Response 2: Four More Years

TVTV: Four More Years gives an alternate perspective on the National convention. Instead of the organized, patriotic assembly of the Republican Party it lays bare to the chaos and deeper behind the scenes picture of the support and counter movements of the election and the time period. The video shows that the social and political atmosphere is torn and struggling with the issues of patriotism and antiwar and antiviolence as well as the sentiments of turmoil in social change of integration of African Americans as well as veterans into the social and economic strata of the period. A wide variety of groups and opinions are surveyed which allows the viewer to absorbed a more well rounded view of the context for the election rather than the TV common portrayal of flags, glory, and unity of parties. The various opinions don’t leave the election to seem like just a two-sided ordeal but rather a multifaceted debate. The interviewing of the broadcasters, youth, veterans, political and social leaders all emphasize the differences in society and how they either come together to agreement or diverge on the issues based upon individual needs and predicaments. In many instances the interviewer challenges the interviewee on sensitive issues and in many cases they are unwilling to answer or have very irrational statements. The exposure that the various interviewees get, illuminates the almost discontinuity of the agreement and disagreement on the issues. The fanaticism and emotion that the protesters and supporters have for their causes and the ability for the video to capture the chants, screaming and yelling and reaction to this allow the viewer to feel this emotion and intensity of the period. The greatest display of the split in society are the back and forth clips of protesters yelling furiously “stop the killing” in juxtaposition with chanting, “four more years” and violently popping celebratory balloons.