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Axios
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
"White With Fear" film examines the "white fear industrial complex"
A new documentary investigates the long-running efforts by politicians and the media to stoke racial tensions and frame white Americans as victims. Why it matters: "White With Fear," set to begin streaming on Tuesday (June 3), examines the origins of white grievance in the U.S. and how it contributed to the rollback of decades of civil rights gains. The big picture: The film uses interviews with scholars, journalists, former Republican operatives, former and current right-wing influencers, Hillary Clinton and Steve Bannon to show how white grievance became a potent weapon. From former President Richard Nixon using crime as a racist dog whistle to racist Tea Party attacks on former President Barack Obama, the documentary follows the evolution to today's polarized politics. Director Andrew Goldberg tells Axios the idea for the film came during the pandemic and the aftermath of George Floyd's murder, when the nation appeared to be ready for a new conversation about race. "We set out to think about a film that would explore this concept of whiteness." That soon changed as the backlash to the Black Lives Matter movement retooled boiling white grievance that dismisses racial discrimination and was inflamed by conservative media, social media, and later Donald Trump, Goldberg said. Goldberg said it became clear with book bans, laws limiting the discussion of slavery in schools and the spreading of misinformation and racist material online that he had another project on hand. Zoom in: Operatives would use President Obama's middle name, Hussein, in mailers, rare crimes by immigrants would be highlighted and immigration reform would be dubbed as a demographic and economic threats CNN media critic Brian Stelter tells Goldberg that the buildup of the "white fear industrial complex" drove up wedges and sparked more racial tension. Katie McHugh, a former writer/producer at Breitbart, said she would write racist news stories for the website while getting cheered up by Trump supporters. Stuart Stevens, a former Romney 2012 campaign strategist and co-founder of The Lincoln Project, said the environment now isn't about solving problems but stirring racial animus for election victories. The intrigue: In the film, former Trump advisor Bannon offers an honest assessment of how he and others flooded the media ecosystem with far-right, conservative articles to influence opinion. "We kind of put a network together of people that just continue to put out more information," Bannon said. "If you put out information and you have force multiples that just drive it, people will start to sort it out themselves." Bannon said that involved stopping bipartisan immigration reform by publishing articles daily and targeting broadcast networks nonstop. The film shows clips of conservative commentators then repeating racist stereotypes about Latino immigrants. Case in point: McHugh said the film strategy was to take "reactionary, racist feelings" against non-white immigrants and show how the "elites" betrayed the working white man. McHugh said that after she wrote such pieces, prominent Trump officials would email her and flatter her as a young 20-something. State of play: The film comes as the Trump administration reinterprets Civil Rights-era laws to focus on " anti-white racism" rather than discrimination against people of color. Trump also has embarked on a systematic effort to unravel President Lyndon B. Johnson's civil rights legacy, rolling back protections that have shaped American life for nearly six decades. Bottom line: Goldberg concluded that white Americans have been manipulated for short-term electoral gains.
Axios
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Chicago-born filmmaker explores politics of race
A new documentary by Chicago native Andrew Goldberg examines how racial tropes have been used by politicians and media outlets to shape public opinion and advance political agendas for decades. Why it matters: "White With Fear," which makes its Chicago debut Wednesday night at the Landmark Century Cinemas, details how we got to where we are today, long after predictions of a post-racial society. What they're saying: "We wanted to show Americans that so much of how race is addressed in this country is actually the result of cynical manipulation by politicians and many in the media," the Emmy-winning journalist tells Axios. Zoom in: Interviewees run the gamut from President Trump adviser Steve Bannon and comedian Aasif Mandvi to Hillary Clinton and "The Bulwark" podcast host Tim Miller, putting viewers in the room where strategy discussions on how to spin 9/11, the Charlottesville march and the Jan. 6 insurrection happened. Yes, but: Production on the film stopped before the 2024 election, so don't expect any takes on issues like recent deportations. The biggest surprise for Goldberg was "just how organized and widespread these efforts to manipulate people are." The goal: "To bring facts and truth to a wider audience," Goldberg says. "I believe we make our best decisions as a community when our populace is well informed and armed with accurate information." The intrigue: Goldberg is the son of the late Chicago Tribune food writer Phyllis Magida. He recalls entertaining himself in the Tribune Tower in the late '70s while his mom worked by "eating way too many candy bars" from the first-floor store. If you go: Tickets for the 7pm screening of "White With Fear" cost $16.25, and Goldberg will conduct a Q&A after the screening.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘White With Fear' Documentary Sets June On-Demand Release Date (EXCLUSIVE)
Director Andrew Goldberg's political documentary 'White With Fear,' featuring interviews with Hillary Clinton, Steve Bannon and more has set an on-demand release date of June 3, Variety can exclusively reveal. Providing rare first-person access to notable figures like Clinton and former Fox News reporter Carl Cameron, the documentary explores the decades-long strategy employed by conservative politicians 'to amplify racial divisions and white victimization narratives for power and profit,' according to an official synopsis. The documentary also explores how these tactics aim to hurt immigrants and spread Islamophobia around the world. More from Variety Sheffield Doc/Fest Announces Full Lineup, Including Mstyslav Chernov's Frontline Doc '2000 Meters To Andriivka' At Chicago's Doc10, Filmmakers Say the Streaming Boom Is Over, and Governor Pritzker Talks Politics: 'We Are Seeing Autocrats Exploit Those Who Struggle to Make Ends Meet' Margaret Mead Film Festival Offers New Yorkers a Chance to See Acclaimed Docs Without Distribution Additional interviews feature former Trump campaign strategist Rick Gates, former Trump campaign CEO and chief strategist Bannon, The Lincoln Project co-founder Stuart Stevens, New York Times opinion writer Jean Guerrero, 'Dog Whistle Politics' author Ian Haney López and former Jeb Bush campaign communications director Tim Miller. Through this collection of voices, 'White With Fear' takes on the tradition of classic documentary exposés like 2010's 'Inside Job' and 2005's 'Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room.' Goldberg is an Emmy Award-winning investigative producer who has directed long and short-form segments for 'CBS News Sunday Morning,' 'Live From Lincoln Center,' ABC News and NPR. The documentary is produced and edited by Diana Robinson and co-produced by Eric Ward. Archival producers include Natalie Shmuel, Jessica Dankers and Ray Segal. The film is being distributed by Area 23A, which recently released 'Common Ground' featuring Laura Dern, Donald Glover, Woody Harrelson and Jason Momoa. Other releases include 'Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me,' 'There Is Another Way,' 'Music for Mushrooms' and 'Anxious Nation.' Best of Variety Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
