Oppositional Laughter: Satiric Documentaries and Political Dialogue

• In Event: New Voices in Critical and Cultural Studies (A)

Abstract

The satiric documentary has become an important force in the creation of counterpublics. These films demonstrate that the use of irony, satire, and humor are key means of creating a sense of community in opposition and in reframing dominant discourse. This developing genre not only forces revisions in theories of satire, but also points up gaps in public sphere theory, which has tended to focus only on “rational” debate, ignoring other forms of political discourse.

Author

• Amber Day, Northwestern University