Orwell Rolls in his Grave

A film that is unlikely to ever be presented to the general public. Helmer Pappas (director of the fiction features "Now I Know," and "Some Fish Can Fly") forsakes all pretense of presenting both sides, since presumably the other side is promoted daily by radio, television and the press. Pappas offers like-minded journalists, media watchdogs, scholars and legislators who voice their deep concerns about the health of democracy in America with the sobering facts. A marvel of passionate succinctness overflows instead of preaching to the choir. Exploding the myth of the American media's liberal bias, the film asks tough questions: why, in March 2003, did 51% of Americans believe that Saddam Hussein was personally responsible for 9/11? Why did CBS hurriedly drop a BBC-led story about electoral irregularities in Florida after the subject of the allegations - Governor Jeb Bush - denied it was true?.. The assembled wise men gradually explain how deregulation has actually helped ensure that the American media becomes increasingly restrictive as large right-leaning corporations (often headed by leading Republicans and even Bush family members) have swallowed up the competition and proceeded to distort their reporting with Orwellian double-speak and outright lies - right down to the myth that the American media is supposedly controlled by a "liberal" elite... A serious and intelligent documentary. Low on fireworks and surprises, but the steady flow of cogent argument and unpleasant truths is enough to keep anyone riveted.