Programming the Nation?

Media, politics and pop-culture. PROGRAMMING THE NATION? takes an encompassing look at the history of subliminal messaging in America. According to many authorities, since the late 1950s subliminal content has been tested and delivered through all forms of mass-media including Hollywood filmmakers Alfred Hitchcock and William Friedkin. Even our modern military has been accused of these practices in the "war on terror" against soldiers and civilians both abroad and at home. With eye-opening footage, revealing interviews, humorous anecdotes, and an array of visual effects, the film categorically explores the alleged usage of subliminals in advertising, music, film, television, anti-theft devices, political propaganda, military psychological operations, and advanced weapons development. Director Jeff Warrick makes it his personal mission to determine if these manipulative tactics have succeeded in Programming the Nation? Or, if subliminal messaging belongs in the category of what many consider urban legend.

“COMPELLING. Warrick recruits an impressive line-up of interviews, and his impressive inventory of footage, including Led Zeppelin, the Matrix, Devo and vintage ads, roll behind his well-crafted story. We are left to ponder, ‘How deep does the game go and who are making the rules?’ Warrick proves he can go the distance to get the story." -- Char Easter, Seattle Examiner

PROGRAMMING THE NATION? takes a powerful and provocative look at the ways in which we are being manipulated subconsciously by advertisers, pop-culture, corporations, politicians and even our own military. These civil-rights violations have a profound and long-term effect on each and every American citizen in our country. But, unlike other current affairs facing our society, such as the environment, the “war on terror” or the declining economy, we often downplay, (or even totally dismiss), the overwhelming influence and corrosive nature of mass-media - all for the sake of entertainment and escapism. We’ve become so content with “plugging-in” and living our lives in a virtual reality that we now actually enjoy the manipulation, even preferring the illusion over truth. Orwell’s vision of “1984” is now a reality, only on a much subtler level. PROGRAMMING THE NATION? sheds light on many of the ways Big Brother may be manipulating us in the hope that we can learn to “deprogram,” reclaim our independence, and promote change.



Features interviews with:

RICHARD BEGGS
Richard Beggs is a veteran sound engineer for the film industry. He was one of the Academy Award winning members for Best Sound in 1980 for "Apocalypse Now".

NOAM CHOMSKY
World-renowned professor at MIT.

CHRISTOPHER COPPOLA
Writer, Producer and Director of such films as "Gunfight at Red Dog Corral” (1993), "Palmer's Pick Up" (1999), "G-Men from Hell" (2000), and "Bel Air" (2000).

DAVID FRICKE
Senior Editor of Rolling Stone Magazine.

AMY GOODMAN
Host and executive producer of "Democracy Now!" a national, daily, independent, award-winning news program airing on over 500 stations in North America.

HILTON A. GREEN
Assistant Director to Alfred Hitchcock on Psycho (1960).

ANDY JOHNS
Legendary rock and roll recording engineer and producer who has worked with Led Zeppelin,The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Jethro Tull, Van Halen, Blind Faith, Ozzy Osbournne, and Bon Jovi, among many others.


WILSON BRYAN KEY
Author of Subliminal Seduction, Media Sexploitation, Subliminal Ad-Ventures in Erotic Art, The Age of Manipulation, and The Clam Plate Orgy.

DENNIS KUCINICH
US Representative from the 10th District of Ohio in the US House of Representatives.

JERRY MANDER
American activist best known for his books "Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television" (1977), and "In the Absence of the Sacred" (1991).

MARK CRISPIN MILLER
Journalist and media critic. He is a professor of media studies at New York University, where he directs the Project on Media Ownership (PrOMO).

MARK MOTHERSBAUGH
Founding member of the rock band DEVO.

DOUGLAS RUSHKOFF
Teacher of media theory at New York University's (NYU) Interactive Telecommunications Program. He is known for being an active member of the cyberpunk movement and was the online associate of Timothy Leary.

GEOFF TATE
Lead singer and founding member of the progressive rock band Queensryche.