Review of Orwell Rolls in His Grave (2003) by Darren W — 07 Apr 2010

Nauseatingly relevant to the entire western world, 'Orwell Rolls In His Grave' is an intelligent, well-structured and convincing condemnation of American social manipulation by the then powers that be: George W. Bush's republican party, and their circle of ravenous, shameless associates and lackeys. Former journalists, producers and college professors sit and refuse to spin, as they detail our media's snivelling three-bags-full compliance with the will of the rich and ruthless few. The examples of blatant, pre-packaged corruption bring the dread and despair of a Hitchcock film. Or a Madonna video(sorry, I needed a laugh).

Robert Kane Pappas smartly laces his doom-and-gloom documentary with satire, and an amusingly bilious university address from Michael Moore - which also serves to nail down the overall message of the film(an apparently contradictory statement during Moore's wrap-up is a personal vow and call to arms, nothing more). Senator Bernie Sanders and journalists Greg Palast and Charles Lewis are also charismatic, natural story-tellers who offer compelling, often incredulous testimony. By the end, the film has looped smoothly back on itself. And, because - as is made painfully clear - there's just no way around it, on us.

The dramatic soundtrack illustrates but doesn't annoy. Eric Woods songs are also poignant. The use of fading blackness to highlight various quotations is also to good effect. Pappas lets his subjects do the talking during interview clips, but intensely narrates the whole thing. Every word is compelling, every sequence a twist of the knife.

See it with a money-grubbing whore.