Entrepreneurs have plenty of business-focused movies to look forward to in 2019.
Several fascinating documentaries and feature films are due to hit theaters and streaming services next year. From the fallout of the Cambridge Analytica scandal to the story of a 13-year-old boy determined to save his Malawi village with wind power, next year’s crop of films are full of inspiration for business owners.
Here are eight movies every entrepreneur should watch in 2019.
1. Ford v. Ferrari
In the 1960s, automaker Ford’s then-president Henry Ford II tried to buy luxury sports car manufacturer Ferrari, but the deal fell through at the last minute. Ford v. Ferrari stars Matt Damon and Christian Bale and explores how Henry Ford II’s disappointment turned into revenge, prompting him to create a new car that could beat Ferrari’s model at Le Mans, the world’s oldest active sports car endurance race. The film hits theaters on November 15, 2019.
2. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
William Kamkwamba was 13 when he was forced to drop out of school in Malawi. Instead of giving up on his education, however, Kamkwamba snuck into his school’s library and learned how to build a wind turbine that could save his village from famine. Based on a true story, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, who also adapted the book of the same name for the screen. The film premieres on Netflix in 2019.
3. American Factory
This documentary tells the story of Chinese billionaire Cho Tak Wong, who opened an auto-glass factory inside an abandoned General Motors plant in Moraine, Ohio in 2016. After hiring 2,000 employees, Cho struggled to manage his workforce, who clashed with Chinese work standards. American Factory premieres at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
4. The Great Hack
This documentary tells the story of the data breach that led to Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica scandal, the effects of which are still unfolding. Focusing on the personal journeys of those involved on both sides of the hack, the film also examines how data has been weaponized to wage political wars and create deeper cultural rifts. The Great Hack premieres at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
5. The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley
Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes drew comparisons to Steve Jobs after claiming her startup’s Edison device could perform dozens of blood tests with just a single finger prick. In the end, it was all a lie. This documentary tells the story of the now-defunct blood-testing startup and the criminally-charged Holmes through interviews with insiders and never-before-seen footage. The documentary premieres at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
6. The Biggest Little Farm
Nearly a decade ago, documentarian John Chester and his wife abandoned their city lives to create a sustainable farm outside of Los Angeles, capturing the whole process on film. Over the course of eight years and many setbacks, they battled everything from coyotes to fruit-ravaging snails as they attempted to turn their dream of Apricot Lane Farms into a reality. The Biggest Little Farm premieres at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
7. Ramen Shop
This feature film follows a young Japanese ramen chef who visits Singapore to uncover new culinary techniques while simultaneously learning about his late Singaporean mother. The aspiring entrepreneur then incorporates what he learns about his mother’s recipes into his burgeoning ramen business. Ramen Shop has played at several film festivals around the world and is expected to be released in the U.S. in 2019.
8. Fighting With My Family
Based on a true story, this comedy starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnston follows a family of professional wrestlers who perform in small venues across the country. Tension mounts when the siblingspursue their dream of auditioning for World Wrestling Entertainment. Fighting With My Family hits theaters on February 14, 2019.
SOURCE: INC.COM
