Meghan Keane

Celebrities in elective office isn't a wholly new phenomonon -- remember Ronald Reagan? -- but Al Franken's election to the U.S. Senate surely made politically active left-wing celebs reconsider the option. After all, if even Al Franken could be elected to high office, is their any celeb who couldn't? (more)

Drawing the line between information and propaganda can be difficult. In the case of Mads Brügger's documentary The Red Chapel, it's nearly impossible. The Danish filmmaker and two friends posed as a pro-socialist comedy troupe called The Red Chapel to gain entrance into North Korea. Under the guise of cultural exchange, Brügger filmed his two-week stay in the country, and the result is a rare glimpse into a closed society that is part satire and part political screed. The film is thoroughly fascinating, and just won the World Cinema grand jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival this weekend. (more)