| Testimonials:"Three cheers for this prophetic political film about activists willing to take a stand against rich and powerful multinational corporations."Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice"If [the film] inspires even one moviegoer to learn more about how an organization like the WTO affects his or her life, then Townsend has performed a valuable public service."Ethan Alter, Film Journal International"While it makes no bones about where its sympathies lie, these fictional stories show a genuine fascination with the role politics plays on both sides of such confrontations and how things can spin out of control with no single person to blame."Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter | | Synopsis:Actor Stuart Townsend (HEAD IN THE CLOUDS) makes an accomplished writing and directing debut with BATTLE IN SEATTLE, a fictionalized account of the 1999 World Trade Organization (WTO) meetings and protests in Seattle. After a lightning-quick lesson in WTO history and growing globalization concerns, we meet a cross-section of concerned individuals who will be affected by the events to come. These include hopeful activists (Martin Henderson and Michelle Rodriguez), a popular TV reporter (Connie Nielsen), a local police officer and his pregnant wife (Woody Harrelson and Charlize Theron), and a doctor anxious to raise AIDS awareness (Rade Serbedzija) at the meetings. We also meet Mayor Tobin of Seattle (Ray Liotta), who initially works with protestors to ensure peaceful demonstrations and a successful WTO conference. But when the demonstrators shut down the conference, and anarchists begin vandalizing the city, the mayor and police are pressured to make their own show of force. In the ensuing chaos and violence the different characters are forced to confront their convictions and motivations. Some will take sides with the protestors, some will be irrevocably changed, and some will find the strength to ensure that all voices are heard by the WTO. Mixing actual footage and multiple fictional storylines, Townsend's ambitious effort pays off in evenly addressing matters of both global importance and personal resonance. Filled with excellent performances and a message of cautious optimism, BATTLE IN SEATTLE is also quick to remind us that we need such upheavals to bring us together and get our world on a positive path.
Tuesday November 11 at 9 pm
Special Benefit for the War Resistors Support Group
www.londonresisters.ca
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|  |  | |  | | Battle in Seattle
Country: | USA/Canada/Germany | | Language: | English | | Cast: | Martin Henderson, Michelle Rodriguez, Woody Harrelson, Charlize Theron | | Directed by: | Stuart Townsend | | OFRB Rating: | 14A; Coarse Language, Violence | | Runtime: | 99 minutes | | Show Dates: | Not Scheduled | | |
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