The role of cinema in promoting child protection awareness: A case study of 'Slumdog Millionaire' movie

Abstract

Background: This study explores the role of cinema in promoting child protection awareness using 'Slumdog Millionaire' as a case study. The film's portrayal of child exploitation and resilience provides an opportunity to assess how cinema influences viewers' attitudes toward child protection. Method: A quantitative research design was employed, with a structured questionnaire administered to 15 undergraduate film students at the University of Kelaniya using purposive sampling. The questionnaire focused on emotional responses, increased awareness of child exploitation, and the likelihood of engaging in advocacy. Results: The results revealed that 64.3% (n=9) of participants felt empathy for exploited children, while 71.4% (n=10) were emotionally impacted by the film's depiction of exploitation. Additionally, 85.7% (n=12) reported an increased awareness of child exploitation, and 71.4% (n=10) recognized the vulnerability of children to exploitation. In terms of advocacy intentions, 78.6% (n=11) expressed a likelihood to support child protection initiatives, while 64.3% (n=9) indicated they would share information about child exploitation with others after viewing the film. Conclusion: The study concluded that 'Slumdog Millionaire' effectively raised awareness and prompted advocacy actions, emphasizing the potential of cinema to influence social change. The emotional and narrative elements of the film significantly impacted viewers' attitudes, resulting in increased empathy, awareness, and a greater willingness to take action. These findings highlight the capacity of cinema to engage audiences emotionally, increase awareness, and inspire action on pressing social issues such as child exploitation, suggesting that film can serve as a powerful tool for promoting social change and advocacy.