PROGRAMMING THE NATION?

A film by Jeff Warrick

105 minutes • Exhibition Formats: DVD, Blu-Ray, HD CAM, DIGI BETA

Media, politics and pop-culture. PROGRAMMING THE NATION? takes an encompassing look at the history of subliminal messaging in America. According to many authorities, since the late 1950s subliminal content has been tested and delivered through all forms of mass-media including Hollywood filmmakers Alfred Hitchcock and William Friedkin. Even our modern military has been accused of these practices in the "war on terror" against soldiers and civilians both abroad and at home. With eye-opening footage, revealing interviews, humorous anecdotes, and an array of visual effects, the film categorically explores the alleged usage of subliminals in advertising, music, film, television, anti-theft devices, political propaganda, military psychological operations, and advanced weapons development. Director Jeff Warrick makes it his personal mission to determine if these manipulative tactics have succeeded in Programming the Nation? Or, if subliminal messaging belongs in the category of what many consider urban legend.

“COMPELLING. Warrick recruits an impressive line-up of interviews,
and his impressive inventory of footage, including Led Zeppelin, the Matrix,
Devo and vintage ads, roll behind his well-crafted story. We are left to ponder,
‘How deep does the game go and who are making the rules?’
Warrick proves he can go the distance to get the story."
-- Char Easter, Seattle Examiner

PROGRAMMING THE NATION? takes a powerful and provocative look at the ways in which we are being manipulated subconsciously by advertisers, pop-culture, corporations, politicians and even our own military. These civil-rights violations have a profound and long-term effect on each and every American citizen in our country. But, unlike other current affairs facing our society, such as the environment, the “war on terror” or the declining economy, we often downplay, (or even totally dismiss), the overwhelming influence and corrosive nature of mass-media - all for the sake of entertainment and escapism. We’ve become so content with “plugging-in” and living our lives in a virtual reality that we now actually enjoy the manipulation, even preferring the illusion over truth. Orwell’s vision of “1984” is now a reality, only on a much subtler level. PROGRAMMING THE NATION? sheds light on many of the ways Big Brother may be manipulating us in the hope that we can learn to “deprogram,” reclaim our independence, and promote change.