After the press conference ended, the reporters quickly left the film palace to organize their material and transmit it to their respective newspapers, websites, or TV stations. In this information age, time is the lifeline of news; every minute and second counts.
Alberto Esposito, a reporter from the "Italian News," practically ran to his car. Once inside, instead of driving away, he adjusted his seat back, took an Apple laptop from the bag on the passenger seat, placed it on his lap, and began preparing his news article.
The "Italian News" has significant influence in Italy and its surrounding regions. However, under the impact of the internet and new media, it has also launched an online version that can publish news in real-time.
On his way back, Alberto had already called the editor-in-chief to give a brief description of the press conference. The editor-in-chief asked him to immediately prepare a news article to be posted on the newspaper's online platform and also to be featured in the next day's print edition.
In the parking lot near the film palace, many reporters like Alberto Esposito were busy writing in their cars. Murphy Stanton's statements at the press conference were so shocking that they couldn't wait to get back to their hotels or other places to start working.
Alberto Esposito, undisturbed by the outside world, supported his laptop with his legs and typed rapidly on the keyboard. The draft he had already conceived gradually appeared on the computer screen.
"The reason we chose this industry is to report stories like 'Spotlight'!"
The title alone indicates that Alberto Esposito used the press conference he just attended to praise his profession and the movie "Spotlight."
Whether it was the content of the movie Alberto saw or the words Murphy Stanton said, both were perfectly aligned.
"Famous director Murphy Stanton's new film 'Spotlight' is based on true events. In the early 21st century, the 'Spotlight' team of the 'Boston Globe' published 70 reports over a year, exposing 90 priests in the Boston area who were suspected of sexually abusing boys. This series of reports not only won the Pulitzer Prize the following year but also raised social awareness about church abuses. The event itself is highly topical, but the film's storytelling is extremely calm and composed. The portrayal of the 'Boston Globe' journalists' work is as rigorous, rational, and restrained as their reporting process, yet filled with passion."
"The charm of serious news lies in not forcibly selling opinions or letting emotions cloud judgment. It involves meticulous sourcing and careful verification, ultimately destroying a system rather than defeating an enemy. Correspondingly, the script of 'Spotlight' is almost flawless. For example, in the film, the victims interviewed vary in demeanor—a flamboyant gay man and a reserved straight man. The layers of interviews are different, and the dialogues are realistic and credible. Despite the varied ways the harm is presented, the emotional guidance for the audience converges. The contrast between the two lawyers in different camps is also succinct and vivid. A line like 'What were you doing before?' elevates the film beyond questioning the church, highlighting the self-examination principle that the media should have."
"In addition to Murphy Stanton's script, the cinematography and editing of 'Spotlight' are textbook classics. Long shots are steady and do not overshadow the content. The multi-line narrative is edited briskly. The performances are particularly commendable. The film is full of stars, but there are no absolute lead actors. Stanton's followers each shine, creating a tense and intense ensemble performance without anyone stealing the scene. This cooperation, based on individual heroism, is precisely what an excellent news reporting team needs."
"To play the journalists well, the five main actors closely interacted with the real 'Spotlight' team to understand their work habits. Although we are too used to actors promoting their dedication by living the life of their characters, the performances themselves do not lie. I particularly liked Jonah Hill's portrayal of Michael, especially a detail during his interview with a victim: sitting across a table, Michael did not place his notebook on the table but instead recorded notes discreetly under the table while keeping eye contact with the interviewee. Such details can only be appreciated by someone who has been a journalist, as taking notes openly can feel more like a court trial, which might offend or distract the interviewee."
"'Spotlight' is the most civilian yet professional film. As a director, Murphy Stanton's most brilliant handling is in the latter half of the story, presenting the impact of the reports without explicitly mentioning the 'Pulitzer Prize.' The film ends with readers flooding the hotline, and busy journalists calmly answering, 'Hello, this is Spotlight.' Journalists, among all 'hero' professions, need to consciously keep their distance from the spotlight. This concise ending is both eternal and appropriate."
"Although 'Spotlight' is the best textbook example in terms of content and presentation, I am not optimistic about its award prospects at Venice. Director Murphy Stanton, likely a staunch atheist, unflinchingly criticizes the church, portraying it as the world's most corrupt organization. Watching it leaves one with a shattered reverence for religion. This 'offense' will obviously make believers uncomfortable."
"In my view, the story actually uses the church, a powerful entity in the secular world, as a symbol of authoritarian control. 'Spotlight' presents the courage and effort of ordinary people challenging authority. In different societies, authoritarianism appears in various forms, which is another layer of the issue. Journalists exercising their oversight duties with self-reflection embodies the core value of the media's 'fourth estate.'"
"Watch this film with a calm eye, but when I heard the line, 'Reporting such stories is why we chose this industry,' I was fired up. In the 'winter of print media,' the emergence of 'Spotlight' has a tragic grandeur. The journalistic ethics and exemplary execution it faithfully portrays seem like a tribute to the golden days that were once hotly discussed ideals."
"It is not because of the advent of newspapers and television that there are idealistic and responsible journalists. It is because 'goodwill' itself led such people to traditional media, producing outstanding news reports and promoting social progress. The kindness and sense of justice shared by ordinary people are always worth writing about. This is probably why we cherish films like 'Spotlight' and the 'glorious days' of newspapers."
After writing, Alberto Esposito proofread his article, then logged into the newspaper's online platform and uploaded his article. After a brief two-minute internal review, the article appeared prominently on the front page of the online platform.
Having done all this, Alberto Esposito leaned back in his car seat, sighed in relief, but did not immediately start the car. Instead, he took out his phone, logged onto Twitter, and casually browsed. Twitter was already flooded with news about "Spotlight." Many self-media platforms based on Twitter and other social media were evidently faster than traditional media journalists.
Alberto Esposito did not start his car. Instead, he stared at his phone, browsing some comments about "Spotlight."
As an Italian and a Catholic, he maintained a degree of skepticism about God's representatives on earth due to his profession, even while believing in God.
His wife had once accused him of not being devout enough, potentially leading their children astray. But today, this fact-based film proved that his caution was justified and might have, in some ways, prevented potential harm to their children.
On Twitter, those self-media people who had just watched the premiere also firmly supported "Spotlight" and Murphy Stanton.
"'Spotlight' is one of those slow-burning films. The first twenty minutes may seem dull, but once the audience follows the actors into the film, they will be deeply attracted, feeling the immense impact of the gradually unfolding story."
"The story's impact lies in its truth. Director Murphy Stanton did not sensationalize or fiercely criticize those vile priests and complicit bishops. However, this restrained approach gives the film a more powerful impact. We know this is how reality is. We know that even after being exposed, that bishop will still face no consequences. But we are moved by these journalists, starting to ponder the entire religious system and think about our society. This is the film's success."
Alberto Esposito nodded and opened another article.
"Murphy Stanton did not overly artistically process the film, maintaining a better balance among the actors. The pacing and dialogue are perfectly measured, leading the audience step by step through the clues to the end."
"Reflecting on the entire film, what fills the mind are numerous dialogues, gazes, and busy figures. It is a very real case investigation process. Without contrived plots, just the truth being gradually uncovered. Each layer's removal, revealing the core, is enough to keep the audience's nerves tense, watching intently, witnessing the moment the truth is revealed to the public..."
Just like last year when mainstream American media criticized Catholicism, with the premiere of "Spotlight" at the Venice Film Festival, mainstream media in Europe and the Western world stood with Murphy.
However, as the director, Murphy left Venice on the night of the premiere with Robert Downey Jr. and other actors.
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