U.S.A. propaganda film ?

Question

Is the film "sicko" propaganda? If you have not seen the film, please do not answer!

Answer 1

According to one definition, propaganda is "ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause; also : a public action having such an effect." Perhaps you can stretch this definition to cover this movie, but you would also need to include a multitude of Hollywood movies that have consistently glorified war.

I'd also say that Sicko is much more realistic, accurate, and factual than nearly every Hollywood movie. I believe that many administrations have applied pressure to Hollywood to serve their political needs.

I think a far worse propaganda machine enters American homes in the form of propaganda about Iraq that is disguised as news. We are not fighting a "war", we have attacked and occupy two Middle Eastern countries.

The major media news (including PBS) presents America as being the best place to live when in fact we are rated 37th when it comes to health. This irrational belief that America is the best is an indication of propaganda at work. Sicko should be a wake up call to America.

Answer 2

It's not propaganda, it's more of an investigative documentary that compares the mostly inadequate public healthcare coverage and mostly for profit healthcare system in the U.S. with the universal and non-profit systems in other countries. Tens of millions of people in America are uninsured because they can't afford proper healthcare, it's great if they can luck up and find employment with a company or government agency that has a good healthcare package.