“This Film…” shows the MPAA to be present mainly to protect the dominance and control of big movie companies. Secondarily, they function as the moral gatekeepers for the minority class of reactionary America. But we already could figure this out, however, the film does a fairly good job in showing exactly how this works and looks like. “This Film….” exposes the MPAA’s self-justification for existence as the smoke and mirrors it is. All is exposed as the names and faces of the secret cabal of MPAA movie raters and “judges” (aka the Appeals Board) all of whose identities are hidden because the MPAA don’t want them to be influenced by “negative” forces. Or is it because then they could stand to lose their Wizard of Oz like power?

One of the best moments is when the MPAA, a HUGE force behind the whole “making a copy of a movie is piracy and evil” frenzy, actually makes an unauthorized copy of a movie! They say it’s okay because the copy is safely held in a vault. Hear that kiddies? If you have ever made an “illegal” copy of a movie just throw it in a “vault” and you are no longer a danger to society! Yaaaaaaa! Anyway, the film is good piece of investigative reporting style documentary work with a clear message.

You can get your copy over at Powell’s Books!
Check out the movie web site for more. You can also rent it from folks like GreenCine.com.