How Film Can Depict Current Events And Influence Our Mental Health
Films about current events can profoundly impact your mental health. Whether they’re fictional accounts or documentaries, movies can reach us regarding what’s happening in the world. Some films are linked to predictions of events to come, though there are debates about whether there’s any truth to this. Current events influence the way we see the world. It’s crucial to keep yourself informed of what’s happening around you.
If you’re interested in staying up-to-date on the latest news, you can always visit the current events section on BetterHelp. There you will find articles about what’s happening around us. Besides reading the news and other sources, it’s interesting to view current events through an artistic lens. Films have a unique take on what’s happening in the world. Here are some examples of movies that discuss current events and how the public has responded.
Bowling for Columbine
Bowling for Columbine was a 2002 documentary directed by Michael Moore. Moore explores the tragic Columbine school shooting and discusses the factors that lead to this tragedy. The Columbine Massacre took place in Colorado in April 1999. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were seniors at Columbine high school who murdered 12 students and one teacher. Ten of the students were killed in the school library. After the murders, two boys committed suicide. At the time, the Columbine massacre was one of the deadliest school shootings in the country.
Michael Moore saw the tragedy and wanted to talk about it on film. Bowling For Columbine explores the sensitive topic of school shootings and gun violence in America. The film won many awards, including an Oscar and an Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary Film Feature. Almost 20 years later, the public is still affected by the film. Bowling For Columbine elicited emotional reactions from survivors of school shootings, parents of victims, and the public.
It called attention to the massive gun violence epidemic and urged America to take action and put a stop to the death toll. The film made many people angry and riled up enough to take action. It was triggering to some who were affected by gun violence.
Fahrenheit 9/11
Fahrenheit 9/11 is another documentary film made by Michael Moore. The film shows what it was like during the George W. Bush administration and explores the factors which led to the 9/11 terrorist attack. There are so many questions left unanswered. Was 9/11 preventable? Was there election fraud during the 2000 elections? Fahrenheit 9/11 explores the relationship between the United States government and the Bush family. It talks about America’s complex relationship with Iraq and the Saudi Arabian government. Moore isn’t afraid to explore these serious topics.
The film was well-received by the public and reviewers. Many people saw it as an expose of the Bush administration. Some believed it to be one-sided. It called into question what we know about terrorism and what the news is telling the American public. The film caused a lot of anxiety and questioning in public about the concepts the government was telling the United States population. That anxiety continues to impact us today. There is still a lot of skepticism when it comes to whether or not we can trust the news sources.
The Social Network
The Social Network was a 2010 film by David Fincher that discussed Facebook and its origins. Today, many people can’t go a day or even an hour without checking their page. The Social Network explores Mark Zuckerburg’s journey from a Harvard college student to a business tycoon. Zuckerburg approaches his friend Edward Saverin about an idea for a social networking site. He believes this concept could go somewhere big, and (spoiler alert) he’s right. Facebook starts as “The Facebook” and is exclusively at Harvard. It then extends to Yale and Stanford.
Before he knows it, the company is re-branded as Facebook, and the public is hooked. Zuckerburg’s rise to fame led to a shift in societal culture, making many of us dependent on social networking to human interaction. The Social Network is an honest commentary on how dependent we’ve become on social media. It shows how a small idea can grow into a global concept.
The film was well-received by critics, who felt it was an accurate depiction of the ivy league college scene and what grew out of it. Audiences were captivated by the story and learned of Zuckerburg’s origins. It helped many people have a sense of understanding of where social media dependence originated, which caused anxiety for some and peace for others.
Current events and mental health
It’s crucial to include current events in films. People need to be able to process what’s going on in the world with an artistic response. Sometimes it’s hard to understand events in a vacuum. When we see current events displayed with an artistic lens, it helps us have a way to respond with emotion. It creates an environment where we can discuss these topics—having an open and honest discussion about what’s going on in the world. Your mental health is crucial, and part of maintaining it is getting support.
You might have a group of friends with who you can discuss current events and share your feelings. Or, maybe you could benefit from speaking to a therapist. No matter your challenges, therapy could be a great place to discuss them. You might talk about how current events are impacting you. It’s your therapy session, and you can use it to benefit your mental wellbeing. Don’t be afraid to reach out for support.
