Tagline: Every generation need a revolution.
Based on one of the most incendiary political uprisings in a generation, Battle in Seattle takes an in-depth look at the five days that rocked the world in 1999 as tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in protest of the World Trade Organization. What began as a peaceful protest intended to stop the WTO talks quickly escalated into a full-scale riot and eventual State of Emergency that squared off peaceful and unarmed protestors against the Seattle Police Department and the National Guard.
Stuart Townsend, writer & director, intertwines different points of view from a cross section of society- from protesters and police to delegates and doctors- who intentionally or accidentally find themselves on the streets of Seattle on those last days of the millennium. Dramatic theatrical performances merge with actual footage of the real event to bring these contrasting view points to the screen.
The film depicts the protest in 1999, as thousands of activists arrive in Seattle, Washington in masses to protest the WTO Ministerial Conference of 1999. The World Trade Organization is considered by protesters to contribute to widening the socioeconomic gap between the rich and the poor while it claims to be fixing it and decreasing world hunger, disease and death.
The movie takes an in-depth look at several fictional characters during those five days in 1999 as demonstrators protested the meeting of the WTO in Seattle’s streets. The movie portrays conflicts between the peaceful protesters and a minority committing property destruction whose actions were widely covered by the media. Although the protest began peacefully with a goal of stopping the WTO talks, police began teargassing the crowd after it refused to clear the streets and the situation escalated into a full-scale riot and a State of Emergency that pitted protesters against the Seattle Police Department and the National Guard.
Battle in Seattle is a 2007 political action-thriller film written and directed by Stuart Townsend, in his directorial debut. The story is based on the protest activity at the WTO Ministerial Conference of 1999. The film premiered on May 22, 2008 at the Seattle International Film Festival.
Battle in Seattle (2008)
Directed by: Stuart Townsend
Starring: Isaach De Bankole, Jennifer Carpenter, Isaach De Bankolé, Woody Harrelson, Martin Henderson, Michelle Rodriguez, Rade Sherbedzija, Channing Tatum, Charlize Theron
Screenplay by: Stuart Townsend
Production Design by: Chris August
Cinematography by: Barry Ackroyd
Film Editing by: Wes Denton, Fernando Villena
Costume Design by: Andrea Des Roches
Set Decoration by: Shannon Murphy
Art Direction by: Kirsten Franson
Music by: Neil Davidge, Robert Del Naja
MPAA Rating: R for language and some violence.
Distributed by: THINKFilm
Release Date: September 19, 2008
Views: 117
