Journalist’s Day honors professionals in the area; learn more about career through movies
On April 7, Journalist’s Day is celebrated in Brazil, in honor of the work and life of João Batista Líbero Badaró, a journalist who fought for the country’s independence and was assassinated in 1830. The profession is fundamental to the pillars of society and for community knowledge on topics such as politics, society, economy, health, education and culture.
To celebrate this very important date, a good option is to watch films that portray the world of professionals and their complexities. From works based on real facts, dramatic or with a hint of comedy, there is a film that can be interesting for anyone who wants to reflect on the role of press and its functions.
1. Citizen Kane (1941)
A classic of cinema and journalistic portraiture, the film written, produced, directed and performed by Orson Welles follows a publishing mogul from rise to fall. The story is told through the research of a reporter who seeks to solve the mystery of the newspaper tycoon’s final word: “Rosebud”. The feature film also allows a reflection on the power of the media and its relationship with the truth, as well as the ethics valued by the press and the role of the professional in society. In technical terms, the work is considered revolutionary for cinema; at the time, received nine Oscar nominations and won in the category of “Best Original Screenplay”.
Where to watch: Prime Video, HBO Max
2. The Fourth Estate (1977)
The film is essential for anyone interested in journalism, but it also plays a fundamental role in the general understanding of the power of the media in people’s lives. Starring big names in acting, including Dustin Hoffman and John Travolta, the film tells the story of an ambitious reporter who seeks a great story to leverage his career. career. However, he gets involved in a kidnapping at an art museum and ends up becoming the kidnapper’s accomplice.
The film addresses issues such as the struggle for power between different interest groups, placing journalism in an expression known as the “fourth estate” due to the popular idea that the media is alongside, in terms of importance, the Executive, Legislative and Legal powers.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Google Play, Youtube, Apple TV+
3. One Morning Glory (2010)
Becky (Rachel McAdams) is a morning TV show producer. After being fired, she finally lands an interview with Jerry (Jeff Goldblum) – who is desperate to hire a producer for “Daybreak”. Becky takes the job and has to fire the sexist co-host, then try to convince a renowned but arrogant reporter, Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford), to take the job, and then try to get him to do the job right. Despite being a comedy, the film contains moments of emotion when portraying the relationship of professional colleagues, the influence of television programs and young Becky’s ambition.
Where to watch: NOW, Claro Video, Apple TV+
4. The Vulture (2014)
Directed by Dan Gilroy, this film portrays a freelancer (Jake Gyllenhaal) who pursues accidents and murders to sell graphic footage to local TV stations. Gradually, the boy becomes obsessive and immerses himself in sensationalist journalism. By adding exploration of the suffering of others and evidence of the precarious work of independent cameramen in the search for shocking and exclusive images, the film addresses journalistic ethics and the role of the press in the society of the spectacle. Thus, it brings up issues such as the values of contemporary journalism, commercial profit and social responsibility.
Where to watch: Prime Video, HBO Max
5. The Post – The Secret War (2017)
Starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, the film is directed by Steven Spielberg and tells the true story of the publication of the so-called “Pentagon Papers”, a set of secret documents of the United States government. These, in turn, showed that military and political leaders had lied to the public about the Vietnam War and triggered the resignation of then-President Richard Nixon.
Streep plays Katharine Graham, the editor of The Washington Post, who faces pressure not to publish the papers from the government and investors in the paper. Heiress to the newspaper, the professional was unappreciated by the men around her, but alongside Tom Hanks, who plays Ben Bradlee, the newspaper’s editor in chief, she fights to publish the story and expose the truth.
The feature, which won the statuette for “Best Film” at the 2018 Oscars, is an inspiring representation of the fundamental role of the press in democracy, the moral harassment suffered by women journalists and the risks that the media faces when questioning names of the government.
Where to watch: Apple TV+, Claro Video, Google Play
Source: Maxima
I am an experienced author and journalist with a passion for lifestyle journalism. I currently work for Buna Times, one of the leading news websites in the world. I specialize in writing stories about health, wellness, fashion, beauty, interior design, and more. My articles have been featured on major publications such as The Guardian and The Huffington Post.