The Film That Changes Your Life

What if there was a way to achieve an intelligent and critical society?

For centuries, we've known the power of a person, a text, a song, a photo, or even a film to radically shift one's perspective on a topic. For this to happen, a true alchemy of various elements is needed, carefully blended to tell a story that stimulates and provokes reflection, that evokes emotion, and provides the viewer with elements that offer new perspectives.

It's not easy to discuss such a controversial topic because, in our audiovisual society, it represents one of the best ways to dominate the masses. Indeed, it was with the advent of photography that the medium, considered truthful and reliable, became perfect for propaganda, for spreading ideologies and thoughts. By its very nature, photography portrays what is placed before the lens, which is why it has been considered a bearer of truth since its inception. But like any form of craftsmanship, photography can also be used for purposes that aren't necessarily realistic, potentially becoming a means of spreading lies. Alexander Rodchenko, a leading figure in the early 20th-century Russian Constructivism movement, knew this well. He believed in using photography, and art in general, as a means of elevating society to a higher level, of creating a better society, but he found himself involved in Soviet propaganda to the point of being accused of betraying the party's ideals.

So can a film be a means to transform society?

Yes. There are many examples of this genre told in cinema: 1984, V for Vendetta, Fight Club, Hidden Figures, just to name a few, but the list is virtually endless.

Which ones do you know?