The peaceful demonstration turned into a full-scale rebellion November 1999 will be remembered by Seattle residents and visitors for a long time. It was at this time that the conference of the member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) was to begin. Activists from various organizations, trade unions and anti-globalists gathered for an extensive rally to protest WTO policies. In the world during the year there are many different political meetings, meetings, meetings, meetings, where questions about how ordinary people live on, but it was in Seattle that the protests turned into a real rebellion, the police did not cope with the protesters, many of them ended up in prisons, and law enforcement officers in hospitals. The rebellion brought the mayor of Seattle to the point that he declared a state of emergency in the city. And this is what we are offered to see the movie “Battle in Seattle” and get acquainted with what happened there.
The film is based on the idea of Stuart Townsend. He wrote the script, led the director's group, and also took over as producer of Battle of Seattle. Townsend himself we know better, of course, as an actor who played in the Queen of the Damned, the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Head in the Clouds, where he made a close acquaintance with Charlize Theron and after they lived together for nine years. For Townsend, “Battle in Seattle” remains the only experience as a director, writer and producer. I don’t know what hurt Stewart so much that he decided to debut this story, because he comes from Ireland, and there are plenty of problems. It is possible that the impetus for the creation of "Battle in Seattle" came from Townsend's own political views. Who knows?
In this film alternate play scenes with documentary. Of course, documentary gives an obvious trace of realism of what is happening, all these popular unrest, slogans, skirmishes with the police - it's like a raging sea, so exciting, but so dangerous. The film’s playful moments are also shown from different vantage points: you can see the story through the eyes of protesters or police officers. Of course, you can even choose the side on which you will be, but the greatest desire is that people on both sides of the barricades do not suffer, victims do not want. Each episode Townsend reinforced the dramaturgy, one way or another, every acting character after these events will not be able to forget everything that happens. It's scary, it's painful, it changes the way we look at the world.
For me, the most memorable moment was a fragment with Charlize Theron, who did not fail to play with her date in his debut film. Honestly, even turned, but her heroine was in the epicenter of the confrontation, while adhering to the neutral side. I remember the aggressiveness that suddenly caught Woody Harrelson’s character (he plays a policeman), but there is an awareness that he is right about something. In general, “Battle in Seattle” starred many recognizable actors, for example, Ray Liotta and Channing Tatum, Michelle Rodriguez and Jennifer Carpenter. And, given such a cluster of famous actors, it should be noted that the main character in “Battle...” is not. Apparently, Townsend wanted to say that everyone who attended these events is important in their own way and there is no need to single out anyone special.
In the verdict of the film, I can only conclude that I did not remain delighted with what I saw, but I was also not indifferent to this. The only fat plus of the film is that I replenished the baggage of knowledge, because, to confess, I have not even heard of such a riot before. But inexperience let down Townsend, even the presence of a cool cast did not help him to declare himself as a director and screenwriter. Something even suggests that the documentary cut was more exciting than the game part of the film. Watching or not watching The Battle of Seattle is your decision.
6 out of 10