I'm back again. If you missed it, I wrote three reviews yesterday. Check back often. I'm slowly getting caught up. Here's an older movie, but it's still quite good and relevant. Enjoy.
Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media
Review by Jon Waterman
****
The documentary follows professor, author and master linguist Noam Chomsky as he discusses his thoughts and views on the media. Mixed in with much archival footage we hear him enlighten and argue his positions on how the media is controlling society. He states that the United States essentially brainwashes the majority through covering only specific stories. The main example is how Khmer Rouge got much more coverage from the press for being a genocide in progress while at the same time more people were dying during Indonesia’s occupation of East Timor. Chomsky claims that wasn’t covered because the United States was supporting Indonesia’s efforts.
I don’t completely agree with some of his views. I can understand where he’s coming from, but at times, he doesn’t seem practical about it. For instance, he faults the local news outlets for using the Associated Press and other wire services. It would be nice if every newspaper, radio and television station could afford to cover the entire world, but it’s just not feasible. What he should say is that he wants them to look in more unusual places for their stories. They should take from alternative press materials and bring it to a largely unknowing public. He claims that media thrives through ads and not the audience (A newspaper is 60 percent advertisements). Financially and technically yes, this is true. But without an audience, the ads would not be coming in. It’s a two way street. Both of these points are ignored – at least within the course of this film. There are other points, but this review is more about the film itself. Overall, Noam proves himself over and over again to be an incredibly reliable and credible source of information. His opinions and viewpoints have a lot of backing and he relates them to us intelligently and eloquently.
Those not politically inclined (such as myself, actually) may not believe this, but the movie is actually pretty fun. Watching Noam get passionate about what he believes in and hold his own in debate after debate and argument after argument is a kick. Not only that, but the filmmakers make it enjoyable, too. And at a running time of 167 minutes (there is a built-in intermission), it better not be boring.
Directors Mark Achbar and Peter Wintonick make this movie just as much theirs as it is Chomsky’s. They go to great lengths to reinforce the points Noam makes through animation, transitions, time lapse and other silly/goofy manners. When he’s in a debate, they edit in classic footage of a boxing match. The directors go into surgery to illustrate how the media picks and chooses what they want society to see. Despite the goofy spin they put on it, everything still comes across, as it should. It’s not hard when your subject is widely regarded as one of the most intelligent people alive. For a long time watching the film, I thought it was flowing without structure. As it began to wrap up, I discovered the structure. It was just more hidden and fluid than most documentaries. The speeches, interviews and public engagements are shot nicely as well. What it comes down to is that the directors know what they’re doing. A lot of thought and effort was put into the film to make it work as well as it does.
The film is extremely effective. Even if you don’t agree with his views, this will give you an insight into how the other side thinks. It could be a great conversation starter, as the three-hour movie doesn’t touch all the bases. There is a chance some of the material will go over the heads of certain people. If you find that happening, just stick with it and all will be made clear. The film will open your mind and fascinate you if you let it.
Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media
Review by Jon Waterman
****
The documentary follows professor, author and master linguist Noam Chomsky as he discusses his thoughts and views on the media. Mixed in with much archival footage we hear him enlighten and argue his positions on how the media is controlling society. He states that the United States essentially brainwashes the majority through covering only specific stories. The main example is how Khmer Rouge got much more coverage from the press for being a genocide in progress while at the same time more people were dying during Indonesia’s occupation of East Timor. Chomsky claims that wasn’t covered because the United States was supporting Indonesia’s efforts.
I don’t completely agree with some of his views. I can understand where he’s coming from, but at times, he doesn’t seem practical about it. For instance, he faults the local news outlets for using the Associated Press and other wire services. It would be nice if every newspaper, radio and television station could afford to cover the entire world, but it’s just not feasible. What he should say is that he wants them to look in more unusual places for their stories. They should take from alternative press materials and bring it to a largely unknowing public. He claims that media thrives through ads and not the audience (A newspaper is 60 percent advertisements). Financially and technically yes, this is true. But without an audience, the ads would not be coming in. It’s a two way street. Both of these points are ignored – at least within the course of this film. There are other points, but this review is more about the film itself. Overall, Noam proves himself over and over again to be an incredibly reliable and credible source of information. His opinions and viewpoints have a lot of backing and he relates them to us intelligently and eloquently.
Those not politically inclined (such as myself, actually) may not believe this, but the movie is actually pretty fun. Watching Noam get passionate about what he believes in and hold his own in debate after debate and argument after argument is a kick. Not only that, but the filmmakers make it enjoyable, too. And at a running time of 167 minutes (there is a built-in intermission), it better not be boring.
Directors Mark Achbar and Peter Wintonick make this movie just as much theirs as it is Chomsky’s. They go to great lengths to reinforce the points Noam makes through animation, transitions, time lapse and other silly/goofy manners. When he’s in a debate, they edit in classic footage of a boxing match. The directors go into surgery to illustrate how the media picks and chooses what they want society to see. Despite the goofy spin they put on it, everything still comes across, as it should. It’s not hard when your subject is widely regarded as one of the most intelligent people alive. For a long time watching the film, I thought it was flowing without structure. As it began to wrap up, I discovered the structure. It was just more hidden and fluid than most documentaries. The speeches, interviews and public engagements are shot nicely as well. What it comes down to is that the directors know what they’re doing. A lot of thought and effort was put into the film to make it work as well as it does.
The film is extremely effective. Even if you don’t agree with his views, this will give you an insight into how the other side thinks. It could be a great conversation starter, as the three-hour movie doesn’t touch all the bases. There is a chance some of the material will go over the heads of certain people. If you find that happening, just stick with it and all will be made clear. The film will open your mind and fascinate you if you let it.
<< Home