The Social Impact of Documentaries
Hey there! It’s a delight to catch up with you. We always have such interesting and brain-stirring chats, don’t we? Today, let’s dive into something that’s close to my heart – the world of documentaries and their striking social impact.
A Little Backstory
I remember vividly, when I was a young curious cat, the first time I watched “An Inconvenient Truth”. I probably didn’t understand all the nitty-gritty scientific details, but the urgency and conversational style of Al Gore excited and frightened me at the same time – climate change was real, and it wasn’t a fable. It was a documentary that forever altered my young and malleable mind.
So, What Really is a Documentary?
Before we delve further, let’s refresh our understanding of what a documentary actually is. According to Nichols (1991), a documentary is an interpretation of the ‘real’, stories about real-life happenings presented in a manner so as to urge the viewer to take them as truthful starts1. That’s about the gist of it! So, considering that, can you recall a documentary that moved you or triggered a change in your perspective?
The Power of Documentaries
The power of documentaries to change the viewer’s perspective and – in some cases – spark social change is nothing short of remarkable. They can make invisible problems visible and give voice to the voiceless. They have the power to educate, motivate, and advocate. And that’s a beautiful endeavor.
Some Real-World Impacts
- “Super Size Me”: This documentary led to McDonald’s discontinuing its “super-size” option2.
- “The Invisible War”: Shed light on sexual assault in the military, leading to new legislation aimed at curbing this3.
- “Blackfish”: Sparked a outcry against Seaworld’s treatment of orcas, causing a significant drop in the company’s shares4.
These are just a few examples of the influence a well-crafted documentary can command. And isn’t it beautiful how they force us to challenge our very perspective of life? These are the stories that invoke discussions, inspire actions, and incite changes. That’s the social power of documentaries!
Wrapping Up
As we go about our lives, constantly swirling in the currents of our own narratives, let’s allot some time to get sucked into these fascinating real-life stories that documentaries bring to our screens. Todd Haynes said, “People who make documentaries are learning to tell stories in new ways”, and believe me, you do not want to miss out on these fascinating tales and the societal transformations they stir up along the way.
Until we catch up again next time, I’m off to find a new documentary to obsess over and learn from. Care to join me?