Four Movies To Inspire and Motivate
While we still avoid social gatherings this Holiday season, here are a few uplifting and inspirational movie recommendations for your movie night line-up!
Rising Phoenix (2020 – Netflix)
Rising Phoenix is a look into the Paralympics and the people who help make it happen. Through interesting interviews, the documentary takes us in many different directions, looking at the past, present and future of the games from unique perspectives.
The movie explores the impacts of the games on society, highlighting the Paralympics' importance in breaking stigmas associated with disability and the cultural impact the games have on the countries that host them. Overall, it's a fascinating tribute to an institution with a rich and complicated history.
Click here to check out the trailer!
Charged – The Eduardo Garcia Story (2017 - Amazon Prime)
Charged is a documentary about the journey of chef and outdoorsman Eduardo Garcia after he is shocked by 2400 volts of electricity in a freak accident while hiking in the remote backcountry of Montana. Eduardo lost his hand, ribs, muscle mass, and nearly his life.
Through sheer resilience, he reclaims his life, helped by his former partner, Jennifer Jane, who nurses Eduardo back to health. He learns to embrace his past, his family, and his future. Charged tells Eduardo's remarkable journey from getting up off the forest floor to becoming the man he is today in a story about survival and love unlike any other.
Click here to check out the trailer!
Crip Camp (2020 – Netflix)
This documentary follows a group of people who attended Camp Jened, a camp for people with disabilities in the '70s. This community brought together individuals with different stories revolving around the theme of judgment and limitation by their society. The movie relates the history of the camp as well as how these campers went on to become activists for equal rights as Americans with disabilities. It's a powerful documentary that educates viewers about an often little known countermovement of the 70s.
Click here to check out the trailer!
Special (2019 – Netflix)
In a more lighthearted tone, Special is the memoir of Ryan O'Connell, an actor, writer and comedian with cerebral palsy. In short episodes, the story follows Ryan going through life with his condition. He deals with a new internship, persuading his mom to let him move out and his struggles of being gay with some physical challenges. Special is overall a spirited series that brings us to reflect on our perception of the challenges that come with living with a disability.
Click here to check out the trailer!
Quick Note: The viewing platforms aforementioned are representative of the availability on the Canadian market at the time of writing this article, availability could vary.
