Live Show Beg-a-Thon: Ben Shapiro, Sex-Pest Actor Comebacks, and the New Elevated Right-Wing Cinema
Citations NeededSummary
The latest discussion centers on the rise of right-wing cinema, particularly the films produced by The Daily Wire, co-founded by Ben Shapiro. The podcast highlights how these films, which have evolved from low-budget productions to more polished offerings, aim to resonate with conservative audiences through themes of moralizing and reactionary heroism. The hosts critique the narratives that often portray Muslims, LGBTQ individuals, and leftists as threats to American values, reflecting a broader trend in right-wing media to frame these groups as villains.
The conversation also delves into specific films, such as "Run, Hide, Fight Infidels," which features a narrative that intertwines Islamophobia with a critique of liberal values. The film's portrayal of violence against marginalized groups is discussed, with the hosts noting the overtly racist and homophobic elements present in the script. They express concern over the implications of such narratives, arguing that they contribute to a dangerous cultural discourse that normalizes violence against perceived enemies.
Guest Josh Olson, an Oscar-nominated screenwriter, joins the discussion to provide insights into the filmmaking process behind these projects. He emphasizes the lack of distribution for films like "Run, Hide, Fight Infidels," suggesting that while they may have a dedicated audience, their reach is limited, indicating a potential decline in Shapiro's influence. Olson warns that although these films may seem like a fringe phenomenon, they reflect a troubling undercurrent in American culture that could have lasting effects on societal attitudes towards marginalized communities.
Show Notes
In this Live Show Beg-a-Thon, "Ben Shapiro, Sex-Pest Actor Comebacks and the New Elevated Rightwing Cinema," we discuss the Daily Wire's new cinematic universe—its unhinged racism, overtly fascist storylines and their feeble attempts to revitalize Hollywood stars accused of sexual misconduct.
More from Citations Needed
Please join us Wednesday Oct 21 for our Beg-A-Thon live show, "Ben Shapiro, Sex-Pest Actor Comebacks, and the New Elevated Right-Wing Cinema," @ 8:00ET/7:00CT! We will be joined by writer Josh Olson to discuss the rise of the Ben Shapiro's extremely racist astroturf film empire and how rightwing cinema has evolved in recent years into something more mainstream, more ironic and more designed to directly engage the so-called "culture wars."
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