In a year when the five contenders for Best Film at the Oscars all deal with serious issues, is there a new political awareness in Hollywood?
Good Night, and Good Luck
Francine Stock talks to the Oscar nominated George Clooney about 'Good Night, and Good Luck', which he wrote, directed and starred in. The film re-enacts the public battle between CBS news anchorman Edward R. Murrow and Senator Joseph McCarthy. Plus former BBC Washington correspondent Charles Wheeler discusses the film's authenticity.
Syriana
George Clooney also stars in Stephen Gaghan's politically charged thriller about oil, the Middle East and global corporations. Both 'Syriana' and 'Good Night, and Good Luck' were made by Participant Productions, a new company set up to promote social change.
Hollywood's New Radicalism
Ben Dickenson discusses the political climate in Hollywood . Do these films actually influence politics?
The Constant Gardener
Producer Simon Channing-Williams on his film about the pharmaceutical industry's role in Africa, based on John le Carré's novel and starring Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz.
Additional Information
'Goodnight, and Good Luck' (PG) is in cinemas now.
'Syriana' (15) will be released in cinemas on 3 March 2006.
Ben Dickenson's book 'Hollywood's New Radicalism: War, Globalisation and the Movies from Reagan to George W. Bush' is available now. ISBN: 1845111036.
'The Constant Gardener' (15) is released on DVD on 13 March 2006.
