The Battle In Seattle
The Boyfriend and I went to see “The Battle in Seattle” this Saturday at the Anjelika Film Center. Here’s the synopsis:
“In 1999, five days rocked the world as tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Seattle in protest of the World Trade Organization. Among them are Django (Andre Benjamin), Sam (Jennifer Carpenter), Lou (Michelle Rodriguez) and Jay (Martin Henderson). United in their desire to be heard and to make a difference, for these protesters, this is very personal and the stakes are higher than mere politics. A peaceful demonstration to stop the WTO talks quickly escalates into a full-scale riot and an eventual State of Emergency results. The streets are mayhem, the WTO is paralyzed”
Thought provoking movies only provoke those who know how to think. There’s a reason why a movie like this is only playing in one indie theater in the entire city. There’s a reason why this movie is not force fed down your throat in marketing gimmicks screaming, “Watch me!” This is the government’s facade of democracy. They want you to think, but not too much. They give you free speech, but tell you to turn down the volume. They want you to feel like you are being heard, but they only listen when its convenient. Isn’t that what the electoral college is for?
Why the hypocrisy? Because it’s easier to control mindless robots. That’s how the rich stay rich and the poor stay poor. But the movie is deeper than all this. And if you agree with my post, watch it. And after you watch it, you’ll be thinking. And if you’re not, then shame on you. Freedom is fragile. But too few see it. Until they lose it.