Recent Film Recommendations

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised gives a unique look at the degree to which corporate media not only backed the side of the coup attempt against Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, but actively participated in creating the illusion of propriety of the coup, to serve their corporate masters. The film is unique in that it documents the actual events unfolding within the presidential palace. As anti-Chavez commentators have noted, it takes a strongly pro-Chavez position.

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised gives a unique look at the degree to which corporate media not only backed the side of the coup attempt against Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, but actively participated in creating the illusion of propriety of the coup, to serve their corporate masters. The film is unique in that it documents the actual events unfolding within the presidential palace. As anti-Chavez commentators have noted, it takes a strongly pro-Chavez position.

However, the parallel with the Chilean coup of General Pinochet (see The Pinochet Case) and in particular the revealed involvement of Henry Kissinger and the CIA in backing the overthrow of the democratically elected government of Salvador Allende (see The Trials of Henry Kissinger), is frightening in how history is allowed to repeat itself.

Another revealing Iranian film, Crimson Gold by Jafar Panahi with a story by Abbas Kiarostami gives insight into the class system and the day-to-day persecution of Iranians in the name of the Islamic revolution. Watching the film and it’s understated condemnation of Iranian society underlines the current (peaceful) battle between conservatives and reformers in Iranian politics. While the story of the main character is depressing, that such debate is occurring in Iran is cause for celebration.

Fog of War by Errol Morris (also directed Fast, Cheap and Out of Control and Mr. Death) is a poignant interview with Robert McNamara, Kennedy’s secretary of defence. He reveals much of the thinking confronting decision making in the time of war.

Also doing the rounds is a re-release of Gillo Pontecorvo’s Battle of Algiers. I’d been meaning to see this for ages, since Ennio Morricone, the celebrated film composer’s theme piece had been covered by John Zorn on his ‘Big Gundown’ album and is a favorite of mine. The film itself is unmatched in it’s believability and even-handness in revealing the aspirations of the Algerian insurgents and the quandary of the French military in fighting them. It’s amazingly applicable to the Iraq situation.

Less recent is Power and Terror, following Noam Chomsky’s addresses on the subject. Frankly the film is a bit pedestrian compared to Achbar and Wintonicks Manufacturing Consent, concerning Chomsky’s earlier book, but still worth a look.