Geopolitics in Movies - JPM110
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The course explores how various aspects of geopolitics are covered by movies across different geopolitical eras. Emphasis is placed on using film to explain
concrete geopolitical events and theory. A range of movies clustered in thematic blocs covers topics such as evolving geopolitical paradigms, threat perception, external interventions, dictatorship and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, civil wars, inter-state conflicts, genocide, ethnic cleansing, Occidentalism, geopolitics of strategic regions, decolonization, role of neutral states and PMCs. The prescribed films will be used to help to analyse and better understand the geopolitical theories. Last update: Riegl Martin, doc., Ph.D. (05.08.2026)
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This course is designed to use movies to explain and discuss key topics in geopolitics. Movies offer us a window into the world of geopolitics, and this
course explores how films reflect key geopolitical themes—from local to global conflicts, ideological and other fault lines. The course also examines how these themes and their urgency (geopolitical threats) evolve over time and with contemporary settings. Last update: Riegl Martin, doc., Ph.D. (05.08.2026)
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The course takes the form of a seminar and is based on the analysis of geopolitically relevant topics as reflected in world cinema across different
geopolitical periods. The seminar takes place every two weeks. The movies and thematic clusters for each seminar are listed in the syllabus. Students are required to watch two selected films for each seminar and analyze how the defined topics are reflected in them. Last update: Riegl Martin, doc., Ph.D. (05.08.2026)
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The overall assessment is based on: 1) seminar discussions and engagement (40%), 2) attendance and preparation for the seminar (25%), 3) Comparative reflection and analysis (35%). One absence is
allowed; additional absences must be justified and announced in advance. Last update: Riegl Martin, doc., Ph.D. (01.10.2026)
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1) Cold War crises, deterrence and strategic communication Movies: Whiskey on the Rocks; The French Minister; Thirteen Days; Dr. Strangelove; Fail Safe; Bridge of Spies; Threads Focus areas: Crisis bargaining, nuclear deterrence, misperception, signaling, intelligence, bureaucratic politics and the role of neutral or intermediary states 2) Intervention, state failure and the post-Cold War security order Movies: Black Hawk Down; The Outpost; 13 Hours; Green Zone; Eye in the Sky; War Machine; Mosul Focus areas: Humanitarian intervention, counterinsurgency, NATO out-of-area operations, external state-building, intelligence failure, drones and the relationship 3. Civil war, genocide and ethnic cleansing Movies: Hotel Rwanda; Johnny Mad Dog; Nine Circles of Hell; Waltz with Bashir; 12 Days, 12 Nights in Damascus; Quo Vadis, Aida?; No Man’s Land; Beasts of No Focus areas: State collapse, civilian protection, genocide, child soldiers, the UN, memory and responsibility.
Movies: The Dictator; The Last King of Scotland; Zulu; The Death of Stalin; The Lives of Others; Persepolis; No; Official Secrets Focus areas: Personalist rule, authoritarian information problems, surveillance, regime legitimacy, propaganda, external sponsorship and the political construction of
Movies: The Battle of Algiers; Red Island; The Coconut Revolution; The Siege of Jadotville; Rose Island; Lumumba; The Quiet American; Outside the Law Focus areas: Colonial administration, insurgency, decolonisation, postcolonial intervention, secession, micronations, recognition and the territorial integrity–self- 6. Mercenaries, covert operations, arms markets and resource wars Movies: The Wild Geese; The Dogs of War; War Dogs; Blood Diamond; Charlie Wilson’s War; The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare; Lord of War; Syriana Focus areas: PMCs, corporate interests, covert intervention, proxy warfare, arms procurement, resource conflicts and plausible deniability. Last update: Riegl Martin, doc., Ph.D. (05.08.2026)
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