Trial by film: Cases and Causes in Popular Legal Culture

Description

In surveys, respondents are ready to admit that they are influenced by works of popular culture in what they think about the law. Likewise, academics and practitioners often assume this, being concerned about a negative image painted of their profession. Determining content and effect of films and television broadcasts is complicated by the sheer number of productions and the diversity of audiences. However, there seems to be a conservative streak in popular legal culture. For a start, stories need to be understandable to a broad audience, so that they should not deviate too much from people’s experiences and existing cultural patterns. Writers and directors often aim at if not high art, then at recognition of their works which comes with following in the footsteps of other artists. Yet, a simple repetition of the old would not be entertaining, therefore producers of popular legal culture must vary their products. They often resort to drawing on cases that are not yet settled in the court of public opinion, or on causes that are debated in society and the treatment of in film will attract an audience. In addition, there is a strong tradition of “social issue dramas” that seek to sway the audience in favour of social reform. As a result, the audience is presented with the possibility of a different reality, or in some cases, invited to contribute to legal reform. In this way, works of popular legal culture are a conservative force and a force for incremental change as well.

Period	30 Jun 2023
Event title	New Perspectives on Trial by Media : A One-Day Workshop
Event type	Workshop
Location	Leicester, United KingdomShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International