‘Stripped for Parts’ Is Front and Center in the Fight for an Informed Society
Where hedge funds and media consolidations are the enemies of democracy.
Dear Moviegoers,
More than table dressing for crawfish boils, print newspapers serve, at their best, the greater purpose of informing the public of what’s going on around them and why—the news. It’s the fourth estate. They’re the towncriers, ringing bells against the oppressors, and alerting their neighbors of dangers to come—an entirely noble profession.
And yet, some see profit in their distress, and don’t care about harming the people behind the type or the citizens in front of the ink.
Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink covers the fight between reporters and vulture capitalists as both an interesting topic and a call to arms. Director Rick Goldsmith completes his trilogy of movies about the U.S. press with a documentary feature that, at heart, provides easy-to-digest information. Its human resources are, themselves, well-articulate and fairly charismatic (though that’s not so important to the film), knowing just what’s at stake should news deserts - areas without local reporting - grow across the country, and if a free press is greatly hindered.
That is a built-in understanding from the movie to the audience, well before any viewing. And that understanding is, indeed, fulfilled by its end. Nothing more, nothing less.
“Why is journalism important?”
“Because there are crooks.”
Hedge funds and millionaires with near-infinite cash and mostly lacking scruples are the clear-cut and mysterious figures of villainy in this picture of great caution, as they buy up large networks of local newspaper media, consolidate and outsource reporting with no care for people, and downsize jobs with the ferocity of lightning. To make some money, to save their wallets some change, and to control the flow of information. This is dangerous, and that danger is clearly outlined.
Does Stripped for Parts achieve anything with personality or value beyond the problem at hand? Not so much, but that would be, far and away, a massive detriment. Goldsmith maintains a strong sense of integrity throughout his film, not unlike the works of fellow director Robert Greenwald, another muckraker. The journalists who are highlighted try their hardest to act as if they’re not part of the story, which they state comes naturally to them. But here they are, in fact, a story. And given current events, this story is too important not to be heard.
While the film checks all the boxes of its medium, meeting the standards and practices of a fine and true tale, and going above and beyond by providing both data and even lists of organizations to support, Stripped for Parts could’ve gone more fire and brimstone—more doom on top of the gloom. That would’ve been tricky to make happen, admittedly, but it would’ve made for some greater and more impactful feelings. More urgency.
The film appears to be going about its distribution in a grassroots way, either by choice or by circumstances beyond its grasp. Aimed at academic and community screenings more than anything else, it’s going to be a hard “sell,” ironically. It’d be worth it, though. Worth every penny. 3.5/5
For more information on Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink, visit the official website. UPDATE: It will begin streaming on PBS on 10/1.