The Brainwashing Of My Dad

2016 • 89 minutes

About this movie

Right-wing cable news and "conservative" talk radio attract older Americans like graying moths to an angry flame. But why would someone who was either apolitical or a Democrat in younger days become addicted to conservative talk shows in their twilight years? Filmmaker Jen Senko wondered how her WWII veteran and Kennedy Democrat father had been transformed into a Fox News fanatic, suddenly and inexplicably railing against blacks, gays, and poor people. Using her dad as an entertaining example, Senko pulls back the curtain to expose the tools and tricks of the wizards behind the right-wing media revolution. And in discovering what happened to him, Senko reveals the all-too-chilling bigger picture of what’s happening behind-the-scenes to influence our national discourse.

Ratings and reviews

Garbage. Like all propaganda, this thing insists that all viewpoints outside it's own are wrong, dangerous and Hitler-esque. It doesn't actually provide any evidence to support the creator's assumption that 'right-wing media' is creating 'far-right viewers', it just goes through the usual CNN/MSN 'talking points' (ie fear-mongering). Can't believe the creator of this thing basically capitalised off of a harmless old man (the dad) who is now dead and thus incapable of giving his own side of the story or refuting any of the exaggerated nonsense in here. Save your $ and watch some clouds float across the sky instead.

After reading the negative reviews, I had some doubts about the movie. After watching it, I suspect the negative reviews are from people who didn't watch it. Sure, it has elements of emotion, which I usually consider a clue that the content may not be fact-based, but given the subject matter, I'm not sure how one might cover it without some emotion. Mostly, though, it comes across as well researched and solid. I particularly liked that the father participated in the telling of his own story.

Superb though worrying documentary. It is ultimately uplifting as we see that in the end all the lies and distortions from right-wing media can be undone simply by giving people facts. Right-wing media thrive on building fear and hate and have driven a deep split in our society. But lies, distortion, and repetition can only go so far. Eventually people have to deal with the way reality differs from the angry, fearful, right-wing propaganda. Jen Senko's wonderful documentary shows we can regain our society. Those who have been poisoned into being enemies can become friends again. This is an important documentary of hope. It exposes a seam of festering sickness, but shows us it can be healed. Thank you Jen.