HyperNormalisation is a film about the Western media conditioning and the complexities of it. What makes Adam Curtis so strong here is his tone of voice. He states complex observations about politics and media as facts, weaponizing visual media to critique visual media. By making such a complicated -- polarizing -- documentary in such a straight-forward, expository, way he allows audiences to be lead down a rabbit hole of sorts.
Whether or not we as an audience agree with individual pieces and arguments within this film, it's impossible to ignore that Curtis is using the tools, tone, and legitimization (thank you BBC) of the "brainwasher" to brainwash audiences against brainwashing, and to stimulate critical thought. These clever tricks makes this one of the best documentaries ever made, as it continually challenges the viewer's intelligence and perception of the world. There are many documentaries that make more factual, easy-to-prove arguments -- but this film does not intend to do that. Instead, HyperNormalisation challenges the audience with a 3 hour barrage of questions, often stated in the form of answers. How Curtis arrives at these answers creates one of the most thought-provoking films of the 21st century. The point is to not accept Curtis's sometimes shaky (perhaps only in the interest of keeping the runtime down, perhaps not) arguments as facts, but rather to consider them. If you are looking for a simple documentary that is easily proven factually true, this is not it. In fact, HyperNormalisation seems to suggest that form of documentary may not exist.
This film is not an answer, but a question. If you disagree with Curtis, read some books and articles and prove him wrong on your own, if you can. Either way you'll be a better and more educated person for watching this film. HyperNormalisation takes more than it's already 2 and half hour runtime to watch. I paused, researched, and questioned the entire time. HyperNormalisation requires fact checking and educating oneself on aspects of world politics restricted from mainstream thought, and asking questions about the "answers" he provides. Whether a deranged conspiracy theorist or one of the greater minds of the 21st century is up to the viewer, but either way Adam Curtis successfully challenges his audience with this film. Though I don't fully agree with everything put forth in this film, I have to admit that more and more about HyperNormalisation rings true to me in the present day than when it was created. Thank you Curtis for making me think about the world in this way.
Oh, and the soundtrack is incredible. : - )
Whether or not we as an audience agree with individual pieces and arguments within this film, it's impossible to ignore that Curtis is using the tools, tone, and legitimization (thank you BBC) of the "brainwasher" to brainwash audiences against brainwashing, and to stimulate critical thought. These clever tricks makes this one of the best documentaries ever made, as it continually challenges the viewer's intelligence and perception of the world. There are many documentaries that make more factual, easy-to-prove arguments -- but this film does not intend to do that. Instead, HyperNormalisation challenges the audience with a 3 hour barrage of questions, often stated in the form of answers. How Curtis arrives at these answers creates one of the most thought-provoking films of the 21st century. The point is to not accept Curtis's sometimes shaky (perhaps only in the interest of keeping the runtime down, perhaps not) arguments as facts, but rather to consider them. If you are looking for a simple documentary that is easily proven factually true, this is not it. In fact, HyperNormalisation seems to suggest that form of documentary may not exist.
This film is not an answer, but a question. If you disagree with Curtis, read some books and articles and prove him wrong on your own, if you can. Either way you'll be a better and more educated person for watching this film. HyperNormalisation takes more than it's already 2 and half hour runtime to watch. I paused, researched, and questioned the entire time. HyperNormalisation requires fact checking and educating oneself on aspects of world politics restricted from mainstream thought, and asking questions about the "answers" he provides. Whether a deranged conspiracy theorist or one of the greater minds of the 21st century is up to the viewer, but either way Adam Curtis successfully challenges his audience with this film. Though I don't fully agree with everything put forth in this film, I have to admit that more and more about HyperNormalisation rings true to me in the present day than when it was created. Thank you Curtis for making me think about the world in this way.
Oh, and the soundtrack is incredible. : - )