Everyone has seen a movie/documentary or two that left a deep impression, or at least provoked questions about the ways of the world. Movies provide a window into the workings of society, culture and geopolitics. This section is solely dedicated to enhancing your understanding of the world we live in, through the lens of a film.

Anvesh Jain Film Reviews Society, Culture, and Security

In Review: Netflix’s “Space Force” — a Comedy for the Multiplex Era

From the makers of “The Office,” Netflix’s new flagship series satirizes a very different kind of American workplace, in a very different political-international context. In doing so, “Space Force” manages to comedically introduce to popular television the basic concepts of the ‘Multiplex Order’, and the ensuant tensions provoked by competing national interests in space.

Cyber Security and Emerging Threats Film Reviews

What do Imran Khan and Godzilla Have in Common: Both are bitter enemies of climate change

In 1954, Japan’s Toho Studios released the first Godzilla film (Gojira in Japanese), which drew inspiration from the nuclear destruction at Hiroshima and Nagasaki nine years earlier.  Now well into his 60s, you would think that Godzilla should have already planned a smooth retirement. Instead, after a blockbuster 2014 Hollywood re-emergence and a superb Japanese Read More…

China China Film Reviews Society, Culture, and Security Wu Xiao

The Wandering Earth: China’s Cinematic Space Race

The Chinese science fiction film The Wandering Earth (Liu Lang Di Qiu) shattered boxes offices in 2019. Directed by Frant Gwo, the movie follows the Liu family’s post-apocalyptic space mission to save Earth from Jupiter’s gravitational orbit. The film’s thematic statements and successful public reception are a reflection of China’s increasing confidence in its space exploration program.

Cyber Security and Emerging Threats Film Reviews

Metalhead and the Fear of Integration

Black Mirror is an anthology series that explores the relationship between humanity and technology. Each episode takes us to a near-future world that often demonstrates the disturbing potential of today’s innovations. Season four includes the episode “Metalhead,” in which our anxieties regarding intelligent, autonomous drones is examined.

Film Reviews Mégane Visette Women in Security

In Review: Highway of Tears, A rear-view to the federal inquiry for Missing and Murdered Indigenous women (MMIW)

From local community support to cross-Canada awareness and involvement for murdered and missing indigenous women, Mégane Visette looks back at the documentary Highway of Tears in light of the newly launched federal commission of inquiry MMWII.