The ascent of Donald Trump to the presidency has baffled many including Hollywood filmmakers.
Now, nearly two years after election night, a wave of post-Trump political films has begun to emerge. Whether or not they are an overt response, like Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 11/9, or coincidental timing (“Our script was basically done by the time he was elected president,” says Carson), they all will be seen through the lens of the Trump era.
“Artists always hold a mirror to society and capture a reflection like no other,” says On the Basis of Sex director Mimi Leder. “I think that’s what we, as artists, are doing. These films are a rallying cry.”
The result is a crop of films that depict various inflection points in American politics and culture but with unmistakable parallels in the new MAGA order.
‘American Dharma’
Courtesy of Venice International Film Festival
Errol Morris does the deep dive on former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, the person who is arguably most responsible for Donald Trump’s election (Trump included). After making its world premiere in Venice, the doc travels to Toronto, where Endeavor Content will be selling theatrical rights. One place it won’t be headed: The New Yorker Festival, which rescinded its invitation following criticism from the likes of Judd Apatow and Jim Carrey — a move that will likely only improve the film’s box-office potential. Oscar winner Morris (The Fog of War) is well aware of the polarizing nature of his subject and why many will bristle at the former Breitbart News executive chairman receiving a platform. “It’s a criticism that I expect to hear,” Morris explains. “But he’s an essential character of our times. And God knows you read about him constantly. And, yet, we know so little about him.”
‘Backseat’
Vera Anderson
Adam McKay is back after the success of The Big Short. This time, he’s tackling Dick Cheney, the most powerful vice president in history. Christian Bale packed on the pounds to transform himself into Cheney. The film, with an all-star supporting cast that includes Amy Adams, Steve Carell and Tyler Perry, represents a big ($40 million) bet for Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures, which has carved out a Dec. 14 release.
‘American Chaos’
Courtesy of Sony Classics
In the runup to the 2016 presidential election, film financier James Stern (Looper) wanted to better understand the MAGA crowd psyche, so he embedded with Trump supporters and brought a camera along for the journey. The result is the doc American Chaos, which Sony Pictures Classics will release on Sept. 14. Stern knows politics better than most producer-directors: Brother Todd Stern was President Barack Obama’s chief climate negotiator.
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