In the UK this last couple of months, there has been vast social change demanded by the public, concerning the treatment of several hundred Postmasters, in the late 1990’s. That change has come very quickly due to the public showing on TV of the film “Mr Bates Vs the Post Office”.  

The film shows how a faulty piece of software in an IT system, led to a situation where hundreds of post office managers were taken to court, bullied and threatened into repaying amounts of money to the Post Office, that the IT system said had gone missing. 

Over the years, several other films have also played a significant role in creating awareness and inspiring change in the real world. 

1.         “An Inconvenient Truth” (2006): This documentary by Davis Guggenheim about  climate change, featuring former US Vice President, Al Gore, contributed to increased public awareness and discussions about environmental issues.

2.         “Schindler’s List” (1993): Steven Spielberg’s film about the Holocaust raised awareness about the atrocities committed during World War II and had an impact on discussions surrounding human rights.

3.         “Philadelphia” (1993): Addressing HIV/AIDS and discrimination, this film starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington helped shift public perceptions and promote empathy towards individuals affected by the disease.

4.         “Blackfish” (2013): This documentary shed light on the treatment of killer whales in captivity, leading to public outcry and subsequent changes in the policies of SeaWorld.

5.         “The Cove” (2009): Focused on dolphin hunting in Japan, this documentary exposed the cruelty involved, leading to international protests and increased scrutiny on the practice.

6.         “Erin Brockovich” (2000):** This film, based on a true story, highlighted environmental contamination and its impact on public health. Erin Brockovich’s efforts led to legal action against a major utility company.

 7.        “Hotel Rwanda” (2004):** Depicting the Rwandan genocide, this film raised awareness about the atrocities and influenced international responses to such humanitarian crises.

 8.        “Food, Inc.” (2008):** A documentary exploring the food industry’s impact on health, environment, and society, encouraging discussions about sustainable and ethical food practices.

 9.         “Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power” (2017):** A follow-up to “An Inconvenient Truth,” this documentary continued Al Gore’s advocacy for climate action and highlighted progress made since the first film.

10.        “The Act of Killing” (2012):** This documentary challenged the impunity of individuals involved in mass killings in Indonesia, prompting discussions on accountability and justice. 

These films demonstrate the power of storytelling to raise awareness, provoke discussion and instigate positive change in various aspects of society.

The latest film to have created a disturbance to the ordered life we call ‘society’, is, of course, Barbie. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling play the eponymous Barbie, and Ken her male friend. The film itself has had terrific reviews especially for the acting, and production and direction. However, the underlying factors about gender, sex and how men and women are treated in society, have been highlighted in real life, by the Oscar Nominations the film has gained. Neither Margot Robbie for acting, or Greta Gerwig for Directing were nominated. A situation made more noticeable by the nomination given to Ryan Gosling…..

While films can influence societal attitudes, it’s important to note that real-world change often results from a combination of factors, including public engagement, advocacy, and policy initiatives.