On the Nature of Political Films Criteria

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On the Nature of Political FilmsCriteria 1
Intent

• Those involved in the production (producer,
  director, studio) either
• (a) intend to deliver a political statement or
•            
• (b) an intent is reasonably implied from media
  interviews, commercial advertisements,or the
  consensus of film scholars and reviewers

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On the Nature of Political FilmsCriteria 2
Effect

• Grounded in the audience's understanding of the
  film's political text.
• The extent to which the audience is aware and
  understands that the
• primary story
• depicts some aspect of political history
• (b) promotes a particular "message" (issue-based,
  social consciousness of problem,
  ideology)                   
• (c) serves as propaganda
• (d) supports capitalism in situations where
  others are disadvantaged by the socio-economic
  and class system   

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Politics in Film

• Use of law and its enforcement against
  dissidents Boycott and Mississippi Burning
• Characteristics of small towns and locals
  Boycott, Mississippi Burning, Inherit the Wind
• Political socialization how individuals acquire
  attitudes and beliefs Mississippi Burning
• Capturing a cultural era or ethos Tomorrow
  Belongs to Me scene from Cabaret the air of
  violence in a Mississippi town troops serving in
  Vietnam inside evangelical organizations
• The characteristics of a mass movement Boycott
                   

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              Good Night and Good Luck (2006)
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House Un-American Activities CommitteeWave 1
Hollywood
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The Hollywood 10
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Screenwriters
Dalton Trumbo
Ring Lardner, Jr.
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Directors
Herbert Biberman
Edward Dmytryk
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House Un-American Activities CommitteeWave 2
Alger Hiss
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Alger Hiss, U.S. Department of State
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Richard Nixon, HUAC Major Adversary to Hiss
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Whittaker Chambers, Chief Accuser of Hiss
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House Un-American Activities CommitteeWave 3
Hollywood Again
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The Elia Kazan-Arthur Miller Controversy
Elia Kazan, On the Waterfront Arthur Miller, The
Crucible
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Actor Larry Parks
Dont present me with the choice of either being
in contempt of this committee and going to jail
or forcing me to really crawl through the mud to
be an informer. For what purpose? I dont think
it is a choice at all. I dont think this is
American. I dont think this is American justice.
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Actor Sterling HaydenNamed Names
I was a rat, a stoolie, and the names I named of
those close friends were blacklisted and
deprived of their livelihood (1963)
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Senator Joe McCarthy
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McCarthy and Chief Aid, Roy Cohen
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Murrow on Radio
His fame was based upon covering the siege of
London, numerous venues during World War II, and
creating a group of talented young reporters
nicknamed Murrows Boys
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(No Transcript)
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The Move to Television Edward R. Murrow and
Fred Friendly, Producer(played by David
Strathairn and George Clooney)
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CBS Executive William Paley(played by Frank
Langella)
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Sig Mickelson, Director of CBS News(played by
Jeff Daniels)
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(No Transcript)