Books & Spoken Word
Peter Biskind – The Sky is Falling
- Artists
- Peter Biskind
Bestselling cultural critic, Peter Biskind, discusses his new book, The Sky is Falling, which looks at two decades of popular culture to show how TV and film have taught us to love political extremism.
Ranging through dozens of examples – from authorities who are up to no good (Hunger Games) to aliens who only want to be our friends (Arrival), from end times where nature is our only hope (Avatar) to those who seek refuge in the post-human (Twilight) – Biskind shows how a generation of movies have not only reflected but have actively influenced our polarised politics. While extremist visions used the be the reserve of pulp culture, these ideas have moved into the mainstream and into modern family franchises like Star Wars, The Incredibles and the Marvel and Batman universes. Welcome to a darkly pessimistic world where winter has come, the dead are walking, and ultra-violence, revenge and torture are all in a day’s work.
The event will include clips from films featured in the book.
is needed now More than ever
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