Sovereign Agents of Mythical and (Pseudo-)Divine Violence: Walter Benjamin and Global Biopolitical Cinema

Abstract

Drawing on Walter Benjamin’s “Critique of Violence,” this paper illuminates the complexity of law and violence in global biopolitical cinema. Benjamin’s key notions (“lawmaking” and “law-preserving,” “mythical” and “divine” violence) are revisited through diverse films such as The Dark Knight series, Dogville, The Act of Killing, and Waltz with Bashir. The paper explores how the sovereign agents of killing here embody ‘pseudo-divine violence,’ posing ethical dilemmas about justice and life’s value. This analysis leads to the quest for ‘true divine violence’ without sovereign power and the sanctity of humanity believed only as potential to retain and relay.