5 Films Featuring Unsung Heroes and Courage
Kicking off the new year with inspiring stories of bravery, sacrifice, and everyday heroism, CinemaWorld is spotlighting five powerful films that explore the many faces of courage.
From fighting injustice to standing up for the vulnerable, these stories prove that a hero isn't always the one in a cape—sometimes, they're the ordinary, everyday man on the street.
NR.24 (2024)
The highest-grossing Norwegian film of 2024, NR.24 is a biographical war drama that tells the incredible true story of Gunnar Sønsteby, one of Norway's most decorated resistance fighters during World War II. Operating under the codename "Agent 24," Sønsteby becomes a pivotal figure in the fight against the Nazi occupation, leading the famed "Oslo-gang" to execute countless daring acts of sabotage.
NR.24 perfectly captures the theme of heroism by focusing not just on the explosive acts of rebellion, but also on the heavy moral courage required to wage a secret war underground. It offers an unvarnished look at what it truly means to fight for your homeland, and the personal cost of becoming a national hero.
Watch NR.24 on CinemaWorld this January.
Aspromonte: Land Of The Forgotten (2019)
A stark and moving Italian drama, Aspromonte: Land Of The Forgotten, tells the story of Africo, a remote village in 1950s Calabria, cut off from the rest of the world due to the lack of a connecting road. When a woman dies tragically during childbirth because a doctor cannot reach the village in time, the community is roused to action.
Driven by desperation, the villagers decide they can no longer wait for the local government. Together—men, women, and children—the villagers set out to build the road themselves.
A tribute to community heroes and the power of the collective, the heroism here is not a single, grand gesture, but the relentless fight for a better future for all.
The film also features Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, the acclaimed Italian actress and multiple award winner, with accolades from Cannes, Venice, and Locarno, as well as numerous prestigious film awards around the world.
Watch Aspromonte: Land Of The Forgotten on CinemaWorld this January.
Copperman (2019)
Copperman is a tender, yet compelling, Italian superhero drama about an autistic man named Anselmo (played by Luca Argentero).
Believing that his absent father had left to save the world, Anselmo lives his childhood dream by becoming "Copperman”, a copper-clad superhero who strives to protect his small town.
Anselmo takes on criminals who threaten his home and the community, fighting for justice even when the real world is harsh and cynical. His acts of courage, though sometimes clumsy, are always driven by a genuine desire to help others. Anselmo’s purity and heroism lies at the heart of Copperman, and it's a heartwarming movie for all.
Watch Copperman on CinemaWorld this January.
My Killer Buddy (2023)
Blending dark comedy with drama, this Italian drama is an unexpected exploration of youthful heroism and the effects of domestic violence. Ten-year-old Denni has a mission: to save his mother from his abusive father. Unable to do it alone, he decides to hire a hitman to solve his problem.
When he meets Secco, he naively believes that he can do the job, not realising that the older man is merely a petty criminal in need of money.
But Denni and Secco soon become unlikely allies in this mission. Though Denni’s goal is misguided, his protective love for his mother makes him the film’s little hero.
Submission (2020)
This powerful Portuguese drama focuses on the deeply relevant and difficult subject of marital abuse and a woman's battle for justice within a prejudiced legal system. After being raped by her husband, Lúcia presses charges against her husband, only to find herself at the mercy of the court.
The film offers a sombre and compelling look at the challenges victims face when the system minimises their trauma. Through Lúcia’s unwavering courage to speak out, we are offered a poignant insight into the strength it takes to confront both personal and systemic injustice.
Watch Submission on CinemaWorld this January.
Need a bit of courage to kickstart your 2026? Watch all these movies about unsung heroes around the world. Available this February on CinemaWorld and anytime on CinemaWorld On Demand.
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