The New Watchdogs (2012): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2012, The New Watchdogs is a documentary film directed by Gilles Balbastre, running about 100 minutes.

What it’s about. In 1932, the writer Paul Nizan published "The New Watchdogs" to denounce the philosophers and writers of his time who, sheltering behind intellectual neutrality, imposed themselves as true watchdogs of the established order. Today the watchdogs are journalists, editors, and media experts who've openly become market evangelists and guardians of the social order. In a sardonic manner, "The New Watchdogs" denounces this press that, claiming to be independent, objective and pluralist, makes out it is a democratic force of opposition. With forcefulness and precision, the film puts its finger on the increasing danger of information produced by the major industrial groups of the Paris Stock Exchange and perverted into merchandise.

Who’s in it. The New Watchdogs stars Nicolas Sarkozy as Self, Renaud Lambert as Mr Lambert, Laurent Joffrin as Himself and Arnaud Lagardère as Himself, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 7.5/10, The New Watchdogs has been warmly received by audiences.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The New Watchdogs page.

If you liked it. Fans of The New Watchdogs tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.