Battling the culture war through documentaries.
The Power of Documentaries: A Missed Opportunity for Conservatives
The winners of the documentary Emmys were recently announced, and as an Emmy voter, I can confidently say that the quality of these films is consistently outstanding. However, it’s no surprise that many of the winners lean towards a liberal perspective. From HBO Max’s The Janes, which explores a Chicago group that performed thousands of abortions before Roe v. Wade, to a Netflix winner produced by Hillary Clinton herself, the dominance of liberal viewpoints is evident. Notably, there isn’t a single film with a conservative point of view.
Over the past few decades, documentaries have experienced a renaissance, with a surge in production value, artistic skill, and audience approval. Nonfiction content now dominates streaming services and TV, ranging from true crime to reality shows to documentaries that are “ripped from the headlines.”
The Liberal Influence on Documentaries
Recognizing the power and ubiquity of documentaries, liberals have effectively utilized this medium to promote their ideas and gain public acceptance. For instance, the New York Times’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1619 Project, which claims that American history is rooted in racism, has now been transformed into an Emmy-nominated series for Hulu. Even former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have secured a multipicture deal with Netflix. Ava DuVernay’s Oscar-nominated documentary 13th has successfully popularized the notion that mass incarceration is deeply embedded in America’s racist history. Celebrities have also rallied behind films addressing global warming, with Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth winning an Oscar in 2007.
What may come as a surprise is the lack of conservative presence in this powerful medium. While conservatives often lament about the cultural landscape, they have failed to produce substantial content, particularly in storytelling media like documentaries.
On the other hand, the left has actively invested in documentaries for decades. Their vast fundraising machine, supported by big foundations such as Ford and McArthur, as well as for-profit companies like Participant and Magnolia, has poured billions of dollars into “woke” content and social justice initiatives. In contrast, the right has only mustered tens of millions at best, leaving a significant void in the conservative documentary ecosystem.
This disparity has resulted in a thriving environment for young liberal filmmakers. Film schools, often promoting themselves as training grounds for activists, provide the initial stepping stone. Liberal funders, film festivals, distributors, and awards further support these budding filmmakers. While aspiring filmmakers may dream of becoming the next Steven Spielberg, the reality is that nonfiction documentaries are more accessible and cost-effective, making them a popular choice.
A Call for Conservative Engagement
The left’s commitment to utilizing every media platform to make their case is commendable. However, the right’s absence from this arena is detrimental to all Americans. Unlike government or academia, the cultural landscape operates within a relatively free market. If conservatives were to emulate the left’s approach and invest similar amounts of energy, money, and talent into movies and TV, the culture would undoubtedly shift.
Personally, I have dedicated my career to producing fair and balanced films that shed light on stories ignored by the left. Fifteen of my documentaries have been nationally broadcasted on PBS, including my most recent work, Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words. While the left has extensively covered the story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Clarence Thomas’s remarkable journey from poverty in the segregated South to the Supreme Court had been overlooked. Our goal has always been to reach beyond the political divide and captivate the vast center with compelling and unbiased storytelling.
Unfortunately, America’s cultural imbalance has left many untold or misrepresented stories. The “woke” bias against American traditions and the obsession with race, class, and gender have resulted in misleading documentaries and feature films. Where are the movies celebrating the West’s triumph in the Cold War or critically examining the economic consequences of pursuing net-zero emissions?
As the left recognized long ago, producing a few good films is not enough. It requires the development and nurturing of new talent within a parallel ecosystem. That’s why my new company, Palladium Pictures, has launched an incubator program to train young right-of-center filmmakers. Each year, we will select talented individuals, fully fund their short documentaries, and ensure widespread distribution. With numerous platforms available for video content, especially shorts, there are ample opportunities to make an impact. However, creating a true ecosystem will require substantial funding and larger distribution platforms.
The Power of Storytelling
Those who control the narrative shape the terms of the debate. The public deserves a comprehensive and accurate understanding of their history, recent past, and current controversies. I place my hope in a new generation of storytellers, provided they receive the necessary support and resources.
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Michael Pack is a documentary filmmaker, president of Palladium Pictures, and former CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media. He has produced over 15 documentaries for public television, most recently Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words.
How can conservatives effectively challenge the dominant liberal narrative in mainstream media through documentaries?
Provide a platform for conservative voices and perspectives that often go unheard in mainstream media.
Conservatives must recognize the power and influence of documentaries and seize this opportunity to engage with a wider audience. By producing high-quality and thought-provoking films that present conservative values, beliefs, and ideas, conservatives can effectively challenge the dominant liberal narrative and offer alternative viewpoints.
There are numerous important issues that conservatives can address through documentaries. For instance, the impact of free-market economics on poverty reduction, the benefits of limited government intervention, the importance of individual liberty and personal responsibility, and the value of traditional family structures. Documentaries have the potential to educate, inform, and persuade viewers, making them an ideal medium for conservatives to convey their message.
Conservative filmmakers can start by seeking funding from conservative foundations, think tanks, and organizations that already support conservative causes. Building a strong network of conservative investors and supporters will not only provide the necessary financial resources but also create a supportive ecosystem for conservative filmmakers to thrive.
Additionally, universities and film schools should provide a balanced education that promotes diverse perspectives. Encouraging young conservative filmmakers and giving them access to resources, mentorship, and opportunities will foster a new generation of conservative voices in the documentary industry.
Conservatives must also actively engage with film festivals, distributors, and awards ceremonies to ensure their films are given a fair chance at reaching a broader audience. By making connections, submitting their work, and advocating for conservative documentaries, conservatives can ensure that their voices are heard and their films are given the recognition they deserve.
In conclusion, the power of documentaries to shape public opinion and influence cultural norms should not be underestimated. Conservatives have a missed opportunity in not fully engaging with this medium, allowing the dominance of liberal perspectives to go unchallenged. By investing in documentaries and actively promoting conservative voices, conservatives can effectively reshape the cultural landscape and present alternative viewpoints to a wider audience. It is time for conservatives to recognize the potential of documentaries and seize this opportunity to reclaim the power of storytelling.
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