"I've learned that journalism is essential, valuable, and we have to do everything we can to keep it alive and well. And very often, it comes under threat when it goes after somebody that doesn't want the story told." Robert Redford on his role as Dan Rather in "Truth"

Journalists were at the center of two year-end releases in 2015: "Truth" and "Spotlight". "Spotlight", starring Mark Ruffalo and Michael Keaton, has received the most attention. The film received six Oscar nominations and won the Best Picture Award from the Alliance of Women Film Journalists. "Spotlight" tells the story of the Boston Globe reporters who investigated the epidemic of sex abuse within the Catholic Church.

"Truth", starring Cate Blanchett and Robert Redford, tells a story that does not end in triumph for the journalists. CBS news producer Mary Mapes and anchor Dan Rather were both forced out of their jobs as a result of their reporting on President George W. Bush's National Guard Service. The film does raise important issues regarding the role of journalism, news and profitability, and the public trust.

Political issues were also at the center of a number of films that competed in the Berlin Film Festival this past week. The Golden Bear, the festival's top honor, went to an Italian documentary called "Fire at Sea". The film profiles the island of Lampedusa, which has been struggling to cope with a massive influx of refugees making their way to Europe. The positive reviews and attention "Fire at Sea" is receiving will hopefully garner the film a distribution deal in the US. Danish actress Trine Dyrholm received the Best Actress award for her role in Thomas Vinterberg's "The Commune". Dyrholm was also the lead in "Love Is All You Need", which I reviewed on the Drama Movies site. She has a scene with Pierce Brosnan that only an incredibly brave actress would perform, and Dyrholm does it beautifully.

Finally, there has been a lot of buzz surrounding Daniel Craig this week. He is going to star in a television series, "Purity", based on the Jonathan Franzen book. The series is rumored to be 20 episodes, although where it will air has not been decided yet. MGM, who produces the James Bond films, is saying it will delay the start of a new film in order to allow Daniel Craig time to make the series. The question is whether or not Craig wants to continue playing the iconic spy. Stay tuned.


Here's the latest article from the Drama Movies site at BellaOnline.com.

Truth Film Review
Cate Blanchett stars as CBS news producer Mary Mapes. When CBS airs her story on the National Guard Service of President George W. Bush, Mapes finds herself in the middle of a firestorm of controversy. Robert Redford co-stars as CBS news anchor Dan Rather, who is also caught in the crossfire.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art64467.asp

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