Watch The American Ruling Class

The American Ruling Class is a unique and thought-provoking documentary film that offers a critical commentary on American politics and society. Released in 2005, the film is directed by John Kirby, and features Lewis Lapham and Caton Burwell in the lead roles. The movie is a blend of real-life interviews, fictional narrative, and musical performances, which creates a distinctive and engaging viewing experience for the audience.

The premise of the film is centered around the question of who really rules America. The filmmakers attempt to answer this question by examining the various spheres of power in American society, including business, politics, media, and academia. The film presents a series of interviews with people from these spheres of influence, as well as with cultural icons such as Robert Altman, Kurt Vonnegut, and Pete Seeger.

The lead character of the film is a young graduate student named Burwell, who is tasked with finding out who is at the top of America's power structure. As she navigates through the various spheres of influence, she encounters a diverse array of personalities, each with their unique perspectives on power and politics. The film uses these interviews to create a broader narrative about the American ruling class, highlighting the ways in which power and influence are concentrated at the top of society.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is how it blends real-life interviews with its fictional narrative. The film is explicitly self-aware of its own construction, with the characters often discussing the filmmaking process itself. This meta-level of analysis serves to highlight the constructed nature of power relations in America, and how they often rely on the manipulation of narrative and perception.

The film's other notable element is its soundtrack, which features a series of musical performances by various artists. The music acts as a counterpoint to the interviews, providing a different insight into power and politics in America. The music ranges from traditional folk songs to contemporary rock and hip-hop, and serves to highlight the diverse voices that make up American society.

Overall, The American Ruling Class is a fascinating and engaging documentary film that offers a critical perspective on American society and politics. Its unique blend of real-life interviews, fictional narrative, and musical performances creates a thought-provoking and entertaining viewing experience. The film's central question of who rules America remains as relevant today as it was when the film was released, making it a timeless and important piece of cultural commentary.

In conclusion, The American Ruling Class is a highly recommended film for anyone interested in politics or American society. Its unique blend of real-life interviews, fictional narrative, and musical performances creates a thought-provoking and engaging viewing experience. The film's commentary on power and influence in America is still relevant today, making it a timeless and important piece of cultural criticism.

The American Ruling Class is a 2005 documentary with a runtime of 1 minute. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.