Documentaries heads up

If you operate a Politics Society and show films, documentaries that are not directly related to the syllabus you are studying, but are of genuine interest to students, or if you like watching a documentary of an evening at home, here is a pointer to a trio coming up on the beeb soon.

American Dream – Plenty And Paranoia
Saturday 20 November
8.20-9.20pm BBC TWO
The American Dream, a phrase coined in 1931, has become a national motto. It represents a unique brand of optimism that goes to the heart of what it is to be American.
It’s a simple phrase but a complex notion whose meaning is sustained and challenged by each generation; it contains different and conflicting ideas of freedom, equality and the “pursuit of happiness”.
This series of three programmes looks at American dreams of prosperity, equality and the original dream of a faith-based nation.

JFK – The Making Of Modern Politics
Sunday 21 November
9.00-10.00pm BBC TWO
Andrew Marr examines JFK’s legacy, 50 years after he was elected as President of the USA
On both sides of the Atlantic, John F Kennedy continues to be invoked by today’s politicians in the hope that some of his magic might rub off on them. Now, 50 years since Kennedy’s election, Andrew Marr asks whether JFK’s legacy has tarnished politics ever since.

Storyville – Mandelson: The Real PM?.
Tuesday, 23 November 23rd,
9:00pm to 10:15pm BBC4
Documentary following Peter Mandelson in the run-up to the 2010 general election. Hannah Rothschild’s film shows Mandelson at his ministry, masterminding the election campaign and dealing with colleagues such as Gordon Brown and Alastair Campbell. With unprecedented access to key events and conversations, this is a fascinating behind-the-scenes exploration of British politics.