
Fascism in Cinema: The Fourth Estate
From Sonic Cinema Podcast by Brian Skutle
November 22, 2025 · 2h 20m · Season 11 · Episode 15
About this episode
The episode discusses the role of a free press in combating authoritarian regimes, featuring a conversation with Joan Amenn and focusing on notable films.
When it comes to authoritarian regimes- or those aspiring to be- a free and independent press can be its worst enemy. Fake news, Lugenpresse. "Liberal bias." Those are just some of the ways they can be discredited by leaders with a fetish for dictatorships. In this episode in our "Fascism in Cinema" episode, listen as myself and the Editor in Chief at In Their Own League , Joan Amenn, discuss what a free press means, and why it matters now more than ever. We bring up more films than these, but our discussion focuses on Alan J. Pakula's "All the President's Men" , George Clooney's "Good Night, and Good Luck" , and Tom McCarthy's "Spotlight" . I hope you enjoy!
People in this episode
Host: Brian Skutle
Guest: Joan Amenn
Topics covered
- fascism
- cinema
- free press
- authoritarian regimes
- film analysis
Keywords
- fascism
- cinema
- free press
- All the President's Men
- Good Night, and Good Luck
- Spotlight
- authoritarianism
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: In Their Own League
Books & works: All the President's Men, Good Night, and Good Luck, Spotlight
More episodes of Sonic Cinema Podcast
- Fascism in Cinema: Into a World of Conspiracy · May 26, 2026 · 2h 19m
- Atlanta Film Festival 2026 · May 15, 2026 · 45 min
- Fascism in Cinema: Past Future Present · April 27, 2026 · 3h 6m
- Why Sci-Fi? · March 27, 2026 · 15 min
- Oscar Thoughts with Amanda Spears and Brian's Top 10 of 2025 · March 14, 2026 · 1h 53m
- Discussing "Network" at 50 · February 25, 2026 · 1h 34m
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