Eight Films That Changed Politics: From Homelessness to Nuclear Policy
Novelist Arundhati Roy made headlines by withdrawing from the Berlin Film Festival jury in protest against jury president Wim Wenders' assertion that films should "stay out of politics." Roy called Wenders' stance "unconscionable" and "jaw-dropping," igniting a debate about cinema's role in societal change. While Wenders argued that films build empathy rather than directly influence politicians, history tells a different story. Numerous films have not only shifted public opinion but have led directly to legislative action, proving that politicians can indeed be moved by powerful storytelling.
A Fantastic Woman: Chile's Gender Identity Law
Sebastián Lelio's 2017 Oscar-winning drama, "A Fantastic Woman," follows a transgender woman fighting for acceptance after her partner's death. The film's impact was most profound in Chile, where it was set and filmed. Then-President Michelle Bachelet invited the film's team to the presidential palace, tweeting her honor at hosting them. This cinematic achievement helped alter the political climate, leading to the passage of Chile's gender identity law, which had been stalled in congress for five years, showcasing film's ability to drive legal reform.
A Girl in the River: Tackling Honor Killings in Pakistan
In 2016, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy won her second Oscar for the documentary "A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness," which exposes honor killings in Pakistan. During her acceptance speech, Obaid-Chinoy announced that the Pakistani prime minister had pledged to change the law after watching the film. True to his word, the government enacted stricter punishments for such murders and closed legal loopholes that allowed killers to escape justice through family forgiveness, demonstrating film's power to prompt immediate legislative response.
A Handful of Ash: Outlawing FGM in Kurdistan
Film-makers Shara Amin and Nabaz Ahmed dedicated a decade to creating "A Handful of Ash," a documentary on female genital mutilation (FGM) in Kurdistan. By interviewing women and men about its impacts, the film profoundly affected lawmakers. In 2011, the Kurdistan parliament passed a bill outlawing FGM, with Ahmed noting that screening the film in parliament was a "great breakthrough." This case highlights how documentaries can directly influence policy-making on sensitive social issues.
Cathy Come Home: Sparking Homelessness Reform
Ken Loach's 1966 BBC television play, "Cathy Come Home," depicted a woman's descent into poverty and homelessness, challenging national perceptions. The film's impact was both immediate and long-term. Shortly after its broadcast, it led to the founding of the homelessness charity Crisis. However, its legislative influence took longer, culminating in the 1977 Housing (Homeless Persons) Act, which mandated that homeless families like Cathy's had a right to council rehousing, proving film's enduring effect on social policy.
Mr Bates vs the Post Office: Justice for a Scandal
Despite years of campaigning over the Post Office Horizon scandal, it was the broadcast of ITV's four-part drama "Mr Bates vs the Post Office" that finally spurred political action. The film's powerful storytelling exposed injustices, leading to the passage of the Post Office (Horizon System) Compensation Act 2024 and Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Act 2024. This example underscores how screen narratives can apply pressure to enact legal changes, even in complex corporate scandals.
Silenced: Protecting Vulnerable Children in South Korea
Before creating "Squid Game," Hwang Dong-hyuk directed the 2011 drama "Silenced," based on the sexual abuse of deaf children at Gwangju Inhwa school in South Korea. The film's depiction of crimes and inadequate justice sparked public outrage, prompting the Korean National Assembly to pass the "Dogani law." This legislation eliminated the statute of limitations for sexual crimes against children under 13 and disabled individuals, showing how film can drive legal protections for marginalized groups.
The Day After: Shifting Nuclear Policy
Nicholas Meyer's 1983 television film "The Day After," which depicted a nuclear attack on the US, was watched by over 100 million people, including President Ronald Reagan. Reagan wrote in his diary that the film left him "greatly depressed" and reinforced the need for a deterrent against nuclear war. This drama influenced Reagan's shift in US nuclear policy, contributing to a more diplomatic approach that led to the signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 1987, illustrating film's role in global security decisions.
The Snake Pit: Reforming Mental Health Care
Anatole Litvak's 1948 psychological drama "The Snake Pit" tells the story of a woman in a psychiatric hospital, highlighting inhumane conditions in mental health facilities. The film, referencing a "snake pit" where hopeless patients were abandoned, had a significant impact on public opinion. As a result, several US states changed laws to improve conditions in psychiatric hospitals, demonstrating how narrative films can advocate for healthcare reforms and better treatment standards.
These eight films exemplify cinema's profound ability to not only reflect societal issues but to actively shape legislation and policy. From homelessness and gender identity to nuclear disarmament and mental health, they prove that films can indeed change politics, contradicting Wim Wenders' claim and validating Arundhati Roy's stance on the inseparable link between art and political engagement.
