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[Mawy_Golomb]

The media seems to glorify many things, such as violence, sex, government, etc. It isn't this way always, though. In fact, it's usually mainstream media, not independent media.

I was just curious if anyone knows any movies where the government is criticized. Yes, I realize that there are so few movies like that. And one movie that I can think of is 1984. The reason why I brought this topic up is because it is rarely ever spoken of and because I'm just one of those people who is interested in things like ignorance, oppression, dystopias, utopias, conspiracy theories, etc.

[Shade Jackrabbit]

Well I know it's not a movie but Law and Order often deals with red tape and bureaucracy.

[Paul Eres]

i don't think there are 'so few' movies like this, there are probably thousands. especially in documentaries. but any dystopia works too, there are dozens of movies set in dystopias (logan's run, a scanner darkly, thx 1138 on and on)

[Mawy_Golomb]

Oh, yes. How could I forget A Scanner Darkly. And I do think that Equilibrium and even Blade Runner could also be considered an example of this.

The only problem is that these types of movies usually never sell well because of how they portray the government. That is why it must be so hard to find examples of them.

With enough luck, I hope that the internet will introduce me to even more of them.

[Paul Eres]

i don't think anti-gov movies never sell well -- logan's run was pretty popular if i remember. also fahrenheit 9/11 was one of the best-selling documentaries (although it's more entertainment than documentary)

[3dSquare]

i don't think anti-gov movies never sell well -- logan's run was pretty popular if i remember. also fahrenheit 9/11 was one of the best-selling documentaries (although it's more entertainment than documentary)

farenheit 9/11?

[Paul Eres]

yes -- haven't heard of it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fahrenheit_9/11

"As of January 2005, the film had grossed nearly $120 million in U.S. box office and over $220 million worldwide,[4] an unprecedented amount for a political film."

[OMGAlec]

Anti-establishment is generally about as popular a subject to portray in movies as patriotism, it feels to me.  The most prominent of which have been listed in this thread already.  I'll try to think of more.

[Eric McQuiggan]

Fight Club?

[OMGAlec]

Fight Club?

Not so much about governments, but the establishment in terms of society and commercialism.  Moreover, the existential themes seem to speak more loudly than the anti-establishment messages.

[Alec S.]

Even movies like Star Wars have anti-authoritarian messages. (Rebels fighting an evil imperial government).  And movies like Mr. Smith Goes To Washington criticize real world (in that case American) government, not just sci-fi/dystopian governments.

I think it's actually a rather common theme, particularly because of the popularity of little guy vs. big guy stories.

[Aquin]

Brazil smacks you right in the face with it's opinion on government.

The ending is... happy? 

[moi]

There are a lot of conspiracy theory movies, mainstream or indie/indier.
"Enemy of the state" was a mainstream example, or "3 days of the condor", or "Twilight's Last Gleaming"

[moi]

Also, if it's hollywood movies, you're talking about you won't find a lot of movies against american gov, but you'll find a looooooot of dystopias and anti-gov movies directed at other countries lol. Especially soviet or chinese.

[Saint]

V for Vendetta? ... The critique is directed at fascism, though, and if you include critique against nazi and communist governments you'd be sure to find a lot of movies.

On topic, I am hoping they make a movie out of Jennifer Government and keep the social commentary intact. That would be interesting.