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The Brainwashing of My Dad

Play trailer 1:37 Poster for The Brainwashing of My Dad Released Mar 18, 2016 1h 35m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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58% Tomatometer 12 Reviews 77% 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

View All (12) Critics Reviews
Marsha Lederman Globe and Mail In addition to an overreliance on Skype and silly effects such as laugh tracks - the film's examination feels shallow. Rated: 2/4 Apr 1, 2016 Full Review Neil Genzlinger New York Times 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. Mar 18, 2016 Full Review Michael Rechtshaffen Los Angeles Times 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. Mar 18, 2016 Full Review David Berry National Post 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. Mar 31, 2016 Full Review Prairie Miller WBAI Radio 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. Mar 26, 2016 Full Review Kam Williams Baret News A thought-provoking examination of the media's effect on Boobus Americana. Rated: 3/4 Mar 26, 2016 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (55) audience reviews
Leanne T 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/08/24 Full Review Mrs S 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. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/06/24 Full Review Aaron R Title is extremely misleading. Premise is never realized: there's about 2 minutes of the director's father actually in the documentary. Terribly disappointing. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 10/05/23 Full Review Jarrod H 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/19/23 Full Review Denise F This documentary brought me peace in knowing I'm not alone. I highly recommend watching it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/05/23 Full Review Audience Member It's a haunting tale that so many of us have faced at home with our family members and parents. I related so much to this documentary that it was frightening. Thank you for spreading the word and I hope that we get more accountability in the media here soon. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review 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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