Film as a Tool for Addressing Social Issues: A Comparative Analysis of the Films Precious by Lee Daniels and Dry by Stephanie Linus Okereke

Abstract

Film as an audio-visual means of communication carries a powerful potential of reaching a wider audience with a common
understanding of the message. This is because the pictorial component in film empowers the human mind to think deeply and
differently. Compared to other mediums of communication, the film has the psycho-motive power to deliver a message at a
speed of light as a result of the images accompanying the story. Therefore, this paper examines film as a tool for addressing
social issues in society with close reference to the films: 'Precious' by Lee Daniels and 'Dry' by Stephanie Linus Okereke.
Content analysis was used in this paper as the research approach, thereby subjecting the selected films to a critical contentbased
analysis to arrive at the findings of the study. The study, therefore, found that Film has the potential of addressing social
issues and also provoking social change. The audio-visual means of communication embedded in films avails the medium of
a powerful potential of reaching a wider audience with a common understanding of the message. The study concludes that
film can be used for advocacy and promotion of our culture because it serves as a mirror of society.