesses to FBI agent Brian Shepard that ADM executives (including himself) had been colluding with competitors to manipulate lysine prices. To gather evidence, Whitacre secretly ...