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Hijacking Catastrophe: 9/11, Fear & the Selling of American Empire

Name: Hijacking Catastrophe: 9/11, Fear & the Selling of American Empire
Director: Sut Jhally, Jeremy Earp
Released: 2004
Duration: 68 min

Representation Score

2.9/10

Limited

2004

Unrated

Director

Sut Jhally, Jeremy Earp

Runtime

68 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Hijacking Catastrophe is a scholarly documentary that prioritizes systemic critique over character-driven storytelling. It excels at deconstructing how media institutions use racial and cultural identities to support imperial expansion. While the film lacks traditional representation for LGBTQ+ individuals, gender, or disability, it compensates through a high-level engagement with post-colonial theory. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its ability to challenge dominant cultural narratives and the perceived legitimacy of state-sanctioned violence.

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Category Breakdown

Does Hijacking Catastrophe: 9/11, Fear & the Selling of American Empire have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any characters or storylines involving LGBTQ+ identities. It focuses on geopolitical critiques without engaging with LGBTQ+ representation or stereotypes.

How does Hijacking Catastrophe: 9/11, Fear & the Selling of American Empire portray gender?

Minimal

The documentary uses archival news footage and political analysis. It does not explore gendered character types or traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Hijacking Catastrophe: 9/11, Fear & the Selling of American Empire?

Excellent

The film offers a sophisticated critique of how Western media portrays non-Western populations. It examines how news networks frame these populations to justify military interventions.

How does Hijacking Catastrophe: 9/11, Fear & the Selling of American Empire represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The work challenges Western dominance by deconstructing how media-driven fear supports imperial expansion. It highlights the disparity in how global lives are valued.

Does Hijacking Catastrophe: 9/11, Fear & the Selling of American Empire include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not address disability, neurodivergence, or physical health. These topics are outside the scope of its media-focused analysis.

Present on Screen

Offers a sophisticated critique of how Western media portrays non-Western populations.
Uses a strong anti-imperialist framework to challenge dominant institutional narratives.
Effectively deconstructs the systemic use of fear to manufacture political consent.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities and gendered character types.
Does not address disability or neurodivergence within its analytical scope.

Official Synopsis

This documentary places the Bush Administration's original justifications for war in Iraq within the larger context of a two-decade struggle by neo-conservatives to dramatically increase military spending while projecting American power and influence globally by means of force.

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