Film_491w_z

Politics at Criterion

by Drew Phillips

Created 09/04/12

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18 comments
★ 14

One of the best things about Criterion is the wide range of types of films and themes expressed in their vast collection, and many of them deal with strong political points, some even opposing. And we're here to celebrate them today. Besides, it's an election year so the timing seems about right.

18 comments

  • By David MacDonald
    September 04, 2012
    06:08 PM

    Dude, this is the best list you've made so. There's only one more movie I would've included on here, and that's Modern Times, but maybe that's just me... All the ones listed though are perfect.
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    • By Drew Phillips
      September 04, 2012
      06:12 PM

      Thanks! I haven't seen Hands Over the City or any of those other Italian ones yet, but I plan too. I can kind of see Modern Times fitting, sort of along with the Organizer

  • By Brian Blueskye
    October 16, 2012
    12:04 AM

    Great list!
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    • By Drew Phillips
      October 17, 2012
      10:52 PM

      Thanks! Don't forget to hit "favorite"!

  • By BlakeEvans
    October 25, 2012
    04:23 AM

    Che Guevara was a mass-murdering communist, who worked alongside one of the most notorious autocratic leaders of the modern world.
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    • By Drew Phillips
      October 26, 2012
      05:03 PM

      And somehow college students turned him into an icon and Soderbergh made him boring.

  • By gpdumais
    October 26, 2012
    06:40 AM

    Politically, they're pretty left of left, certainly socially. The themes explored in the films above include anti-imperialism, which, Guevara stated, is "the last stage of capitalism — and it must be defeated," paganism (Dems called for a vote three times before ruling to change their 2012 convention platform to add a mention of God), pro-labour (The Organizer premiered at the 35th Congress of the Italian Socialist Party), and you've left out Paul Robeson! Plus there are plenty of other political subtleties to discover.
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    • By Drew Phillips
      October 26, 2012
      05:02 PM

      I didn't leave out Paul Robeson. See: Native Land

  • By Christopher S
    October 27, 2012
    03:48 PM

    Danton?
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    • By Drew Phillips
      November 14, 2012
      11:04 PM

      ...Is high on my list of movies to watch. I'm sorry, but I'll see it soon

  • By Eric Levy
    November 07, 2012
    02:59 PM

    Terrific list. TIMES OF HARVEY MILK would work here too.
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    • By Drew Phillips
      November 07, 2012
      04:11 PM

      Yes it would!

  • By Collection
    November 09, 2012
    02:15 PM

    You, sir, are now Criterion's king of lists (unofficially). A solicited recommendation that I just left user WillML made me think of this particular one and how Fellini's depiction of rising Fascism in 1930's Italy may merit Amarcord's inclusion herein. Keep up the good work!
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    • By Drew Phillips
      November 14, 2012
      11:02 PM

      I'm honored!

  • By Paul-2489
    November 14, 2012
    06:55 PM

    How about adding Robert Altman's Secret Honor to your list. I mean that is a political film as well.
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    • By Drew Phillips
      November 14, 2012
      11:03 PM

      Don't know how I forgot it! PBH is amazing as Nixon. Hold tight, it'll be on there soon enough...

  • By Kurt
    December 18, 2012
    03:24 PM

    Z, The Battle of Algiers, and Paths of Glory are personally to me the most powerfully political films on your list (not that the others don't fit on this list). I'm not saying you should add this to your already triumphant list, but "La Haine" could also fall into the the politics category also. Great list Drew!
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  • By MRA
    December 18, 2012
    07:48 PM

    This list is damn helpful for me so I would like to help to consider more, General Amin Idi Dada, and Lacombe Lucien.
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