War is hell, but for Hollywood it has been a Godsend, providing the
perfect dramatic setting against which courageous heroes win the hearts
and minds of the movie going public.
The Pentagon recognises the power of these celluloid dreams and
encourages Hollywood to create heroic myths; to rewrite history to suit
its own strategy and as a recruiting tool to provide a steady flow of
willing young patriots for its wars.
What does Hollywood get out of this 'deal with the devil'? Access to
billions of dollars worth of military kit, from helicopters to aircraft
carriers, enabling filmmakers to make bigger and more spectacular battle
scenes, which in turn generate more box office revenue. Providing they
accept the Pentagon's advice, even toe the party line and show the US
military in a positive light.
So is it a case of art imitating life, or a sinister force using art
to influence life and death - and the public perception of both?
Empire will examine Hollywood, the Pentagon, and war.
Joining us as guests: Oliver Stone, the eight times Academy
Award-winning filmmaker; Michael Moore, the Academy Award-winning
filmmaker; and Christopher Hedges, an author and the former Middle East
bureau chief of the New York Times.
Our interviewees this week are: Phil Strub, US Department of Defense Film Liaison Unit; Julian Barnes, Pentagon correspondent, LA Times; David Robb, the author of Operation Hollywood; Prof Klaus Dodds, the author of Screening Terror; Matthew Alford, the author of Reel Power; Prof Melani McAlister, the author of Culture, Media, and US Interests in the Middle East.
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