A documentary examination of the alleged self-immolation of five Falun Gong members in 2001 reveals the incident may have been faked by the Chinese government -- as part of a calculated Orwellian effort to control public opinion. [ Ask No Questions credits: Dir: Jason Loftus, Eric Pedicelli/ Jian Shi, Tony Bai, Amy Guo/ 79 min/ Documentary/ Propaganda, Government as Torturer, … [Read more...]
Indoctrinate U (2007)
WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN DOCUMENTARIES Humorous and hard-hitting examination of politically correct campus speech codes and the 'thought police' who enforce them. [ Indoctrinate U credits: Dir: Evan Coyne Maloney/ 87 min/ Documentary/ Freedom of speech, Propaganda] Pity the college-bound young people of today. They face not just the usual challenges of college … [Read more...]
Grass (1999)
WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN DOCUMENTARIES A documentary history of marijuana criminalization in the U.S. [ Grass credits: Dir: Ron Mann/ Woody Harrelson (narrator)/ 80min/ Documentary-Educational/ Canada/ Legalize Drugs, Propaganda] Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans are arrested for marijuana use. The cumulative cost of these arrests (and subsequent … [Read more...]
Waco: The Rules of Engagement (1997)
WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN DOCUMENTARIES NOMINEE: ACADEMY AWARD BEST DOCUMENTARY A critical examination of the 1993 BATF raid in Waco, Texas. [ Waco: The Rules of Engagement credits: Dir: William Gazecki/ 165 min/ Documentary-Educational/ Democide, Propaganda] If you've ever wondered what actually happened in Waco, why and how the government was able to kill dozens … [Read more...]
Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky & the Media (1993)
Noam Chomsky explains his theory of media bias and institutional control of the masses. Biographical. [ Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky & the Media credits: Dir: Mark Achbar, Peter Wintonick/ 166 min/ Biography, Documentary-Educational/ Canada/ Propaganda] You’ve probably heard of Noam Chomsky. He’s a prolific writer, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of … [Read more...]
Orwell’s 1984 in Three Films (1954, 1956 & 1984) | Movie Review
WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN FILMS The now-classic John Hurt film version of George Orwell's 1984 is probably the definitive cinematic interpretation, but the 1956 and 1954 tellings continue to attract fans. All three films are of strong interest to libertarians for their enduring anti-totalitarian message. Review of 1984 (1984) A very effective adaptation of the George … [Read more...]
The Man I Married (1940)
The German-born husband of an American woman is taken in by Nazi propaganda while the couple are visiting relatives in Germany just before World War II. [ The Man I Married credits: Dir: Irving Pichel/ Joan Bennett, Francis Lederer, Lloyd Nolan/ 77 min/ Drama/ Power Worship, Propaganda, Anti-Socialism] No trailer available. This is a film about power worship. At the center … [Read more...]
Reality Show President: Inside the White House PR Machine
At what point does skillful political marketing become propaganda? The subject is explored in this brief (12 minute) film about increasingly calculated and controlled White House use of visual imagery. … [Read more...]
Hemp for Victory (1943)
The many uses and value of hemp are described in this educational film produced by the U.S. government, which encouraged hemp production during WWII. [ Hemp for Victory credits: Dir: Raymond Evans/ 13 min/ Documentary/ Legalize drugs, Propaganda] Hemp is given a loving portrait in the documentary short Hemp for Victory, which touches upon its romantic history as well as … [Read more...]