John Pilger's

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

I have just finished watching one of the most inspiring documentaries I think I have ever seen: John Pilger's "The War on Democracy" shown tonight on UK Channel Three (ITV), at over one and a half hours.

If you can, watch this film!

It will have you punching the air, and sheading tears, cursing the rich even while your jaw hits the floor at the courage of the poor and the fight-back we are seeing in Latin America -- surely the most hopeful place on earth at the moment.

He finishes with a warning to his viewers "To those who are used to seeing the world through the media of the rich and powerful, I warn you the people of the world are rising up..."

It then ends with Sam Cooke's 'I know change is a coming."

Gob-smakcing TV at its very best.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search?search-a...mitbutton1.y=14 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search?search-alias=dvd&field-keywords=&field-title=&field-actor=&field-director=John+Pilger&field-ean=&chooser-sort=relevancerank&mysubmitbutton1.x=55&mysubmitbutton1.y=14)

I've already ordered my copy!

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

You can now watch this here:

http://leninology.blogspot.com/2007/08/pil...-democracy.html (http://leninology.blogspot.com/2007/08/pilger-war-on-democracy.html)

Or directly here:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3...840148&hl=en-GB (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3739500579629840148&hl=en-GB)

[Andy Bowden]

Saw it last night, was stuff I largely already knew about, and what most on the Left will know but was still good - particularly the bits where he was interviewing the CIA guy who made a total dick of himself :D

[Y Chwyldro Comiwnyddol Cymraeg]

GGGGGGRRRRRRRR i hate tape recorders...my tape died half way throuh :o It was past my bed-time so i had to record it, but what i saw was amazing..im ordering a copy for sure

[Faux Real]

It's on google video here (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1786986629131142113&q=%22war+on+democracy%22+duration%3Along&total=5&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0). Watching it right now.

Edit: didn't see Rosa's link, sorry. :(

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

Yes, I am sure we on the left knew all this stuff already -- I certainly did.

The point is that this film shows the fight-back of the oppressed, something that goes beyond mere 'head knowledge', as I am sure you agree.

And that is why it is so inspiring.

Thanks revOlt, two mentions are better than one!

[bolshevik butcher]

Well it was alright. As Andy said it's been done before really, hands off venezuela has better material on the situation in Venezuela, I'd reccomend the films Revolution Bolivariana and No Volverama for a more indepth look at Venezuela that doesn't just go over what you already know.

However, Pilger despite his refusal to talk about socialism or workers power does take this sort of thing to a wider audience and I'm glad it was aired on tv.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

Wll, BB, I can think of now other film that is so powerful, that let's ordinary people talk about their lives, and strugles, with such hope (expressd by them, not some spokesman from a vanguard party), and that draws in the whole continent.

That film will be seen by far more than any we have yet produced on the far left -- and will have a bigger impact.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

Wll, BB, I can think of now other film that is so powerful, that let's ordinary people talk about their lives, and strugles, with such hope (expressd by them, not some spokesman from a vanguard party)

Have you seen Harlan County, U.S.A.?

[RedHal]

I heard about it, but didn't didn't expect anything new or radical from it since it was gonna be aired through mainstream media. But after reading someone on revleft proclaim it as one of the most inspiring documentaries, I decided to check it out at the links provided. Well my first intuition was correct. Like Chomsky, Pilger points out the crimes of the US and global ruling class, but does not provide solutions.

Yes, that CIA guy came off as a real ass, but what he says is nothing different from what US presidents say openly to the press. To protect US interest and it's citizens, no matter the casualties they inflict on other countries, and the vast majority of americans agree with this outlook!

and yes, the documentaries from http://www.handsoffvenezuela.org/ is much more inspiriing than Pilger's piece, No Volveran spends much more time with the poor and working ppl.

[bloody_capitalist_sham]

John Pilger is great.

John Pilger's New statesmen Article collection (http://www.newstatesman.com/writers/john_pilger)

Few journalists have his credibility.

[bolshevik butcher]

Originally posted by Rosa [email protected] 24, 2007 12:29 am
Wll, BB, I can think of now other film that is so powerful, that let's ordinary people talk about their lives, and strugles, with such hope (expressd by them, not some spokesman from a vanguard party), and that draws in the whole continent.


I presume you meant cant but revolution bolivariana certianly did this, as does no volverama.

You're right it won't get the same exposure. And that's why I'm still glad this was shown and glad that John Pilger's doing these things.