The Court
Released in 2014, the movie portrays the inner working of the judicial system. When a social activist is arrested for inciting the suicide of a sewage worker, the injustice of the justice system becomes clear. Chaitanya Tamhane in this directorial debut has brilliantly focused on the subject of caste to show how insensitive the justice system has become. The movie won the national award for Best Feature Film at the 62nd National Film Awards. It will definitely leave you questioning the ‘oh so mighty’ justice system.
Jolly LLB
Starring actors like Arshad Warsi, Boman Irani and Saurabh Shukla, Jolly LLB is a two-hour long drama that’s packed with punches. Not only does Jolly LLB have all the masala of a typical Bollywood movie, but it also uses these elements to emphasise on pertinent issues of the society. Written and directed by Subhash Kapoor, the movie valiantly deals with the ‘hush’ instances of corruption that mar our legal system today. The brilliant acting and portrayal of law is definitely a must watch.
Shahid
As one of the best acting performances of Rajkumar Rao, Shahid is an autobiographical film on the life of a human rights activist Shahid Azmi, who was killed in 2010.
Centred around the theme of terrorism, director Hasan Mehta has powerfully portrayed the misgivings of a dangerous law. The courtroom scenes are hauntingly real. They make you wonder how innocent lives suffer because of political ends. Shahid won the National Film Award for Best Actor and Best Director at the 61st National Film Awards ceremony.
To Kill A Mockingbird
Even though it’s one of the oldest movies on law, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ remains a classic. Based on Harper Lee’s book of the same name, it delves into the theme of racism to depict the hypocrisy of the legal system. With Gregory Peck immaculately portraying the just and kind Atticus Finch, the movie works as a source of inspiration for all aspiring lawyers to this day.
12 Angry Men
What happens when the people deciding your fate don’t have the motivation to give you their time? 12 Angry Men considers such questions while delving into the realities of how a jury is merely a group of people like any of us. It shows how the biases and personality of a jury are just as important in the determination of a case and how even one willing individual can bring about a just result. The movie conveys all the inclinations of a jury system and remains a critical piece in understanding the workings of a legal system.