First published 2018
Robert Kolker surveys politically charged films spanning over a century of cinema history. He begins with D.W. Griffith's controversial 1915 epic The Birth of a Nation and traces political themes through to contemporary works like Made in America. Kolker examines how filmmakers have addressed propaganda, Communism, Fascism, and revolutionary movements across different eras. His analysis covers productions from Europe, North Africa, the United States, and Latin America. The author demonstrates how political messages operate not just through obvious themes but also through formal cinematic techniques. He contextualizes each film within its specific historical moment, showing how international political currents have influenced moviemaking. Kolker explores both overtly political content and the structural ways films can convey political meaning. His case studies reveal how cinema has served as a vehicle for political expression and ideology throughout the medium's development. The book provides students with an accessible introduction to understanding how politics and film intersect across cultures and decades.
Genres: history, political-science, politics, non-fiction, film, academic
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-fiction
Setting: Europe, North Africa, United States, Latin America
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
180 pages · Hardcover · Routledge