Tag Archives: political corruption
La Zona (2007)
“When my son grows up , how will I explain why we live behind a wall?” Transport a Shirley Jackson story to modern-day Mexico and you have La Zona, a 2007 film from director Rodrigo Plá. The film opens in … Continue reading
Filed under Mexican
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
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
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
Iraq For Sale: The War Profiteers (2006)
“Why do they have Cadillac Escalades in Iraq?” While American and Iraqi families continue to bury their dead and comfort their wounded, the HUGE companies who continue to profit from the extended fiasco in Iraq are laughing all the way … Continue reading
Filed under (Anti) War, Documentary, Political/social films
Cautiva (2003)
“Why would I want to know?” Cautiva is an extremely effective Argentinean film that focuses on the plight of the approximately 30,000 ‘Disappeared’ victims of the right-wing military junta that ruled the country between 1976-1983. These victims of the so-called … Continue reading
Filed under Argentinean, Political/social films
The Take (2004)
“Occupy. Resist. Produce.” The documentary The Take examines the fallout of the 2001 Argentine economic crisis with a focus on unemployed factory workers. There’s solid background here–the IMF’s role in the crisis, $40 billion cash exiting the country overnight, and … Continue reading
Filed under Argentinean, Documentary, Political/social films
The Gladiators (1969)
“Basic humanity–that’s what’s wrong with that boy.” Set in the future, the bleak satire The Gladiators from British director Peter Watkins is a docudrama that televises “the Game,” an international competition of military exercises conducted in the interests of “world … Continue reading
Filed under (Anti) War, British, Peter Watkins, Political/social films
