This film explores the evolution of propaganda and public relations in the United States, with an emphasis on the “elitist theory of democracy” and the relationship between war, propaganda and class.
Includes original interviews with a number of dissident scholars including Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, Michael Parenti, Peter Phillips (“Project Censored”), John Stauber (“PR Watch”), Christopher Simpson (“The Science of Coercion”) and others.
WATCH THE FULL-LENGTH FILM ONLINE:
http://www.openfilm.com/videos/psywar
More info:
http://metanoia-films.org/psywar.php
This is a brilliant piece of work. Masterful use of music and montage. I also like that it posits class warfare as the overriding motivation behind the vast majority of propaganda.
Excellent presentation of the history and effectiveness of psyops that juxtaposes the idea of elitist view of democracy with the idea that without economic equality there can never be political equality.
The solution offered - to study propaganda - is the film's only weakness. Propaganda should be countered with exposure and with fact; counter propaganda should also be employed.
The subtheme of Psywar exposes the ongoing class war, and this is its most salient feature.
I already recommended it far and wide.
@Geobear! You write : "The solution offered - to study propaganda - is the film's only weakness. Propaganda should be countered with exposure and with fact; counter propaganda should also be employed."
I think this is a false dichotomy since u can't expose it properæy to other people without having studied it, understood it first.
Admirable as this film is, the terrain has been explored in a clearer historical context by Adam Curtis in "The Century of the Self". This four-part series, which studies the movement from commercial advertising to electoral propaganda, is viewable on the Top Documentaries.site.
At last! Opinions from intelligent Americans!
Very informative documentary....what's next?
It just proves that governments and corporations (but I repeat myself) can fool most of the people most of the time. People are cattle. They'll believe anything if it is packaged and presented properly. So much for delusions of freedom.
Ambricourt wrote:
"Admirable as this film is, the terrain has been explored in a clearer historical context by Adam Curtis in "The Century of the Self".
Disagree. I think the historical context presented in COS is in fact fairly muddy. It doesn't delve into the Constitution or representative vs. participatory democracy at all; it attributes consumerism to the figure of Bernays rather than capitalist overproduction; and it fails to link the rise of PR with the brutalization of workers.
And it's three hours long.
I like COS, but I think this film (though obviously of lower budget) is superior for the average citizen.
Good piece. I agree with Charly above; not enough effort in defining Representive Democratic Republic.