Organization: Central Michigan University
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.seasia-l
Date:         Mon, 28 Sep 1992 08:42:02 EDT
From:         Elliott Parker <3ZLUFUR@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Subject:      ET: Included in Chomsky documentary

Note towards the end, coverage of East Timor is mentioned:

=======================  Forwarded  Message  ===========================
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 92 01:15:50 PDT
/* Written 12:05 pm  Sep 25, 1992 by hrcoord in cdp:media.issues */
/* ---------- "ACT:Asking the News" ---------- */
From: Human Rights Coordinator <hrcoord>
Subject: ACT:Asking the News

/* Written  9:48 pm  Sep 24, 1992 by web:act in cdp:gen.newsletter */
ASKING THE NEWS SOME QUESTIONS

Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media
Dir. and prod. by Peter Wintonick and Mark Achbar

Reviewed by Darrin Nowakowski

The American linguistics professor Noam Chomsky has developed a
 reputation as a fierce critic of United States militarism abroad. In his
recent book, Manufacturing Consent, he attacks the mainstream media
in North America for presenting establishment-biased, non-objective
news. In typical Chomsky style, the book is so thoroughly documented,
 exhaustively researched, and imbued with detail, that the reader is
overwhelmed by the sheer weight of data rather than the rhetoric of
argument.

The Canadian-produced film about Chomsky, also titled Manufacturing
 Consent, does far more than regurgitate the book in a documentary
format. Wintonick and Achbar's film is both a Chomsky lecture and a
 biography of the man himself. Regardless of whether you have read
all of his books, or none of them, the film has a great deal to offer.

The producers mix their own visual images -- ironically, shot with a
surplus RCMP surveillance camera -- with clips from the news media,
to blend dry details and tense scenes with comedy. After sifting
through over 130 hours of lectures, guest appearances, debates and
 interviews with Chomsky, spanning over two decades, Wintonick and
 Achbar chose 165 minutes to keep in the film.

Think of it as a Chomsky's Greatest Hits collection.

The film itself is full of ironic twists, reminiscent of earlier
political documentaries like Milhouse or The Atomic Caf. For example,
when Chomsky is being interviewed for a BBC morning talk show, he
tries to explain that the two-minute limit allowed most news spots
makes it impossible to explain anything other than an already
familiar thought or idea. Before he is able to finish his point, the host
cuts him off, explaining that his time is up.

Aside from a general critique of the media, Manufacturing Consent
is also concerned with some global political events. An example of
media support for the establishment, for instance, is the lack of coverage
in the press of the Indonesian invasion and occupation of East Timor.
This film does cover the repression and genocide of the Timorese
people -- to whom, in fact, it is dedicated. Included is some Australian
news footage of East Timor which provides one of the rare opportunities
for North American audiences to view the situation there.

Manufacturing Consent also examines some of Chomsky's personal
 controversies. More than a few right-wing intellectuals openly despise
his criticism of American foreign policy, though in a cameo appearance
 William Buckley can do nothing more than roll his eyes and make faces
at Chomsky as the latter suggests that American militarism is no
different, in principle, than that of the Soviet Union.

Chomsky's description of the American educational system as a form
of "institutionalized ignorance", and his statement that the Bible is "the
 most genocidal book in the whole canon of literature" raised a few
 eyebrows. His anarchist political bent and his attacks on other
American institutions, like professional sports, do not always endear
him to the mainstream population.

Yet Chomsky's upfront honesty and softspoken eloquence command
respect. This film provides a great way to learn more about Chomsky's
ideas and Chomsky the person.

Manufacturing Consent is playing at the Euclid Theatre (College and
Euclid) from October 1-7. The October 1 screening will be a benefit
for the East Timor Alert Network.
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU