HN Theater @HNTheaterMonth

⬐ soufron

I liked the movie, but I was upset by the heavy amount of conspiracy he put in, and also the fact that he considered alternate theories on events as if they were the only ones worthy of attention. I am thinking about his description of the bombings as false flags destined to put the blame on gaddafi instead of syria. The main counter-intelligence on these was due to italian secret services, but further information obtained through the years totally debunked it. Still, he acts as if there was no question about it. To him, it's a US manipulation. I think it casts doubt on the rest of the movie.

⬐ joblessjunkie

I also spent a lot of my time watching the film trying to sort out how much is truth, and how much is propaganda or deliberate misinformation.

However, I think this also exactly the point this film is making about our modern media and political environment, which makes the film all the more effective and terrifying.

⬐ soufron

So you think he did it on purpose and made a sort of mockumentary?

⬐ joblessjunkie

I do not believe it was a mockumentary or wheels-within-wheels meta-commentary.

I was just struck by the irony that all the accusations leveled by the filmmaker at the media and our government also apply to this film itself.

⬐ partycoder

I watched it.

Now, I don't really think there's a hidden power governing everything. It's just the path of least resistance and we are following it.

⬐ noobermin

I think that was the point of the video and was my perspective all along, it's just you learn how little parts are connected...not by intention but by coincidence.

⬐ rm_-rf_slash

There are many hidden powers governing a lot of things, but the world is simply too large and complex for any single entity to truly control everything, even a global niche is difficult to grab and even harder to keep.

It's kind of comforting, in a way.

⬐ RileyJames

I watched this after it was last posted to hacker news. The footage from the BBC archives is excellent and the narrative it strings together is compelling. Any other books or movies that expand on similar topics?

⬐ smcl

Bitter Lake is another film by the same person (Adam Curtis) film I think you'd like

⬐ wycx

I think Curtis' most underrated series is The Mayfair Set. It certainly planted a seed in me regarding interest in economic history. Not to mention, "We built this city on high yield bonds".

⬐ smcl

After I posted my comment I found a huge playlist of Curtis films on Youtube, and worked my way through The Mayfair Set - very enjoyable, but I feel a bit dirty afterwards (there's a lot of shady goings on and seedy people, it feels infectious)

⬐ louthy

'All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace' [1] is nicely done, even if Adam Curtis has a tendency to make links that might not really be there, he's certainly thought provoking.

[1] https://vimeo.com/groups/96331/videos/80799353

⬐ iamben

I shared this on HN a while back. It's an interesting watch (at nearly 3 hours, Curtis keeps you entertained throughout). For those in the UK, you can watch the whole thing on iPlayer here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p04b183c/adam-curtis-hy...

⬐ noobermin

There is a less authentic version if you look around on youtube for those of us not in the UK...

⬐ pimlottc

There's torrents too, of course; but what's less authentic about the youtube copies? Or do you mean that they're being posted without authorization?

⬐ Mathnerd314

IIRC the Youtube versions have some audio cut out to avoid music copyrights.

⬐ hawkice

Wow, there are a lot of really positive comments here for a youtube video that might as well be called Conspiracy Fnord. Can we get a more appropriate link so the comments at least slightly match the content of the video?

⬐ napsterbr

Regardless of your political opinion about the video, there's a shortish part where Adam Curtis talks about Cyberspace and the cyberpunk movement. As a big fan of William Gibson's work, I've found that part alone well worth the time. I'm sure there are a lot of fellow cyberpunk fans here, so this is my advice: if you are not interested by the political aspect of the documentary, the Cyberspace bit is worth your time (and pretty much free of political discussion, as the Cyberspace should be)

⬐ noobermin

Trying to be careful with "political opinion" is almost antithetical to the point of the video. Let the medium speak for itself.

⬐ djhworld

It's certainly a meal of a documentary, as Adam Curtis's docs often are. The bits that stood out to me the most was the discussion around the internet and echo chambers it has produced.

I had to consume this is 3-4 sittings, but I think that's how it was designed to be watched anyway, the documentary was only ever released on BBC iPlayer

⬐ noobermin

That was eyeopening. The documentary provides us with just another example of leaders twisting religious beliefs to benefit their own power struggles, and somehow, they win, even when their added doctrine go against the established religion.

⬐ intopieces

I haven't been able to verify the Syria link to the Lockerbie bombing. Anyone able to help me out?

⬐ noobermin

Google: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_Am_Flight_103

⬐ soufron

It was an alt theory at the time, but it has been debunked since then.

Have fun : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_Am_Flight_103_conspiracy_t...

⬐ madaxe_again

If you enjoyed this, Jean Baudrillard's Simulacra and Simulation is what he has drawn heavily upon. He talks extensively about the "hyperreal" mental reality we exist within.

If you enjoyed that, you might like Phil K Dick's existential works like Flow my tears, cantata 140, hell anything of his almost. Even "the defenders" is a full on frontal assault on reality.

Finally, if you want to go clean off the deep end, read his Exegesis and Valis.

⬐ freshhawk

Oh man, Valis is the most interesting piece of physicalized mental illness I've ever experienced. I think it helps to already be very familiar with Dick's style when you read it.

And I'll also second all the rest of these recommendations as well.

⬐ madaxe_again

Although it might be worth mentioning that it's somewhat contagious. Keep on squinting at the Black Iron Prison.