History may repeat itself about that harsh comparison to the US presidency. This is the real comparison between Abraham Lincoln and Donald Trump in terms of that history and hidden facts in terms of fascism and prevailing white supremacy. It seems that we have many factual events that illustrate a hidden aspect of the hidden American system.
No one expects, of course, that D'Souza would make a thoughtful, balanced or historically accurate documentary. But is it unreasonable to hope that he make one that doesn't bore the pants off us?
D'Souza fans and Trump apologists will flock to this, misguided moths to a misleading flame. In that way, it's a perfect representation of the current climate. In every other way, it's a mess.
If ever there was a movie that looked as if it had been slapped together in a couple of weeks as part of a quid pro quo agreement involving a dubious-seeming criminal pardon, Death of a Nation is that film.
Often unfocused with too many generalizations, oversimplifications, and a very weak central thesis comparing Donald Trump to Abraham Lincoln. It might change the way you look at fascism, but it won't change the way you look at Trump.
If nothing else, Death of a Nation makes it clear that the lies are bigger than ever, and we can't afford to pretend they're going to stop any time soon.
There's a shamelessness at work here that's frightening, and one can't help but wonder if D'Souza believes some of the nonsense he's retailing or if he's just discovered a lucrative revenue stream.
D'Souza quotes Hitler (played by Pavel Kríz) in one scene as saying, "if you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed." It's a concept D'Souza has taken to heart.
