Projecting Politics

The second edition of Projecting Politics revisits and expands the discussion on the intricate connections between American films and political messaging. This updated volume delves into a broad spectrum of films—ranging from classic titles like The Birth of a Nation to modern blockbusters such as The Wolf of Wall Street—to uncover the ways cinematic language articulates political ideas. By examining genres spanning comedy, science fiction, melodrama, and action-adventure, the authors offer fresh insights into Hollywood’s ongoing dialogue with political realities. A newly added chapter, covering the period from 2000 to 2013, deepens the discussion of a shifting Washington-Hollywood nexus, spotlighting the post-9/11 surge in political films, the evolution of war movies, and cinematic reflections on the 2008 economic recession. Further updates in this edition address emerging developments—from landmark legal decisions and the rise of actor-activists to evolving industrial financing—that continue to shape political content on screen. Expanded analyses of nonfiction films, advocacy documentaries, race and African-American cinema, as well as gender perspectives, create a comprehensive resource for anyone seeking to understand the political underpinnings of American film culture.