Product Description

Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 03/10/2009 Run time: 98 minutes Rating: R

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15008 in DVD
• Brand: GAIAM MEDIA
• Released on: 2009-03-10
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 98 minutes

Features

• In November of 1999, Seattle broke into a full-scale state of emergency as thousands of peaceful protestors gathered in resistance to the World Trade Organization. The city s mayor, a SWAT cop on the streets and his pregnant wife, and four demonstrators are caught in the crossfire as their lives intersect in the ensuing riots. Stuart Townsend, in his debut writing and directing role, seamlessly me

Amazon.com
For five days in 1999, all eyes were on Seattle. Irish actor Stuart Townsend makes his directorial debut with a multi-character recreation of the World Trade Organization’s ill-fated U.S. conference. If the structure recalls Crash and Babel, Townsend intensifies the you-are-there quality through well-integrated archival footage. The docudrama opens with the arrival of a group of anti-globalization activists, led by Jay (The Ring's Martin Henderson), whose compatriots include Lou (Lost's Michelle Rodriguez) and Django (Outkast's André "3000" Benjamin, who provides a welcome dose of humor). As fictional Mayor Jim Tobin (Ray Liotta, wearing a touch too much eyeliner) tries to maintain order, TV reporter Jean (Connie Nielsen) strives for objectivity, police officer Woody Harrelson attempts to carry out the mayor's orders, and Dale's pregnant wife, Ella (Charlize Theron, Townsend's real-life girlfriend), just hopes to make it home in one piece (she gets stuck downtown at the height of the skirmish). Townsend admits he was inspired by Medium Cool, which filmmaker Haskell Wexler shot during 1968's Democratic National Convention. Paul Greengrass's Bloody Sunday also seems like a possible influence, and Greengrass regular Barry Ackroyd serves as cinematographer. If the characters rarely come alive the way they should, the action sequences easily convince, which is particularly impressive considering the bulk of filming took place in nearby Vancouver, B.C. A true labor of love, Battle in Seattle presents a more balanced view than most accounts to date--even if Townsend ultimately (and understandably) sides with the peaceful protesters and passionate Third World representatives. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews

VERY Powerful!
I was lucky enough to see this film in advance, and it opened my eyes to a few very important issues.

Going in, I'd never even heard of the "battle in Seattle," as I was only 13 years old at the time of the protests. But now that I'm aware of the event, it makes me wonder why the controversies with the WTO aren't still being discussed on a larger scale.

This is something that we should all be concerned about, and Stuart Townsend has done us a favor by introducing the issues in a format that is riveting, informative, and inspirational. If there's one thing Battle in Seattle does best, it's that it fires you up to take action any way you can.

Not to mention the great production values, absolutely stellar cast, and intense action sequences (Intense because they're real! Actual footage was used).

I would highly recommend attending a showing of this film with your family and friends, because these matters are important to us all, and Stuart's presentation of them is nothing short of breathtaking.

Important, insightful and extraordinarily well made
Promising new director STUART TOWNSEND -- perhaps better known for his starring roles in films such as "A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" or "Queen of the Damned" -- proves to be an effective storyteller with his skillful and dramatic recreation of events surrounding the historic World Trade Organiation riots in Seattle. Featuring an impressive, but not distracting, all-star cast, "Battle In Seattle" presents an effective and engaging look at the motivations behind those forces who want to control the world's marketplace, with those who will fight for freedom, opportunity and balance in commerce. Regardless of one's political or economic leanings, the film holds the audience by presenting the human-drama endured by participants on both sides of the police lines. Townsend handles his cast with skill and grace, perhaps borne from years of his own experience in front of the camera. Given a more traditionally structured screenplay (and a less controversial topic), you can expect to see something truly profound from Stuart Townsend in upcoming films. Check out "Battle in Seattle," and enjoy!

Excellent and Caring Real-Life Storytelling
Coming from Seattle, having lived through the WTO protests, I am proud S. Townsend took this topic to task. Townsend is a sweetheart and brave soul to care about the impact this event had on our city, and the world at large. Thank you for coming here and creating this film! It is well done, and I'm gratified by much of the original network news footage as well as the storyline.

This film will speak to young Americans just coming to understand how our economics impact the planet. Some characters may seem cheesy, but I found them to be authentic, easy to identify with for the most part. Yes, many people were tear-gassed and beaten in the streets for peaceful protesting. Yes, this went for 3 solid days, here in the heart of Seattle. Yes, I had a friend sleeping on my couch for a few nights, since he couldn't SEE after being tear-gassed. Yes, some children were tear-gassed, walking as pedestrians with their parents down the street. Yes, the city was under curfew and citizens were told to stay in their homes. And yes, the streets of our city were completely ripped-up. All the shop windows were kicked in and... Well, it all had an interesting way of addressing our materialism! Just in time for the Christmas shopping season. YAY!

(Seattle has not been the same since.)

What makes this film important is, it does give some human documentation to the FIRST international protest which was ever organized on the internet.

Into the third day of protests, media attempted to keep national news reports on the down-low; we had to tune-in to PBS in order to find out what was happening. For many, it represents the beginning of the needed CHANGE we were to strive for - - coming into nine long years later! After the events of 9/11, the war in Iraq, and with the election of Barack Obama. The true-life story behind this film shows us how hard-earned change can be; that it does not happen overnight. It happens in small revolutions of people, coming together with united intention.

As America falls into a recession which affects all nations, globally, and as we continue to work at pulling ourselves out of the wars in the Middle East, this film is an important, informative way to educate yourself on our global economic issues and the needs for change. If you're without a job right now, see if you can rent this film and think about the possibility of going to work for PEACE. If you need a little inspiration about root networks? And why it is that going green can help us in the future? This film and the true-life stories behind it will show you the way.