our Hours at the Capitol Documentary Assessment

DOCUMENTARY/FILM ASSESSMENT AND REVIEW

Documentary/Film Assessment and Review

The documentary film I opted to focus on in this write-up is Four Hours at the Capitol (2021). To give a brief description of the film, it largely recounts the events of Jan 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol Building following Donald Trump’s defeat in the previous year’s elections. Located in Washington, D.C. this particular building happens to be the seat of one of the three branches of the federal government, i.e. the legislative branch.

That the seat of representative government in the country could be attacked by dissidents displeased with the outcome of the presidential elections could be seen as a brazen assault on democracy. This is more so the case because as has been alluded to in the film, the attack seems to have been a move to disrupt the counting of Electoral College votes by a joint session of congress. The dissidents hoped that a disruption of this nature would prolong the incumbent’s stay in power. Thanks to the film, a spotlight is also shined on the role of the media. However, what mostly stands out in this case is the emerging power of the social media. This is more so the case given that calls for violence were largely amplified on various social media platforms. As a matter of fact, after watching the documentary, one is left with little doubt over the growing influence as well as role of social media in the shaping of politics in America.

The film also helps us develop greater understanding of the factors that shape public opinion. Some of these factors – as has been demonstrated in the film - are inclusive of, but they are not limited to mass media and opinion leaders. Those who stormed the Capitol Building had their attitudes about the elections shaped by opinion leaders and mass media. This is all too clear from the interviews of some of the rioters.