THE SECOND CIVIL WAR (1997)

“In the years since we made this movie, virtually every element has emerged in the headlines. It never seems to date.” - Joe Dante

Over 10 years after its release, with strong anti-immigration winds sweeping the US, watching this epic political comedy feels like turning on the news. Produced by cable channel HBO and imbued with the ‘take no prisoners' spirit of Mad Magazine, this film presents a scenario that is both highly surreal and eminently believable.

After a nuclear blast hits their country, a plane-load of Pakistani orphans are shipped to Idaho to find a new home. But instead of opening his arms to the young refugees, the local governor shuts off the borders. From Washington, the president sends in the army - a Tower of Babel scenario further complicated by herds of TV reporters, old rivalries among decorated soldiers and an extramarital love affair.