Top 5 Exceptional Films About Journalism

The film follows a true child abuse scandal that took place over 34 years in Boston, USA, and the journey of the Spotlight team (from the Boston Global newspaper) in bringing the case to the light of justice.

In 2001, Boston Global welcomed a new Executive Editor, Marty Baron - a man of few words and calm demeanor. Despite being new to the newspaper, Baron discovered a prominent, journalistically significant issue that had been buried in small columns and overlooked by many. It involved the actions of priest John Geoghan (of the Catholic Church), accused of sexually abusing children, yet always protected by Cardinal Law (head of the Catholic Church). Even the victims of child abuse remained silent. Therefore, Baron collaborated with the Spotlight investigative team (of the Boston Global newspaper) to pursue the case.

Initially, the team believed their investigation would focus only on Geoghan, who had been transferred multiple times. However, during the investigation, they uncovered another shocking truth: there was a list of 87 priests linked to child abuse cases over the years, always covered up. In the eyes of Boston residents, these priests were still revered figures, obedient servants of God.

The investigative team reached out to the victims of child abuse, legal prosecutors, and familiar witnesses to approach the shocking case and gather additional evidence for their article. The series on the child abuse scandal was then published on the front page of the Boston Global, causing a major impact and forcing the Archbishop of Boston to make official statements on the matter.

Through a simple and authentic storytelling approach, the film reflects the challenging real-life approach of journalists. The six journalists in the film, each with different personalities, are independent, flexible, courageous, and believe in what they pursue. They sometimes face difficulties and threats from powerful figures while trying to protect their sources without compromising the objectivity of the article.

Immediately after its release, the film created a 'screen sensation' and received much acclaim from critics. The film went further by winning the Best Picture award at the 2016 Oscars.

Main Cast:

• Michael Keaton: as journalist Robby Robinson
• Mark Ruffalo: as journalist Michael Rezendes
• Rachel McAdams: as journalist Sacha Pfeiffer
• John Slattery: as journalist Ben Bradlee Jr
• Brian d'Arcy James: as journalist Matt Carrol

In 1966, US military expert Daniel Ellsberg flew to Vietnam on a mission authorized by his superiors to assess the real situation of the war in Vietnam. However, contrary to the reports he had read, stating that the US military always had the upper hand and dominated the enemy, upon arriving in the Vietnam war zone, he realized the immense casualties suffered by the US military. This fact was acknowledged by US Secretary of Defense McNamara in the presence of the current US President Johnson.

However, upon returning to the Washington DC headquarters, the US Secretary of Defense casually announced to the entire public and media that the US was gradually approaching the final goal of victory. Faced with the government's cover-up, Daniel Ellsberg decided that the entire American people needed to know the truth. He revealed his firsthand reports during his observations to journalists at the Washington Post and New York Times.

Ben Bradlee - Executive Editor of the Washington Post - and his colleagues worked tirelessly, seeking additional witnesses to supplement the information provided with the hope of exposing the entire truth about the Vietnam War. Meanwhile, Katharine Graham - the newspaper's owner - faced difficulties: on one side was the constant need to receive information from the public, and on the other side was the 'life' of the newspaper linked to issues involving the government. There were doubts and disagreements among the team of journalists, reporters at the Washington Post, but ultimately, for the goal of providing the public with objective, truthful information, the article about the hidden corners of the US military was published on the front page of the newspaper despite threats of lawsuits from those in power.

The film discusses an issue that took place over 40 years ago but still carries the heat of current affairs. The plot is both historical and reflective of the modern way of life, as there are still many scandals that have not been brought to light. When watching this film, viewers not only immerse themselves in intricate, complex investigations but also gain some understanding of the nature of the government.

Main Cast:

• Tom Hanks: as Bradlee
• Matthew Rhys: as Daniel Ellsberg
• Meryl Streep: as Graham

The film follows the true story of two Washington Post journalists, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, in their efforts to investigate the Watergate case - a political scandal that shook the U.S. and forced President Richard Nixon to resign.

The Watergate incident occurred in the early 1970s. While the Vietnam War was still intense, the Richard Nixon administration used its power to suppress the anti-war movement and opposition political forces, mainly the Democratic Party. The Watergate case seemed to be exposed when the FBI arrested and investigated five burglars breaking into the Democratic Party's office at the Watergate building. The FBI also traced the incident to the current President's administration and his associates. However, all FBI investigation results were covered up, obscured by powerful figures in the Republican Party, aiming to control disadvantages for President Nixon during his term.

Journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein were responsible for reporting on the arrest of the five burglars, and they discovered the motives behind the break-in. They decided to follow this information to investigate deeper into the issue, despite the lack of cooperation from figures in power, those who had worked for the White House. In the process of sourcing, they faced numerous refusals and even threats from witnesses. The newsroom applied pressure regarding the quantity of articles, and there was also reluctance to publish such investigative articles as it was too closely tied to the current government. More importantly, they were concerned about potential impacts on the newspaper.

However, with the passion, enthusiasm, and conscience of journalists, the two reporters gradually uncovered clues to the case, applying all their professional skills to maximize the sources and witnesses. Finally, a series of articles on the scandal were published on the front page of the Washington Post, causing a public outrage and forcing President Richard Nixon to resign.

Although shot in 1976, All the President's Men remains a classic film about journalism, showing the two young reporters who changed a part of American history

With engaging, dramatic content and natural performances by the actors, the film won prestigious Oscar awards.

Main Cast:

• Robert Redford: as Bob Woodward
• Dustin Hoffman: as Carl Bernstein

Stephen Collins - a prominent figure in the political arena with aspirations for the highest office in the nation: the Presidency. However, he faces complications when his assistant is murdered, and unfavorable information about him is revealed.

Cal McAffrey - a renowned journalist for The Washington Global and a close friend of Collins - is assigned by the newsroom to investigate the death of Collins' aide. Meanwhile, Della - a newspaper reporter - is tasked with exploring Collins' personal life. Initially, these seem unrelated, but during the investigation, they uncover the covert connections of an illicit political conspiracy. The two journalists always uphold the truth and courageously step into a battle where money controls information, and truth is a distant concept.

The film depicts the complex emotions of reporters covering political intrigue. There are numerous dangers and conspiracies threatening journalists while they have the responsibility to convey objective and accurate information to the public. Here, we witness the courage and social responsibility of journalists who dare to speak the truth.

Main Cast:

• Russell Crowe: as Cal McAffrey
• Ben Affleck: as Stephen Collins
• Rachel McAdams: as Della Frye

'Nightcrawler' portrays the dark side of freelance journalism in the age of sensational, thrilling news that captures public curiosity and social discourse. The pressure to publish stories that stimulate public interest has gradually altered the self-image of an individual.

In the film, Louis Bloom initially appears rugged, with a dilapidated car and a woeful face that evokes sympathy. However, there is a rapid transformation in Bloom's behavior as he realizes the benefits of becoming a professional news hunter for media outlets. Armed with an old camera and amateur skills, he infiltrates crime scenes, capturing the entire event, including gruesome and painful scenes. These sensational and attention-grabbing news stories catapult him to high positions in the news hunting industry. However, with the surging salary comes Bloom's growing mania, gradually taking control of his sanity. He becomes a true 'nightcrawler,' unhesitant to exploit any case, concocting stories to pique readers' curiosity.

Behind the transformation in Bloom as he steps into the world of freelance journalism, the film also exposes the dark side of contemporary media. Viewership ratings become the primary metric, prompting many newspapers to chase trends by publishing shocking, bizarre, and sensational news, overlooking crucial aspects such as legal issues, ethics, and morality.

Main Cast:

• Jake Gyllenhaal: as Bloom
• Michael Papajohn: as Police Chief