I teach Global French Studies & Film and Media Studies at the University of Cincinnati. I study Screen Borders, Cinéma-monde, Transnational film and TV.
Cincinnati, OH
Joined October 2010
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Excited to report that issue 47.1 of @CFCJournal is available online. It includes a detailed intro + great contributions that explore diverse facets of and recent developments in cinéma-monde
Special Issue of Contemporary French Civilization (47.1)
Michael Gott retweeted
A horrific Russian strike in the Kharkiv region. A “shahed” struck people directly – in a park near an ordinary café. Pure atrocity. Six people were killed, including children. A little girl was killed in a stroller – her name was Angelina, she was just over a year old, born in August 2025… Her mother’s name was Inna. She died in the hospital… Another girl who was killed was 11 years old. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Another 14 people were injured, including six more children.
I am grateful to everyone who supports Ukraine under these circumstances and helps us shoot down “shaheds,” shoot down missiles, and stop Russian assaults. These are horrific photos, but behind them are shattered lives and the truth about this war. Lives must be protected. Ukraine needs air defense. You can't think about making money with Russia as long as it continues its asinine war. We ask that sanctions on Russia stay in place as long as the killings continue. We ask America to be strong, and we ask it to apply the Lindsey Graham law. We ask Europe to continue its support. We ask that everything possible be done to bring peace and guarantee security. Ukraine wants peace. It is Russia that has insisted on continuing the killing all this time. The world has enough strength to stop the war. That strength must finally be used – against the murderers.
Michael Gott retweeted
We don’t use Starlink for our responses inside Russia. We use Starlink to intercept jet-powered “shaheds” that attack our civilians and kill families.
Starlink wasn’t turned off – its speed was reduced. And when the speed was reduced, we were unable to intercept a certain number of jet-powered “shaheds.” We couldn’t use a tool that helps protect people. That’s very painful and frustrating.
We also use Starlink for mid-range strikes against enemy military targets in our temporarily occupied territories. We couldn’t do that when the restrictions were in place. And third, what matters most is people. Our warriors, who spend weeks and months on the front line, receive food and water delivered by drones using Starlink.
Has the speed been fully restored to what it was before? No. Is it being restored now? Yes.
From a conversation with media representatives in Brussels. (2/3)
Michael Gott retweeted
If this is true, it means that Trump just helped Putin kill Ukrainian civilians. A Democratic Congress would be well justified in investigating this.
The U.S. may have intentionally withheld early warnings this week of Russian strikes on Ukraine, multiple sources familiar with the matter told CBS News. cbsn.ws/4yNtwNv
Michael Gott retweeted
A decision has been made to kill more civilians in Ukraine
Ukrainian soldiers and people associated with the military are reporting restrictions on Starlink service. Likely on the direct orders of Elon Musk. Despite the fact that Ukraine pays him for these services.
How this will help Russia, which is currently losing occupied Ukrainian territories, is for the military to comment on. I will speak to the impact on the civilian population.
Starlink is also used by the interceptors that protect Ukrainian cities from Russian jet-powered Shaheds. Without that protection, Russian drones will strike residential buildings, hospitals, and schools like targets in a shooting gallery.
Let me be blunt: the blood of Ukrainian children will be on the hands of the owner and the entire team of this American company.
Michael Gott retweeted
The war in Ukraine is the greatest fight for sovereignty and freedom in the 21st century so far.
The tragedy of Trump changing sides and backing autocratic Russia instead of democratic Ukraine will go down in history as one of America's biggest foreign policy mistakes ever.
Michael Gott retweeted
So what happened to the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act? The entire goal was to choke off Putin’s money for the war by punishing countries who were evading the sanctions and buying Russian oil. Does that mean we’re sanctioning ourselves now? Whose side is Trump on?
Trump: "I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter. Additionally, based on the condition of their Diesel Refineries, Russia will then deliver, within a short period of time, 3,000,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel."
Michael Gott retweeted
This is absolutely wild per Status — ABC News completely retracted this story like two days ago just totally nuked it. No note, no explanation , no comment. It had been shared by tons of top lawmakers and democratic officials.
Michael Gott retweeted
In the last 48 hours, Russia has killed at least 64 people in Ukraine! 64 human beings murdered for the crime of being Ukrainian in Ukraine.
Where's the reaction from our partners? Not even a single word from U.S. administration, or are they still celebrating Putin’s birthday??
Doctors are now fighting to save the lives of people injured in the Russian strike on Kramatorsk. As of now, 30 people have been confirmed killed, and sadly, that number may rise. The Russian bomb effectively hit two city minibuses. Some of those killed have still not been identified because of the severity of their injuries. My condolences to all their families and loved ones. Another 18 people were injured in the strike. Residential buildings and cars were also damaged.
This strike will not go unanswered. Russia is trying to destroy all life in Donbas, and a response from the world is a must. A forceful response – exactly as the Russians deserve for all the deaths they have brought. May all those killed rest in peace.
Michael Gott retweeted
After sending the National Guard and Marines to occupy California, Donald Trump is now saying our foreign enemies should “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego.
He is deranged and dangerous.
Michael Gott retweeted
Hours before Krist Noem left her job as D.H.S. secretary, her agency bought 5 planes from a donor at a big markup, records show. They were supposed to fly deportees but have largely sat idle -- a striking symbol of gov. waste under President Trump. nytimes.com/2026/10/04/us/po…
Michael Gott retweeted
I'm absolutely baffled by how Dems are letting the ProPublica report die down. It shows Collins to be corrupt and tied to Trump, the two most damaging looks for her. There was a Super PAC ad but not much else
xitter.cf/IAPolls2022/status/210…
Michael Gott retweeted
The only realistic long-term use of the tunnels is for public transit, preferably a rapid streetcar running from Downtown to Camp Washington, Northside, & Westwood with the ability to expand to I-74/75.
In the short term, you can consider hosting tours or art exhibits.
Cincinnati firms chosen to plan next steps on reviving subway tunnels cincinnati.com/story/money/r…
Michael Gott retweeted
$1 million dollars spent on a private jet to fly around the state of Ohio. I can’t think of anything more pathetic.
But then I remember how he made his money.
Michael Gott retweeted
Jon Husted has now voted 14 times to continue the Iran war.
That’s 14 votes causing record high gas and grocery prices, and Ohioans are paying the price.
Michael Gott retweeted
Jon Husted just voted to continue the Iran war for the 14th time.
While Ohioans are paying record high costs at the gas pump and the grocery store, Jon Husted is voting for more war – and costing you more money – every chance he gets.
Michael Gott retweeted
.@JonHusted, here is a video of you voting against every Iran War Powers Resolution.
You have had 13 chances to oppose the war, but you voted with Trump every single time. You and your party are the reason diesel is $6.82/gal in Ohio.
🚨Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) tells @politico:
“The war needs to come to an end as quickly as possible so that we can lower gas prices.”
It’s his furthest comments yet on the Iran war amid sky-high fuel prices.
But a spokesperson says Husted will NOT vote for the Dem-led war powers resolution this week when it comes up in the Senate — showing how he’s walking a finer with Trump and Vance expected to visit in the coming weeks to help shore up his tight race.
w/ @_alibianco @erinpdoherty
politico.com/news/2026/09/22…
Michael Gott retweeted
Senator Collins’ office says we “took the word of someone who pled guilty,” but ProPublica conducted its own investigation of the former CEO’s assertions. We have the receipts.
Our reporters independently corroborated much of the account by former Navatek CEO Martin Kao by reviewing a trove of evidence, legal records and interviewing dozens of people. And we reported that anti-corruption agents at the FBI were asking questions about Susan Collins as recently as late 2024. But after the reelection of President Trump, the FBI and DOJ teams handling public corruption probes were dismantled.
Here is the full story:
propublica.org/article/fbi-s…
ALT Excerpt from article: ProPublica is revealing the existence of the case for the first time. We reviewed a trove of evidence gathered by the FBI and thousands of pages of legal records, and interviewed dozens of people familiar with Navatek, its Washington operations, and the FBI inquiry to conduct our own investigation. We independently corroborated much of Kao’s account. Whether or not Kao’s dealings with politicians amount to criminal bribery, the Trump Justice Department has little interest in finding out, and his sheer success reveals how easily influence is purchased in Washington today. This is the first in a series of stories drawn from our reporting.
ALT Emails Between Martin Kao and Scott Reed, Discussing Contributions to the Susan Collins Super PAC, 1820 PAC “Hi Scott: Had a chance to discuss 1820 with my CFO and attorney last night. They are suggesting setting up a separate new LLC to make the donations. Name of new LLC: Society of Young Women Scientists and Engineers. In my personal real estate investments, we often use LLCs that can be set up to "facilitate" transactions. They are super vague and very difficult to get any background info on. Totally legal and typically used in real estate transactions to conceal the identity of buyer/seller. Wanted to get your thoughts/concerns.” — email from Martin Kao to Scott Reed, Nov. 22, 2019 “Very smart and glad your counsel understands. Thanks for doing this.” — email from Scott Reed to Martin Kao, Nov. 22, 2019 “Great! We will proceed on getting this set up ASAP. Have a nice weekend.” — email from Martin Kao to Scott Reed, Nov. 22, 2019
The seven-year-old allegations made against Senator Collins and her staff in this piece are categorically false. There have never been any allegations of wrongdoing by the Collins for Senator campaign, and the campaign was never the target of the FBI investigation.
ProPublica took the word of someone who pled guilty to five counts of money laundering, three counts of wire fraud, one count of bank fraud, and making false submissions to the FEC. As Martin Kao was awaiting sentencing, he began making outlandish charges about the Collins office, deflecting blame from himself and placing it on Senator Collins, including alleging that our office required contributions before taking meetings and engaged in extortion, pay for play, and bribery. The FBI and the Court obviously did not believe Kao, and in 2025 he was sentenced in two separate cases to prison terms of seven years and three years to be served concurrently, as well as an additional five years of supervised release at the end of his prison term.
It is important to note that during the Biden Administration the FBI and the Department of Justice thoroughly investigated the Navatek matter. The Collins campaign cooperated fully with the FBI throughout the investigation, producing all of the documents it requested and serving as fact witnesses in official settings. In response to the allegations in the ProPublica piece, the FBI clearly stated that a suggestion of wrongdoing by Senator Collins or her staff is “totally false.”
These issues were resolved in 2021, and the FBI has not contacted us about Martin Kao since then.
Michael Gott retweeted
New: In late 2024, FBI investigators had enough evidence to launch a sweeping bribery probe that could ensnare top lawmakers, including Sen. Susan Collins. Then Trump was reelected and eviscerated the FBI and DOJ teams handling public corruption probes. propub.li/4yLLwaF
