10 MOVIES WITH AN ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE MESSAGE
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria are an increasingly popular way for investors to evaluate which company they are interested in investing in. Environmental criteria usually revolve around how a company decides to perform its actions regarding nature and the environment. The social criteria usually revolve around how a company decides to operate towards people, whether it be employees, local communities or society as a whole. Governance refers to how a company navigates their leadership, their ethics and the rights they give to their shareholders. All this is a way to say that modern investors are investing in companies that are doing what is right, for the environment and society.
There are several films that have captured ESG, by telling true stories. These big screen features have helped develop a narrative that has shaped and formed the image that society has begun to expect from major organizations and the way they govern themselves in regard to society as a whole. Here are a few of our favourites:
North Country (2005)
North Country, starring Charlize Theron, Jeremy Renner and Frances McDormand, tells the fictionalized story of Jenson v. Eveleth Mines. Women who endured a range of abuse while working in Minnesota mines, filed and won a landmark suit in 1984.
How to watch: Rent on Prime Video YouTube, Apple Tv, Google Play
Erin Brockovich (2000)
An unemployed single mother (Julia Roberts) becomes a legal assistant. She begins to investigate a case involving the Pacific Gas & Electric Company. Digging deeper she discovers one of the biggest class action lawsuits in American history against a multi-billion-dollar corporation.
How to watch: Stream on Netflix Rent on YouTube, Apple Tv, Google Play
Hidden Figures (2016)
As the United States and Russia raced to put a man into space, an all-female team of African American mathematicians played a vital role in the development of the NASA space program. Starring Octavia Spencer, Kevin Costner and Kirsten Dunst.
How to watch: Stream on Disney+ Rent on Prime Video, YouTube, Apple Tv, Google Play
Water (2005)
Set in colonial India during Gandhi’s rise to power, as he makes moves in the roads of women’s rights. A story of rebirth that challenges tradition. Starring Lisa Ray and John Abraham.
How to watch: Stream on Prime Video Rent on YouTube, Apple Tv, Google Play
Spotlight (2015)
The story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Church. Starring Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Liev Schreiber.
How to Watch: Stream on Prime Video Rent on YouTube, Apple Tv, Google Play
The Big Short (2015)
In 2006-2007 a group of investors (Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt) predicted the collapse of the US mortgage market and bet against it. During their research they discovered the flaws and corruption of the housing market.
How to Watch: Stream on Netflix and Prime Video Rent on Apple Tv, Google Play
Dark Waters (2019)
A corporate defense attorney (Mark Ruffalo) takes on an environmental lawsuit against a major chemical company and exposes a hidden history of pollution. Also starring Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins and Bill Pullman.
How to Watch: Stream on Crave Rent on YouTube, Apple Tv, Google Play
The Trial of The Chicago 7 (2020)
The story of 7 people on trial stemming from various charges surrounding the uprising at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Starring Eddie Redmayne and Sacha Baron Cohen.
How to Watch: Stream on Netflix
Dallas Buyers Club (2013)
Dallas, 1985 a hustler worked around the system to help AIDS patients get the overpriced medication they needed. A look at the American medical system and the journey of being diagnosed with the virus. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner and Jared Leto.
How to Watch: Rent on YouTube Apple Tv, Google Play
Films have the ability to deliver a message and tell a story that may have never been heard. All the films on this list were taken from or inspired by actual events. Each of these movies share in common the fact that they are telling the journey, risk or efforts somebody took to make the world a better place. The ESG framework is put into practice in all of these films. With a focus on the environment, society or the way companies treat employees, these movies tell us a story of what expectations we should have on the companies we invest in and purchase from.
