Film, Storytelling, and Social Transformation

Film, Storytelling, and Social Transformation demonstrates what the study of film can uncover regarding a wide range of pressing social justice issues. It explores the potential of film to engage with, and even affect, social change.

The collection explores the relationship between cinema and social justice through three interconnected themes: practice, place, and embodiment. Across diverse cultural, political, and historical contexts, contributors examine how film can challenge injustice, amplify marginalized voices, preserve collective memory, and inspire social change. Chapters range from studies of documentary activism, environmental radicalism and refugee representation to analyses of stateless cinema, Third Cinema traditions, popular culture, and labour inequalities within the film industry. Together, these essays demonstrate the power of moving images not only to represent justice but also to participate actively in its pursuit.

This book will be of interest to researchers in the fields of film studies, media and cultural studies and social justice in general, and film-theory, social documentary, media for social change and the intersection of cinema and activism in particular.