New Release: The Occupation of the American Mind
Israel’s Public Relations War in the United States
We’re thrilled with the positive reaction our new film The Occupation of the American Mind has been getting from university professors, media scholars, and journalists in the U.S., Israel, and beyond.
Narrated by legendary musician and activist Roger Waters of Pink Floyd fame and featuring leading experts on American media, the film looks at efforts by the Israeli government, the U.S. government, and pro-Israel pressure groups to shape positive news coverage of Israel and deflect attention away from its prolonged military occupation of Palestinian territory.
“I think most people, regardless of where they stand on this issue, would agree that democratic societies shouldn’t allow powerful interests to distort public information, silence meaningful debate, and vilify legitimate opposition to official government policies,” MEF Executive Director Sut Jhally said. “And I think this is exactly why we’re seeing such a positive response to this film.”
The Occupation of the American Mind is now available to universities, colleges, and high schools via streaming subscription or on DVD at www.occupationmovie.com. (You can check here to see if your school already has streaming access to it.)
This title is available NOW via several options:
• DVD
• 7-Day Streaming Rental
• 1-Year Streaming Subscription
• 3-Year Streaming Subscription
• Perpetual Digital Rights Management
Praise for The Occupation of the American Mind:
I wish every American would watch this powerful documentary. Not only every person of conscience, but every taxpayer, must see it — and then ask themselves if the status quo is acceptable and can continue deep into the 21st century.
Gideon Levy, columnist for Haaretz, Israeli daily newspaper
Not only land, but also minds can be colonized. The brilliance of this documentary is that it manages to tell the story of both forms of colonization simultaneously.
Neve Gordon, Professor of Politics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
A remarkable achievement. Anyone who wishes to understand the deeper reasons for America’s utter failure to bring peace to the region should begin by watching this powerful film.
Avi Shlaim, Professor Emeritus, Oxford University
An amazing film. Brilliantly exposes how American media is an active partner in the ugly and illegal occupation of Palestine. This is a must-watch documentary for anyone interested in understanding the truth of the Occupation and the failures of Western journalism.
Marc Lamont Hill, Professor of African-American Studies, Morehouse College
A stunning exposé on how propaganda drives public opinion and, in turn, our understanding of reality. Here’s the story of how American perceptions of the Middle East — as well as resulting legislation and military strategy — are engineered: from focus group to talking points to mortar fire.
Douglas Rushkoff, Professor of Media Theory, CUNY, and Media Commentator for CNN
This hard-hitting, fact-based documentary is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, its distorted coverage in the corporate media, and how the American public has been systematically lied to again and again.
Deepa Kumar, Associate Professor of Media Studies, Rutgers University
As courageous as it is informative, brilliantly produced and faithful to its search for the truth. Everyone should watch this film, debate its assumptions, and test its insights against the issue of what education and public relations should look like in a democracy.
Henry Giroux, McMaster University
For over half a century, Americans drank the Kool-Aid concocted by the Israel lobby, the U.S. media, and virtually all elected officials because there were no alternatives. This film — like the movements that inspired it — is the antidote.
Robin D. G. Kelley, Professor of American History, UCLA
One of the most compelling and important documentaries in recent years. It helps us make sense of the lies, mayhem, and injustice in the heart of the Middle East: Palestine. To reach behind the facade that is ‘news’, watch this film.
John Pilger, journalist and filmmaker
A powerful film that exposes an infuriating reality. You cannot watch this film without grieving for the Palestinians, for the propaganda we’ve been subjected to, for the terrible mistakes we’ve made supporting horrific Israeli policies that have caused such suffering.
Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink
This terrific and memorable film comes at just the right time, when the lockstep mentality that promotes Zionist sympathies in the U.S. is eroding fast. It lays bare the fictions that underpinned this mentality for so long, and shows us why these fabrications are now being challenged so confidently.
Andrew Ross, Professor of Social and Cultural Analysis, New York University
Not only lays out the case for mainstream media malfeasance, but also provides a clear and concise explanation of the history and contemporary politics behind the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
Robert Jensen, Professor of Journalism, University of Texas at Austin
Every American needs to watch this film in order to understand how the culture industries and the political pundits have shaped a one-sided narrative of the Israeli occupation of Palestine and erased the basic human dignity of the Palestinians from the American media landscape.
Vijay Prashad, Professor of International Studies, Trinity College
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