Propaganda: The Art of Selling Lies

Apr 28 2019 Not Rated 1h 32m
Documentary, History

From ancient cave paintings to Twitter feeds and deep fakes, propaganda's rapid progression hasn't compromised its potency. Tracing its effective use by religious figures, politicians and marketers, director Larry Weinstein crafts a persuasive study of the mechanics behind propaganda. This fascinating investigation confronts us with timely questions: If we grow up surrounded by propaganda, how do we know what is true? What risks are inherited by a society tricked into their perceptions? Freedom of speech is critical to a democracy's survival, yet demagogues have consistently exploited that freedom to coerce willing supporters. Contemporary artists, including Kent Monkman, Shepard Fairey and Ai Weiwei, analyze their politically motivated work, creatively co-opting the conventions of disinformation that have permeated their respective cultures. As our platforms for spreading ideas continue to expand in a digital age, dangerous lies have never been better disguised.

Plot

In a world where access to media is unprecedented, the global conversation around the propagation of information, "alternative facts" and "fake news" has never been more heated. As media outlets become increasingly polarized, and as social media rules information feeds, where does propaganda come into play? How is it influencing changes in the world order? Propaganda: The Art of Selling Lies demystifies the predominant means and methods of propagandist persuasion that have been employed by those seeking power. It explores and analyzes the present day landscape and contextualizes it by looking back at key epochs of history when propaganda defined nations and kept populations in check. From ancient cave drawings, to the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, to the unbridled stabs of Twitter, every form of media has been exploited in order to sway, awe and intimidate. The intellect is relegated to a distant second place to raw emotion that is fueled by sinister threats and unrealistic promises. The lie overrules the truth and becomes the new reality-alternative facts are dispensed in rants and raves. Propaganda has been at times relatively innocuous, but at others powerful and deadly, especially in the hands of the most infamously demonic demagogues through the ages.

Written by

David Mortin, Andrew Edmonds

Directed by

Larry Weinstein

Cast

Rachael Leigh Cook, Marilyn Monroe, Freddie Prinze Jr.

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

Germany, Canada

Production Companies

Hawkeye Pictures Inc., Taglicht Media

Languages

English, Français, Deutsch

Awards

2 nominations

Scores
# of Votes
206
Average Rating
7 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA