by Khalif Ikmal 

In the hustle and bustle of our daily work lives, we often find ourselves seeking inspiration to fuel our motivation and drive. Whether we’re striving to overcome challenges, chasing our dreams, or simply seeking a fresh perspective, there’s something truly uplifting about immersing ourselves in the transformative power of Cinema.  

I’ve come up with a personal list of films that are not just a source of entertainment, but powerful reminders of the boundless potential within each of us, serving as beacons of hope and encouragement for every step of our professional and personal journeys. I trust these films will evoke inspiration in you, much as they have for me. Enjoy!  

“I am strong because I’ve been weak. I am fearless because I’ve been afraid. I am wise because I’ve been foolish.”  

Life is a struggle for single father, Chris and his young son. The pair must live in shelters and endure many hardships, but Chris refuses to give in to despair as he struggles to create a better life for himself and his son.  

A key takeaway from the movie is that achieving happiness often involves facing numerous obstacles along the way. The main character, portrayed by Will Smith gets left by his wife, evicted, and encounters a ridiculous amount of hardships before attaining even a glimpse of success. His journey acts as a reminder to us that the power of hope and perseverance really does go a long way! 

Starring: Will Smith 

“People call these things imperfections, but they’re not, that’s the good stuff. And then we get to choose who we let into our weird little worlds.”  

One of my personal favourites, this film is a touching tale of a wayward young man who struggles to find his identity, living in a world where he can solve any problem, except the one brewing deep within himself. One day he meets a psychologist, which I would describe as, estranged.  

The movie demonstrates that learning not only occurs in the classroom but in life experiences. We are taught that genuine knowledge stems more from living life itself than from any written text. 

Starring: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck 

“I’m not scared to be seen, I make no apologies. This is me!”  

A band of (singing!) outcasts overcomes discrimination, racism, and hate to start the famous Barnum & Bailey Circus. On top of a great storyline, it comes with a soundtrack I love and still have on repeat till this day.  

This movie taught me to look for inspiration anywhere and be willing to shift what you are doing to grow and evolve. And, sometimes you need to be willing to figuratively burn it all down and start again. So, get started chasing your dream, but be open to other influences.  

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Zendaya 

“You must always have faith in people. And, most importantly, you must always have faith in yourself.” 

My mum’s personal favourite protagonist, Elle Woods steps on the neck of that sexist movie trope where she dominates Harvard Law and proves everyone wrong, becoming a lawyer herself. Legally Blonde emphasises the importance of staying true to one’s self.  

By showing that hard work and persistence can overcome even the most daunting challenges, this masterpiece inspires young people (me included) to keep pushing forward even when the going gets tough. 

Starring: Reese Witherspoon 

“If there’s no one left in the living world to remember you, you disappear from this world. But you can change that!”  

You can’t go wrong with a Disney/Pixar production! Though his family banned music long ago, Miguel dreams of becoming a professional musician. Following his dream, Miguel descends into the colourful Land of the Dead on a journey to reveal his family history.  

The main message I got from the movie was that dreamers often forget where they come from, abandon their friends and neglect their responsibilities in life. They do unpleasant things to win and achieve the fame everyone has dreamed of. It is great to have ambitions but keep in mind never to compromise on your principles. Evil doesn’t prevail, whereas goodness does, all the time. 

Starring: Anthony Gonzales, Gael Garcia Barnel 

“If the start is easy then it’ll be taken away easily as well.”  

Are you a K-drama lover? If you are, you’ve probably watched this one. If you haven’t, you’re seriously missing out! Set in South Korea’s fictional Silicon Valley, follow a group of young adults navigating their way through challenges in their love lives and starting a start-up.  

Quoting one of the actors in the show, no matter how great you think your actions are, there’s no way to avoid criticism. But how you deal with them is what can set you apart from others. 

Starring: Nam Joo-Hyuk, Bae Suzy 

“If we win, we win together. If we lose, we lose together. Kita menang sama-sama, kita kalah sama-sama.”  

It is a story set in the 1980s during tumultuous economic times, about an unlikely team of footballers whose disagreements have left them with a streak of embarrassing losses. Personal issues have caused each of them to crack under pressure while having only one last chance at international glory.

This film invites us to celebrate our differences and unite as a nation with a collective goal. This poignant zero-to-hero story reminds us that there is beauty in our diversity and strength in our unity here in Malaysia.  

Starring: J. C. Chee, Luqman Hafidz 

“If you guys were the inventors of Facebook, you’d have invented Facebook.”

As Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg builds Facebook amid legal disputes over intellectual property, this film highlights the importance of ethics and integrity in business. It underscores the distinction between obsession and positive motivation, emphasizing the need for ethical decision-making and respect for others’ rights in entrepreneurial endeavours.

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake