Orwell Rolls in His Grave (2003)

Director:

Robert Kane Pappas

Writers:

Tom Blackburn
Robert Kane Pappas (writer)

Release Date:

19 November 2004 (UK)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot Keywords:

Media Manipulation | Politics | George Orwell | Deregulation | Spin

Cast

Charles Lewis	...	Founder of the Center for Public Integrity
Robert McChesney	...	Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Mark Crispin Miller	...	Author, Professor, New York University
Bernie Sanders	...	Congressman from Vermont
Danny Schechter	...	Author
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Vincent Bugliosi	...	Attorney, Author
Jeff Cohen	...	Himself - Founder of FAIR
Dennis Kucinich	...	Himself (as Rep. Dennis Kucinich)
Mark Lloyd	...	Visiting Professor M.I.T.
Michael Moore	...	Himself
John Nichols	...	Himself
Greg Palast	...	Reporter
Tim Robbins	...	Himself (archive footage)
Helen Thomas	...	Herself

Directed by
Robert Kane Pappas

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Tom Blackburn
Robert Kane Pappas		writer

Produced by
Robert Kane Pappas	....	producer

Cinematography by
J. Alan Hostetter		(as Alan Hostetter)
Robert Kane Pappas

Film Editing by
Robert Kane Pappas

Production Companies

• Sag Harbor-Basement Pictures

Distributors

• Sag Harbor-Basement Pictures (2004) (USA) (theatrical)
• Slamdance (2011) (USA) (video) (xbox)

Runtime:

USA:84 min | Argentina:103 min (Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:Unrated | Argentina:Atp

Company:

Sag Harbor-Basement Pictures

Quotes:

title card:CBS News killed the story on the basis of a denial by Governor Jeb Bush, who was the TARGET of the allegations.

Media studies students -- this one is for you.

Orwell Rolls in His Grave is, as another viewer wrote, more important than Michael Moore's recent documentary, Farenheit 9/11, because it really does a fantastic job of analyzing the role of the modern American media and its consequences upon democracy. Granted, Moore's documentary does make known the faults of the mainstream media, but the Farenheit 9/11 is much more of a criticism of American foreign policy, as well as related economic and social issues. 'Orwell Rolls in His Grave,' instead crucifies the whole system.

It is not surprise that this documentary gained even minimal independent release, as it could have serious repercussions in rousing the public into a meaningful social upheaval and fuel the fires for a real grassroots movement in this country. As Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont says, along with others interviewed in this film, you cannot publicly attack the system. Michael Moore's films are easy to criticize because they are very propagandic, at least when he becomes condescending in trying to get his point across, whereas this one presents it all to you in solid, unbreakable form. Media studies students and others interested in critical analysis of politics and the media will find this to be a highly beneficial tool, as it covers all ground, including a brief historic outline of the political press in this country and, surprisingly, an overview of the organization of think tanks to illustrate how George Orwell's cautionary novel, 1984, has become a reality.

With companion reading such as Howard Zinn's "The People's History of the United States," Noam Chomsky's "Manufacturing Consent," Ray Bradbury's "Farenheit 451," George Orwell's "1984" and "Animal Farm," and companion viewing of Robert Greenwood's recent documentary, "Outfoxed" (for the technical and procedural faults of the American mainstream media), these materials can the set the foundation for a responsible, appropriately judicious citizenry.

Make this movie famous.