"I would love an example where 'realistic portrayals' of a given subject in movies led to changes in public policy / public perception."
I'm not sure if it's really fair to expect such movies, which are a tiny minority of all movies made, to have such a disproportionate impact on policy, especially considering that they're usually ignored or even actively despised by the media and the powers that be.
I don't know of specific examples in film, but some books have had such impact. The Jungle[1] and Silent Spring[2] come to mind.
Film is a relatively young media, and its full potential is unlikely to be realized for decades if not centuries. Give it some time. I'm optimistic that truly moving and motivating films will arrive.
I'm not sure if it's really fair to expect such movies, which are a tiny minority of all movies made, to have such a disproportionate impact on policy, especially considering that they're usually ignored or even actively despised by the media and the powers that be.
I don't know of specific examples in film, but some books have had such impact. The Jungle[1] and Silent Spring[2] come to mind.
Film is a relatively young media, and its full potential is unlikely to be realized for decades if not centuries. Give it some time. I'm optimistic that truly moving and motivating films will arrive.
[1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_jungle#Federal_response
[2] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_spring#Impact