WATCHING FILMS

There are lot of films which portray events that had a lasting impact on international relations. While you are at home and possibly watching a lot of movies and TV series here is a list which you could watch to get some context to the important events in the 20th and 21st Century which have left an impact on IR. 

The list below is from an elective that I teach every alternate year at JSIA. In that elective, I start with a book called "How to Read a Film" by James Monaca in which Chapter 3, is quite useful. You could read the Chapter closely and then start watching the films, or you could just start watching films. That way, you will leave something for me to teach!

MOVIE	THEME
All Quiet on the Western Front	World War I
The Wind That Shakes the Barley	Civil wars, social revolution, and anti- colonialism
The Great Dictator	Comedy of Global Politics
Saving Private Ryan	World War II
Grave of the Fireflies	Nationalism and Identity Politics, World War II (Eastern Front)
Gandhi	Non-violence, Peace and Anti-Colonialism
Thirteen Days	Cuban Missile Crisis, Force and Politics; Deterrence and Decision Making
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb	Nuclear Strategy, Cold War, Military Thinking
Persepolis	Iranian Revolution, Feminism
Charlie Wilson’s War	Cold War, Covert Warfare, Proxy War in Afghanistan
Goodbye Lenin	End of Cold War
Hotel Rwanda	Post Cold – War Period and Humanitarian Intervention
Breaker Morant	Ethics and International Relations

There are many more which could be of interest. Some movies from Netflix which, in an indirect manner, are raise themes on IR are The Wandering Earth, which is a sci-fi movie from China, which is based on a novel of the same name by author Cixin Liu. This movie is interesting because I feel that we will be exposed to more content from China as its power, only increases, and this one aspires to show the future where China is leading the world.  

This movie could potentially be seen as part of the 'Wolf Warrior diplomacy' that is being attributed to China. While I did watch the Wolf Warrior II I don't recommend it as this movie apes the mentality of James Bond movies. So, if I want an inane but catchy action film I would rather still watch James Bond and Bourne series, with 'well-suited' characters.

Tokyo Trial is a short TV series where our own late Irrfan Khan starred in the role of Justice Radha Binod Pal, who was represented India in the International Military Tribunal which found the Japanese leadership guilty for provoking the World War II.

If this piques your interest, leave some comments below and questions, and I will be glad to suggest more recommendations too!