American Dharma

American Dharma is a gripping 2018 documentary by the renowned filmmaker Errol Morris. It features not only solid interviews but also detailed, introspective discussions with Steve Bannon, Bill Clinton, and Hillary Clinton. This powerful film delves into potent political climates and shifts in American society, offering an eye-opening portrayal of the individuals who have significantly influenced recent American history.

The film revolves around Steve Bannon, the former executive chairman of Breitbart News and former chief strategist in the Trump Administration. American Dharma portrays a candid, intimating Bannon who, out of the chaos of American politics, formulated a populist ideology that sought to override established political norms. It presents his unique understanding of "Dharma," a term he borrows from Hinduism to represent one's righteous duty. To Bannon, his dharma is to bring about a revolution, or a 'storm,' as he refers to it, to shake up the status quo in Washington.

In American Dharma, Bannon appears unfiltered, sharing his thoughts, beliefs, and principles with the audience. This allows viewers to glimpse into the mindset of a man who played a crucial role in shaping the perception of politics in America and around the world. Without swaying its viewers, the documentary offers a platform for discourse, raising variant perspectives and evoking questions about media roles, misinformation, and democracy.

Errol Morris tackles interviewing Bannon with his iconic interrotron technique, wherein the subject speaks directly into the camera, thus addressing the audience. This strategy adds considerable weight to Bannon's words, creating a deeply immersive environment that seeks not only to convey everything it can about its subject but also to probe deeper into these topics.

The introspection and layers of understanding deepen as Morris includes Former President Bill Clinton and Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the documentary. Interestingly, Bannon is famous for his sharp criticism of the Clintons. By juxtaposing interviews and narratives, Morris attempts to reveal an intricate image of American politics, one full of intrigue, division, and power.

As he had done earlier with Robert McNamara in The Fog of War and Donald Rumsfeld in The Unknown Known, Morris again presents us with a figure who is often vilified. However, instead of merely casting judgment, Morris provides a platform for them to unfold their version of the story, which enables the viewer to confront and assess these figures critically.

American Dharma tries to dissect Bannon's belief system, leaving no stone unturned. Bannon's career in the naval, at Goldman Sachs, his time in Hollywood, and his shift to setting a political commentary at Breitbart News is explored. The film underlines Bannon's love for classics and recurrent references from movies to paint his vision of the world. It emphasizes how Bannon used film and later the internet as compelling platforms to broadcast and push forward his political ideas.

The elements of slick production and the meticulous attention to detail for which Morris is known are prevalent throughout the film. American Dharma is not just a simple political documentary. It draws from cinema to portray Bannon's vision of an apocalyptic America and uses them as a backdrop to contextualize and refine the events that have unfolded in recent years.

In addition to interviews, American Dharma displays a mix of archival footage and images, which further bolsters the narrative. This approach creates a visual and verbal discourse that engages the viewer, encouraging them to consider the information presented critically.

In summary, American Dharma is a thought-provoking documentary that delves into the mind of Steve Bannon and explores his worldview and vision for America. It offers an examination of Bannon's influence on American political landscapes and his relationships with key political figures like the Clintons. While the film does not explicitly take sides, it raises essential questions about populism, media, and American democracy. It's a film that encourages viewers to think, allowing them to understand the intricacies of American politics from insiders' viewpoints. Watch it for an in-depth insight into some of the most influential figures in recent American political history.