Audience Member
The left-wing approach to his journalism has not always been digested well by people but the vehement and defiant criticism that appears out there for John Pilger's work usually comes from the right wing - something that is extremely and disturbingly permeating throughout Australian society (not to mention politics). Pilger has always been a staunch critic of American imperialism and it's parallel relationship with mainstream media. The Murdoch Empire has been one of the common sources of his disdain. Here in wonderful Kangaroo/Digeridoo Land (Pilger's homeland) right now, there is a sickening embrace of all the things that the US-established capitalistic emporium has bestowed on the 'citizens' of this recently-invaded place. Two words are to blame for it: Rupert Murdoch. Not only did he campaign for this current government to be elected through his mass media outlets in the country, he done so with a smattering of lies, manipulation and scare mongering. He also allowed the leader of the opposition (then the prime- minister) to be depicted on the front of one of his newspapers as a Nazi. The irony was lost on most Australians. They went and elected a bunch of fucktard half-wits anyway. The damage being done by a leading world economy to refugees, foreign people in general, Aboriginal Australians, the natural world (the list goes on) is just disgraceful. Then the news the other day (in The Guardian, thank you very much) prompted me to have another glimpse at this film. Murdoch has been given a tax rebate of $882 million from Australia. Apparently something over currency changeovers, I'm not really sure. My mouth was agasp. The government didn't even blink an eyelid. It's all good, they said, but there is one little thing, we're going to have to cut a few things in the next budget. There will be job losses. You couldn't make this shit up. Australia would be a laughing stock of a country if there weren't serious consequences to all this. is there ever a way to sort this shit out? Am I too malcontented about things beyond my control. Maybe I'm too left-wing, maybe this film is too left-wing for it to be considered plausible or significant. But at least doing something about it with purpose and intelligence represents a way forward for people in need of a light. I don't care what others would say against him but Pilger is an exceptional advocate for attempting to find that light.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/15/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Interesting, but obviously the independent documentarists have difficulties assembling a well-rounded picture.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/02/23
Full Review
Audience Member
This documentary film shows exactly why Dr Mahathir's call to "criminalise war" should be taken seriously. It's a shame nobody seems to be listening
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/14/23
Full Review
Audience Member
A very critical and hard look at the role of journalism in today's ongoing colonial wars by one of journalism's own. Revealing, unsettling and very embarrassing for all those news organizations who air or publish officially inspired information unquestioned. That would be just about every news organization. Some surprising statements by people in the game, including those who still do not see what possibly could be wrong here.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/27/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Pilger is often cast as an alarmist or an idealist on an unreasonable crusade. Whatever you want to make of him the impressive array of interviewees and the quite damning evidence produced against 'embedded' journalists and the propaganda machines of the US and UK is compelling. An impassioned call for what these governments should be providing: more democracy, more openness, more debate, more information.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
01/31/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Once again, a fantastic documentary from John Pilger.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/01/23
Full Review
Read all reviews