Screened Agendas

Oscar Stone | Nov. 5, 2024 | Arts & EntertaiNMENt

Since the earliest days of cinema, filmmakers have used movies as a medium to express their ideas. While some cinematographers choose to convey lighthearted messages in their film, others opt for more serious topics. A running theme throughout film history has been the analysis of politics through a creative lens. For decades, governments and directors have used propaganda films to spread political ideas to audiences.

In 1941, the United States military commandeered Disney Studios, and they commissioned the company into dedicating 90% of their effort into creating anti-Axis propaganda. Under the American government, Disney created nearly 550 films, posters, and instructional videos for the military. Most of these were made for training, but a few aimed to influence the public. One film was “Der Fuehrer’s Face,” which showed the absurdity of Nazi ideals and aimed to illustrate how great life in America was. This followed a precedent in propaganda for the ridicule of opposing ideas through visual and auditory media.

Not only did the U.S. government use this medium, countless filmmakers have articulated their personal beliefs through their work, some in more obvious ways than others. In the 1980s, director John Milius expressed his anti-Communist views through the popular film, “Red Dawn (1984).” This film presented communist countries as enemies and the Americans as valiant heroes. Particularly targeted towards a younger audience, “Red Dawn” demonstrated how certain films can aim their agenda towards specific groups.

While it may go unnoticed by audiences, political propaganda is still prevalent in films today. One issue which has frequently appeared in more recent films concerns the environment. Popular movies such as “The Day After Tomorrow (2004),” “WALL-E (2008),” and “Avatar (2009),” all contain themes calling for environmental reform. Exclusively political issues also present themselves in modern film. “Civil War (2024)” is a feature film which harshly criticizes the American political system, pointing out the dire consequences ideological division can cause.

The World War II era catalyzed the production of cinemagraphic propaganda, a practice which continues  s in current cinema. While the subtle inclusion of political ideas is tolerable, the inclusion of more blatant political statements may receive harsh criticism.  Film as a medium is often used to call for action, and these themes tend to go unrecognized because of a film’s fictional plot or endearing story. Viewing such films can be enjoyable, but acknowledging the influence they can have on the public allows people to be aware of the ideals being imposed upon them.