Programming The Nation? (2011)

38% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
89% of users liked it
(185 ratings)

Programming the Nation? takes a powerful and provocative look at the history of subliminal messaging in America and the ways in which we are being manipulated subconsciously by advertisers, pop-culture, corporations, our military, and politicians. Filmmaker Jeff Warrick leads this journey through… More Programming the Nation? takes a powerful and provocative look at the history of subliminal messaging in America and the ways in which we are being manipulated subconsciously by advertisers, pop-culture, corporations, our military, and politicians. Filmmaker Jeff Warrick leads this journey through the subconscious mind while examining the reported history, scientific research and potential effects of such techniques on society. With eye-opening footage, revealing interviews (with Democracy Now's Amy Goodman, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Rolling Stone's David Fricke, Douglas Rushkoff and Noam Chomsky, amongst many others), humorous anecdotes, and an array of visual effects, the film categorically explores the alleged usage of subliminals in advertising, music, film, television, political propaganda, military psychological operations, and even advanced weapons development. -- (C) Ignite Productions

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Jeff Warrick
Written By: Jeff Warrick
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Aug 19, 2011 Limited
Studio: International Film Circuit

Critic Reviews

David Lewis, San Francisco Chronicle
The filmmakers deserve credit for delving into a topic that has received scant attention in the movies, but a lot of it is old news (except, perhaps, for younger viewers).
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Profoundly disturbing, as ambitious as it is provocative.
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
"Programming the Nation" is a fascinating, infuriating film.
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News
This thought-provoking but overlong doc wins points for being all-inclusive.
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
A creaky parade of conspiracy and paranoia that collapses military brainwashing and suspected backward-masking in the recording industry into one indigestible lump.
Mark Holcomb, Village Voice
The results are irritating, occasionally educational, and frustratingly insight-free.
Brent Simon, Shockya.com
A shaggy look at the history of subliminal messaging and advertising in the United States that leaves one wanting for the pruning of a sensible editor.
Avi Offer, NYC Movie Guru
Serves as a vital wake-up call and manages to be simultaneously entertaining, provocative and enraging--just as all harsh truths, sans euphemisms, should be presented.
Ray Greene, Boxoffice Magazine
Some excellent interviews and a thoughtful global consideration of its topic more than offset an enervated tone.
Louis Proyect, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Ignore the negative reviews. This film is essential viewing for those trying to get a handle on the Orwellian world we are living in today.
Eric Monder, Film Journal International
Imperfect but important documentary about subliminal messaging.
Noel Murray, AV Club
What's most frustrating about Programming The Nation? is that the topic is fascinating, and it hasn't been dealt with extensively in documentary form.
David Fear, Time Out New York
Any attempt to explore how the powers that be are subtly manipulating us rapidly devolves into simple retellings of various urban legends, not to mention the inclusion of poorly executed interviews...
Phil Hall, Film Threat
It seems that the filmmaker has a very broad view of what subliminal messaging is all about.
Bill Weber, Slant Magazine
Programming the Nation? fails to stick to its stated subject or to coherently fit it into well-trod America-as-propaganda-mill boilerplate.