Battle in Seattle

Battle in Seattle 2007

• Director: Stuart Townsend
• Based on the book: no
• Cast: André Benjamin, Jennifer Carpenter, Isaach de Bankolé, Woody Harrelson, Martin Henderson, Ray Liotta, Ivana Milisevich, Connie Nielsen, Michelle Rodriguez, Rade Serbedzija, Charlize Theron, Channing Tatum
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• André Benjamin – Be Cool
• Isaach de Bankolé – Black Panther, Casino Royale, Manderlay, Coffee and Cigarettes, Night on Earth, Chocolat
• Woody Harrelson – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri, The Hunger Games, 2012, Battle in Seattle, No Country for Old Men, A Scanner Darkly, Prairie Home Companion, North Country, EDtv, The Thin Red Line, White Men Can’t Jump
• Martin Henderson – Little Fish
• Ray Liotta – Blow, Cop Land, Corrina Corrina, Field of Dreams
• Connie Nielsen – Wonder Woman, Gladiator, Rushmore
• Charlize Theron – Snow White Winter’s War, Mad Max Fury Road, Prometheus, The Road, North Country, Monster, The Cider House Rules, The Astronaut’s Wife
• Channing Tatum – Hail Caesar, Jupiter Ascending, The Eagle, Public Enemies
• Why? Good film
• Seen: Once before. Now 7 June 2020      

       The World Trade Organization meet in Seattle in 1999. Union members, environmental and human rights activists prepare to peacefully confront the police, who prepare to defend these global capitalists.

       Based on true events with real news footage, the film follows fictional protesters, police, delegates, politicians and individuals caught between.

       Broken windows and other property destruction lead to an attack by the police on the peaceful demonstrators. Extreme police brutality follows.

       The film is a strong indictment of the WTO and the reality of profits before people. Profits still go before people in the year 2020. The WTO, the IMF, the World Bank still rule. Racism and environmental disaster still kill. Protesters still protest. All over the world. Maybe, one day, we’ll win.

       ‘One down, a million more to go,’ says Django (Benjamin) after the WTO meeting in Seattle collapses.

5 * of 5