Reel Power: Hollywood Cinema and American Supremacy
Encyclopedia
Reel Power: Hollywood Cinema and American Supremacy is a 2010 book by Matthew Alford, which argues that cinematic output from Los Angeles routinely endorses the notion of American Exceptionalism
and that even many of the most liberal films (such as Hotel Rwanda
and Three Kings) provide surprisingly favourable mythology for the United States' government. Alford draws particular attention to the power of corporate moguls and the role of the Pentagon
and CIA in the production of various films.
called it "a fantastic read" and "absolutely outstanding", echoing dust-jacket endorsements from Carl Boggs, Jack Shaheen
, Alison Edgley and Tony Benn
. The UK
based media analysis group Media Lens, in a contribution for Le Monde Diplomatique
and on their website wrote that "Alford sets the charges for a controlled demolition of the myth that there is any kind of serious challenge to US foreign policy coming out of Hollywood. By the end of the book, not just Stallone, not just Schwarzenegger and Willis, but the entire edifice of liberal credibility has collapsed into its own footprint". In the British Morning Star, James Walsh commented that the book "is an engaging look at the innards of the dream factory process" and that whilst the revelations of film-maker collusion with the Pentagon are not surprising "the details are fascinating" especially in relation to "films traditionally considered nuanced or critical of US foreign policy".
In Lobster Magazine, Robin Ramsay observes that "If Alford isn’t quite describing the corporations and
the state running joint psy-ops, it will do until joint psy-ops come along". Ramsay reviews the book as "competently done, decently written and, if you’ve seen a lot of American movies – and I have – it is interesting to have the ideological content articulated. I could do it myself, and I’m sort of subliminally aware of it; but most of the time I’m just watching the movie. So the author’s considerable efforts are both useful and entertaining"
Academics and film critics also gave a generally positive response. Contemporary Sociology called it "an attractive and up-to-date set of tools for the critical literacy that should be mandatory in today’s media-saturated environments". Simon Kinnear from Total Film
gave Reel Power four stars out of five and called it a "laudable study" and "an eye opening expose". "Alford's occasionally guilty of straw-clutching", he said, "but you'll watch the next gung-ho blockbuster a little closer". Roy Stafford, former editor of In the Picture magazine, says that Reel Power is a "solid introduction" to Hollywood and American politics but which, he implies unfortunately, "renders much that film studies has tried to do over the last fifty years... as effectively wasted effort." In The Scotsman
, Hannah McGill, artistic director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival
opined that Reel Power "is at its best when it identifies and analyses cases of direct influence being brought to bear on film production by the US political establishment [...] its stonewalling of more contentious projects [...] or individuals in positions of constant influence" but that "so relentless is Alford's one-sided dogma that I find myself rebelliously inclined to defend" militaristic film-makers like Michael Bay
. In contrast, Ramsay thought the reviews were "slightly chastening" as Alford "makes me feel that I don’t have my ideology detector turned up high enough".
The Hollywood publicist Michael Sands
, as well as the filmmakers Ken Loach
, Haskell Wexler
and Tom Rolf also endorsed Reel Power.
American exceptionalism
American exceptionalism refers to the theory that the United States is qualitatively different from other countries. In this view, America's exceptionalism stems from its emergence from a revolution, becoming "the first new nation," and developing a uniquely American ideology, based on liberty,...
and that even many of the most liberal films (such as Hotel Rwanda
Hotel Rwanda
Hotel Rwanda is a 2004 American drama film directed by Terry George. It was adapted from a screenplay written by both George and Keir Pearson. Based on real life events which took place in Rwanda during the spring of 1994, the film stars Don Cheadle as hotelier Paul Rusesabagina, who attempts to...
and Three Kings) provide surprisingly favourable mythology for the United States' government. Alford draws particular attention to the power of corporate moguls and the role of the Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
and CIA in the production of various films.
Reception
Critical and activist figures and organisations received Reel Power enthusiastically. George GallowayGeorge Galloway
George Galloway is a British politician, author, journalist and broadcaster who was a Member of Parliament from 1987 to 2010. He was formerly an MP for the Labour Party, first for Glasgow Hillhead and later for Glasgow Kelvin, before his expulsion from the party in October 2003, the same year...
called it "a fantastic read" and "absolutely outstanding", echoing dust-jacket endorsements from Carl Boggs, Jack Shaheen
Jack Shaheen
Jack G. Shaheen is Professor Emeritus of Mass Communication at Southern Illinois University. He was also a consultant on Middle East affairs for CBS News....
, Alison Edgley and Tony Benn
Tony Benn
Anthony Neil Wedgwood "Tony" Benn, PC is a British Labour Party politician and a former MP and Cabinet Minister.His successful campaign to renounce his hereditary peerage was instrumental in the creation of the Peerage Act 1963...
. The UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
based media analysis group Media Lens, in a contribution for Le Monde Diplomatique
Le Monde diplomatique
Le Monde diplomatique is a monthly newspaper offering analysis and opinion on politics, culture, and current affairs. It was first created mainly for a diplomatic audience as its name implies...
and on their website wrote that "Alford sets the charges for a controlled demolition of the myth that there is any kind of serious challenge to US foreign policy coming out of Hollywood. By the end of the book, not just Stallone, not just Schwarzenegger and Willis, but the entire edifice of liberal credibility has collapsed into its own footprint". In the British Morning Star, James Walsh commented that the book "is an engaging look at the innards of the dream factory process" and that whilst the revelations of film-maker collusion with the Pentagon are not surprising "the details are fascinating" especially in relation to "films traditionally considered nuanced or critical of US foreign policy".
In Lobster Magazine, Robin Ramsay observes that "If Alford isn’t quite describing the corporations and
the state running joint psy-ops, it will do until joint psy-ops come along". Ramsay reviews the book as "competently done, decently written and, if you’ve seen a lot of American movies – and I have – it is interesting to have the ideological content articulated. I could do it myself, and I’m sort of subliminally aware of it; but most of the time I’m just watching the movie. So the author’s considerable efforts are both useful and entertaining"
Academics and film critics also gave a generally positive response. Contemporary Sociology called it "an attractive and up-to-date set of tools for the critical literacy that should be mandatory in today’s media-saturated environments". Simon Kinnear from Total Film
Total Film
Total Film is a British film magazine published 13 times a year by Future Publishing. The magazine was launched in 1997 and offers film, DVD and Blu-ray news, reviews and features...
gave Reel Power four stars out of five and called it a "laudable study" and "an eye opening expose". "Alford's occasionally guilty of straw-clutching", he said, "but you'll watch the next gung-ho blockbuster a little closer". Roy Stafford, former editor of In the Picture magazine, says that Reel Power is a "solid introduction" to Hollywood and American politics but which, he implies unfortunately, "renders much that film studies has tried to do over the last fifty years... as effectively wasted effort." In The Scotsman
The Scotsman
The Scotsman is a British newspaper, published in Edinburgh.As of August 2011 it had an audited circulation of 38,423, down from about 100,000 in the 1980s....
, Hannah McGill, artistic director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival
Edinburgh International Film Festival
The Edinburgh International Film Festival is an annual fortnight of cinema screenings and related events taking place each June. Established in 1947, it is the world's oldest continually running film festival...
opined that Reel Power "is at its best when it identifies and analyses cases of direct influence being brought to bear on film production by the US political establishment [...] its stonewalling of more contentious projects [...] or individuals in positions of constant influence" but that "so relentless is Alford's one-sided dogma that I find myself rebelliously inclined to defend" militaristic film-makers like Michael Bay
Michael Bay
Michael Benjamin Bay is an American film director and producer. He is known for directing high-budget action films characterized by their fast edits, stylistic visuals and substantial practical special effects...
. In contrast, Ramsay thought the reviews were "slightly chastening" as Alford "makes me feel that I don’t have my ideology detector turned up high enough".
The Hollywood publicist Michael Sands
Michael Sands
Michael Sands is a former fashion print model and actor, turned media consultant, representing clients such as President Reagan's son Michael Reagan, fashion guru Mr. Blackwell, Buffy the Vampire Slayer actress Kristy Swanson and Britney Spears' ex-husband Kevin Federline...
, as well as the filmmakers Ken Loach
Ken Loach
Kenneth "Ken" Loach is a Palme D'Or winning English film and television director.He is known for his naturalistic, social realist directing style and for his socialist beliefs, which are evident in his film treatment of social issues such as homelessness , labour rights and child abuse at the...
, Haskell Wexler
Haskell Wexler
Haskell Wexler, A.S.C. is an American cinematographer, film producer, and director. Wexler was judged to be one of film history's ten most influential cinematographers in a survey of the members of the International Cinematographers Guild.-Early life and education:Wexler was born to a Jewish...
and Tom Rolf also endorsed Reel Power.
External links
- Matthew Alford's Sourcewatch Page http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Matthew_Alford