Movies are often our go-to for entertainment and a getaway from our mundane lives, especially for students. Given the challenging situations and roles our student lives throw upon us, we sometimes become disoriented and lose sight. In these situations, movies act as a medium of inspiration. They teach us about life, love and passion. Movies are where we live most of our dreams; this larger than life set portrays our alter egos on the big screen.
Every film has its own message; while some are just for entertainment, many give a lesson or two about people, and sometimes they also reveal deeper, darker truths about life.
So here’s a list of 5 movies which every student must watch for inspiration, and which will act as gentle reminders of positivity when things go astray.
1. 3 Idiots (2009)
This had to be the first one. This gem from Rajkumar Hirani really changes your perception about ‘education.’ This is a movie about three engineering students and their life in one of India’s topmost technical institutions. It is a story of how Farhan (R. Madhavan) and Raju (Sharman Joshi), subduing their respective creative passions, become a part of the rat race (because hey, parents! Hey, society!) and how their friend Rancho (Aamir Khan) teaches them to follow their heart as every student should; because happiness and contentment lie in doing what you love.
The underlying message of the movie is echoed by the famous saying: “Do what you love and you won’t have to work a single day in your life.” The movie challenges and defies the age old notions of rote-learning and tells how innovation, passion and love for what you do are the only true indicators of a content professional life.
2. Dead Poets Society (1989)
“No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.”
This movie directed by Peter Weir and written by Tom Schulman, is an American drama film about an English teacher John Keating (Robin Williams), who embodies himself and inspires his students to adorn the virtues of innovation and creativity without fear. He employs his unconventional and unorthodox teaching methods and creates an everlasting impact in the hearts of his students.
This film encourages students to explore and believe and think, and exposes them to the importance of the humane aspects of themselves. It makes them aware that the power of words and ideas is revolutionary and encourages students to ‘make their lives extraordinary’ and ‘seize the day.’
3. The Breakfast Club (1985)
An American comedy drama directed, written and produced by John Hughes, this movie is about how five students from different backgrounds end up together for an all-day detention and open up to each other. Gradually, their conversation helps them develop a sense of comfort and encourages them to confide in each other. This movie is about finding and discovering friendship in the most unexpected way at the most unexpected place, which is the reality of life.
It teaches you how every student has his/her own needs and each holds a different perspective. It focuses on how students should be allowed to grow, and not just be constantly corrected. It also shows us how varied people put in a common situation can learn much from the situation and also each other. While exploring the intricacies of friendship, the film also mildly touches on how humans are wired to react in different situations.
4. Udaan (2010)
Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, this critically acclaimed movie has 17-year-old Rohan (Rajat Barmecha) who is expelled from the boarding school along with three of his friends, when they are caught by their warden watching an adult movie. He returns home to his strict father (Ronit Roy) and Arjun, his 6-year-old half brother. His father demands that he should take engineering classes, but Rohan just wants to be a writer. As expected, he’s not allowed to follow his dreams (sounds familiar?). When he is not busy between classes and late-night drinking bouts at the bar, Rohan begins to bond with Arjun, and it turns out the two of them have more in common than he initially thought.
This movie personifies many of our lives, where we’ve we had to let go of our passion and embrace conventional professions according to whims and fancies of others. This movie rightfully justifies its title and pushes us to give ‘flight’ to our calling.
5. The Harry Potter Series (2001-2011)
Any inspirational list is incomplete without the mention of this delightful series. While it defines childhood for many of us, it is a go-to movie series for many others.
The movies follow the story of Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), whose 11th birthday brings to him a world-changing revelation (quite literally) and he is exposed to the world of wizardry magic. This movie acts as a perfect metaphor for life and people you deal with everyday; how love, courage, loyalty, hope are the magic ingredients that make our lives beautiful.
It teaches you the importance of loyalty (to what you believe in), the strength that having hope and being truthful gives you, the defining value of our choices and the importance of making the right choices. These teachings will help students battle the nuances they will continuously face in their lives, and will always guide them towards the path that is right for them.