Movies and TvShows featuring "based-on-autobiography" theme.
The story of Melissa Reed, daughter of Keith Jesperson, aka the Happy Face Killer. After decades of no contact, Keith forces his way back into his daughter’s life, and Melissa must find out if an innocent man is going to be put to death for a crime her father committed. In the process, she must face a reckoning of her own identity.
During the WWII, acclaimed Polish musician Wladyslaw faces various struggles as he loses contact with his family. As the situation worsens, he hides in the ruins of Warsaw in order to survive. The movie tells the story of Wladyslaw Szpilman, a pianist living in Warsaw during World War II. As the war breaks out, the situation for the Jewish population in Warsaw becomes increasingly bleak. Wladyslaw, along with his family, is forced to move to the Jewish ghetto and endure harsh living conditions. Despite the hardships, Wladyslaw manages to find work as a pianist in the ghetto, which allows him to continue playing music and bring some solace to those around him. However, as the war progresses, the situation becomes more dangerous and Wladyslaw must go into hiding to avoid capture. He spends months living in various hiding places, relying on the help of others to survive. Ultimately, he is discovered by a Nazi officer who recognizes his talent as a pianist and helps him evade capture. Wladyslaw survives the war, but many of his family members do not. The movie ends with Wladyslaw triumphantly playing the piano in a concert, a symbol of his resilience and survival.
Solomon Northup, a free black man, is abducted and sold into slavery in the antebellum United States. He endures the horrors of being a slave, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, and separation from his family. Despite his struggles, he maintains his dignity and seeks freedom.
Susanna Kaysen, a directionless teenager, is rushed to a mental institution after a suicide attempt. There, she befriends a group of troubled women, including a sardonic anorexic, a girl who burned herself as a child, a lesbian, and a compulsive liar. Susanna's life is turned upside down by the return of Lisa Rowe, a sociopath who befriends her. Together, they cause trouble and Susanna begins relying on Lisa. Through her diary and therapy sessions, Susanna navigates her recovery and eventually leaves the institution, determined to start anew.
In April 2003, mountaineer Aron Ralston gets trapped under a boulder while hiking alone in Utah. He records a video diary, rationing his food and water, and struggling with hallucinations. After six days, he amputates his own arm, rappels down the rockface, and is rescued. Years later, he gets married, has a son, and continues climbing, always leaving a note for his family.
Inspired by John Ibrahim's best-selling autobiography, Last King of The Cross is an operatic story of two brothers, John and Sam Ibrahim who organize the street but lose each other in their ascent to power.
A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins.
Soul Surfer is based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton, a young surfer who loses her arm in a shark attack but continues to pursue her dreams of surfing.
In 2013, Vanessa Springora recounts how she found herself under the influence of a famous writer. In 1986, she was 13; him, almost 50. The victim of a triple predation: sexual, literary, and psychic, there's more beyond her individual story. She questions the excesses of an era, and the complacency of an environment blinded by talent and celebrity.
A young teacher named Erin Gruwell inspires her racially divided class of at-risk students at Wilson High School in Long Beach, California to learn tolerance, apply themselves, and pursue education beyond high school. Based on a true story, Erin uses unconventional methods to engage her students, including having them keep diaries and teaching them about the Holocaust. Through her efforts, the students begin to transform their lives and find hope for the future.
Bernardo Bertolucci's Oscar-winning dramatisation of the life story of China's last emperor, Pu Yi. The film follows Pu Yi's journey from being the emperor of China at a young age to his eventual downfall and capture as a war criminal. It explores his relationships, his struggles with identity and power, and the changing political landscape of China. This epic and visually stunning film offers a poignant portrayal of one man's life and the historical events that shaped it.
During China's takeover of Tibet, an Austrian mountain climber becomes friends with the Dalai Lama and witnesses the challenges faced by the Tibetan people under Chinese occupation.
Diana Nyad, a former athlete turned sports journalist, becomes obsessed with completing a grueling 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida at the age of 60. With the help of her best friend and coach, Diana embarks on a thrilling journey to conquer the 'Mount Everest' of swims without a shark cage.
A biographical epic that follows the life of Malcolm X, from his upbringing in poverty to his transformation into a prominent Black Nationalist leader as a member of the Nation of Islam. The film explores Malcolm X's journey, from his early years as a small-time gangster to his eventual assassination, highlighting his influential role in the civil rights movement and his struggle against racism.
Happening (2021) is a drama movie set in 1960s France, following the journey of a female college student who discovers she is pregnant and contemplates abortion. The film explores her experiences, friendships, and the societal pressures surrounding her in a time when abortion was illegal. It delves into themes of female empowerment, friendship, and the consequences of unplanned pregnancy.
Coal Miner's Daughter tells the rags-to-riches story of country music superstar Loretta Lynn. Raised in poverty in rural Kentucky, Loretta overcomes personal obstacles and achieves fame and success in the music industry. Along the way, she forms deep friendships, navigates a dysfunctional marriage, and learns the price of fame. Based on Loretta Lynn's autobiography, this film is a powerful portrayal of a woman's journey to become a music icon.
This is the incredible story behind Sweden's most notorious gangster, Clark Olofsson, whose infamous crimes gave rise to the term "Stockholm Syndrome".
The Dirt is a biographical drama film that tells the story of Mötley Crüe, one of the most notorious and successful rock bands in history. Set in the 1980s in Los Angeles, California, the film chronicles the band's rise to fame, their wild and destructive lifestyles, and the price they paid for their fame. It explores their relationships, drug abuse, and the tragedies they faced, including the death of a daughter and a car accident. The Dirt is based on the autobiography of the same name written by the members of Mötley Crüe.
Desert Flower is a movie based on the autobiography of Waris Dirie, who escaped from Somalia and became a successful supermodel. The movie explores her struggles as a nomad, her experience with female genital mutilation, and her rise to fame in the fashion industry. It also sheds light on important issues like immigration, cultural traditions, and women's rights.
My Father's House is a heartfelt drama that explores the complexities of family relationships through alternating time lines. The story follows a workaholic magazine editor who suffers a heart attack and re-examines his life while recalling his childhood memories. It delves into themes of paternal love, lost dreams, and the impact of the Great Depression on a family. With a mix of heartwarming moments and emotional conflicts, this movie takes viewers on a journey of self-discovery and nostalgia.