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The Words That Built America

The Words That Built America

2017

G

Director

Alexandra Pelosi

Runtime

49 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

In recognition of the 4th of July, several celebrities and politicians of differing ideologies join to read the historic documents which laid the foundation for the United States of America.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

3.6/10

Limited


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The documentary lacks visible LGBTQ+ narratives or characters. The focus remains strictly on historical political rhetoric and the public figures chosen to recite these texts.

Gender Representation

Fair

A female director and several women in intellectual authority roles provide commentary. However, the film does not actively seek to deconstruct the patriarchal structures inherent in the historical documents.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Good

The film achieves meaningful representation by casting commentators from various racial and ethnic backgrounds. This disrupts a monolithic, Anglo-Saxon perspective on American history.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Limited

The narrative is primarily celebratory of Western democratic institutions and traditionalist values. It reinforces the significance of the historical status quo rather than offering an anti-institutional critique.

Disability Representation

Limited

There is no significant or intentional focus on disability representation. The film does not feature individuals with disabilities as central drivers of the narrative.

Strengths

  • Meaningful racial and ethnic diversity through a wide array of commentators.
  • Disrupts monolithic perspectives by including diverse voices to interpret national identity.
  • Features women in positions of intellectual authority and a female directorial perspective.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks visible LGBTQ+ narratives or non-cisnormative gender identities.
  • Does not actively deconstruct the patriarchal structures found in the historical texts.
  • Provides no significant or intentional focus on disability representation.

AI Analysis

The film functions as a rhetorical survey of American foundational documents, prioritizing the preservation of historical narratives over the deconstruction of systemic power dynamics. It succeeds in diversifying the voices that interpret history through a broad casting of commentators from various racial and ethnic backgrounds. However, the documentary remains conservative in its thematic architecture. It reinforces established Western institutions and traditionalist values rather than engaging in the subversion of traditional hierarchies or promoting moral relativism. Ultimately, the work is inclusive in its selection of speakers but limited by its focus on the linguistic tools that have historically upheld the American social contract.

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