Hollywood Diplomacy

The United States in order to protect Capitalism and liberal democracy, and undermine the international role of Communism, have developed a method to influence public opinion through the use of mass media. Radio, cinema, books, were used in order to protect the national interests.

In this background, especially the film industry had played a crucial role.

Hollywood, in fact, was able to spread the ‘American way of life’ all around the world.

The Hollywood film industry, because of its global reach, represents an extremely successful example of public and cultural diplomacy. It is argued that through Hollywood the US has been able to conquer heart and minds of the global population. As evidence, it could be reported the fact that in the 1990s, before 9/11 and the War on Terror, America was admired by most of the global population as an example of freedom and democracy. Surely, the film industry played an extremely significant role in furthering this image. Generally the masses around the world are not well aware of current affairs and do not have any solid knowledge on international political issues; on the contrary, if not in all at least in several countries, they watch and know Hollywood movies. The missionary aim of Hollywood has therefore been able to conquer those hard human terrains that could not have been conquered by the simple admiration of institutional diplomacy and politics.

Then, Hollywood indoctrinating action is probably deeper than any other else. The reason resides in the fact that movies can act on the subconscious of the people. Films are able to touch inner feelings, they generate and modify desires. In other words, they can play with emotions. For instance, the war propaganda the war movies has been furthering was considered by many analysis and psychologists extremely effectual on the subconscious of children.

references

Belmonte, L. A.(2010) Selling the American Way: US Propaganda and the Cold War