Although the Cold War virtually ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Hollywood still relies on it for box office value. The witch hunt has been on for more than 50 years, and Hollywood has cashed in on fear and paranoia ever since. During World War II there were the Nazis, and the Russian people were supported "in their heroic fight" against the aggressor. Once the Nazis had been defeated and the Cold War was under way the roles were reversed and yesterday's allies became today's enemies. America went hysterical with anti-communist paranoia.

The "House Un-American Activities Committee" held trials against blacklisted filmmakers. The famous Hollywood Ten who refused to testify got a one-year prison sentence. Even Humphrey Bogart had to use his formidable publicity machine to make clear to the American public that he was no communist. Over the years, a lot of actors, directors, screenwriters and producers were unable to work due to the blacklist, including stars like Dalton Trumbo and Charlie Chaplin.

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In an era of anti-communist propaganda films, the stars - popular figures like Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, Marilyn Monroe, Shirley McLaine and Frank Sinatra - constantly had to prove their aversion to the Soviets. The participation of left wing artists in movies became a liability.

The turnaround came with films like "Dr. Strangelove" of Stanley Kubrick or "The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming" which took a more humorous look at the tension between the US and the Soviets. After that, spy movies like James Bond and "The Spy Who Came In From The Cold" became popular. And with "The Conversation" or "Three Days Of The Condor", Hollywood discovered and exploited yet another enemy, the big brother watches you syndrome, i. e. spying on one's own population.

Original title: The Witch Hunt is on
Produced by: Wichita Films
Directed by: Clara & Julia Kuperberg
Licensed by Poorhouse International

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