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The War on Democracy
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Wikipedia article
'The War on Democracy' is a 2007 documentary film directed by Christopher Martin and John Pilger, who also wrote the narration.[http://www.owbt.org/pages/Awards/awards2008/winners/TV_doc.html One World Media Awards] , One World Broadcasting Trust, 2008 Focusing on the political situations in nations of Latin America, the film criticizes both the United States' intervention in foreign countries' domestic politics and its "War on Terrorism". The film was first released in the United Kingdom on 15 June 2007. Critics accuse the film of fostering anti-American sentiment.
Production
The film was produced over a two-year period. Carl Deal, chief archivist on the Michael Moore films 'Fahrenheit 9/11' and 'Bowling for Columbine,' provided the archive footage used in the film. It is mastered in high-definition video.
Distribution
'The War on Democracy' was screened at both the 2007 Cannes Film Festival and the Galway Film Festival. The film was sold to distributors Lionsgate for distribution in the U.K. and Hopscotch distribution in Australia and New Zealand.[https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117965142.html?categoryId=19&cs=1 "Pilger's 'War' sold to U.K., Oz/N.Z."], 'Variety,' 17 May 2007 Pre-release screening took place at two Fopp locations on 12 June 2007, including one that was followed by a question and answer session with co-director John Pilger. Some in Chile accused Pilger of Chilenophobia by "attacking all Chileans who 'did not speak up to the dictatorship'" and "accusing Pinochet of fascism."
Reception
Peter Bradshaw wrote in 'The Guardian':
Andrew Billen wrote in 'The Times':
James Walton in 'The Daily Telegraph' thought that while "Pilger stressed that Venezuela's potential utopia is under threat", he "made exactly the same claims for Chavez that he was making for the Sandinistas in Nicaragua" in the 1980s. In Pilger's account of US involvement in Latin America, Walton wrote, "while this was the most familiar section of the programme, it was also the most powerful and persuasive because, once he was attacking his baddies, Pilger duly seemed on more solid ground. His recital, pretty polished by now, included chapter and verse on American involvement in torture, massacres and terrorism. He exposed (again) 'the epic lie' that this was done for the sake of democracy".
'The War on Democracy' won the One World Media TV Documentary Award in 2008.
Box office
'The War on Democracy' grossed $199,500 at the box office in Australia.[http://film.vic.gov.au/resources/documents/AA4_Aust_Box_office_report.pdf "Australian Films at the Australian Box Office"] , Film Victoria
See also
*'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,' documentary filmed from within the Chavez camp during the failed coup of 2002.
*'South of the Border', documentary by Oliver Stone
*Bolivarian revolution
*Hugo Chvez
*Economy of Venezuela
References
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