The Brainwashing of My Dad (2015)
A filmmaker examines the rise of right-wing media through the lens of her father, whose immersion in it radicalized him and rocked the foundation of their family. She discovers this political phenomenon recurring in living rooms everywhere, and reveals the consequences conservative media has had on families and a nation.
Watch Trailer
Cast
Similar titles
Reviews
It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.
The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
The film may be flawed, but its message is not.
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
I came across this on Amazon Prime. I thought that this documentary was informative, thoughtful and compassionate whilst exploring the creation of the fierce and angry media machine that supports the right wing political machine. It shows the triumph of capital over humanitarian values through the lens of the writer/director's personal family struggle; it shows the toll on her family and others simply and clearly. I think someone called the machine's proponents "faeces-chuckers" at one point - this elicited a childish giggle from me but it was also a beautifully illustrative example as their stuff sticks, even when patently nonsense or false. I kept hearing about how strange Fox news is but, as I am in the UK, I was unaware just how uninformative their 'news' actually is. It was really eye-opening (eye-popping even) learning how the process of 'brainwashing' works and its payoffs. It was fascinating and has deepened my understanding of how people become so heartless and why they think that this is a good thing. Bringing what I watched up to date, it is a bit scary thinking that Fox News want to bring this extreme brand of disinformation to the UK - as if the Express and the Mail aren't bad enough already.I am also appalled to think that President Trump insists in his tweets that Fox is his main form of 'news'; this does not bode well for the either the US or us in the rest of the world.
Using her dad as an example, Filmmaker Jen Senko, who wondered how her Democrat father had become a Fox News fan, exposes the tricks behind the right-wing media. In discovering what happened to him, Senko reveals the bigger picture of what's happening behind-the-scenes to influence our national discourse.I was attracted to this documentary because I've had discussions with my own parents and friends who think Fox New is a News Station. People have become fearful and quote Fox News like it's journalism.I can't believe their slogans: 'fair and balanced' and 'we report you decide' because to suggest that these slogans are behind FOX News is ridiculous. Yea Jen!
The personal story of filmmaker Jen Senko's dad is a cautionary tale many of us can relate to. And it's directly related - we learn - to the disinformation coming from the Right Wing media that has driven so much political acrimony in this country. In fact, the fanatical political divisions in the US are the same ones that divide families on a personal level. By following the thread of American politics and how it relates to the rise of the Right Wing media, Senko builds a solid case. We learn how and why all of this came about.There have been other films that examined the subject of the Right Wing Media and its negative effects on democracy, but they tend to be dry treatises. This should be required viewing for anyone who cares about a free and informative media in this country. An important film. And an entertaining one!
It reminded me of Michael Moore's films but in some ways even better! Because it is the personal experience of the director's father and family. Who are quite likable. Very true to life. It is after all a documentary. I loved the ending which I won't give away. But was thoroughly impressed by the history leading up to changes in journalism and the experts on the film. David Brock was instrumental in this piece by being evidence of the information stated. Jeff Cohen and Noam Chomsky? How can you go wrong there among many more experts. Also love the cartoon spots which made it fun. Go see this movie. You won't be sorry!