Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media

Synopsis

In an energetic fusion of images and ideas, Manufacturing Consent explores the political life and ideas of the controversial author, linguistic scholar, radical philosopher and activist, Noam Chomsky. Using new and original interviews, archive footage, playful graphics and illustrations, the film highlights Chomsky’s analysis of the media, focusing on democratic societies where populations are not disciplined by force but are subjected to more subtle forms of ideological control. Chomsky illustrates his beliefs with examples of media compliance with government deceit. Includes contributions from novelist Tom Wolfe, journalists Bill Moyers, Robert MacNeil and Karl E Meyer, commentator William F Buckley Jr, and White House reporter Sarah McClendon.

Mark Achbar and Peter Wintonick encourage viewers to question the film’s own workings, just as Chomsky himself encourages listeners to extricate themselves from this ‘web of deceit’ by undertaking a course of ‘intellectual self-defence.'

DVD extras: Interview with the directors (2007); Interview with Noam Chomsky (2007); Chomsky v Buckley debate (1969; Chomsky v Silber debate (1986); Chomsky v Dershowitz debate (2005); Necessary Illusions demo tape (1989); Companion book to the film (266 pages - downloadable PDF); Illustrated booklet with Sight & Sound review and biographies of the filmmakers; Fully uncompressed PCM stereo audio

Language

English

Country

Canada

Year of production

1993

Notes

Broadcast on C4 on 17 May 1993.
Reviewed by Laurence Alster in ‘Times Educational Supplement (19/8/94).

Subjects

Media studies; Politics & government

Keywords

Chomsky, Noam; journalism; media; news reporting; political issues

Credits

Director

Mark Achbar; Peter Wintonick

Producer

Mark Achbar; Peter Wintonick

Contributor

Noam Chomsky

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 2 PAL

Price

£19.56

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

167 + 215 minutes

Year

2009

Production Company

Name

National Film Board of Canada

Email

customerservice@nfb.ca

Web

http://www.nfb.ca External site opens in new window

Phone

(514) 283 9000

Fax

(514) 283-7564

Address

Sales and Customer Service (D-10)
PO Box 6100
Station Centre-Ville
Montreal
QC H3C 3HS
Canada

Name

Necessary Illusions

Phone

+1 514 287 7337

Fax

+1 514 287 7620

Address

Montreal
Quebec
H2W 1P9
Canada

Sponsor

Name

Téléfilm Canada

Distributor

Name

BFI Video

Email

video.films@bfi.org.uk

Web

http://www.bfi.org.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7957 8957

Fax

020 7957 8968

Address

21 Stephen Street
London
W1T 1LN

 

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