9 films about entrepreneurship to inspire you
In general, films are known for providing moments of relaxation. But cinematic works can also be a source of learning and inspiration, while also providing entertainment.
This multifunctionality can be observed in feature films that tell the stories of companies or entrepreneurs, for example. This is because this type of film can be a reference for those who wish to start a business.
“These works help individuals see much more than just a brand, realizing all the professional and personal challenges that revolved around the development of such an undertaking. Not to mention that hearing other people's stories can promote knowledge in a more humanized way. Thus, it is possible to complement the learning obtained in the classroom,” assesses Carlos Coelho, professor of the Entrepreneurship & Finance course, taught jointly by Colégio Etapa and Faculdade ESEG, of the Etapa Group.
With that in mind, we've listed nine films about entrepreneurship that portray real stories. Keep reading to find out more!
9 films about entrepreneurship based on true stories
1) The Big Short (2015)
This book tells the story of how investor Michael Burry and hedge fund manager Greg Lippmann – played respectively by British actor Christian Bale and Canadian actor Ryan Gosling, through the fictional character Jared Vennett – made their fortunes amidst the housing market collapse that contributed to the global financial crisis of 2008.
“The film carries an important message for small, medium, and large investors, as well as for those who haven't yet started investing: it's important to pay attention to market changes and not be afraid to take risks. Other professionals may not understand the path you're following, but you must maintain confidence and resilience,” says Coelho.
2) The Man Who Changed the Game (2011)
In this film, award-winning American actor Brad Pitt plays Billy Beane, the former general manager of a baseball team facing financial difficulties in 2002. To overcome the situation, he begins to rely on the statistical analyses of Peter Brand – played by American actor Jonah Hill – to recruit new players. The method adopted by Beane and Brand contributed to a turnaround in the Oakland Athletics' performance, contradicting the sports experts' opinions.
“This feature film shows that conducting your business based on information can lead you to make better decisions. Many entrepreneurs act impulsively, which can bring many risks to companies. Therefore, it is important to rely on data to maintain the financial balance of your business and carry out actions aimed at its growth with more assertiveness,” highlights Coelho.
3) Hunger for Power (2016)
This film portrays the rise of the McDonald's fast food chain, focusing on the trajectory of Ray Kroc – played by award-winning American actor Michael Keaton – who bought the brand from the company's founders, Maurice and Richard McDonald.
“This film is a true lesson in entrepreneurship! That's because the movie shows the emergence of the Speedee Service System, which revolutionized the food industry by adopting a mass production method inspired by Fordism. Not to mention one of the main messages of the plot: for a business to succeed, it takes much more than creative ideas. Entrepreneurs also need to consider the viability of their products or services and, furthermore, the needs of the market,” explains Coelho.
4) The Social Network (2010)
In this film, American actor Jesse Eisenberg plays Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, a social network that currently has more than 2.7 billion monthly active users. The rise of this virtual media contributed to the former Harvard University Computer Science student becoming, at the time, the youngest billionaire in the world.
“Among other aspects, the film highlights the difficulties that entrepreneurs may have in understanding how to monetize their own businesses, as well as the importance of having the right people on their teams. Not to mention the debate about ethics that the work also promotes,” says Coelho.
5) Joy: The Name of Success (2015)
This book tells the story of Joy Mangano, an American housewife who invented the miracle mop, a type of cleaning mop that became a sales phenomenon in the 1990s and, consequently, made the young woman a successful entrepreneur in the United States.
“It’s an excellent case of entrepreneurship! Joy truly believed in the product she developed, which led her to face the market – including large corporations – and overcome a series of challenges, achieving professional success,” says Coelho.
6) The Playbook: Strategies for Winning (2020)
Although it's not a film, but rather a five-episode series, it's worth recommending. This is because this audiovisual production tells the story of five coaches who were champions in their respective sports.
“The main message of the five episodes is that even the greatest winners had to face and overcome challenges to achieve success. In this sense, this series can be a reference for young people to evaluate what worked and what didn't in the career paths of these professionals, which may help them anticipate some future situations,” says Coelho.
7) Walt before Mickey (2015)
In this film, American actor Thomas Ian Nicholas plays Walter Disney, co-founder of Disney, known worldwide for its film productions. The plot portrays the entrepreneur's journey before achieving success with the company.
“This feature film is a true source of inspiration! That's because Walter Disney's story encourages us to believe in our dreams and our ability to achieve them,” concludes Coelho.
8) In Search of Happiness (2006)
The story of American businessman Christopher Paul Gardner became known worldwide thanks to this film. Starring Will Smith in the lead role, the film portrays how Chris Gardner, as he is known, overcame a series of obstacles to achieve professional success and, years later, open his own business.
“Resilience is the key word in this feature film! The central character had to face a series of difficulties, even reaching rock bottom. But he believed, at every moment, that he could achieve his goals, which made all the difference in his story,‘ says Coelho.
9) Steve Jobs (2015)
This film tells the story of Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, one of the world's largest technology companies. The plot shows decisive moments in his professional career, as well as the personal challenges faced by the great inventor, played by German actor Michael Fassbender – nominated for an Oscar in 2016 for this role.
“To become a great entrepreneur, it’s important to learn from those who have reached the pinnacle of professional success. And this film shows that, as time passes, our priorities and goals can change. In this sense, knowing how to deal with life’s ups and downs becomes fundamental,” he concludes.
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