This film explores the historical role of the Democratic Party as the "graveyard of social movements", the massive influence of corporate finance in elections, the absurd disparities of wealth in the United States, the continuity and escalation of neocon policies under Obama, the insufficiency of mere voting as a path to reform, and differing conceptions of democracy itself.
Scott Noble releases all of his films online for free, but they do cost a fair bit to produce. If you're able and appreciate his work, consider supporting the production of the filmmaker's next film with a monthly donation on Patreon.
Original interview footage derives from Noam Chomsky, Michael Parenti, Michael Albert, John Stauber (PR Watch), Sharon Smith (Historian), William I. Robinson (Editor, Critical Globalization Studies), Morris Berman (Author, Dark Ages America), and famed black panther Larry Pinkney.
Non-original interviews/lectures include Michael Hudson, Paul Craig Roberts, Ted Rall, Richard Wolff, Glen Ford, Lewis Black, Glenn Greenwald, George Carlin, Gerald Cliente, Chris Hedges, John Pilger, Bernie Sanders, Sheldon Wollin and Martin Luther King.
"Lifting the Veil is a significant achievement - offering a definitive critique of the Obama administration from a progressive, left-wing perspective (Ie, a critique not based on conservative propaganda and spin, which was dominant during the era). It thoroughly deconstructs the hypocrisy of U.S. politics, democracy, capitalism, and other aspects of the American brand. This film promotes no illusions, examining the Obama/Biden administration with eyes wide open.
At once disillusioning, the film inspires and offers a great message of hope in its evocative finale and excellent choice of music. It also points to the most immediate alternative for building a new, directly democratic and liberated world within the shell of the old: workplace democracy." - Films For Action