Ethical Issues in Films
Carnegie Council's Ethics on Film series presents full reviews of films that deal with ethical issues within Carnegie Council's focus areas.
Focusing on topics including international relations, the proliferation of nuclear weapons, emerging technology and its effect on society, the climate crisis, and much more, these reviews provide a synopsis of the film and analyze ethical issues in the storylines and connect them to current debates. The reviews also provide discussion questions and further resources, for use by students and teachers in the classroom.
Reviews are written several times per year. Learn more and read the reviews below.
Featured Reviews
DEC 10, 2024 • Article
Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Dr. Strangelove"
JUL 12, 2023 • Article
Ethics on Film: Discussion of "RRR"
This review discusses the themes of this wildly successful Indian film and looks at ethical issues related to politics, colonialism, religion, and class.
MAY 13, 2008 • Article
Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Blood Diamond"
Set during Sierra Leone's civil war in 1999, "Blood Diamond" draws attention to the fact that the diamond trade has been used to fund conflicts.
More Reviews
MAR 14, 2023 • Article
Ethics on Film: Discussion of "All Quiet on the Western Front"
Read a discussion of ethical issues in this film concerning parallels to the Russia-Ukraine War, violence in movies, and the controversy in Germany.
FEB 1, 2023 • Article
Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Avatar: The Way of Water"
Read a synopsis of James Cameron's "Avatar: The Way of Water" with a discussion of ethical issues in the film related to colonialism, cultural appropriation ...
AUG 29, 2017 • Article
Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Malcolm X"
Malcolm X is seen by some as a symbol of the enduring struggle for equal rights for all human beings; but for others his legacy ...
AUG 30, 2016 • Article
Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Food, Inc."
This documentary takes a close look at the U.S. food industry and finds that cheap food is costly and sometimes deadly to the environment, ...
AUG 22, 2016 • Article
Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Selma"
This stirring film gives a behind-the-scenes look at the Selma-to-Montgomery march and illustrates how and why King's strategy worked. It also shows the devastating consequences ...
SEP 1, 2015 • Article
Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Schindler's List"
It's almost impossible to grasp the enormity of the Holocaust, and there's also the danger of regarding it as a one-time occurrence in the distant ...
AUG 6, 2015 • Article
Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Gandhi"
This film is a textbook on Gandhi's political philosophy and the Indian quest for statehood. And for many, Ben Kingsley's performance in the title role, ...
FEB 25, 2015 • Article
Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Timbuktu"
An extraordinary film, "Timbuktu" chronicles a brief period during the 2012 occupation of the ancient Malian city by the militant Islamic group Ansar Dine. What do ...
DEC 19, 2013 • Article
Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Dirty Wars"
"Dirty Wars" chronicles the undeclared shadow wars fought across the globe in the name of American national security--as well as the highly secretive agencies who ...
DEC 3, 2013 • Article
Ethics on Film: Discussion of "The Fifth Estate"
"The Fifth Estate" tells the story of Julian Assange and his Wikileaks organization. Since the story is still ongoing, was it too early to make ...