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Industry of

Illusions
Propaganda &
Film AUTHOR

Lejla Panjeta, MA in Communications


BA in Performing Arts and BA in Communications
2003  All Rights Reserved
Feature Movies as
a Media of Propaganda

Mainstream of American
Feature Movies
(from last decade of 20th century to nowdays)
Basic Human right - The Right on Opinion?

You shall hear with your ears but you shall


not understand, you shall watch with
your eyes but you shall not understand
Mathew Gospel 13:14

Truth or learned truth?

12 Apostols at the Last Supper must be men.


We have been thought so and we do not even think to look for a woman
here! Is this a woman or feminized Apostle John?
Arbitrary perception?
We (filmmakers) are scientists engaged
in creation of the memory
Director Murnau’s sentence in feature film “The Shadow of the Vampire”

Research Plan

Hypothetic frame
- Feature film is a propaganda weapon in modern society
- Feature film contributes and comes before the promotion of American society
- American way of life propagated through the American cinematography is an inclusive part of the globalization of society
- Feature film manipulates, educates and controls human behavior
- American feature film is the preparation for wanted social behavior, opinion and problems
Subject of the research
Manners and possibilities for feature film propaganda actions and preparation for political unification and globalization
of the world under the American cover
Time of the research
- ten years: 1992-2003 that is 90-s and the beginning of the 21st century in American cinematography
- review on film development, genres (thriller, spy drama and action movies, author’s film, soap-opera series)
and style types from 1922
- first three months of 2001 – research of BHTV broadcast program and a poll conducted among students of the fourth
grade in the Bosniac Gymnasium and Teacher’s High School in Sarajevo
Methods of the research
Methods of examining; analysis of contents; quantitative and qualitative analysis of data; film essay analysis of feature
movies according to the intentionally chosen sample in accordance with previously established parameters;
comparison; poll; statistic method; historic method and deduction in the analysis of feature movies
“more subtle” and “more precise” methods of social control,
avoiding those “rough, obvious and direct”… Aggression and
state terror in the Third World became “the defense of
democracy and human rights”, and “democracy” is successfully
realized when a government is in safe hands of “the rich who
live in peace with their citizens”…The rein of those privileged
must be guaranteed and population placed on the status of
passive watchers! Noam Chomsky
“Necessary illusions” 2000
Goals of the Research
• To establish the level of film propaganda possibilities
• To establish parameters that enable the functioning of presented propaganda
messages
• To establish the methods for the “free democratic” society propagation and for
the promotion of a nation and country through propaganda messages
• To establish the film propaganda patterns
• To prove that the American feature movies make systematic preparation for
political propaganda intending the real goals to be realized
• To show the frame of the American cinematography mainstream during the last
decade and to compare it with the theory of being under threat for the purpose
that political goals or patriot hysteria are realized.
• To find out the manners in which feature movies psychically influence their
consumers.
• To find out the ways in which American feature movies explain and foresee
social and political problems and in which they contribute that “freedom and
equality” function in American democratic society.
C o n t e n t

1. Film – media or art


Artistic and technological aspects of development of film as media

2. Means for manipulation with film


Psychological, marketing and kitsch factors that enable manipulation
through the film language

3. American propaganda in film


Propaganda parameters in film

4. Land of the Free and the Home of the


Brave
Analysis of feature movies within the context of propaganda messages

5. Good Conspiracy is Unprovable One!


Anti-propaganda – double effect of the propaganda of free and just
American democratic society (considering the conspiracy theory and
the theory of being under threat in feature movies)
1
Film – media or art
Artistic and technological aspects of the development of film as media

• Review on development of film and film genders (types)

• Film – the art - using the time space language

• Film as meda and “reality cuter”

• Society and the double influence in art

• Film as a mean for manipulation with reality


Film – media or art
Artistic and technological aspects of the development of film as media
Cinema notion – derives from the Greek word motion; determines film, film art, motion pictures, peliculas
and similar
Film language (Plazevski: 1961) – electronic media a mean for expression
Differencia specifica: In 1884, Peter Mark Roget’s experiments on persistence on human sight to moving objects enabled
1. Light the development of technical devices , which at that time were on the level of fair attractions, like:
2. Motion Cinematograph (Tomas Edison)
3. Realism Projector (the Skladanowski brothers)
4. Editing Theater graph (Robert Paul)

Film pioneers (beginning of the 20th century )


Limier Brothers (Train entering into a station) George Melies (Moon Travel)

REALISM FANTASY
documentary, film genre, TV NEWS feature movie, film as an independent art
(does not recognize Lessing categories according the space and time)

Edwin Poter-moves camera


DWGriffit – parallel film editing , cold communication means (MacLuhan) – the third phase of communication (Nuhic)
close up electronic phase –post-modernism
TH Ince, Cecil de Mille,
Mark Sennet – first Hollywood
FUNTIONS OF FILM AS MASS MEDIA (cinema halls , DVD, VHS):
studio, decentralization of film
production – film industry
1. Entertainment
Genres in American film: film: 2. Education EDUTAINMENT
Romantic Comedy 3. Spreading of messages – having character of idea and art
Drama (author’s idea)
idea)
Action (action drama, war action, action comedy) or/
or/and
– character of propaganda and politic
Horror

SF (Science
(Science and Fiction)
Fiction)
Historic Spectacle
Film is(spy/
Thriller(
Thriller a media
spy (lat.) Medius – middle, a mediator, an interpreter, a mean for transmission of messages
/detective)
detective
Film – media or art
Artistic and technological aspects of the development of film as media

Realization of Communication Process


(from human communication to the principle of computer operation)

Message RECIPIENT
SENDER
(set of data) (Consumer)
Film Communication Principle – How it communicates with Consumers
Principles used in media – selection and interpretation of reality – are same in the film making process
According to the definition (Tucakovic: 199, Spahic: 1987) - Informative action represents the spreading of
information having the goal to inform about current social events and it includes relationship with propaganda
action, which is planned, systematic and thought-out spreading of some ideas with intention to win over
political and other public opinion for the purpose to realize strategically made goals of a certain activity
(politics, economy and similar). These is a spectrum of interventions having the aim to suggest the information
(to interpret it, cut it) or to influence the actions of an individual. Where is the limit?

strategist communicator MESSAGE targeted groups wanted behavior

Propaganda - lat: pro-for, pax-peace, agare – spread


It has been officially established as a body of Sacra Congregacio de
Propaganda Fide (the body specialized to spread the Catholic Religion) by
Pope Gregory 15th in 1622 in Vatican.
Film – media or art
Artistic and technological aspects of the development of film as media

Film Creation Process

Planed emotions,
Money Transmission media
film Cinema DVD VHS PC users behavior, stands
Further sale
Idea

Propaganda has the goal to create in people the wish to buy:


•Product – marketing
•Idea – political propaganda
“Our beginning should be to divide people into sheep and goats, those with whom we can achieve something
within a short or mid time period and those for whom we’ll need much more time to get them into
sheepfold…” (Diggle: 1998 Art Marketing)
edutainment + marketing
+
propaganda of ideas (author’s ideas or/and those global, political ones)
+
sheep and goats
=
Hollywood industry of profit
Film – media or art
Artistic and technological aspects of the development of film as media

Society Influences the Creation of Art

Art
SOCIETY FILM

reality fiction

Art shapes social attitudes, stands, fashion, (no) revolutionary positions and similar

•Florence painting (coping Arabian Renaissance) made influence on the European Renaissance and the
history of 13th century
Art Society
•Leni fon Riefenstal’s films and Goebbels’ propaganda (hypodermic needle efect method, on which the
Coca Cola campaign was based in 70-s) made influence on the world in 20th century. The World at the
beginning of 20th century is characterized by German expressionism. (Metropilis, Dr. Caligary Cabinet)
Art Society

•Telenovela Por estas calles (Venecuela 1993) – covers the President Collon;s Government and brings the
President’s Government to crash - coup de etat broadcast live within telenovela – the first LIVE telenovela)
Art Society
•Telenovela Ricos y famosos (Argentine) deals with the real corruptive Argentina entrepreneur, which
results in investigation and bringing the charges against him. The entrepreneur runs away into the USA and,
in Argentina, he fabricates his murder – the action in telenovela. His massacred corpse was found in
Argentina but few years later the signature of this man appeared in Miami - the the action in real life event.
Art Society
Film – media or art
Artistic and technological aspects of the development of film as media

Film REALITY past and present = mirror of society


The last decade in Hollywood – the main idea: Everything is against us
ISLAM, RUSSIANS,
RUSSIANS, SERBS
SERBS,, EUROPE (the Germans and the French), French),
METEORS , NLO-s -s,
, VOLCANOES, , WINDS,
NLO VOLCANOES WINDS GODZILLA , GODZILLA, , DINOSAURS
“Prepare yourself as tomorrow the war will be, but live as the peace will last for hundred years”

Executive Decision – Islamic terrorist kidnaps an airplane and intends to destroy Washington with chemical weapons
The Siege – Islamists terrorize New York
Hannibal – Most wanted terrorist in the World Osama bin Laden (his picture is on the computer screen in a scene in the film)
Peacemaker – Serb terrorists want to destroy New York with nuclear bomb
Three Kings – devotedness and humanism of American soldiers in Iraq
Saving Private Rian – American successes in the World War II
Pearl Harbour – American vulnerability and endangerment in the World War II
Patriot, Alamo, Indepandance Day – fight for American independence and freedom through history (the last two
centuries!)
Black Hawk Down – brutality of Islamic fundamentalists in Somalia; Americans came as educators bringing light”
Behind the Enemy Lines – justification for American spending money of its own tax payers for interventions
The Sum of All Fears – European secret association make plots against America (the French and German are most frequently heard)
Collateral Damage – Members of Columbia guerilla kill Americans in the streets of America

America is in danger of terrorist actions originating from the zones of American interventions

The real reasons are not of the film nature (fight


(fight for human rights, freedom,
freedom, noble aims to help poor people) but the
real reasons are:
are: OIL, PROFI
PROFIT, DOMINATION OF THE RICH, GLOBALIZATION and EXPLOITATION

People accept every lie better than the truth - Hitler


Film – media or art
Artistic and technological aspects of the development of film as media

Film REALITY past and present = mirror of society


Film REALITY future = preparation of society
Artificial objects of public opinion
Creation of enemies
Creation of good conditions in the future
Manufactured consent of population
Making justification for political actions
Manufacturing of patriotic hysteria
+
Repetition of these ideas in media
=
Accepting ideas
THOSE WHO ARE NOT WITH US ARE AGAINST US
WE KNOW THAT SADDAM HAS WEAPONS
American (prophetic) film is a mean by which the future is predicted for the
behavior of sheep and goats and it influences in advance their reactions (the
principle how propaganda functions) making wanted “climate” conditions
among population for the planned future media and foreign policy actions!
2
Means of Manipulation
Used by Film
Psychological, marketing and kitsch factors that enable
manipulation through means of the film language

• Human perception
• Psychological factors of the influence of feature movies on which the
means of manipulation are based
• Identification – phenomenon of the “receipting” and of the
persuasiveness of film
• Catharsis – “cleaning out” by feature movie
• Mechanism of defense – illusion
• Film and marketing
• Human being the kitsch – homo consumenicus
• Telenovela – mass manipulation with population
Means of Manipulation Used by Film
Psychological, marketing and kitsch factors that enable manipulation through means of the film language

Red horizontal lines – are they parallel or not?


Means of Manipulation Used by Film

Yes
Psychological, marketing and kitsch factors that enable manipulation through means of the film language

They are parallel


Means of Manipulation Used by Film
Psychological, marketing and kitsch factors that enable manipulation through the film language

Black or white spots?


Means of Manipulation Used by Film
Psychological, marketing and kitsch factors that enable manipulation through means of the film language

You may see black and white


spots, but they are
only white
Means of Manipulation Used by Film
Psychological, marketing and kitsch factors that enable manipulation through the film language

5 Horses?
Means of Manipulation Used by Film
Psychological, marketing and kitsch factors that enable manipulation through the film language

Face or Liar?
Means of Manipulation Used by Film
Psychological, marketing and kitsch factors that enable manipulation through the film language
Means of Manipulation Used by Film
Psychological, marketing and kitsch factors that enable manipulation through the film language

Perspective in Painting

Which one is bigger?


Means of Manipulation Used by Film
Psychological, marketing and kitsch factors that enable manipulation through the film language
Means of Manipulation Used by Film
Psychological, marketing and kitsch factors that enable manipulation through means of the film language

Imperfectness of Human Perception


Optical illusion – characteristic of human sight and imagination

A human being perceives 24 pictures (squares) per second as a movement.


A human eye does not see the insertion of the 25th picture but the brain
registers it as excitement. This method (hypodermic needle effect) was
used in Sam Packinpoah’s feature movies (as additional picture of blood
in action scenes) and in Coca Cola campaign in 70-s in cinemas, when a
picture with a glass of soft drink was inserted, causing so the artificial
want among the audience to drink Coca Cola. This method was also used
by MTV for some time period. (see movie Fight Club)
This usage of advertising messages within feature movies (spots, clips
and similar) is forbidden in nowadays!
Means of Manipulation Used by Film
Psychological, marketing and kitsch factor that enable manipulation through means of the film language

Immanent film factors necessary for propaganda actions


•Need for escape (rituals, theater, drugs, film, literature, daydreaming)
•Identification (with film characters – generally in arts)
•Catharsis (experience of cleaning, elevation through provocation of tension and fear;
satisfying of id, cleaning of ego;
arenas, gladiator plays, venations, lynching, guillotine
Tarde de torros – corida, sports and arts - film
•Mechanisms of defense - illusion:
•repression (escape)
•identification and compensation
•rationalization (justification)
•Homo consumenicus’ ability to accept kitsch object (or art of happiness)

“Cracks in consciousness” filled with ideology coming from mass communication


media – FILM, among others (Spahić: 1985)
SUITABLE FOR PROPAGANDA GOALS
keeping status quo, repression against population,
accepting and justification of actions, patriotic hysterias
Means of Manipulation Used by Film
Psychological, marketing and kitsch factor that enable manipulation through means of the film language

FILM AND MARKETING


In 19 century, Toulouse Lautrec’s poster has inaugurated the unity of media, art and
advertising philosophy

Buying a product = catharsis (watching films, soap operas, mass media products)

Advertisement (mean of marketing) and film have the mutual media language,
but also the means of functioning (sale of products)

An advertisement shows a problem and offers the solution in the form of product. A feature movie shows a
problem and offers the solution in the form of a product. A feature movie points to a problem
(plot) and offers the solution of a given equation in the from of a “Super-American” – a Greek
ancient hero. The solution made by identification becomes a recipe for solution of problems in real
life.
Filma and marketinga relationship (propaganda discipline)
1. Marketing of film – the goal – the sale of film
2. Marketing from film: private marketing which derives from popularity of a feature movie
3. Marketing in film (product as a part of action: dress, food, residence, job and similar)
a.) Idea marketing (hidden) in film: I) direct (visible)
Casablanca, Deep Blue See - public (smoking in 30-s and in 90-s)or
Peacemaker, Jurassik Park - private (visible advertising of a product within the action in a feature movie –
cars,
airway company and similar)
Arlington Road, Executive Decision, JFK II) Indirect public propaganda
Means of Manipulation Used by Film
Psychological, marketing and kitsch factors that enable manipulation through means of the film language

Telenovela – Mass Manipulation with Population


Telenovela – Latin-America soap opera series
Research conducted among students of the fourth class in high schools in Sarajevo in 2001 (male and
female population give the same results).
Majority understands the Spanish language

Within a plot 100 As in the telenovela Cuerpo


As in the telenovela Cuerpo
the themes of 90
80
y Alma, in real life the
y Alma, in real life the
actor kills his female
social 70
60
actor kills his female
partner because he mixed
partner because he mixed
national 50
40
the fiction and the reality.
the fiction and the reality.
The day before, during the
economic 30
20
The day before, during the
shooting of a scene, she told
shooting of a scene, she told
importance 10
0
him that she did not love him.
him that she did not love him.
are interpolated. Rate of
TV Globo was charged for
TV Globo was charged for
accomplice in the murder.
(represive: watching of Bosniac High School accomplice in the murder.
te le nove las
Sufrir para estar feliz in 2001 High S chool for Teachers TV Globo appoints the
TV Globo appoints the
Justicia es tarda pero llega)
PresidentCollon,
PresidentCollon,
But it also removes him
But it also removes him
from power.
from power.

Elements producing the high rate of watching telenovelas: Propaganda:


• Everyday broadcast - Education on social problem
or culture (alcohol, narcotics, AIDS …)
• The end of the series when the action culminates (catharsis)

• Everyday life, real and love problems in human life


- Spreading of language
(English, Spanish)
3
American Propaganda in Feature Movies
Propaganda Parameters in Feature Movies

• Development of American propaganda in film


• The same propaganda model before and after the
September 11
• Three arguments claiming that the American feature
movies (Hollywood) have completely lost the
freedom of art (or they never had one)
• “Poetics” as a space for manipulation on the
antagonist/protagonist line
• Being under a threat – justification for superpower,
connection and taking part in
• Denomination and feature movies, as a part of
reality
• Genre characteristics suitable for propaganda
activity
• Parameters of propaganda methods in American
mainstream feature movies
American Propaganda in Feature Movies
Propaganda Parameters in Feature Movies

DEVELOPMENT OF AMERICAN PROPAGANDA IN


FEATURE MOVIES
• In 1898,when the United States Congress declared the war against Spain, the street of New York
were full of mad crowds waving with American flags. Two film businessman were sitting in their office
watching the crowds in the town streets. They gathered a film team and made an one-reel film, which
will soon be reeled in town cinemas and theaters. The crowd watches with satisfaction the film in
which the Spanish flag is torn. These pictures realize the people wish for adventure and want that
American military power wins, heating so the patriotism and realizing the catharsis of pleasure
through an identification process. «Thus began the relatinoship of motion pictures and propaganda.»
• During the World War I , the Creel Board was established in America and at the head was George
Creel, a propagandist, whose task was to show the Germans as horrible savages, and to rise the
patriotism, helping so the Great Britain. The members of this Board were also William Randolph
Hearst, Edward Bernays and Walter Lippmann.
• In June 1942,the White House created the Office of War Information (OWI) and established it as an
institution for undertaking campaigns with the following goals:
- spreading of information about war Stars go to war
- coordination of Government activities Clarc Gable coming from fight in
1943
- establishing alliance between Radio, TV and Film

The then, established under the Creel Board


and OWI, propaganda principles in film
perfectly function until now in modern feature movies.

Today: Bruce Willis, Schwartzenegger


Sources: Chomsky: 2002, Pizzola: 2002, http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC/Warfilm.html,
American Propaganda in Feature Movies
Propaganda Parameters in Feature Movies

Censorship in Hollywood
1. OWI activities (the principles of film propaganda were established by this office during the World War II)
2. Activities of MPAA, Motion Pictures Export Association, Motion Pictures Producers and Distributors of
America
3. Tele-voting systems in the Organization for Polling the Audience in USA
(a viewer watches some scenes from un unfinished film, starts the lamp hand and
in accordance with the scale made by the lamp the poll organizers get the results
how viewers react to some scenes in the feature movie. The emotion reaction of
the audience are transmitted to the computer which process data and gives the
profile of the future reaction of the audience to the feature movie)

Antagonist – Protagonist
Protagonist is a main hero, a savior. His enemy is the antagonist, who represents the real haven for
propaganda messages.
The advertisement of the protagonist and his goals, which are just and justified is made through
evilness of the antagonist and the wanted result is an identification with PROTAGONIST.
The more the antagonist is bad the better we like protagonist.

Antagonist Propaganda Model before September 11


The events of September 11 are the beginning of creation of Pilger’s (2002) New World Order - all connections
with the Cold War have been definitely broken
This kind of conflict was already abandoned in 90-s and the preparation for new enemies (Islamic Fanatics)
started, as the Russian agents were completely useless as enemies in feature movies due to the
decomposition of the Soviet Union.
Examples: Black Hawk Down, Spy Games, Behind the Enemy Lines, The Sum of All Fears, Collateral Damage
American Propaganda in Feature Movies
Propaganda Parameters in Feature Movies
Denominationisisthe
Denomination themethod
methodofofnaming
namingthings
thingswith
with
otherwords,
other words,cleaning
cleaningororadapting
adaptingthe
thetruth,
truth,made
madeinin “There must be an enemy.
aaway
waywhich
whichsuits
suitsthe
thepropaganda
propagandacreators
creators According to Hollywood scenario, it is Islam today.
Film,asasaaseparate
separatereality,
reality, We need a bad guy; let’s catch him!
Film,
usesdenomination
uses denomination Earlier, they were the Russians in James Bond films,
Today it is Saddam Hussein.”
Propagandamethods
Propaganda methods(Tucaković:
(Tucaković:1999;
1999;77)
77)
A part of a former CNN journalist Riz Khan’s statement
-Adaptingofoftruth
-Adapting truth
-Methodfor given in the interview on March 24, 2003
-Method forcreation
creationofofemotional
emotionalstates
states
on the occasion of the attack against Iraq.
Filmuses
usesthese
thesemethods
methods The interview was broadcast on FTH1
Film in the News at 19:30 on that same day

consent
Spreading of Fear,
justification
endangerment Hegemony of nation
propaganda PATRIOTISM CONFLICT
profit
American Propaganda in Feature Movies
Propaganda Parameters in Feature Movies

Enemies of Foreign Policy – Antagonists in Hollywood


The Indians Feature movies about cowboys and those showing the brutality of “scalp moving” -
Legends of the Fall

The British Production of feature movies like Mission Imposible, Johnny English, as the balance
to James Bond and the Queen's domination over the intelligence world - The Patriot,
Braveheart

The Germans and anti-Semitism Feature movies showing the World War II and the Germans as creasy scientists and
militant Nazis

The Russians and communism All spy thrillers in 70-s and 80-s about Cold War and communism

The Japans and technological superiority Majority of feature movies about the World War II
Vietnam Big production at the beginning of 80-s and 90-s - Born on the 4 July, Dear Hunter,
Heaven and Earth

The Chinese and Chinese mafia Leathal Weapon 3, The Art of the War, Payback

Primitive nations - should be made “civilized” Adventure type Indiana Jones


Latin America and oil, precious All 90-s feature movies about narcotics, showing Hispano-Americans taking part in
stones, gold, silver the narcotics market - 100 Days in Jungle, High Crimes, Collateral Damage, Traffic

Church Godfather and other produced in 80-s when the Church was a barrier for
“democratization” of Latin America

Somalia – justifying the taking part Black Hawk Down

Serbia – justifying the taking part Behind the Enemy Lines, Peacemaker

Iraq, Islam and oil, gas, minerals* Feature Movies about the Gulf War and Desert Storm – war action feature movies in 90-s
See slides 12, 42, 43

The French Johnny English, Pirates of the Caribbean, Matrix Reloded & Revolutions, Master and Commander
American Propaganda in Feature Movies
Propaganda Parameters in Feature Movies

What does film suggest (denominate)?


American President appears in feature movies – propaganda of the
American President appears in feature movies – propaganda of the
• Suggestion on the level of characters White House, national politics and correctness of the state apparatus and
White House, national politics and correctness of the state apparatus and
of the institution of President:
1. Through thoughts of characters of the institution of President:
The American President – 1995 Dave – 1993
The American President – 1995 Dave – 1993
2. Through behavior of characters The Day Regan Was Shoot – 2001
The Day Regan Was Shoot – 2001
Air Force One – 1997
Air Force One – 1997
3. Through the relationship of main characters The Sum of All Fears – 2002 Deep Impact – 1998
The Sum of All Fears – 2002 Deep Impact – 1998
The Siege – 1998 Contact – 1997
with others and themselves The Siege – 1998 Contact – 1997
Primary Colors - 1998
Primary Colors - 1998
4. Through actions of characters
5. Through development of characters
• Suggestions on the level of the view point (the idea of a feature movie)
event seen from the view point of a film creator, denomination in explanation of events, omission of
facts that can burden the plot
• Suggested behavior
• On the level of possible situations – how we should behave
(receptiveness – an advertising rule)
• On the level of solution of a situation
• Suggestion on the level of conclusions: feature movies offer prepared
opinion
• Suggestion on the level of values propagated in American society
• Family life
• Self-sacrificing in career Fulfilling =
Award
• Team work MONEY
• Sacrificing of someone’s happiness for higher goals Heaven kingdom
(society, country, religion) Society
American Propaganda in Feature Movies
Propaganda Parameters in Feature Movies

Parameters Used for the


Establishment of
Propaganda Characteristics
in the Analysis of
American Feature Movies
Produced after 1990
American Propaganda in Feature Movies
Propaganda Parameters in Feature Movies

Propaganda Principles
• Accessibility
• Used at right time
• Interest
• Engagement
• Persuasiveness
• Directing (Tucaković:1999)

Repetition – a rule of the classic propaganda


Usage of same themes, conflicts, characters, motivations, plots and similar

Two kinds of propaganda used in the process of


creation
of a feature movie:
1. Direct (visible) – war feature movies
2. Indirect (hidden) – conspiracy theories, criticizing American society and politics
but never criticizing the system and always offering a Hero who can save the
World.
The very existence of film supports the idea of the freedom of media in America.
Arlingon Road, JFK, X Files, People vs. Larry Flynt, Swordfish, American Civil War,
Wag the Dog, Nixon, LA Confidential, Simone and similar.
American Propaganda in Feature Movies
Propaganda Parameters in Feature Movies

Propaganda based on an American Savior:


• Researcher, (an agent, a journalist)
• He/she gives up his/her personal happiness for the “social” one
• Selfmade
• Homework guy
• Good in all life spheres (James Bond)
• Hero (Save the Day Guy)
• Born as a righteous (method of a cowboy self-regulated justice)
• Man with no material interest; a patriot
Propaganda messages are reflected within
scenery of:
- American life with status symbols (a house, a family, a dog)
- American team spirit
- American Savior and right giver
- Functioning of American self-regulation justice system and legal system
- Symbols of American understanding of freedom, justice and democracy
Propaganda of self-regulation justice:
1. State and social systems: propagation of the USA legal system and the 1st Amendment
(Rules of Engagement, A Time to Kill, People vs. Larry Flynt, Deliberate Intent and
similar)
2. Righteous individual educated in America (heroes who take justice in their own hands –
righteous cowboys) - majority of action feature movies
American Propaganda in Feature Movies
Propaganda Parameters in Feature Movies

Results (goals) of propaganda


• Satisfaction, pleasure, being in a sweet world of illusion – sheep and goats have
no need to think = repression, status quo
Direct propaganda (romantic comedies, teen comedies, dramas, romantic
action, SF)
• Fear, being under threat, preparation for the worst, patriotic hysterias ,
justification of the past and future actions (example: feature movies about
Serbiai, Somalia and Iraq), preparation for fight, confidence into Government
and fear before the enemy

America being under threat in feature movies


- Affirmation of American power
- Number and strength of the enemies of freedom and justice (according to
American standards) Anti-propaganda
Endangerment of anthemes
antagonist = justification for arming and defense Endangerment themes
World terrorism
World terrorism
- America chosen to help and bring light to the rest of theIslamic
world fanatics
Islamic fanatics
Nuclearwar war
Where is this manifested? Nuclear
Naturaldisasters
disasters
Natural
1. Lines Meteors
Meteors
2. Domestic
Development of motivations in characters (the terrorist’s
Domestic Terrorism
family killed) (Conspiracy)
Terrorism (Conspiracy

3. Relationships between characters


4. Protagonist’s behavior and actions
American Propaganda in Feature Movies
Propaganda Parameters in Feature Movies

Freedom and Multi-culture


- Fight for freedom, justice and truth for all races, nations and religions
- Multi-culture, multi-ethnic, multi-race, multi-religious American society - TEAM
- Freedom of speech (1st Amendment)
- Propagating of freedoms of the colored (black and yellow) with regard to the
domination of the white Catholics and Protestants in the world, while the Ku Klux
Klan and NRA still exist in the USA
- Propagating of other religions – Judaism and Islam (but only of those educated in
America)
Executive Decision, The Sum of All fears, James Bond, Peacemaker, K Pax, Rush Hour, The
Siege, Enemy of the State, Rules of Engagement, Men of Honor, City Hall , Armagedon, and
similar

English Language – Universal Language


1. Feature movies with locations, actions and characters from other countries but in
English language Enemy at the Gates
2. Feature movies dealing with historic events (when America did not exist) in
American English language Gladiator (Roma), A Knight’s Tale (medieval Europe),
Dangerous Liasons (pre-revolutionary France)
3. Feature movies in English language with characters and actions in other countries
but with the accent of these countries French Kiss, For Rosane, Mission Imposible,
The Saint...
American Propaganda in Feature Movies
Propaganda Parameters in Feature Movies

Direct Propaganda

Public – sale of ideas Private – sale of


Instigates public opinion about
position
products
and change of the position Advertising campaign
Example: smoking Strong element of identification
Before the mid last century and rationalization
In feature movies, the Creel Board undertook the Example: cars
smoking campaign directed to women. It was
within the Chesterfield campaign. What is it that
goes with the image of a journalist or a detective
like Humphry Bogart? - James Bond – BMW, ASTON MARTIN
90-s
Evil, bad character, victims – smokers - Lost Highway – FORD
Leathal Weapon – the protagonist tries to quit
smoking changing a cigarette with dog biscuits
and onion - Gone in 60 min – PORCHE,
The Insider – the idea of the feature movie – anti- FERARI,
smoking campaign MERCEDES, LEXUS, DODGE,
Perfect Storm – the character lights a cigarette and FORD
slips into stormy ocean
American Propaganda in Feature Movies
Propaganda Parameters in Feature Movies

Indirect Propaganda – Conspiracy Theories


Elements: - institutional Good always wins in our country!
- Cover up methods - domestic (theories)– groups of unsatisfied XXFiles
Files
- Corruption Americans or elitist secret associations Devil’sAdvocate,
Devil’s Advocate,
- Tailing,
Tailing, spying in the USA TheNet
Net
The
Paranoiaof of: : There is no discussion Enemyof ofthe
theState
State
Paranoia
about the mistakes within Enemy MinorityRaport
Raport
firstneighbors
first neighbors--Arlington
Arlington Minority
the system. The
Rd. Matrix
Matrix
Rd. INDIVIDUAL to be
Government--XXFiles Files lynched is named. ConspiracyTheory
Conspiracy Theory
Government ArlingtonRoad
Road
Confusion – the public opinion in the case of JFK feature movie - opening of Arlington
Kennedy murder files before 2008 during the “democratic” Clinton AmericanCivil
American CivilWar
War
Administration (90’s). No serious reaction in the mainstream after this! JFK
JFK
In 1998, during this “peacemaking Clinton Administration” the pharmaceutics factory for Nixon
production of medicines in Sudan was bombed, the social welfare measures revoked, poverty Nixon
grew, invasion against Haiti was undertaken, the blockade of Cuba strengthen, Iraq attacked
Wagthe
Wag theDog
Dog
as well as Serbia, Sudan, Somalia…

The Line of Propaganda


Endangerment – fear – hegemony – don’t believe to anyone –
paranoia - repression –
Thrillers with elements of:
of:
HORROR diverting of attention from real goals
ACTION MESSAGE OF THOSE FEATURE MOVIES
DRAMA - America is the country of freedom, of the 1st Amendment and critics of
SF freedoms
- We make feature movies in which we criticize ourselves = democracy
4
Land of the Free and the Home
of the Brave
Analysis of feature movies within the context of propaganda messages
and in accordance with the previously established parameters

• War feature movies


• Action, drama, thrillers
• SF
• Human rights respect
Quantitative American endangerment in 90-s Islamic
fanatics
Feature movies –preparation for the real future on the ground
Analysis of Feature Movies
Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave

War Feature Movies

- Directs to action, provokes patriotism


- Justifies actions and shows America as the chosen one to solve World problems
- Justifies and calls for the future American taking part in interventions
Analysis of Feature Movies
Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave

Action Drama Triller


Conspiracy Theory

- American Savior
- American values
- America under threat
Analysis of Feature Movies
Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave

Science Fiction

- We are under attack! We are in danger!


- There is the threat of extermination!
- America will survive!
- Strengthening of the team spirit and the American Savior – the Super-Hero
Analysis of Feature Movies
Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave

Titles of Analyzed Feature Movies


and the Year of their Production

Rules of Engagement 2000 The Hunt for Red October 1990 Space Cowboys 2000
Windtalkers 2002 City Hall 1996 Mission to Mars 2000
The Patriot 2000 The Pelican Brief 1993 Mission Imposible 1996
Patriot Games 1992 LA Confidential 1997 The Saint 1997
Pearl Harbour 2001 Air Force One 1997 Amistad 1997
Postman 1997 Contact 1997 The People vs. Larry Flynt 1996
Saving Private Rian 1998 Devils Advocate 1997 JFK 1991
Schindler’s List 1993 The Net 1995 Spy Game 2001
Enemy at the Gates 2000 Enemy of the State 1998 The Hunt for Red October 1990
Black Hawk Down 2001 Minority Raport 2002 City Hall 1996
Thin Red Line 1998 Matrix 1999 The Pelican Brief 1993
Heaven and Earth 1993 Conspiracy Theory 1997 Independance Day 1996
Three Kings 1999 Arlington Road 1999 Storm 1999
Men of Honor 2000 Wag the Dog 1997 X Files 1998
Executive Decision 1996 Volcano 1997 Armagedon 1998
The Siege 1998 Twister 1996 Deep Impact 1998
The Sum of All Fears 2002 Perfect Storm 2000 Collateral Damage 2002
Primary Colors 1998 Arturo Sandoval Story 2000 Alamo 2003
Swordfish 2001 K-19: The Widowmaker 2002 Simone 2002
5
Good Conspiracy is Unprovable One!
Anti-propaganda – the double propaganda effect of the free, just, democratic,
American society

• Manufacturing consent and creation of


history

• Discussion effect and creation of


conspiracies in a democratic society

• Rotten apple theory and Ho Si Min jumps


into a canoe and lands in California
Good Conspiracy is Unprovable One!
Anti-propaganda – the double propaganda effect of free, just, democratic, American society

Manufacturing Consent
- Propaganda is connected to the notions of communism, fascism dictatorships of Stalin, Hitler,
Castro, Tito
- It is not known much that Germany lost the World War I because the Great Britain had better
organized propaganda
- On Joseph Goebbels’s shelf there was the book “Criystallising Public Opinion” by Edward L.
Bernays, the father of public relations - (Pizzitola 2000)
Public relations (American terminology for propaganda) are techniques for persuasion
and selling of things (products and ideas) that people are not in NEED for

We can manufacture
consent and provide
Public
PublicOpinion
Opinion that their choice and
Advertisment
Advertisment Manufacturing opinions be structured
Manufacturing Edutainment
Edutainment in a manner that suits
consent
consent us. We’ll have a real
democracy! In
democracy, it is
necessary not only to
Profit
Profit control what people
do but also what they
think. The establishing
of the allowed opinion
frame, limited within
the principles of state
Good Conspiracy is Unprovable One!
Anti-propaganda – the double propaganda effect of free, just, democratic, American society

Manufacturing of Concepts - Denomination


Creel Board, OWI and inheritance left after their war manufacture the terms about fascist Germany, Spain,
Vietnam, Indians, communist boos Russia and Cuba; today about Iraq and Afghanistan aiming to produce
the consent to the Government decisions. In this way the patriotic hysterias are also manufactured.
“The Indian girl Concepts on civilization manufactured by “those civilized” – film is
Wampanoang rests the most suitable mean!
here in peace and her
family and people gave PRIMITIVE DRESSING – human rights violation
themselves and their movies in 90-s
property for the
creation of this
grandiose nation” – the
script in the National
Park
Chomsky: 2002
The American old- CIVILIZATION - CIVILISED DRESSING
timers sacrificed
themselves (read as –
the white European
man = cowboys
slaughtered and looted
them, closed them into Tie – A SYMBOL OF THE CIVILIZED WHITE MAN
reservations, to bring
to the Continent the Concrete blocks – A SYMBOL OF THE NICE
grandiose civilization. FUTURE
Scarf – A SYMBOL OF HUMAN RIGHTS
VIOLATION
Results of “civilized” attacks against Afganistan
Good Conspiracy is Unprovable One!
Anti-propaganda – the double propaganda effect of free, just, democratic, American society

GOAL?
Manufacturing of concepts – justification of the past actions and manufacturing consent for the future
actions – “humanitarian interventions”

MANNER?
Manufacturing the feeling of endangerment Why?
To justify actions
ENDARGENMENT undertaken by the USA
in the World
To prepare those actions
Believe to Don’t believe
USA FEAR To create an enemy –
to anyone development factor
Government
Hegemony To control domestic
population

To control privacy
Action Repression (spying for human aims)
Justification Status Quo
Consent Paranoia To show to the foreign
market the idea about
free America

Denomination: Islamic terrorists – the threat for America and the World
Analyzed movies
Good Conspiracy is Unprovable One!
Anti-propaganda – the double propaganda effect of free, just, democratic, American society

Doves and Hawks Theory


Democracy is brought to the discussion effect (Chomsky 2002)
• Both doves and hawks agree to undertake an aggression (modern terms – humanitarian
intervention or defense). The Dove (Democrat) supports a milder form of aggression; The
Hawk (Republican) supports a stronger and immediate action.
• Discussion is about the manners how to perform the action, but not about the substance.
The one who asks the essential question referring to the reasons for intervention is out of
discussion. America being under the threat is unquestionable!
• This illusion of democracy is found in the movies of 90-s and they make the consent
patterns in advance, for the future planned scenarios in the USA foreign policy
• The consumers of movies and media are brought to the level of monitors, who are not
allowed to ask questions. Analogy – church teachings – the God is good, the Devil is bad
and this is the point where there is no any further discussion!

Propaganda of legal system Direct and indirect


propaganda in American mainstream
Propaganda of the 1st feature movies in 90-s
Amendment
=
Propaganda of free press Doves and hawks
America is the land of freedom discussion effects
Good Conspiracy is Unprovable One!
Anti-propaganda – the double propaganda effect of free, just, democratic, American society

HO SI MIN jumps into a canoe and lands on


California shore
Propaganda about America being under threat that is given in this simple picture is imposed to the population
(Chomsky 1999)
The analyzed movies are the mean of this propaganda. The strategy for the future is constructed in them.
The enemies in the movies of 90-s are not communists, as it is in those of 80-s. They are the Islamic terrorists.
Propaganda for the next enemy (the antagonist) should be looked for in movies that make
preparations for the general feeling of being under threat.
(The French: Johnny English; Matrix 2,3; Pirates of the Caribbean)

Rotten Apple Theory or Domino Theory


One rotten apple can spoil the whole tub. A virus directed against profit domination, transnational
companies, globalization and Americanization should BE NIP IN THE BUD
“by humanitarian actions” against: Initiating the being under
• National movements threat propaganda
strengthens the belief into
• Church, when it is on the side of the poor (Latin America) governing structures, and
• Independence movements the sheep and goats
(consumers of movies and
• Independent countries media) become an instrument
• Communism with which this propaganda
is realized and the purpose
Goal: safety of the elite, profit, corporations and the rich
is to keep status quo on
IfIfthere
thereisisno
noenemy,
enemy,there
thereisisno
nothe
the“hawks
“hawksand anddoves”
doves”
the level of global policy,
effect, that is on the level where
effect, and the “obedient flock” (sheep and goats)can
and the “obedient flock” (sheep and goats) can intruder terrorist are
start
start to enjoy in the right fruits of freedoms and thinkhow
to enjoy in the right fruits of freedoms and think how
to improve it. To make an enemy by all available “film “educating”
to improve it. To make an enemy by all available “film those “primitive” one.
effects”
effects”appears
appearsas asthe
theperfect
perfectstrategy
strategyforforthe
therule
ruleandand
C o n c l u s i o n

Feature movies are the element of media.


Feature movies are the mean of propaganda.
American feature movies mainstream uses the method of hidden persuasion,
manufacturing of consent, and creation of endangerment with intention that
the goals in foreign and domestic policy be realized.
By creation of concepts of endangerment, American propaganda machinery, named
as public relations, strengthen patriotism and confidence in decisions of the
governing structures in the past and prepares the same for the future.
Using the methods of direct and indirect propaganda, American feature movies
mainstream in 90-s develops the justification of American “humanitarian
interventions” all over the World (terrorist tourism) in the past and prepares
the future actions on the political scene abroad.
From the beginning of 90-s until today, the American feature movies mainstream has
the same enemy model – Islamic terrorism. Islam takes the place of the
antagonist which was reserved for the Russians (Communism) in 80-s.
Following the appearance of American enemies in feature movies, the future strategy
of the American policy can be foreseen.
Although film represents a repressive method, propagating of and the ways for
keeping governing structure in power, the “confused flock” would be even
more confused if it finds the exact reasons for real events.
Film is illusion producing the illusions about the reality and history imposed by
media but such illusion is necessary for humans because it is in their nature
as the escape from reality.
C o n c l u s i o n

American mainstream is aware (and it uses this) that film resolves the
problems multi-functionally: pro domo USA (sua), industry of capital,
creation of the American society image and its values, propagating of
domestic and foreign policy, education, entertainment, advertising,
propagating of the themes that are important for individual and public
health, of social issues and similar.

Positive contribution of propaganda in American movies is as follows:


• Education on the level of culture and language
• In what kind of the world we would live without delusions, which
feature movies, among other things, offer to a modern man on the
archetype levels as the compensation for the myths. Human psyche
needs the Savior archetype and delusions! The American feature
movies offer this in the best way.

All mentioned specified propaganda characteristics in feature movies


should be used by cinematography of other countries, which art
(movies) and sport can achieve while politics still does not recognize
the ways how to promote culture or other ideas that are of private,
public or state importance.
Note: All critically oriented texts, quotes and analysis of the literature of America and its policy comes from AMERICAN or other
ANGLO-SAXON AUTHORS.
Enjoy Feature Movies!

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