Film puts the Spotlight on investigative journalism

Film puts the Spotlight on investigative journalism

Journalism, the Catholic Church, and victims of sexual abuse will feature at this year's Oscars, thanks to best film nominee Spotlight.

It's the story about the newspaper investigation that uncovered widespread child abuse within the Catholic Church opens in New Zealand on Thursday.

Spotlight is the name of the Pulitzer Prize-winning team of journalists from the Boston Globe that broke the story of child abuse being carried out, and systemically covered up, by the Catholic Church.

It's also the film, of the same name, about that investigation.

It is nominated for three BAFTAs and six Oscars, including Best Film and Best Director.

Mark Ruffalo goes from the Hulk to hack as he gets the nod for Best Supporting Actor.

Both Ruffalo and the journalist he plays, Mike Rezendes, grew up in Catholic families. Neither call themselves Catholic now.

"I saw a lot of hypocrisy in it as a kid, so in some odd way I wasn't surprised," says Ruffalo. "I am outraged."

It is an outrageous story.

"It's difficult to celebrate getting a prize for journalism when what you're writing about is the incredible suffering of so many people," says Mr Rezendes.

Following Spotlight's work, journalists around the world went on to uncover similar stories of rape and abuse by the Clergy – tens of thousands of victims in more than 200 towns and cities, including six in New Zealand.

There's nothing flashy in this film – no whizz bang, no explosions; it's not necessary. It's about good old-fashioned, sleeves-up journalism, and investigative reporting is the hero.

"When you ask readers what they care most about it their daily newspapers, it's investigative reporting, so editors are being kind of dumb in cutting back on it," says Boston Globe investigative reporter Walter Robinson.

Taking a stand against injustice is becoming a theme at this year's Oscars. Several actors are boycotting the ceremony because of the lack of diversity in the all-white nominee line-up.

Ruffalo says those boycotting are right. In fact, he nearly joined them.

"Any other movie I'd really consider joining them. I feel that greatly about it, but this movie is in the spirit of what they're after in a strange way."

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