On this day in 1948, the United Nations proclaimed and adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For those of us who have never had to fight for our basic human rights, here are three films -- from an 'outspoken' Iranian girl to a nation fighting against apartheid -- that provide glimpses into the lives of those who have had to



Cry Freedom directed by Richard Attenborough
Why? Because the movie deals with apartheid and is 'political' cinema at its best. Because racism is an issue that we continue to grapple with. Because it's from the same guy who directed Gandhi.

What's it about? The movie portrays the story of a friendship between a white liberal South African editor and an idealistic young black leader, who later dies at the hands of the South African police.

Blood Diamond directed by Edward Zwick
Why? Because blood diamonds are sold to finance terrorism, fuel civil wars and human rights abuses. Because an estimated 3.7 million people have died in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia and Sierra Leone in conflicts fuelled by diamonds.

What's it about? Set during the Sierra Leone Civil War in 1999, the film shows a mercenary and a Mende fisherman on a quest to obtain a rare pink diamond that has the power to reunite the fisherman with his family and provide a shot at redemption for the mercenary.

Persepolis directed by Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi
Why? Because it is about a girl, who lives in a country with a long list of what not to do. Because it provides a cheeky, humorous edge to feminism, and defies fundamentalism of which Islamic fundamentalism is a part.