The film industry has been portraying crisis communication and communication in general for decades, with varying degrees of success. Since we don’t enjoy bad movies, we’ve logically selected ten films that everyone working in PR should watch.
1. Wag the Dog (1997)
As the elections approach, the candidate is faltering, and the PR expert embodied by Robert De Niro takes the stage. What does he need? Just a small war, an icon, and a song. At that moment, he turns to the famous Hollywood producer Dustin Hoffman, who delivers a fictional war, with a song, an icon, and all the elements that potential voters can relate to. It’s a brilliant portrayal of how the media generates news and how a marketing campaign is crafted.
2. Our Brand Is Crisis (2015)
Bolivia, presidential elections, and the battle of two candidates and their advisors. Sandra Bullock stars as a political consultant who practically comes out of retirement for her current candidate, while Billy Bob Thornton plays the mastermind of the rival camp. If you love politics and elections, this is the movie for you.
3. Margin Call (2011)
Kevin Spacey, Zachary Quinto, Stanley Tucci, Jeremy Irons, and other popular actors portray Wall Street brokers. After discovering a major liquidity problem, they set out to “solve” the issue. Essentially, the entire film is one big crisis meeting.
4. The Big Short (2015)
The year 2008 is remembered worldwide for the onset of the great financial crisis. This film provides insight into the earlier events and how investors predicted and profited from it. Examples of internal communication are present almost every minute of this film, especially when things go downhill.
5. The Social Network (2010)
To be most accurate, this film is about the creation of Facebook, but it’s not just about Facebook as a company. It also highlights the way of thinking and the introduction of “digital attention” as a form of currency that is highly profitable.
6. FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened (2018)
A documentary about a festival that never took place but sold out within 24 hours, thanks to high-quality videos and an army of global influencers who themselves lost credibility, primarily because they didn’t know what they were promoting. The film provides excellent insight into how easy it is to manipulate the masses on social media and how quickly the truth can be uncovered behind a digital facade.
7. Jerry Maguire (1996)
Sports agent Jerry, played by Tom Cruise, decides to leave the company he works for and start his firm. All he has left are relationships. These relationships are a crucial element for PR, or “Public Relations,” and of course, the unforgettable quote: “Show me the money!”
8. The Great Dictator (1940)
In 1940, Charlie Chaplin played Hitler, using acting, nonverbal communication, allegory, and other elements to faithfully “predict” what would happen. He ends the film with one of the best speeches ever.
9. The King’s Speech (2010)
King George VI had significant speech problems, and one of his main responsibilities was to address the public. The English crown, through the centuries, needed a good orator, and during George’s time, technology began to allow his voice to be heard further through radio. This film faithfully portrays how, with practice, concentration, and repetition, anyone can become an effective speaker, even with a speech impediment.
10. Notting Hill (1999)
Simply an excellent film.
