The War On Democracy

The War On Democracy is a film by John Pilger documenting the truths about what we call 'democracy' today. It particularly focuses on Latin America where truly democratic populations have been crushed time and time again by the pseudo democratic regime of northern America.

"In his second inauguration address, president Bush pledged to 'bring democracy to the world'. In his speech he mentioned the words 'democracy' and 'liberty' 21 times. Most of the world, it is fair to say, will have recoiled, many in fear. Bush's speech was significant because it finally stripped noble concepts like 'democracy' of their true meaning - government, for, by and of the people.

This film explores the theme of disenchantment with democracy, concentrating on those parts of the world where people have struggled with blood, sweat and tears to plant democracy, only to see it brutally crushed.

...Pilger travelled through Venezuela with its president, Hugo Chavez, the only leader of an oil-producing nation who has used its resources democratically - for the education and health of its people. Despite being toppled from his presidency in 2002 by rich and powerful interests backed by the US, he was brought back to power by the sheer weight of Venezuelan people power. The film has a positive element; great power is not invincible.

The film tells a universal story, analysing and revealing, through vivid testimony, the story of great power behind its venerable myths. It allows us to understand the true mature of the so-called war on terror."



DVD Release this month: UK/Aus/US
NZ Release Date: 6th March 2008 at Academy Cinemas Auckland
More info here

With thanks to The Big Idea