What Happens in American Dharma?
The complete story of American Dharma, from the first scene to the last, in 205 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
American Dharma consists of a dialogue between documentary subject Steve Bannon and director Errol Morris focusing on Bannon’s film-making, time as the executive chairman of Breitbart News, time as the chief executive of Donald Trump’s 2016 United States Presidential campaign, time on the United States National Security Council for Trump’s administration, and commentary on several films. The documentary is segmented into five sections: The Fog of #war, Honey Badgers, Angry Voices, What Have I Done?, and Go F#ck Yourself. Morris’s documentary cuts together footage from Twelve O’Clock High, The Searchers, The Bridge on the River Kwai, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Chimes at Midnight, The Candidate, In the Face of Evil: Reagan’s War in Word and Deed, Generation Zero, My Darling Clementine, Paths of Glory and audio from The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara as Bannon addresses these films’ effects on his perceptions and beliefs. The interview takes place on a set replicating the air-strip and Quonset hut from Twelve O’Clock High and they watch clips from these films on a projector out of frame. The documentary juxtaposes interview footage with related filmography, archival footage, and graphics displaying news headlines during the presidency and candidacy of Trump.
