DescriptionThis paper explores the applicability of concepts from genocide and denialism scholarship to the analysis of two different subgenres of Cold War cinema. Specifically, this thesis maintains that the concept of politicide, defined as attempts to destroy adherents of a particular political ideology because of those political beliefs, can be effectively applied to the analysis of filmic representations of Cold War conflicts. The purpose of such analysis is to provide evidence of intent to commit politicide, the implementation of that intent and the denial of that intent all presented in American films of the Cold War era.
Using a case study approach, this research explores a sample of six films taken from two subgenres of Cold War film that were developed by the author. These are extermination films and whistleblower films. After selection of a sample of each of these types of films all were submitted to a detailed analysis to identify evidence of politicidal intent, politicidal actions and denial of such intent and actions within their representations. The results of the analyses revealed, uniformly, that evidence of politicidal intent, action and denialism were readily discernable in these examples of American Cold War cinema.
The conclusion of the research, therefore, is that analysis of American Cold War cinema through the lens of genocide scholarship provides historians with a new perspective on the etiology, events, and results of the Cold War.