Hollywood is waking up

- The film is about something deeper than the war on terror. It is about the consequences of the situation in recent years in the USA and how it is played out in the media, school system and politics, says Redford during the film festival in Rome.

Bush loses his grip

In the wake of the Watergate scandal in 1972, there was also a critical wave from Hollywood. Three Days of the Condor (1975), All Presidents' Men (1976), Deer Hunter (1978) and Coming Home (1978) had a sting and were well received by critics and audiences alike. Robert Redford, who was one of the 1970's most high-profile actors, even starred in two of them, and contributed greatly to getting the publicity they did.

Now a new wave of Hollywood political film is upon us, and it is no accident. The Bush administration is beginning to lose its grip on the population, and most Americans are dissatisfied with the Iraq war. This makes it easier for Hollywood to turn a critical spotlight on Washington.

- When the authorities after 11 September asked us to set aside rights and freedom of expression for a while, and support them to achieve security again, we were willing to do so. This also includes the media, says Robert Redford, who claims that for a period he stopped asking critical questions to the government.

- We had to stand together. It is important to remember that the Republican Party, which was in power when the attacks occurred, also had control over both Congress and the Supreme Court. It has not happened before, Redford claims.

- Now we finally see the truth, about where and why we wage the wars we do, and what the costs are.

But Redford states that he does not want to answer with Lions for lambs.

- Americans do not want propaganda! One should try to show the complexity of the situation. Therefore, my film only addresses questions, with the hope that people will think more about it.

While the critical films about the Vietnam War did not come until several years after the war ended, the first Iraqi films come already during the war. In the Valley of Elah by Paul Haggis addresses the current taboo subject of soldiers struggling with post-traumatic stress after Iraq. Grace is Gone is about a grieving husband (John Cusack) who has to tell his daughters that their mother has died in Iraq.

More Iraq movies

The low-budget film Redacted is signed by one of Hollywood's foremost filmmakers, Brian de Palma, and is the most explicit in its critique. For it, he received the Silver Lion for best direction during the Venice Film Festival in September. Told mainly through video blogs, it is based on an actual incident about a group of American soldiers who raped a 14-year-old Iraqi schoolgirl, and killed her family in March 2006.

During the Venice Film Festival in September, De Palma told Ny Tid that he expected criticism in the United States for Redacted. And the criticism came just days later, from talk show host Bill O'Reilly. "Imagine young Muslims who are already full of hatred and who watch this film where a young Muslim woman is raped? If only one of these joins the fight and kills an American, it's Brian de Palma's fault! ” thundered the famous TV personality.

Traditionally, most politically engaged actors in Hollywood have been, and are, important supporters of the Democrats. Hollywood has power, but only a few individuals, such as George Clooney, Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie, have been willing to use it. Directors such as Steven Spielberg, Steven Soderbergh, Paul Greengrass and Robert De Niro have also made and co-financed films with a political content.

In 2003, Clooney was branded a "traitor" in a magazine because he pointed out that perhaps one should ask a few more questions before sending troops to Iraq. As a result of the accusations, Clooney directed and wrote Good Night, and Good Luck (2005) about the difficult conditions of freedom of expression under McCarthyism, with clear parallels to our time. Syriana (2005) directed by Stephen Gaghan addressed the complexities of the oil industry in the Middle East. The Inner Circle (2006), directed by Robert De Niro and starring Matt Damon, is about a dedicated man's dedication to the CIA in the intelligence organization's first year.

A number of other socially critical films will be released in Norwegian cinemas during 2008. Rendition, which was also shown at the film festival in Rome, is the story of an Egyptian-born man with an American, pregnant wife (Reese Witherspoon). He is being questioned on suspicion of complicity in terrorism, which he is not guilty of.

Appeal to the young

71-year-old Redford expresses hope that the film will be seen by young people. He himself has once been like the young student in the film with a lack of faith in American ideals.

- When I was young, I did not care about politics. Only when I came to Europe to study art as an 18-19 year old did I open my eyes. Students my own age asked what I thought about politics. They said: How can you not care? It is your country and your future! In the long run it was embarrassing, and I started looking at my country, but from the point of view of Europe, and I did not buy the package that my authorities gave me. When I returned to the United States, I knew a lot about politics. It happened almost completely by accident.

He emphasizes that he trusts young people.

- The future belongs to the young. Will they become politically active, or are they disillusioned? If the latter happens, we may see a continuation of what we have had in recent years.

Redford concludes with optimism:

- I hope and believe young people will say to themselves that "I can do something to improve the situation, and I should do it". That way, I'm optimistic about the future.