--- title: Wag the Dog (Movie) slug: wag-the-dog-movie-4fba6 url: /detay/wag-the-dog-movie-4fba6 type: article language: English entity: primary: Wag the Dog (Movie) type: article disambiguation: Wag the Dog: Hilarious political satire starring De Niro & Hoffman. Media manipulation & fake news before it was trendy! categories: - name: General Knowledge slug: genel-kultur url: /kategori/genel-kultur - name: Cinema And Television slug: sinema-ve-televizyon url: /kategori/sinema-ve-televizyon - name: Politics And International Relations slug: siyaset-ve-uluslararasi-iliskiler url: /kategori/siyaset-ve-uluslararasi-iliskiler tags: - Wag the Dog - Media Manipulation - politics - Barry Levinson - Dustin Hoffman author: Muhammed Raşit Yazıcı created_at: 2025-07-16T23:48:55.731271+03:00 updated_at: 2025-08-08T09:23:08.635720+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/07/31/JmXCwJ5RDE16RqZxhrrFiA3kQ3dzLoPT.webp --- # Wag the Dog (Movie) ## KURE Information Cards ![17370 (1).webp](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/07/31/CedCHyjHLZGqIDHXcKUTNYnQsgr0I129.webp) *Wag The Dog* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Director(s) | Barry Levinson | | Genre | Comedy | | Duration | 1 Hour 35 Minutes | | Screenwriter(s) | David Mamet,Hilary Henkin | ## Article Content **Wag the Dog** (original title), released in Turkey on March 13, 1998, is an American comedy film directed by Barry Levinson. The screenplay was written by Hilary Henkin and David Mamet, adapted from a concept by Larry Beinhart. The film stars Dustin Hoffman, [Robert De Niro](/en/detay/robert-redford-caf5d/llms.txt), and Denis Leary in the leading roles. [YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCMtWs_RAg4) *Wag the Dog – Official Trailer (Tue Nguyen)* ### **Plot** Only two weeks remain until the American presidential elections. When a scandal involving the President and a young girl in the Oval Office comes to light, his chances of winning the election vanish. In an attempt to manage the crisis, the President’s team assigns media consultant Conrad Brean to divert public attention. Brean collaborates with a Hollywood producer to create a fake war scenario. Through fabricated news, supporting footage, and media manipulation, the American public is convinced of the existence of a war that never actually happened. ### **Theme** The film questions how political power can shape reality through media influence. It explores themes such as politics, manipulation, public opinion control, and the blurring line between fiction and reality. Especially during election periods, the film addresses the use of perception management and the instrumentalization of media. ### **Cast and Characters** Dustin Hoffman – Stanley Motss Robert De Niro – Conrad Brean Denis Leary – Fad King Anne Heche – Winifred Ames Willie Nelson – Johnny Dean Andrea Martin – Liz Butsky Kirsten Dunst – Tracy Lime William H. Macy – CIA Agent Charles Young ### **Awards and Nominations** The film was nominated for and won various national and international awards. **Academy Awards (1998):** Best Actor (Nominee) – Dustin Hoffman Best Adapted Screenplay (Nominee) – Hilary Henkin, David Mamet **Berlin International Film Festival (1998):** Silver Bear – Special Jury Prize (Winner) – Barry Levinson Golden Bear – Best Film (Nominee) – Barry Levinson **Golden Globe Awards (1998):** Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (Nominee) Best Actor – Comedy or Musical (Nominee) – Dustin Hoffman Best Screenplay (Nominee) – Hilary Henkin, David Mamet **BAFTA Awards (1999):** Best Adapted Screenplay (Nominee) – Hilary Henkin, David Mamet **SİYAD – Turkish Film Critics Association Awards (1998):** [Best Foreign Film](/en/detay/michael-madsen-81d86/llms.txt) (Nominee) – 7th place **Other nominations:** Satellite Awards, National Society of Film Critics, Critics' Choice Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, WGA Awards, OFTA Awards, and 20/20 Felix Awards. Among the winners, Anne Heche received the Best Supporting Actress award from the National Board of Review in 1997, shared with her role in *Donnie Brasco*. ### **Box Office** The film was produced on a budget of approximately $15 million. It grossed a total of $43,061,945 in the United States and Canada. The worldwide gross was $64,256,513. During its opening weekend (December 28, 1997), it earned $92,079 in the US and Canada. ### **Significance of the Film** *Wag the Dog* stands out for its satirical take on the relationship between politics and media. It offers a sharp perspective on how the perception of reality can be altered through media. The film explores concepts such as information manipulation and public opinion control during election periods. It also highlights the blurred boundaries between producing, journalism, and political consulting. With Barry Levinson’s direction and the performances of Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro, the film became one of the notable productions of its time. ## Academic Sources and References 1. Beyazperde. “The Patriot Oyuncuları.” Accessed July 15, 2025. https://www.beyazperde.com/filmler/film-17370/oyuncular/. 2. Beyazperde. “The Patriot.” Accessed July 15, 2025. https://www.beyazperde.com/filmler/film-17370/. 3. Beyazperde.com. “Wag the Dog afiş – Afiş 1.” Image ID cmediafile=21027375. Publication date unknown. Accessed July 30, 2025. https://www.beyazperde.com/filmler/film-17370/fotolar/detay/?cmediafile=21027375. 4. IMDb. “The Patriot – Awards.” Accessed July 15, 2025. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120885/awards/?ref\_=tt\_awd. 5. IMDb. “The Patriot – Storyline.” Accessed July 15, 2025. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120885/#storyline. 6. IMDb. “Wag the Dog (1997) – Plot Summary.” Accessed July 30, 2025. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120885/plotsummary/?ref\_=tt\_stry\_pl. 7. Wag the Dog. Directed by Barry Levinson. Written by Hilary Henkin and David Mamet. Performed by Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, and Anne Heche. United States: New Line Cinema, 1997. 8. YouTube. Wag the Dog. Trailer (Upscaled HD). 1997. YouTube video, 2:39. Published by Teu Nguyen, March 11, 2024. Accessed July 16, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCMtWs\_RAg4. ## Related Articles - [Hustle (Movie)](//detay/hustle-movie-39804/llms.txt)