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The Brainwashing of My Dad

Play trailer 1:37 Poster for The Brainwashing of My Dad 2016 1h 35m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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58% Tomatometer 12 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Filmmaker Jen Senko examines how the media influenced her father to switch from democrat to conservative.
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The Brainwashing of My Dad

Critics Reviews

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Marsha Lederman Globe and Mail 04/01/2016
2/4
In addition to an overreliance on Skype and silly effects such as laugh tracks - the film's examination feels shallow. Go to Full Review
Neil Genzlinger New York Times 03/18/2016
Right-wing outlets may be exploiting humanity's ugly side, but Ms. Senko's frail-looking father (who died in January at 93) isn't so much the face of the phenomenon as he is a small and not especially representative sample of it. Go to Full Review
Michael Rechtshaffen Los Angeles Times 03/18/2016
Although Senko ultimately overplays Hillary Clinton's "vast right-wing conspiracy" card, her film, with its timely "Trumpian" reverberations, nevertheless serves up some compelling food for thought. Go to Full Review
David Berry National Post 03/31/2016
Maybe I could say that if Christopher Guest rounded up his usual troupe and did a verbatim, shot-for-shot remake, it would be one of the funniest films of the year. Go to Full Review
Prairie Miller WBAI Radio 03/26/2016
Impressively tracks a family phenomenon via media mind controlled ditto-heads, brainwashed staged interventions, angry white men, and drive time as the geography of destiny. But lacks further scrutiny into shadow corporate complicity and a tanked economy. Go to Full Review
Kam Williams Baret News 03/26/2016
3/4
A thought-provoking examination of the media's effect on Boobus Americana. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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mark h Aug 7 It’s absolutely wild to Me the filmmaker does not once contemplate their premise may be incorrect- perhaps she should look herself in the mirror and ponder if it is not she herself that has been brainwashed See more Leanne T 09/08/2024 This 2015 documentary does an outstanding job of tracing the corrosive effects of right wing talk radio and Fox News. The subject is pursued on multiple levels ranging from family accounts to interviews with media experts. If you’re wondering what has caused the rising polarization and bitterness gripping America, this film offers great insight. See more Mrs S 08/06/2024 Isolated, disenfranchised individuals who only watch FOX News or listen to talk radio hosts whose facts are supported by anger and hate are as much a part of this documentary as the Dad profiled at the beginning and honored at the end. The facts presented frustrated and upset me, but only because I know it’s difficult to change the minds of people who get their facts from FOX and talk radio. It did give me hope when I watched the Dad change when he started reading news from different sources. When he was ill, his wife went in and cleaned up his emails. She unsubscribed him from the angry, one sided emails, and subscribed him to more balanced and fair news. He became a changed man - like the gentle, logical, affable man his daughter and wife loved and remembered. See more Aaron R 10/05/2023 Title is extremely misleading. Premise is never realized: there's about 2 minutes of the director's father actually in the documentary. Terribly disappointing. See more Jarrod H 07/19/2023 This movie is a must-watch regardless of which side of the political spectrum you reside. With multiple sources sited & interviewed, facts are presented that many do not know or choose to acknowledge. Do yourself a favor & view this informative documentary. See more Denise F 03/05/2023 This documentary brought me peace in knowing I'm not alone. I highly recommend watching it. See more Read all reviews
The Brainwashing of My Dad

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Movie Info

Synopsis Filmmaker Jen Senko examines how the media influenced her father to switch from democrat to conservative.
Director
Jen Senko
Producer
Jen Senko, Adam Rackoff, Matthew Modine
Screenwriter
Jen Senko, Melodie Bryant, Kala Mandrake
Distributor
Gravitas Ventures
Production Co
Cinco Dedos Peliculas
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 18, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 15, 2017
Runtime
1h 35m
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