At least in western cinema, only sci-fi can get away with anti-imperialism. Star wars (the rebellion = vietnamese communists), lots of Star trek episodes especially in DS9, Dune (the book first, then the film), and pry a lot more I can't think of right now.

[–] eightpix@lemmy.world 6 points 3 days ago

DS9 does so much right. It is certainly on point in its treatment of moral gray.

[–] eightpix@lemmy.world 8 points 3 days ago

Sci-fi all the way.

Battlestar Galactica (2003-2009) shows the fall of an empire (loosely, America) at the hands of their AI creations. I guess Rome or Britain could also sit in for America. This show aired while Bush the lesser was taking Afghanistan and Iraq apart piece by piece.

The Expanse (2015-2022) is the worthy heir to the throne of casting harsh light on the oligarchs and hegemons. Belters could be any people put upon by this corrupt system: migrant workers, Indigenous people, refugees, the unhoused, the descendants of the enslaved — anyone who was expected to bootstrap success.

Both are good shows. The Expanse is proving to be somewhat more resilient to the passage of time.