The film, which is based on a brilliant book by Matthew Alford and Tom Secker, scrutinizes a very important issue of the US government's direct involvement in Hollywood, from influencing production to major script changes or even scrapping of certain projects.
Over the years, the United States has created a particular image of itself and its government agencies. This image of a superior and virtuous nation has been manifested very diligently all across the world. According to polls by Pew Research Center, the image of the United States both domestically and around the world is largely positive, especially among the younger generation, and it's not only in the West or the Global North, but also, quite surprisingly, in Asia, Africa and even Latin America (there was a significant drop in international support for POTUS during Trump's presidency, but that has now bounced back).
What's seen in particularly high regard are the US tech, entertainment and military. It's pretty obvious that the US entertainment industry with the leading role of Hollywood has played a major part in propagating this image, especially with regard to the US military. The little-known fact that the DoD alone has been involved in supporting around 2,000 titles over the years, both big-screen and TV is mind-blowing. As the producer of Theaters of War, Matthew Alford, who also stars in the film said: "the Pentagon operates like a slickly oiled PR machine that's advertising the most violent and powerful organization on the planet."
As is the case with marketing schemes designed to sell particular products, the depicted image has little to do with reality. The more accurate portrayal of the US government's role in world affairs can be found in commonly available literature, yet books don't generate multi-billion dollar revenues. What's dangerous about the corporate media-entertainment tandem is that it conditions us to approve and condone the destructive war machine and it deliberately obscures our perception of the consequences.
Certainly a must-see for every blockbuster fan.
Over the years, the United States has created a particular image of itself and its government agencies. This image of a superior and virtuous nation has been manifested very diligently all across the world. According to polls by Pew Research Center, the image of the United States both domestically and around the world is largely positive, especially among the younger generation, and it's not only in the West or the Global North, but also, quite surprisingly, in Asia, Africa and even Latin America (there was a significant drop in international support for POTUS during Trump's presidency, but that has now bounced back).
What's seen in particularly high regard are the US tech, entertainment and military. It's pretty obvious that the US entertainment industry with the leading role of Hollywood has played a major part in propagating this image, especially with regard to the US military. The little-known fact that the DoD alone has been involved in supporting around 2,000 titles over the years, both big-screen and TV is mind-blowing. As the producer of Theaters of War, Matthew Alford, who also stars in the film said: "the Pentagon operates like a slickly oiled PR machine that's advertising the most violent and powerful organization on the planet."
As is the case with marketing schemes designed to sell particular products, the depicted image has little to do with reality. The more accurate portrayal of the US government's role in world affairs can be found in commonly available literature, yet books don't generate multi-billion dollar revenues. What's dangerous about the corporate media-entertainment tandem is that it conditions us to approve and condone the destructive war machine and it deliberately obscures our perception of the consequences.
Certainly a must-see for every blockbuster fan.