Never believe anything until it is officially denied.
Acclaimed Australian journalist John Pilger's feature film début, The war on democracy, lifts the lid on US foreign policy by looking at the world through the hopes, dreams and extraordinary actions of ordinary people.
In his second inauguration address, 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.
The war on democracy 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.
Deeply passionate and sure to court major controversy Pilger's searing indictment on western politics will anger and inspire in equal measure.
Special Agent Matti
I don't know why The war on democracy is a movie and not a special on SBS. The information is interesting but hardly earth-shattering. We all know that the USA has been interfering in the governments of Latin America but that's not enough to make it on the big screen. Buy the DVD instead.
The documentary movie The war on democracy is directed by John Pilger and stars George W Bush, Hugo Chavez.
M (Moderate themes and violence)
96 minutes (1:36 hours)
Film: 27 September 2007
