Political Film and Television: The Power of Storytelling

The Last King of Scotland is a 2006 British biographical drama film directed by Kevin Macdonald and starring Forest Whitaker and James McAvoy. It tells the story of the rise and fall of Idi Amin, the President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979.

Jed Bartlet is the fictional President of the United States in the TV series "The West Wing." He is played by actor Martin Sheen.

All the President's Men is a 1976 American political thriller film directed by Alan J. Pakula and starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford. It tells the story of the Watergate scandal and the efforts of two Washington Post reporters, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, to uncover the truth.

Selina Meyer is the fictional Vice President of the United States in the TV series "Veep." She is played by actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Primary Colors is a 1998 American political satire film directed by Mike Nichols and starring John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates, and Adrian Lester. It is based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Joe Klein.

Frank Underwood is the fictional President of the United States in the TV series "House of Cards." He is played by actor Kevin Spacey.

All the President's Men is a 1976 American political thriller film directed by Alan J. Pakula and starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford. It tells the story of the Watergate scandal and the efforts of two Washington Post reporters, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, to uncover the truth.

Fitzgerald Grant is the fictional President of the United States in the TV series "Scandal." He is played by actor Tony Goldwyn.

The China Syndrome is a 1979 American disaster thriller film directed by James Bridges and starring Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, and Michael Douglas. It tells the story of a group of activists who try to prevent the construction of a nuclear power plant in California.

Alicia Florrick is the fictional State's Attorney for Cook County, Illinois in the TV series "The Good Wife." She is played by actress Julianna Margulies.

The Parallax View is a 1974 American political thriller film directed by Alan J. Pakula and starring Warren Beatty, Hume Cronyn, William Daniels, and Paula Prentiss. It tells the story of a journalist who investigates the assassination of a presidential candidate and uncovers a conspiracy involving a powerful corporation.

Tom Kirkman is the fictional President of the United States in the TV series "Designated Survivor." He is played by actor Kiefer Sutherland.

Will McAvoy is the fictional news anchor in the TV series "The Newsroom." He is played by actor Jeff Daniels.