Movies and TvShows featuring "public-policy" theme.

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The House I Live In is a powerful documentary that delves into the devastating consequences of the war on drugs in America. Through personal stories and expert interviews, the film examines the deep-rooted issues of systemic racism, social class disparity, and the prison-industrial complex. It sheds light on the destructive cycle of criminalization, recidivism, and the overall failure of the criminal justice system. The House I Live In also raises questions about the moral implications, political opportunism, and hidden motives behind the drug war.

Breaking the Taboo is a documentary that exposes the negative impact of the war on drugs, highlighting the failure of current policies and the need for drug policy reform. It explores the consequences of the criminalization of drugs, including the rise of the prison-industrial complex and the perpetuation of violence and crime. The documentary features interviews with experts from around the world, including former presidents and drug policy reform activists, who argue for decriminalization and harm reduction strategies. Through powerful storytelling and compelling evidence, Breaking the Taboo aims to challenge the public perception of drug addiction and advocate for a more humane and effective approach to drug policy.

Spin is a 1995 documentary that delves into the world of media manipulation and how it influences public opinion. It examines various techniques used by politicians, journalists, and television networks to shape narratives and control information. The film focuses on the 1992 United States presidential election and highlights issues such as framing, surveillance, and manufacturing consent. Spin also explores topics like culture wars, televangelism, and the impact of satellite television. Through interviews and analysis, the documentary sheds light on the power of spin and its implications for society.

The Pruitt-Igoe Myth (2011) is a documentary film that tells the story of the Pruitt-Igoe housing development in St. Louis, Missouri. It examines the factors that contributed to its decline, such as deindustrialization, structural racism, and urban planning. The film sheds light on the impact of public policy and business interests on the lives of the residents, and explores the themes of poverty, segregation, and displacement.

Filmmaker Judith Helfand's searing investigation into the politics of “disaster” – by way of the deadly 1995 Chicago heat wave, in which 739 residents perished (mostly Black and living in the city’s poorest neighborhoods).

While gun violence was on the decline in most major US cities, why did it continue to increase in Chicago's segregated communities? What is known about the systems that created the problem, the laws that isolated it, and the policies that abandoned it? Using dramatic footage, including interviews with residents on the front lines over the last 15 years, this documentary opens a rare historical window into the systematic creation of poverty stricken communities plagued by gun violence. 

Each week, the Pell Center produces episodes of "Story in the Public Square," a public affairs television series. The show features interviews with today's best print, screen, music and other storytellers about their creative processes and how their stories impact public understanding and policy.

The dramatic story of two blue-collar Milwaukee families over two decades. As they struggle to find their place in the new economy, living from paycheck to paycheck through good times and bad, the Neumanns and Stanleys confront choices for themselves and their families that have far-reaching consequences for the American way of life.