Most students at a journalism program expect to spend their time reporting, not watching movies. But instructor John Kupetz believes great films can teach just as much about journalism as any article.
Kupetz kicks things off with a lively discussion and a few teaser questions about the film. Once the movie starts, the room falls silent as everyone settles in. After the credits roll, he fires off a pop trivia game where the prize is a shiny new dime and bragging rights.
Kupetz shows “Citizen Kane,” “All the President’s Men” and “Spotlight,” films that reflect how journalism has changed over time and how that evolution reflects society. He believes they offer more than just history.
“It’s a double lesson. You learn journalistic technique, like interviews in “Spotlight” and “All the President’s Men,” Kupetz said. “You also learn to read a film’s language: lighting, camera angles blocking.”
He enjoys the discussions that follow. “It’s exciting when you have 90 smart students seeing great art for the first time. I love hearing their reactions and letting them engage with each other,” Kupetz said.
Kieran Blake, from Chicago, found a personal connection to the films, saying they helped shape his passion for both journalism and cinema. Watching them in Kupetz’s class reminded him of how his love for storytelling began.
“Ever since sixth grade, when my dad showed me “The Godfather,” I’ve been obsessed with movies,” Blake said. “I actually watched ‘All the President’s Men’ before doing my first school paper interview, and it really inspired my love of journalism.”
Beatrice Sopko, from San Francisco, said the films reminded her of journalism’s deeper mission. Having grown up watching classic movies with her family, she’s always appreciated stories that carry meaning beyond entertainment.
“It’s a warning about how easy it is to be manipulated by power and wealth in the journalism world,” Sopko said. “But journalists must remember to seek the truth because the truth still matters.”
“These aren’t just period pieces,” Kupetz said. “They’re mirrors that reflect journalists’ true values.”
