Skip to content
Eye Logo link to homepageEye Film Museum Logo, link to homepage
Americandharma still

IDFA - American Dharma

Errol Morris / US, GB, 2018 / 98 min.

Former White House Chief Strategist, CEO of the 2016 Trump campaign and executive chairman of the far-right news site Breitbart News, Steve Bannon sits down with filmmaker Errol Morris for an extensive interview. Through his role as advisor to Donald Trump, many describe Bannon as “the architect of Trumpism.” Morris takes a number of Bannon’s favourite films (including Henry King’s Twelve O'Clock High, John Ford’s The Searchers and Orson Welles’ Chimes at Midnight) as a means of delving into Bannon’s worldview and feelings about Trump. We hear how Bannon developed from the “hardcore Democratic family” in which he was born to become a leading figure of the alt-right, and we learn about the ideas that formed him and his role in Trump’s election.

Idfaposter

Morris is critical but avoids direct attacks in his interview, and the result is openness on Bannon”s part: this is Bannon according to Bannon. Gradually Bannon”s influential ideology unfolds—one that terrifies Morris: “I”m scared of you guys, I really am.” Morris has described American Dharma as a “horror film,” with a fascinating villain in the leading role, too dangerous to ignore.

Details

Director

Errol Morris

Production year

2018

Country

US, GB

Length

98 min.

Language

English

Format

DCP

Planning on having a drink or a bite to eat? Book online for Eye Bar & Restaurant.
Share your love for film and become a member of the Eye Society.
NLEN
;

Current exhibition

  • 3 April — 6 September 2026

    Eye(s) Open

    New Perspectives on Colonial Film Heritage

Films, talks & events

Everything

Anytime

All languages

Sort by