Does the public’s fondness for superhero movies make us more susceptible to fascism?
What is Fascism?
Fascism is difficult to define as its usually confused with general authoritarianism. Multiple dictionaries and encyclopedias agree on fascism being a political philosophy that revolves around a powerful entity (leader or state) which squashes all opposition. It’s associated with the Far Right, due to the ideology revolving around nationalism or even racism, with a dictator type of figure at the helm. This political system also requires a tyrannical control over the government, economy, culture, and society overall — counter movements not allowed.
Benito Mussolini founded the political organization, Fasciti, in 1919 and they gained control of Italy in 1922. They named themselves after the Roman fasces, and used this symbol for the Italian people to stand united and remain obedient under the state’s authority. While other Italian “fasci” groups existed before the Fasciti, they had different ideals from Mussolini, and it was his movement that eventually took over Italy and became credited for “fascism.”
Fascism is a type of authoritarianism, but not all authoritarianism is fascism. Propaganda is a strong weapon of fascism, and is used for the rejecting of civil liberties, vilification of certain groups, and justification of violence to maintain the system. Democracy is a part of fascist rule, and some say it must exist for fascism to take over. There should be enough democracy to make it look like change is possible, but enough for actual change — an illusion, so democracy is seen as non-functioning.
While multiple fascist groups can exist at once, with unique viewpoints, they all share a common dogma:
…extreme militaristic nationalism, contempt for electoral democracy and political and cultural liberalism, a belief in natural social hierarchy and the rule of elites, and the desire to create a [people’s community] in which individual interests would be subordinated to the good of the nation.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/fascism
Impact of Film on Audiences
Film storytelling is able to impact the public in a particular way, different from media like books or video games. A film requires empathy — the viewer needs to understand where the protagonist is coming from, understand the “good guy’s” perspective for the movie to be relatable and enjoyable. A film protagonist doesn’t need to be a moral actor, as there’s the popular antihero archetype. Sometimes amoral criminals are prolific film protagonists — the gangster genre is a testament to this. Because of this, a good film has the ability for an audience to relate to any character — everyman, soldier, crime boss, or superhero.
A study done by two Ph.D. candidates at Notre Dame showed mainstream movies can affect the political views of an audience. The Todd Adkins and Jeremy Castle study found movies with explicit messaging or even subtle political message was able to influence the viewer’s opinion. And when study participants were tested two weeks later, this effect remained. Michelle C. Pautz, Associate Dean for Curriculum and Student Academic Success (Political Science at University of Dayton). also conducted a study using the films Argo and Zero Dark Thirty. This is exploratory research, but results showed 1/5th to 1/4th of participants changed their views on the government after watching one of the movies.
Military and Intelligence Ties to Hollywood
Hollywood and the military have worked very closely together since WWII — although they’ve had a relationship since around WWI. One of the reasons why major motion picture studios work with the military and intelligence apparatus is to reduce costs and increase authenticity. It’s cheaper to get a loan of equipment, location, training, and personnel when collaborating with the Pentagon, as opposed to purchasing through normal channels. As for the military — films serve as another enlistment tool when the productions they’re involved in are portrayed in a positive light.
Filmmaker Roger Stahl’s research team submitted FOIA requests and looked through Georgetown University archives to get access to 30,000 pages of DoD documents:
…which show that the Pentagon and the Central Intelligence Agency have exercised direct editorial control over more than 2,500 films and television shows.
https://archive.ph/PiBxm
Aside from the recruitment drive, the military also asks for films to convey certain messages. The Zero Dark Thirty screenplay was revised by the CIA to make torture seem necessary in tracking Osama Bin Laden. In reality, the CIA discovered Bin Laden’s whereabouts by combing through their existing files.
Military films like Top Gun and Black Hawk Down are no-brainers for military involvement, but the Pentagon also changed the Goldeneye script — a James Bond film. In the original screenplay, an American Admiral is duped and killed by an enemy, but Phil Strub (DoD Film and Television Liaison Office head at the time) didn’t like this. Eventually the Admiral became Canadian, and there’s even a scene in the movie with the USMC rescuing Bond — starring real Marines. Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Captain America, and other MCU properties have received Pentagon approval. Iron Man 1 received $1 billion worth of military equipment and ability to shoot at Edwards Air Force Base, in exchange for cutting out some scenes and lines.
Karl Rove, Hollywood, and The Global War on Terror
After the 9/11 attacks, Karl Rove (President George W. Bush’s political advisor at the time), met with Hollywood executives and other industry leaders to discuss selling the “War on Terrorism” to the masses. This meeting was cohosted by then Paramount Pictures Chairwoman, Sherry Lansing, and co-organized by Jack Valenti, head of the Motion Picture Association of America at the time — and once an aide to President Lyndon B. Johnson. One of the topics discussed was the US invasion of Afghanistan being an act of self-defense, to target the 9/11 perpetrators, even though the country wasn’t involved in the attack.
Executives in attendance included Viacom Inc. Chairman Sumner Redstone, Viacom Chairman Jonathan Dolgen, Walt Disney Co. President and Chief Operating Officer Robert Iger, MGM Chairman Alex Yemenidjian, Fox chairmen Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman and Warner Bros. Television head Peter Roth.
https://archive.ph/MhEf5
Valenti said the attendees can be an “antagonist group,” likely due to competing financial interests, but in this meeting there was a “seamless web of unity.” He also mentioned public service broadcasts being used to highlight that:
“America has been the most generous country in the world. We have fed and clothed millions of people without asking anything in return.”
https://archive.ph/MhEf5
Superhero Movie Influence on the Audience
When superheroes have human problems they’re relatable, the audience can empathize with that — with their special abilities turning them into role models. In a well-written film, a superhero protagonist is an ordinary person with extraordinary traits. This genre is also classic escapism, seeing a character you connect with doing amazing things. The pursuit of justice is a central theme in superhero movies, appealing to children and adults. These films can help implant the belief of a just world to the viewer. A superhero movie lets the audience forget about real life problems, and perhaps they seek a larger-than-life figure to come save the real world.
Alan Moore on the Adult Love for Superheroes
Alan Moore is an acclaimed and award-winning comic book author. His disdain for film and TV adaptations of his work is infamous, but some of his works have been reimagined in these formats — such as V for Vendetta and Watchmen. His comic book, The Killing Joke, has had some elements adapted to video games — another potentially effective propaganda medium. While Moore is known for comics that have garnered a more mature audience, he doesn’t see adult interest in superhero movies as a good thing.
“Hundreds of thousands of adults [are] lining up to see characters and situations that had been created to entertain the 12-year-old boys – and it was always boys – of 50 years ago. I didn’t really think that superheroes were adult fare….I said round about 2011 that I thought that it had serious and worrying implications for the future if millions of adults were queueing up to see Batman movies. Because that kind of infantilisation – that urge towards simpler times, simpler realities – that can very often be a precursor to fascism.”
https://archive.ph/eUyhK
Are Superhero Films Inherently Fascist?
With the ability of film to alter an audience, the military’s overt involvement in the film industry, including the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the impact of a superhero character on an audience, and adults having a love for the superhero genre — do these movies lead to fascist thinking, to the acceptance of fascism?
The Boys Showrunner, Eric Kripke, says the superhero ultimately exists to protect the status quo, to keep things as they are or once were during more nostalgic times, while the supervillain seeks change. A superhero is pro-establishment, working to uphold the system, and viewers can be trained to believe some exceptional being will fix everything.
Portuguese filmmaker, Pedro Costa, says superhero films are a fascist idea, but more in the sense of audience domination. Costa says the sound and visual effects of the genre makes the viewer feel a certain way — “a Pavlovian thing,” as he calls it. If the sound and effects are toned down or removed, the emotional response from the viewer also disappears. He compares them to older films, such as silent films, which make you think about what’s going on, so you can understand the characters and get inside their heads — superhero films are too stimulating for this level of connection.
Film is a passive genre, unlike a book which requires digesting of the words or a video game which makes you an active participant. When you watch a movie, you sit back & relax to consume the media. Since a superhero film relies on mass appeal, stories typically aren’t as complex, and instead it’s an optical & auricular feast keeping a viewer engaged.
If a powerful entity wants the public to accept a certain message or get used to a certain lifestyle — why not sell it in a superhero movie?
