Laughing With Hitler

A bizarre but compelling examination of humour in the Third Reich (58 mins). At first this was tolerated, and even encouraged – back then, no-one took the Nazis too seriously, and the more people were snickering the less they were rising up – but as the war drew on jokes became a channel for subversive informationand dissent, and by the end laughter out of turn was cracked down upon severely.

(via SmashingTelly.com)

The Miami Model

A film about the errrmmm… ‘enthusiastic’ policing at the FTAA protests in Miami 2003

The Agronomist

A dramatic portrait (87 mins) of radical broadcaster and human rights activist Jean Dominique, and of the political struggle in Haïti.  (h/t Fanonite)

Speaking of Haiti, here‘s a shocking piece of news conveniently buried by the disappearance of Madeleine McCann a few months ago.

Lies That Lead To Wars

The Lies That Led To War

In their latest documentary (45 mins), CBC’s The Fifth Estate examines the propaganda drive that led to the invasion of Iraq.

While it’s comforting to think that most of us have learned a certain healthy skepticism since 2003, it’s worth re-examining the path to war in Iraq to prevent us from making the same mistakes again.

Fox Attacks… Iran

Robert Greenwald follows up on his Outfoxed film with this short (4 mins). It’s a shame to single out for criticism the worst of a bad bunch, as it lets the others get away with so much, but this still a chilling look at history repeating.

Find out more, and sign the petition, here.

This Film Is Not Yet Rated

A fascinating look at America’s bizarre and highly secretive film ratings system. (98 mins, 2006)

Israel’s Secret Weapons

At a time when the US and UK prepared to level Iraq based on spurious hints at secret weapons programmes, the BBC aired this documentary (44 mins) showing the absurd double standards that allowed another aggressive Middle Eastern country to secretly develop real weapons of mass destruction (h/t Fanonite).

It was a different corporation, then. After it dared question the intelligence that lead to war, its Director General was hounded out of office by a furious government. Critical journalism like this has become a thing of the past – but, on the bright side, now we have Doctor Who.

McLibel – Two People Who Wouldn’t Say Sorry

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

In the light of recent media coverage, it’s high time I post this brilliant documentary (74 mins), which I found via a characteristically thorough and well-written article by Heathlander exposing the mendacious anti-Chavez smear campaign.