27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A peaceful protest in the name of Democracy turns ugly, December 22, 2006
+++++
In order to understand this frightening and powerful documentary, you have to understand the meaning of two terms:
(1) Democracy: government in which the common people hold the ruling power either directly or more usually, through elected (by a majority) representatives; the principle of equality of rights, opportunity, and treatment.
(2) World Trade Organization (WTO): from the film itself, it "is the latest in a series of transnational bodies and agreements to regulate the global economy. It can use sanctions and fines to override the labor, safety, and environmental standards of individual nations."
What is this film about? In Nov. 1999, the WTO was scheduled to hold its last meeting of the millennium at the convention center (behind closed doors) in downtown Seattle, Washington. Activists (from all over the world) prepared to blockade the streets to prevent the meeting from taking place since they perceive the actions of the WTO to be unfair favoring corporate greed over the working guy/gal. Over thirty thousand protesters converged on downtown Seattle.
The viewer is told that "by the end of the week, demonstrations were being held around the world in solidarity with the protests in Seattle."
The viewer is presented with powerful images of the protest "that was shot by over one hundred media activists." Also there is printed information that appears (for example, the definition of WTO above) and footage of protesters and protest leaders saying what's on their mind. Parts of this documentary are narrated. (Susan Sarandon is one of the narrators.)
Besides learning a lot, I felt I was actually at the protest. Thank goodness I was not physically there since the police force monitoring this event started getting brutal with the protesters. (Many were arrested and beaten by police.)
The only problem I had is that for the printed material that appeared, abbreviations that I was unfamiliar with were used for the names of various labor and other organizations. It would have been helpful and more instructive to me if the full names were used instead.
Finally the DVD (the one released in 2005) is perfect in picture and sound quality. However, I did notice that after the film finishes, the program does not revert back to the main menu. There are several interesting extras including video excerpts from the WTO 2003 protests in Cancun, Mexico.
In conclusion, this is a powerful film showing actual footage of how a relatively small group of protesters tried to take back the rightful democratic power that the political and corporate elite of the world is determined to take from the little people.
(2000; 70 min; full screen)
+++++
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A very concise title for a brilliant documentary!, June 2, 2007
This review is from: This Is What Democracy Looks Like (DVD)
I love the title, even for someone who does not believe democracy can exist. It could be used in two ways: (1) This is what democracy looks like; police brutality and authority's ruthlessness. One sentence from one of the interviewees leapt off the screen for me, which really summed up the living conditions in the US (and elsewhere). "You are all slaves, go back to your ... (couldn't really hear it but i took it as cages, as it made sense)". As long as people do not interfere with policymaking, or basically the decisions that outline their whole lives, they are considered no threat and thus "free", but voice your opinion, and the true nature of your existence vis-a-vis the state will be revealed, "you are all slaves" and have no right meddling with your own affairs. Quite ironic. The mother of all hypocrisies. (2) This is what democracy looks like, when people take it to the streets and get their voices heard across the great divide. Spectacular!
The events in Seattle, and those that happen elsewhere on Earth are considered "anti-globalization" protests, but really, they are the epitome of globalization, for what we have today is a perverse version of true globalization (Check Chomsky's writings for that).
By the way, I have no idea why Chomsky is included as a contributor for this documentary, not once does he appear. As far as I know, he was never even present at the protests. I thought maybe he might have something to say retrospectically about the Seattle protests, but nothing. I don't even think I saw his name in the credits. So it's a bit misleading to include his name.
For a more explicit documentary about the Seattle protests, check "Breaking the Spell". It can be found on [...] to download as a torrent file.
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Documentary at its Best, February 6, 2007
This review is from: This Is What Democracy Looks Like (DVD)
This was a great film on the events that led to the protests at the WTO. I thought it did a great job of demonstrating the fragile nature of our presumed right to free speech and freedom of assembly. Great for classroom use!!!
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