Orwell Rolls in His Grave
Orwell Rolls in His Grave presents a critical analysis of the American media landscape and its impact on democracy. Directed by Robert Kane Pappas, it draws parallels between George Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984” and the current state of information control in the United States.
The film focuses on several key issues, including the concentration of media ownership, political corruption, and the influence of corporate interests on public discourse. It highlights the effects of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and scrutinizes the role of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in shaping media policies.
Pappas’s work features interviews with a diverse group of experts, journalists, and public figures. Notable participants include Charles Lewis, founder of the Center for Public Integrity; Robert McChesney, professor at the University of Illinois; and Bernie Sanders, then-Congressman from Vermont. Other contributors include media critics, authors, and activists such as Michael Moore, Greg Palast, and Helen Thomas.
The documentary addresses controversial topics, including the disputed 2000 U.S. presidential election, particularly the events in Florida and the Supreme Court case Bush v. Gore. It also touches on the Carter vs. Reagan 1980 October Surprise theory, suggesting a deeper examination of political machinations.
Throughout the film, Pappas argues that the current media system poses a significant threat to the free flow of information, which is essential for a functioning democracy. The documentary paints a portrait of a political and information system that has been compromised by powerful media interests, creating what the filmmaker sees as a state of permanent, all-encompassing unreality reminiscent of Orwell’s fictional world.