There are not so many films about journalists, compared to films about police officers, judges or drug lords. And only a few films about media workers are truly worthy of attention.
We asked Alexey Ananov about which films showed the fascinating world of television and the press as honestly as possible. Over many years in journalism, he has perfectly studied the kitchen of the information microcosm and shared a list of five films that should be seen by anyone who appreciates quality journalism or works in this field.
Bruce Almighty (2003)
I won’t say that this film impressed me very deeply in the context of journalism. However, I remembered how the main character of the tape ruined the news broadcast for his competitor. Then, with the help of his superpower, Jim Carrey’s hero forced his colleague to babble something unintelligible during a live broadcast.
I always give this example when I explain to students how important it is to work on diction, train the speech apparatus and control yourself when you stand in front of the camera. Although in reality almost no one does tongue twisters and lip gymnastics. But in vain!
“Bruce Almighty” shows such informational “bows” very accurately. In editorial offices, this is how they usually call touching and cute stories at the end of a news release: a panda or a tiger cub was born at the zoo, the largest watermelon in the country was chosen at the watermelon festival… Jim Carrey’s hero also filmed reports about the holiday in the next block, about baking cakes… And he is entrusted with this matter as an honorable mission.
In my opinion, this is how American television is radically different from ours. After all, local TV channels are of the leading importance there, so news releases are more tied to people and they often tell similar stories “about the guy next door.” In the USA, a television star is the one who presents such positive stories, but in our country it is the one who “broadcasts” from the Verkhovna Rada.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
When I first watched this film, I left the cinema, immediately bought another ticket for the same film and returned to the cinema again. And after that I watched The Devil Wears Prada several more times. This picture quite truthfully showed how the editorial offices of fashion glossies work.
And Miranda Priestly’s monologue performed by Meryl Streep about choosing the color of a belt for a dress has become a textbook. In her speech, she explained the technology of forming public opinion. One day, a great fashion designer identified a trendy color, which then appeared in new fashion collections, subsequently sold all over the world, and years later, people far from the fashion industry began to independently choose budget clothes of this color, and without realizing that, in fact, their preferences were influenced by one fashion designer several years ago.
This fragment from the film perfectly explains the way information circulates. When you choose what to say on air, you need to understand the level of responsibility. After all, the message you voice determines the preferences of many.
Morning Glory (2010)
This film very succinctly and truthfully depicts the inner workings of a television editorial office. At the same time, unlike many other films about journalists, all the events here are shown comically: the heroes are not without drama and adrenaline, but unitedly, passionately and cheerfully fighting for ratings and for the cheerful mood of the audience of their morning show.
Before joining 112 Ukraine, I worked on radio and in the print press. The television world differs significantly from other genres of journalism precisely in its collectivity. If three to five professionals are usually involved in preparing a radio broadcast, then on television – 20-30.
All television is about collectivity. Everyone can screw it up individually, but only everyone can do it well together. And all this very hectic and, at first glance, somewhat chaotic television kitchen is simply wonderfully shown in the film.
The Newsroom (2012-2014)
This is a series from which you can learn journalism. It shows how quickly and accurately you need to work with information, as well as how the editorial work is structured. “The News Service” should be recommended for viewing not only to professional journalists, but also to “professional” viewers, so that they think critically about what they see on the screen. The work of the television service in the series is shown very capaciously, deeply and seriously.
Spotlight (2015)
Cinematically, I didn’t really like this film. As a viewer, I was expecting more dynamics on the screen. Although the film received an Oscar for best film and screenplay, as well as a number of other prestigious awards. And as a result, I understood why.
“Spotlight” is about journalists investigating the case of pedophile priests. At the same time, it is shown what resonance this matter has. How they are trying to hush it up at the level of the court and officials, and how it affects the status of the church. The film perfectly shows that all the heroes of this case are living people. Journalists therefore bear enormous responsibility for every step of their investigation.
