"Midnight Express" is a 1978 film directed by Alan Parker, based on the true story of Billy Hayes, an American student who was arrested for attempting to smuggle hashish out of Turkey. The film depicts his harrowing experiences in a Turkish prison, highlighting the brutal conditions and the challenges he faced while trying to survive. The screenplay, written by Oliver Stone, emphasizes themes of freedom, desperation, and the consequences of drug trafficking. "Midnight Express" received critical acclaim and won two Academy Awards, becoming a significant cultural reference regarding the dangers of drug smuggling and the complexities of international law.