Top 25 Movies and TV Shows That Inspire Resilience

When Islamic jihadists took over most of northern Mali in 2012, they imposed a strict form of sharia law that, among other extremist measures, banned music. In Mali, music is a vital part of communication, culture, and education. The documentary They Will Have to Kill Us First follows a group of prominent Malian musicians who refused to put down their instruments or quiet their voices amidst the takeover, instead fleeing south or forcing themselves into exile, even to refugee camps, so they could continue playing in safety. If caught, the musicians could face torture or even death, but despite their fears, they remain resilient under oppression. Along with the film’s live performances, They Will Have to Kill Us First is an inspiring, and at times, even joyful look at the power of music as a form of connection and resistance.

22. Wild Rose

Rose-Lynn (Jessie Buckley) is a young Scottish woman who dreams of being a country singer. She was raised in a working class family, her mother a bakery attendant, but Rose-Lynn is convinced she belongs in Nashville, Tennessee. To complicate matters, she is fresh out of prison on a drug charge, the single mother of two young children, and her dream seems to be the only thing keeping her alive. When she takes a job cleaning a house for a wealthy couple, the wife hears Rose-Lynn singing as she works, and everything begins to change. A true rags-to-riches story, Wild Rose is inspiring for anyone who has ever dreamed of a life they never thought they could live — and the music is fantastic.

Shows About War, Veterans, and Living With PTSD

23. Beasts of No Nation