Category Archives: Political/social films
The Sea Wall (2008)
A few years ago, the French film The Lover, based on the book by Marguarite Duras, made the cinema circuit. I loathed the film for its excessive romanticism. Yes I know millions loved it, but I didn’t. So when I saw … Continue reading
Filed under Cambodia, France, Isabelle Huppert, Political/social films
The Kaiser’s Lackey (1951)
“If your political dilettantism continues, there will be an explosion.” Director Wolfgang Staudte’s marvelously understated satire, The Kaiser’s Lackey, a 1951 film, was recently released on DVD. Set mainly in the 1890s, the film is based on Heinrich Mann’s novel … Continue reading
Filed under German, Political/social films
Mariposa Negra (2006)
“Sometimes it’s better not to know.” The marvelous, amazing and ultimately tragic film Mariposa Negra (Black Butterfly) follows the relationship between two young Peruvian women who are thrown together by circumstance and then swept up in brutality orchestrated by Montesinos, … Continue reading
Filed under Peruvian, Political/social films
The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002)
“To the British: Your time is over.” Rajkumar Santoshi’s colourful film The Legend Of Bhagat Singh explores the life of the formidable Indian revolutionary. Born in 1908, Bhagat Singh (Ajay Devgan) came to manhood during the crucial years of India’s … Continue reading
Filed under Indian, Political/social films
Who Bombed Birmingham? (1990)
One of the more horrendous terrorist bombings in Britain took place on November 21, 1974. Two Birmingham pubs–the Mulberry Bush and The Tavern in the Town were blown apart by bombs that exploded just seconds apart. The blast left 21 … Continue reading
Filed under British, Political/social films
Pinochet’s Last Stand (2006)
“I’m hounded by Communists.” You wouldn’t catch me cozying up to a right-wing fascist dictator responsible for the murders and torture of 1000s of people, but apparently good old Margaret Thatcher couldn’t wait to squeeze in for a photo shoot in … Continue reading
Filed under British television, Political/social films
War is Sell (2004)
“How and why might a culture take their conflict into an organized form?” Napoleon once said, “Men will fight long and hard for a bit of coloured ribbon,” and considering he talked 1000s of men into an insane assault against … Continue reading
Filed under (Anti) War, Documentary, Political/social films
Anarchism in America (1983)
“I’m a man of peace, and that’s why I’m an anarchist.” This DVD includes two documentaries–the title film, Anarchism in America and The Free Voice of Labor: The Jewish Anarchists. In the first film, the filmmakers take the thesis that … Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Political/social films
Why We Fight (2005)
“They want to spread democracy around the world on the point of our bayonets.” Using footage from Eisenhower’s farewell speech to the nation, director Eugene Jarecki’s documentary film Why We Fight includes the departing president’s warning: “we have been compelled … Continue reading
Filed under (Anti) War, Documentary, Political/social films
Guy Debord: Complete Cinematic Works. Scripts, Stills, Documents
“They are the most important radical films ever made.” Guy DeBord founded the Situationist Internationale–a subversive group that was a formidable contributing factor to the May 1968 revolt in Paris. Although Debord may be more famous for his ever-pertinent, radical … Continue reading
Filed under Books about film, France, Political/social films
